Don't Make The Same Mistakes I Did In Dragon Age The Veilguard... (Dragon Age Veilguard Tips)

Summary

This *Dragon Age* guide offers essential gameplay tips, from maximizing combat effectiveness with stagger damage and optimal gear choices, to exploring faction systems and unlocking valuable items. Key advice includes the importance of using light armor for ability boosts, prioritizing faction power to unlock better vendor inventories, and utilizing the Caretaker for upgrades and enchantments. It also highlights the value of companions, their automatic skills, and the impact of story choices on their abilities. With tips on collecting free skill points and increasing companion bonds, this guide helps players become more powerful and efficient in *Dragon Age*.

Takeaways

• 😀 Staggering enemies before using a finisher is a smart way to deal more damage. Use abilities to fill the stagger bar before delivering the final blow.
• 😀 Two-handed hammers, particularly as a warrior, are great for stagger damage, making them ideal for the stagger-and-finisher technique.
• 😀 After combat, make sure to check the battlefield for dropped valuables and items. Some valuable loot is easily missed, especially when killed from a distance.
• 😀 Smaller chests containing valuable rings and amulets are not marked on the map, but they can be hidden behind crates or other objects. Don't forget to break these items for extra loot.
• 😀 Sell valuables to the right faction vendor to maximize faction strength gains. For example, the Veil Crystal gives +15 faction strength if sold to the Veil Jumper shop.
• 😀 Focus on leveling up the faction you want to use by completing quests for them, instead of selling valuables at random faction vendors.
• 😀 Armor affects more than just defense—it also boosts your ability damage. Light armor offers the greatest ability power but less protection, while heavy armor provides more defense but less damage output.
• 😀 Don't rush to upgrade items with the Caretaker (blacksmith) early in the game. It's more beneficial to find higher-level items from chests and shops instead.
• 😀 Collect momentos to increase the Caretaker's power, which will allow you to upgrade your gear and loot better items. The Caretaker's rank influences the item level of drops.
• 😀 The Caretaker can also add enchantments to items, which are free buffs that improve your weapons and armor, such as increased damage, stagger, or elemental resistance. Starting at rank 5, you can apply these buffs to companion gear too.
• 😀 Keep an eye out for wolf statues in the world after unlocking the lyrium dagger. Interacting with these statues grants free skill points, which are valuable for upgrading your abilities.
• 😀 Pay attention to your companions' ability trees. Bringing the right companions with support abilities, like healing or buffs, can make a big difference in combat. But be careful, as certain story choices can make companions 'hardened,' reducing their support skills.

Q & A

What is the advantage of staggering enemies before finishing them off?

Staggering enemies and attacking them while they’re staggered allows you to deal more damage. Instead of immediately using a finisher, you can unload abilities and basic attacks, saving the finisher for the last moment to maximize damage.

Which weapons are best for dealing stagger damage?

Two-handed hammers, especially for Warriors, have the highest stagger damage, making them ideal for stunning enemies and setting up powerful finishers.

What is the benefit of picking up loot after a battle?

Enemies drop valuable items after they are defeated, but these need to be picked up manually. If you kill enemies from a distance, you may miss these items unless you check the battlefield afterward.

What is the importance of small chests in Dragon Age?

Small chests, which contain rings, amulets, and other valuables, are often hidden and not marked on the map. They offer important rewards, so be sure to explore thoroughly and check for them after battles.

How does selling valuable items to faction vendors work in Dragon Age?

Selling valuable items to faction vendors increases your faction power. Some items give more faction strength when sold to the right vendor (e.g., the **Veil Crystal** gives +15 faction strength at the **Veil Jumper Shop**, but only +3 at other vendors).

How can you increase a faction vendor’s inventory in Dragon Age?

By increasing faction power, you raise the vendor’s rank, which unlocks better items for purchase. Save your regular valuables for vendors you want to level up to get access to higher-level gear.

Why should you be careful when choosing armor in Dragon Age?

Armor not only affects defense but also boosts ability damage. Light armor offers the highest offensive boost but offers less protection, while heavy armor provides more defense but reduces your ability damage. Consider medium armor for a balanced approach.

What role does the Caretaker play in upgrading your gear?

The Caretaker, located at your home base (Lighthouse), can upgrade your gear by using Momentos found throughout the world. Upgrading the Caretaker improves the quality of items you find and unlocks enchantments that add buffs to your gear.

How can you get free skill points in Dragon Age?

You can find **wolf statues** scattered across the map and use the **Lyrium Dagger** to interact with them. Activating these statues will grant you free skill points. Additionally, there are other statues that increase your maximum health when destroyed.

What happens if a companion becomes 'hardened' in Dragon Age?

When a companion becomes hardened, they lose access to support abilities, such as healing or buffing, but their offensive capabilities are enhanced. This happens due to certain story decisions, and you should choose carefully if a companion is crucial to your support role.

How can you maximize the bond experience with your companions?

Companion Bond XP increases by completing their personal quests and bringing them along on missions. Building a strong bond unlocks new abilities, gear, and even unique spells or outfits for that companion.

Why is it important to make manual saves during certain missions?

Manual saves are crucial during certain story missions, especially when you have to choose between companions. These decisions can impact whether a companion becomes hardened or retains their support abilities, so saving beforehand allows you to make the best choice.