Author - Jerry Paxton

Earlier today, BioWare published a brand-new development blog titled Progression & Companions, which dives deeper into how Rook, Items and Companions can progress throughout the player’s journey through Thedas in Dragon Age: The Veilguard. Notably, the blog post and accompanying videos give a closer look at Rook’s skill tree, how Items can be augmented and customized via crafting and enchantment (enchantment!), and how Rook’s companions can grow through personal quests and skill point allotment.

The full blog can be viewed here, with an all-in-one version of the videos available on YouTube here:

Hello everyone,

It’s September already! Today, we want to dive deeper into Progression, Items, and Companions with this blog and accompanying videos (minor spoilers in the video). Hopefully after today, players will have a better sense of how to customize Rook and unite the Veilguard.

Skill Tree Progression

Reaching a max level of 50, Rook will be able to have a unique playstyle tuned to deliver coordinated attacks alongside their Companions. The largest experience boosts come from completing quests. The bigger and more momentous the quest the better the bonus will be. Rook also gains experience from killing enemies and exploring, but gaining levels is most efficient when helping the people of Thedas or taking time to deepen Rook’s bond with the Veilguard.

After enough experience points, Rook will level up and be awarded with a Skill Point to place in the Skill Tree. The Constellation Skill Tree lays out all the possible areas of growth, with the types of skills denoted by the shape:

• Large circle: Class (core skills and weapon proficiencies)
• Diamond: Ability (can be assigned to an Ability slot)
• Medium circle: Major Passive or Ability Upgrade (adds effects or modifies existing Abilities or stats, like guaranteeing a critical hit on knockdown or extending range)
• Small hexagon: Trait (modifies existing class skill, like counter-attack, extending an attack combo or missile block/return)
• Small circle: Minor Passive or Stat Boost (increases efficacy of Abilities, Passive, or stats)

Node selections are designed to harmonize into cohesive builds. This ensures that Rook’s strength is always growing as the playstyle is being refined. Still, if another path calls to the player instead, Skill Points can be refunded (individually or the entire skill tree) at any time, with no resource costs, and spent elsewhere.

Each Class will also have access to three Specialization Areas, outlined in our Combat blog. Rook can gain powerful Abilities tuned to the theme of that Specialization, after unlocking it. While the Specialization Areas are themed by Faction, they are not restricted to a Rook of that Faction. For example, a Grey Warden Rook can still take the Veil Ranger Specialization if they are a Rogue.

Item Progression

There will be a plethora of equipment to find or buy throughout Thedas, including weapons, armor, and accessories. Each item will have its own stats and properties. With respect to weapon and armor advancement, duplicate items empower them to increase stats and unlock additional properties.

For more upgrades, Rook will find the Caretaker’s Workshop in the Lighthouse, as seen in the screenshot, where equipment can be upgraded and enchanted to unlock additional effects for Rook and their Companions. Upgraded equipment will receive increased stats. There will be a list of basic enchantments to start with, but each time Rook upgrades the rank of the Caretaker’s Workshop, more enchantments will become available. Each item or Ability can have a single enchantment applied to it, and each enchantment can only be used on a single item or Ability at a time.

Rook will be aligned with a Faction of the player’s choosing from the beginning of the game. The chosen Faction will influence the initial appearance of Rook, particularly when dressed in casual wear. However, don’t worry about getting locked into any specific style since any visible armor can be ‘transmogrify-ed’ to resemble another that has been collected, via the Wardrobe in the Lighthouse. There will also be appearance-only armors, such as the Blood Dragon Armor for pre-orders, and casual outfits. You can find these at some merchants and found by exploring over time. This gives the player the ability to tailor Rook’s appearance independent of tantalizing stat boosts and upgrades.

Companions’ Progression

Rook’s Companions are equally important to success as the player endeavors to save Thedas. Members of the Veilguard each have their own Levels and each level gained grants them 2 Skill Points. Each companion will have quests to deepen Rook’s bond with them, and this is one of the main ways for them to gain experience. Companions also can gain experience through unique conversations and decisions with them. These quests and bonds are not limited to romantic interests; platonic friendships are just as important and in focus in Dragon Age: The Veilguard.

Rook will be able to take two Companions on missions. Each Companion has their own set of gear to manage, which can be upgraded and enchanted at the Caretaker’s Workshop, as well. Companions also have Primer and Detonator abilities that can combine with each other or Rook in combat. Each Primer has a matching Detonator. Using the correct combination, a Detonation will trigger – dealing increased damage across an area and increased stagger. For example, as seen in the video, Rook can use Toxic Dash to prime the target with the Sundered status, and Neve detonates it with her Icebreaker Ability.

These videos have highlighted the three main areas of Progression in Dragon Age: The Veilguard. Rook and the Veilguard will grow throughout the game, and there’s plenty of builds to explore. We’ve put the videos all together; so they can be watched uninterrupted! Check out the full video below.

As Rook journeys through Thedas, overcoming challenges, forging alliances, and facing down the corrupt Elven gods, their strength and power will grow. It will be up to the player to define what kind of Rook and Veilguard will emerge from this conflict. Will you be the hero?

We’re in the thick of it now; so we’ll be back soon with more details on missions and exploration! This month, IGN will also be releasing exclusive content; so keep an eye out. Chat soon!

– The Dragon Age Community Team