Dragon Age: The Veilguard best faction — For every class, Rook backstories, and bonuses

As a seasoned adventurer who has traversed the treacherous lands of Thedas and beyond, I must say that joining the Mourn Watch is a wise choice for any Rook seeking to delve deeper into the arcane mysteries of magic and the dead. With my years of experience in battling necromancers, demons, and other abominations, I can attest to the importance of having allies with expertise in the matters of funerary rites and magical investigations.

When selecting a class for your character in Dragon Age: The Veilguard, the subsequent step in creating your BioWare action RPG character is deciding which faction your Rook will join. This decision isn’t one to worry too much about, as its influence on your gameplay experience is relatively small; however, it’s still a choice that merits careful consideration. This is because the faction you choose shapes your backstory and surname, introduces you to Varric, provides some useful bonuses, and opens up unique dialogue options in certain narrative segments of the story.

In total, there are six factions to choose from, and each one has different lore, aesthetic styles, and (minor) stat bonuses to consider. Not sure which one you want to be a part of? In this guide, you’ll find an overview of each one that includes everything you need to know so you can make an informed decision. I’ve also made some recommendations for the best factions to join depending on which class you’re going to play as, as your faction choice does actually have some gameplay impact.

Dragon Age: The Veilguard — Best faction for Mage

Dragon Age: The Veilguard best faction — For every class, Rook backstories, and bonuses

For Death Caller or Evoker Mages, it’s clear that the Shadow Dragons faction offers the most advantageous gameplay. This is due to the fact that your passive mana regeneration will be enhanced, giving you more opportunities to unleash your powerful spells compared to what you could do without this boost. On the other hand, Momentum and Rage, while crucial for Rogues and Warriors, are less significant when it comes to Mages’ primary resource – mana. Therefore, choosing the Shadow Dragons becomes a straightforward decision.

In essence, Spellsword Mages might find it more advantageous to either join the Grey Wardens or the Antivan Crow. The Grey Wardens offer enhanced health and defense which can shield these mages, as they typically engage in melee combat but lack the protective armor of a Warrior. Similarly, becoming an Antivan Crow allows you to carry an additional health potion, a bonus that could prove crucial for their survival given their vulnerable position in close quarters.

Dragon Age: The Veilguard — Best faction for Rogue

Dragon Age: The Veilguard best faction — For every class, Rook backstories, and bonuses

The most beneficial faction for Duelist and Veil Ranger Rogues is the Veil Jumpers, because these subclasses deal significant critical damage or weak point damage, which frequently triggers the Veil Jumpers’ bonus. For Duelists, an alternative worth considering is the Antivan Crows, as additional healing is beneficial for a melee class.

In this scenario, individuals who prefer stealthy and cunning strategies might want to join the Lords of Fortune. Their ability to enhance takedowns aligns perfectly with the nature of a trap-setting treasure hunter, and their skills will undoubtedly prove useful in your line of work.

Dragon Age: The Veilguard — Best faction for Warrior

In Dragon Age: The Veilguard, Warriors work well with various faction-specific advantages. It’s advantageous for a Warrior to join the Grey Wardens as they enhance your vital defenses and health significantly. However, the extra healing potion from being an Antivan Crow is also appealing.

If you’re thinking about taking up the role of a Slayer, it might be wise to give the Lords of Fortune some thought too. This specialization is particularly proficient with large two-handed weapons, leading to numerous takedowns. Conversely, Reapers may find an alliance with The Mourn Watchers beneficial due to their tendency to inflict afflictions during their brutal onslaughts.

Dragon Age: The Veilguard — Grey Wardens

Bonded in Blood: Gain reputation with the Grey Wardens more quickly
Blight Killer: Deal increased damage vs. Darkspawn
Vigilant Training: Base defense and health are slightly increased
Surname: Thorne

In times of peril, when lives hung in balance, Rook bravely stepped forward, shielding an entire village from a terrifying horror, even if it meant personal sacrifice.

In the midst of a massive darkspawn assault, I found myself ordered to maintain our position alongside fellow Grey Wardens, waiting for reinforcements. Yet, deep within me, I knew that by then, the villagers under siege would have met their fate. Unable to bear the thought, I defied orders and led my squad into the heart of the incursion. We sealed off a tunnel leading to the Deep Roads in our charge, turning back the tide of darkspawn and driving them away. The villagers were saved, and though my fellow Wardens admired my bravery, some with noble ties resented my independent spirit. In the heat of the moment, I chose to step aside, allowing tempers to cool before returning to our duties.

In essence, the Grey Wardens serve as the noble knights of Dragon Age, sworn to protect Thedas from the malevolent Darkspawn and their destructive Blights (periods when the Darkspawn harness divine power to assault the realm). While the loyalty and purity of their ranks may sometimes be called into question due to the organization’s practice of accepting skilled fighters, regardless of their background – even criminals – there is no argument that they are formidable warriors who have repeatedly saved the world from ruin.

As a Grey Warden in Dragon Age: The Veilguard, I find myself equipped with enhanced vitality and defensive capabilities. This added resilience proves advantageous for any Warrior, but it significantly boosts the performance of Spellblade Mages who engage in close-combat, as they often lack robust armor or a substantial health reserve.

Dragon Age: The Veilguard — Veil Jumpers

Close to the Veil: Gain reputation with the Veil Jumpers more quickly
Attuned Strikes: Deal increased damage vs. Fade-Touched
Keen Eye: Deal slightly increased Critical and Weakpoint damage
Surname: Aldwir

Rook’s Background Story: In moments when lives hung in the balance, Rook chose to disobey commands and save people from the enigmatic dangers lurking in Arlathan.

During an exploration of ancient ruins nestled within Arlathan Forest, the Veil Jumpers chanced upon a site holding vital, long-forgotten knowledge and lethal perils. Just managing to outlive the ruin’s arcane defenses, Rook’s modest squad retrieved a priceless chart guiding them to a concealed part of the forest. Despite their escape, additional Veil Jumpers fell victim to being trapped. Moved by duty and camaraderie, Rook opted to revisit the ruins, thus saving fellow team members at the cost of losing the map. This selfless act earned Rook immense praise for courage, but the lost map stirred some animosity among the Veil Jumpers’ commanding officers.

The Veil Jumpers represent a vast community of investigators and thrill-seekers who have united to delve into the enigmatic Arlathan Forest and its elven relics, all while shielding them from potential threats. While proficient in archery, these explorers are versatile fighters, wielding various types of weapons.

Veil Jumper Rooks deal enhanced damage when they critically strike weak points, a significant advantage. Notably, the Rogue’s Veil Ranger Specialization is particularly suitable for this faction as it involves frequent targeting of weak spots. However, it also benefits the Duelist subclass if you focus on building up critical hits.

Dragon Age: The Veilguard — Shadow Dragons

Light in the Dark: Gain reputation with the Shadow Dragons more quickly
Never to Rise: Deal increased damage vs. Venatori
Resourceful: Your class-specific resource generates slightly faster
Surname: Mercar

Rook bravely sacrificed his own wellbeing to free the oppressed populace of Tevinter, fully aware that this act would provoke the displeasure of the powerful rulers.

Orphaned Rook was taken in by a military household and became part of the covert group known as the Shadow Dragons, battling for reform within Minrathous from the sidelines. While safeguarding a visiting diplomat who was probing a slave trade network in the neighboring city of Nessus, Rook perceived that the operation would falter without taking risks. Acting independently, Rook secretly escorted the diplomat into zones controlled by Venatori and rescued the enslaved individuals. These daring moves drew attention from the Venatori, prompting the Shadow Dragons to keep Rook concealed thereafter.

This underground faction operates in the nation of Tevinter and fights to free slaves from those that lord over them in cities like Minrathous. Little else about them is known, however, especially since they’re rarely observed in the open.

Choosing the faction offers the most advantage for a Mage character since it enhances the generation of class-specific resources, particularly Mana. Since a Mage’s potency relies heavily on efficient Mana management, this faction enables more frequent use of powerful spells due to its faster passive Mana regeneration.

Dragon Age: The Veilguard — Lords of Fortune

Together in Glory: Gain reputation with the Lords of Fortune more quickly
Healthy Competition: Deal increased damage vs. Mercenaries
Relentless: Perform takedowns on enemies with slightly less effort
Surname: Laidir

Background of Character Rook: “After being betrayed by a crooked noble from Rivaine, Rook found himself fleeing from a crumbling structure. However, instead of meeting his end, he managed to turn the situation around and annihilated a hazardous artifact.

A rising Lord of Fortune, skilled at breaking into lost tombs and ruins, Rook killed a corrupt Rivaini noble to prevent an ancient evil from being given to the Venatori. His/her/their actions were correct and saved the lives of expedition members, but some Rivaini nobles were resentful. Because the success of the Lords’ expeditions relied on Rivaini authorities looking the other way, it seemed wise for Rook to step away while tempers settled.”

I, an onlooker, often come across the cunning Lords of Fortune in the realm of Dragon Age – these are the sly treasure-hunters who relish wealth and adorn themselves with vibrant attire. Their exceptional skill at concealing their identities allows them to move stealthily without raising suspicion or disappearing swiftly from a crime scene.

As an analyst, I would rephrase the given statement as follows: Among the two specializations I find most effective in leveraging a faction’s reduced takedown difficulty are the Warrior’s Slayer and the Rogue’s Saboteur. These roles offer numerous skills and abilities that focus on successful takedowns. The Reaper isn’t a poor choice when paired with the Lords of Fortune, either.

Dragon Age: The Veilguard — The Mourn Watch

Recognized Name: Gain reputation with the Mourn Watchers more quickly
Return to the Grave: Deal increased damage vs. Undead and Demons
Acute Afflictions: You can apply an additional affliction stack on targets
Surname: Ingellvar

In the face of unsettling ghostly threats that endangered the residents of the Grand Necropolis, Rook swiftly stepped in to ensure safety for both the living and the deceased.

Born an infant within the hallowed chambers of the Grand Necropolis, I was cradled by the spectral hands of Mourn Watch necromancers. As I grew, I became one of their own, eventually pledging my allegiance to this enigmatic order. During a power struggle among the undead nobility, known as the War of the Banners, I led a daring assault against the rebellious leaders. My actions proved decisive, putting an end to the conflict and sparing countless lives. However, my destruction of these noble undead sparked controversy. Some within the Mourn Watch feared that I had offended our aristocratic patrons, prompting them to suggest that I embark on a journey of self-discovery.

Additionally, there’s The Vigilant Guardians, a team responsible for safeguarding and maintaining the Grand Necropolis – a cemetery within Nevarra City that houses the remains of the deceased. This group also handles instances where magic usage or its consequences are questionable, holding supreme jurisdiction over matters concerning the spirits of the departed.

If you’re planning to specialize as either a Death Caller Mage or a Reaper Warrior, it’s advantageous to note that the additional hardships (or stacks) you can inflict as a Mourn Watcher are extremely beneficial for both. Therefore, this faction is worth contemplating in your future plans.

Dragon Age: The Veilguard — Antivan Crows

Under their Wing: Gain reputation with the Antivan Crows more quickly
Open Contract: Deal increased damage vs. Antaam
Hidden Pouch: Holds an extra potion
Surname: De Riva

Rook’s Background: As invaders seized the people of Treviso, Rook was resolute in his mission to rescue the captives, no matter the price.

A newly promoted Crow, named Rook, found themselves at odds with their commanders due to the city they guarded being under control of ruthless soldiers called the Antaam. One fateful night, as Rook witnessed a patrol leading captives, they took immediate action. However, in their heroic effort, they unwittingly disrupted a larger operation against the Antaam, causing uproar among their superiors. As a result, Rook was sidelined for their actions. Determined to regain trust and prove their worth, the young assassin sought out new avenues of service.

The sixth and final faction option is the Antivan Crows — a shadowy group that’s been a part of Dragon Age since the first game’s release. Masters of stealth, daggers, and poison, the network of renowned assassins and spies is often approached and paid to conduct assassinations of all kinds. The Crows are so skilled that many nations have avoided trying to conquer their homeland of Antiva despite the fact it doesn’t even have an army, though recently Antaam soldiers have begun to occupy the area.

Enhancing a class with an additional health elixir will likely be advantageous to all, but it could be particularly useful for Warriors, Duelist Rogues, and Spellblade Mages because they often find themselves in intense melee situations and have a higher probability of being struck.

Can you change faction in Dragon Age: The Veilguard?

Once you’ve made your faction selection during character creation, it’s not possible to alter that choice. So, take your time to weigh all factors, including the benefits each faction offers and how you envision playing your character, Rook, within those parameters, before making a decision.

The game “Dragon Age: Veilguard” is now available on Xbox Series X|S, Windows PC (through Steam, the Epic Games Store, and the EA app), and PlayStation 5. The price varies depending on your chosen platform; it’s $59.99 for PC users or $69.99 for console gamers. Additionally, you can access it via an EA Play Pro subscription. This game is often cited as one of the top Xbox games and top PC games of the year for RPG enthusiasts, marking the first new Dragon Age title in a decade.

2024-10-31 19:12