Each of the seven companions in Dragon Age: The Veil Guard has a unique set of skills that can be mixed and matched to create powerful combinations in combat. Companion abilities are divided into five trees available in the Companion menu. Just like Rook, each companion can only have three active skills at a time, as well as various passives and upgrades to enhance those skills. And, like Rook, companions can be respected in Dragon Age: The Veil Guard at any time for free.
In addition to selecting a companion’s abilities in Dragon Age: The Veil GuardPlayers can also find and select equipment for all companions while exploring. Generally, the best gear for each companion will come from the faction associated with that companion, as those faction merchants receive upgrades and loot from completing that companion’s questline. However, they can be found anywhere while exploring. Here are the best builds for each companion in Dragon Age: The Veil Guard.
How to build companions
Use primer and detonator mechanics
Unlike others Dragon Age games, players have access to all active companion abilities available from some of the game’s earliest levels. They can then earn Skill Points for companions by bringing them on exploration missions, chatting with them frequently, and purchasing gifts from DA: The Guard of the Veilwhich increases Rook’s bond with them. Skill Points can unlock more passives that improve or increase these skills. After players complete a companion’s personal quest, they will also unlock an Ultimate ability for them based on their choice at the end of the quest.
In general, it is best to make sure that each Dragon Age: The Veil Guard companion has a Primer ability and a Detonator ability active at all times. Primer skills apply status effects like Sundered, Weakened, or Overwhelmed to an enemy. Detonator’s abilities deal extra damage to enemies affected by a Primer’s status effects.
This helps with group synergy for combo attacks and can lead to larger attacks, making it easier to take down more formidable enemies. In addition to selecting a Primer and Detonator, players can decide whether they want to build each companion more for support or damage and choose an ultimate active ability, in addition to passives, that enhances their role in the party.
All companions except the two warriors, Davrin and Taash, can heal Rook, which can be extremely valuable in long fights. Additionally, all companions can apply a buff to Rook for a brief period, which can change the situation when fighting high-level enemies.
Best Construction for Lace Harding
The Scout
Harding is considered a Rogue in Dragon Age: The Veil Guard and depends on your bow and arrow and some interesting new magical skills. Your active skills are:
- Destroy: Harding destroys his opponent’s defenses with a decisive shot. Offers a large amount of Stagger.
- Calming Potion: An expert scout carries only the best features. This special drink is a stimulant like no other.
- Heavy Draw: Harding pulls back the bowstring as far as he can, firing a devastating shot. Offers a large amount of Stagger.
- Adrenaline: Harding gives an enthusiastic shout, motivating you to act with renewed determination. Grants improved damage.
- Seismic Shot: Harding fires a powerful bow shot, creating a shockwave in the air that hits enemies caught in the blast. Causes very high Stagger and can disrupt enemies.
His best build depends on his role as a long-range attacker and support. For active skills, select the following:
- Destroy
- Heavy Draw
- Calming Potion
Shred acts as a Primer, applying Sundered to the target. Heavy Draw is a detonator for the Overwhelmed status effect. When choosing passive abilities, consider those that improve the duration of attacks or shorten the cooldown to allow Harding to attack more frequently. The most important liabilities to acquire include:
Passive Skill |
Status Effect |
---|---|
Destroy |
Razor’s Edge, Keen Eye, Enduring Rupture, Spontaneous Fragment, Shrapnel |
Heavy Draw |
Blunt Force, Rapid Shot, Valos Atredum, Sparkshot, Overpower |
Calming Potion |
Greater Comfort, Touch of Elfroot, Extra Elfroot, Panacea |
Finally, the best gear for Harding includes the highest level versions of the following:
- Main Hand: My regards (short arc)
- Armor: Scout Compassion
- Memory: Secrets and Memories
- trinket: Dwarven Key
Harding’s best gear is awarded as a reward for completing his personal quests. Your equipment can also be upgraded at the Lighthouse Workshop or by purchasing or finding duplicates.
Best build for Neve Gallus
The detective
Snow is a Mage in Dragon Age: The Veil Guard and relies on his Evoker ice magic to control the battlefield. Your active skills are:
- Glacial Rhythm: Snow focuses her ice magic into a single beam, stopping enemies in their tracks. When hit, applies Chilled.
- Slow time: Neve uses her talents as an ice mage to slow down the world around her. Slows enemies and teammates, but you continue moving and attacking at normal speed.
- Blizzard: Snow summons a swirling vortex of ice to destroy and harm her enemies. Deals damage every second to all enemies in the area of effect.
- Replenish: The streets of Minrathus and beyond require great caution.
- Icebreaker: Snow conjures chunks of ice to throw at her enemies. Fires six projectiles at targets that explode after a short delay.
His best build depends on his role as a long-range attacker and support. For active skills, select the following:
- Icebreaker
- Glacial Rhythm
- Replenish
Glacial Rhythm helps control a fight and acts as a Primer, applying Weakened to the target. Icebreaker is a Detonator that works with the Sundered effect.
When choosing passive abilities, consider those that improve attack duration or freeze targets more frequently. The most important liabilities to acquire include:
- Icebreaker: Chill Out, Frost Warning, Deep Freeze, Early Winter, Freezing Ice, Broken Resolution
- Glacial Rhythm: Cold Front, Cold Wave, Glacial Rhythm, Barrier Breaker, Critical Shot, Freezing Point
- Replenish: Cold Comfort, Superior Form, Resist, Caution, Spirit Shield
Finally, the best gear for Neve includes the highest tier versions of the following:
- Main Hand: Shadow Scepter
- Armor: Dragon Coat
- Memory: Old news clipping
- trinket: Exhaustive Notes
Snow’s best gear increases damage to enemy barriers and detonations, reduces cooldowns for herself and Rook and other companions, and increases the duration of the Frozen effect applied to critical hits. Your equipment is awarded as a reward for completing your personal missions. Your equipment can also be upgraded at the Lighthouse Workshop or by purchasing or finding duplicates.
Best build for Bellara Lutare
The Veil Jumper
Bellara is a Mage in Dragon Age: The Veil Guard and relies on his Fade command to deal damage and support the party. Your active skills are:
- Faded screws: Bellara channels Fade energy through her gauntlet to release a barrage of projectiles.
- Weakening Shot: Bellara fires a magic-infused shot from her bow, drenching her target with Fade magic. Offers high Stagger.
- Replenish: Veil Jumpers never know what the Fade might throw at them. Bellara throws you a magical lifeline, instantly restoring your health.
- Galvanized tear: Bellara creates a controlled tear in the Veil, focusing on enemies but sparing allies. Lures enemies to a point on the battlefield and deals damage to those nearby.
- Slow time: A relic of Arlathan allows Bellara to conjure concentrated time anomalies on the battlefield. While active, these anomalies reduce the movement of enemies and teammates, but allow you to continue moving and attacking at normal speed.
Your best build depends on your support role and your ability to control combat. For active skills, select the following:
- Faded screws
- Galvanized tear
- Replenish
Galvanized tear helps control a fight and can take enemies off Rook, which can be extremely valuable as they can withstand more aggression. Faded screws is a Detonator that works with the Sundered effect. When choosing passive abilities, consider those that target barriers or deal a lot of damage per second to make the most of Bellara’s kit. The most important liabilities to acquire include:
- Faded screws: Meticulous, Flare Shot, Continuous Current, Quick Flash, Quick Return, Energy Surge
- Galvanized tear: Master of the Veil, Electrocution, Voltaic Rift, Energy Trap, Lingering Spark, Displacement
- Replenish: Retreat, Contingency, Resist, Increased Stamina, Pillar of Health, Spiritual Shield
Finally, the best gear for Bellara includes the highest tier versions of the following:
- Main Hand: Storm
- Armor: Camping equipment
- Memory: Focus Contraption
- trinket: Calibration crystal
Bellara’s best gear increases damage to enemy barriers and detonations, reduces her cooldowns and those of Rook and other companions, and grants a Revive charge to bring Rook back in particularly difficult fights. Your equipment is awarded as a reward for completing your personal missions. Your equipment can also be upgraded at the Lighthouse Workshop or by purchasing or finding duplicates.
Best build for Lucanis Dellamorte
The Assassin Mage
Lucanis is a Rogue in Dragon Age: The Veil Guard and uses his training as a Crow assassin and his dynamic with Spite to cause damage. Your active skills are:
- Abominate: Lucanis sweeps the area with demonic strength. Deals high barrier damage and applies Knocked Down to enemies in the area.
- Adrenaline: Lucanis gives an enthusiastic shout, motivating you to act with renewed determination. Grants improved damage.
- Weaken: Lucanis attacks his enemies with a debilitating blow. Offers high Stagger.
- Calming Potion: A Talon is ready for anything and never without a potent mix on hand. Lucanis casts a restorative tincture on you, granting Rejuvenation.
- Eviscerate: Lucanis delivers a decisive blow, targeting the enemy’s weakest point. At half health or less, deals additional damage, increasing effectiveness the closer the target is to death. Detonates Oppressed.
Your best build depends on your abilities to deal damage and set up combos for Rook and other companions. For active skills, select the following:
- weaken
- Eviscerate
- Abhor
weaken is a Primer, applying Sundered to enemies. Eviscerate is a Detonator that works with the Oppressed effect. Abhor helps control combat by knocking down enemies and can also deal barrier damage.
When choosing passive abilities, consider those that target barriers, reduce cooldowns, and deal additional damage. The most important liabilities to acquire include:
- weaken: Barrier Breaker, Critical Damage, Spiteful Diseases, Killing Time, Sleight of Hand, Enduring Rupture
- Eviscerate: Number of Kills, Death Trap, Wizard’s Curse, Tear Ribbons, Twin Blades, Demon Daggers
- Abhor: Cruelty, Double Strike, Malice, Schism, Implacable Spite, Vengeful Break
Finally, the best gear for Lucanis includes the highest tier versions of the following:
- Main Hand: Guardian Raven
- Armor: Corvid Cover
- improvised: Leaf of God
- trinket: Oil and Simple Stone
Lucanis’s best gear increases damage dealt and applies more affliction stacks. Your equipment is awarded as a reward for completing your personal missions. Your equipment can also be upgraded at the Lighthouse Workshop or by purchasing or finding duplicates.
Best build for Davrin
The Director
Davrin is a warrior in Dragon Age: The Veil Guard and depends on his bond with Assan and his training as a Gray Warden. Your active skills are:
- Assan Attack: Call on Assan to attack from the skies. Deals additional armor damage and knocks down enemies.
- Battle cry: Davrin lets out a formidable scream, drawing the attention of the enemies attacking the group. Taunts enemies in the area, forcing them to attack Davrin for a short period of time. Does not affect some of the stronger enemy bosses.
- Heroic Strike: A swift and decisive attack imbued with the righteous fire of the Gray Wardens. Offers high Stagger. Applies Overload.
- In war, victory: Davrin’s heroic actions inspire, filling you with the power and endurance of an unwavering Guardian. Grants invulnerability for a short period.
- Death from above: Davrin calls on Assan to attack a target from above. Offers high Stagger. Detonates weakened.
Your best build depends on your abilities to attract aggression and break through enemy armor. For active skills, select the following:
- Heroic Strike
- Death from above
- War cry
Heroic Strike is a Primer, applying Overwhelm to enemies. Death from above is a Detonator that works with the Weakened effect. War cry helps alleviate Rook by forcing enemies to focus on Davrin briefly, which is especially useful if you built Rook as a Rogue or Mage.
When choosing passive skills, consider those that target armor, apply additional status effects, and reduce cooldowns. The most important liabilities to acquire include:
- Heroic Strike: Armor Breaker, Crushing Force, Overpower, Focused Training, Critical Strike, Blood and Fire
- Death from above: Impressive claws, Slow burn, Bird of prey, Positive reinforcement, Hell’s fall, Barrage
- War cry: Breathing space, overprotective, quick anger, lasting words, quarrelsome, scorching anger
Finally, the best gear for Davrin includes the highest tier versions of the following:
- Main Hand: Griffin Claw
- Armor: Winged Cape
- Memory: Assan’s Fury
- trinket: Creator’s Chisel
Davrin’s best gear relies on his ability to deal fire damage and increase damage while reducing cooldown. Much of your equipment is awarded as rewards for completing your personal missions. Your equipment can also be upgraded at the Lighthouse Workshop or by purchasing or finding duplicates.
Best build for Taash
The dragon hunter
Taash is a warrior in Dragon Age: The Veil Guard who can breathe fire. Your active skills are:
- Dragon’s Roar: Taash roars with draconic fury, drawing the enemy’s attention. Taunts enemies in the area, forcing them to briefly focus their attacks on Taash. Does not affect some of the stronger enemy bosses.
- Fire Breath: Taash breathes flames, igniting enemies with draconic fury. Deals damage and applies Burning to all enemies.
- Fortune’s Favor: Taash’s luck and the Lord of Fortune’s training ensure that you will come out of this battle alive. Grants Invulnerability.
- Spitfire: Taash spits a scorching blast of flame that takes the fight away from the enemy. Offers high Stagger.
- Dragon Fire Strike: Taash delivers an aerial fire attack that leaves enemies concussed, confused, and burning. Applies Burning on hit.
His best build leans toward close combat encounters and controlling a battlefield. For active skills, select the following:
- Spitfire
- Dragon Fire Strike
- Fortune’s Favor
Spitfire helps control a fight and applies Overwhelm. Dragon Fire Strike is a Detonator that works with the Weakened effect. Fortune’s Favor is unique because it grants Rook temporary Invulnerability, which can be incredibly valuable against the strongest bosses.
When choosing passive skills, consider those that target armor, increase damage, and reduce cooldown. The most important liabilities to acquire include:
- Spitfire: Critical Strike, Flame Splash, Armor Break, Spreading Weakness, Acceleration, Crushing Pressure
- Dragon Fire Strike: Burn, Heatwave, Firestorm, Focus Fire, Bring Wound, Explosive Time
- Fortune’s Favor: Precise Immunity, Strong Return, Buckle, Quick Recovery, Enrichment, Truce
Finally, the best gear for Taash includes the highest tier versions of the following:
- Main Hand: Golden Locus
- Armor: Feathered chainmail
- Memory: Jade Cleaver
- trinket: Anesthetic herbs
Taash’s best gear increases damage against tall dragons and applies additional Burn to enemies. Much of your equipment is awarded as rewards for completing your personal missions. Your equipment can also be upgraded at the Lighthouse Workshop or by purchasing or finding duplicates.
Best build for Emmrich Volkarin
The Necromancer
Emmrich is a wizard in Dragon Age: The Veil Guard with Necrotic specialization. Your active skills are:
- Entangled Spirits: Emmrich summons spirits to entangle and hinder his enemies. Offers high Stagger.
- Final Rites: Emmrich summons an envoy from the dead, who explodes in a blast of necrotic energy.
- Replenish: A wise Mourn Watcher prepares for all dangers; no one should pass before their time. Emmrich casts a healing spell, instantly restoring his health.
- Slow time: A complicated technique that captures the essence of any creature, living or dead, causing time to slow down. While active, enemies and companions move more slowly while you continue moving and attacking at normal speed.
- The bell tolls: Emmrich casts a killing curse that, after a short delay, causes an enemy to explode with necrotic energy. Applies Quietus to targets, dealing increased damage.
Its best build relies on its ability to apply status effects to enemies that allow other companions or Rook to detonate larger bursts of damage. For active skills, select the following:
- Entangled Spirits
- The bells toll
- Final Rites
Entangled Spirits is Emmrich’s Primer, applying Weakened to enemies. Final Rites detonates Sundered. The bells toll applies Quietus, a unique status effect that increases damage and helps Mage Rooks with Mana regeneration.
When choosing passive abilities, consider those that spread effects to multiple enemies to control crowds and increase damage. The most important liabilities to acquire include:
- Entangled Spirits: Transient Spirits, Critical Shot, Grave Rot, Relentless, Unfinished Business, Unnerve
- The bells toll: Quick Start, Essence Leech, Persistent Mortality, Pestilence, Death Sentence, Contagion
- Final Rites: Imminent End, Killing Spell, Death Scream, Recurring Fears, Encore!, Night Terrors
Finally, the best equipment for Emmrich includes the highest level versions of the following:
- Main Hand: Guardian of the Abyss
- Armor: Researcher Robes
- Memory: Metal Plated Spotlight
- trinket: Chittering Signet
Emmrich’s best gear significantly reduces cooldown and ignores resistance to necrotic damage, especially against undead enemies. Much of your equipment is awarded as rewards for completing your personal missions. Your equipment can also be upgraded at the Lighthouse Workshop or by purchasing or finding duplicates at Dragon Age: The Veil Guard.