Dragon Age: The Veilguard: A New Era of Action and Factional Intrigue
Dragon Age: The Veilguard boldly reimagines the franchise's combat system, shifting towards a more action-oriented approach. This departure has sparked debate among fans, but the core Dragon Age experience remains, albeit adapted for this new style. Rook's background choice, impacting gameplay regardless of class, adds a compelling layer of depth.
The game features nine unique class specializations, each intrinsically linked to the game's narrative and the six factions within Northern Thedas. Rook's connection to the Veil, for instance, precludes a Blood Mage specialization, while Tevinter Templars lack the magic-suppression abilities of their southern counterparts. Each class (Warrior, Mage, Rogue) offers three specializations, unlocked through interactions with these factions.
GameInformer's interview with John Elper revealed the close ties between specializations and factions. The Mourn Watch of Nevarra, for example, might train Rook as a Reaper or Death Caller, depending on their chosen class. The Reaper, a new addition, employs "night blades," while the Death Caller utilizes necromancy. Faction selection during character creation dictates backstory, identity, and even the player's non-combat outfit.
Dragon Age: The Veilguard Classes and Specializations:
Warrior:
- Reaper: A deadly fighter who sacrifices health for power.
- Slayer: A two-handed weapons master.
- Champion: A defensive expert utilizing sword and shield.
Mage:
- Evoker: An elemental mage wielding fire, ice, and lightning.
- Death Caller: A skilled necromancer.
- Spellblade: A melee mage combining magic and close-quarters combat.
Rogue:
- Duelist: A swift dual-bladed fighter.
- Saboteur: An expert in traps and explosives.
- Veil Hunter: A ranged fighter utilizing lightning magic and a bow.
While the initial specialization availability based on background remains unclear, each of the six factions plays a crucial narrative role. Choosing a faction grants Rook three unique traits impacting combat and exploration. Selecting the Lords of Fortune, for example, boosts damage against mercenaries, improves takedowns, and enhances reputation with the faction. While appearance can be altered, background, lineage, and class remain fixed.
The Veilguard aims to avoid repetitive tasks, a common criticism of its predecessors. Instead of an open world, it focuses on structured missions reminiscent of classic BioWare titles. The success of these design choices will be revealed soon, with the game's release slated for Fall 2024.
