The Dread Wolf Rises serves as the final quest in Dragon Age: The Veilguard, marking a pivotal moment where there’s no turning back. The quest kicks off and concludes with a significant choice, featuring a challenging boss fight in between, so be prepared to give it your all.
Before you set off, be sure to chat with Isabela. She’s offering items from either the Antivan Crows or Shadow Dragons—whichever faction you didn’t assist—allowing you to gather some essential supplies. We recommend bringing Taash and Emmrich into the final battle since Elgar’nan is vulnerable to Necrotic damage but resists Electric attacks. Also, you’ll encounter Darkspawn that are weak against Fire along the way. But first, you must make a choice.
Who Should You Send To Help The Factions?
This choice is relatively straightforward compared to some previous decisions. The optimal candidates for helping are Harding or Davrin, depending on who has made it this far.
As long as your companion is a Hero of the Veilguard or the factions have a solid strength (at least two stars in each faction except Crows/Dragons), your chosen character will survive until the game’s conclusion but will be unavailable for selection during that time. If you’ve kept all but one character alive through earlier quests, you’ll unlock The Ones That Last Trophy/Achievement upon completing this quest.
How To Defeat Elgar’nan
You’ll need to fight your way through a large number of Darkspawn before confronting Elgar’nan, a scenario you’ve likely faced before. As usual, focus on eliminating the Emissaries and Blighters first, then push through this linear combat scenario. Eventually, you’ll face Elgar’nan himself.
Elgar’nan boasts a massive health bar and frequently moves or teleports, but he remains in the same arena, so utilizing Emmrich or Lucanis for Necrotic damage and triggering Detonations is crucial for defeating him. Just be aware of these key attacks:
- Crackling Electricity: When the ground around Elgar’nan turns red, he’ll summon lightning. Dodge away and use a ranged attack from outside the danger zone.
- Summon Lightning: Immediately after, he’ll call down bolts in smaller red circles. Use your abilities and keep moving to dodge them.
- Aspect of Elgar’nan: These ghostly forms are weak but can deal significant damage. Move in and attack them quickly with melee strikes.
- Sword Attacks: When Elgar’nan hovers backward, he’s about to swing his sword. Dodge backward repeatedly to evade the hit.
- Energy Balls: These ranged attacks can be either parried or avoided when you see the aim line glowing. Make your way towards him for a close attack while dodging these strikes.
Don’t forget to use the Ultimate Salvation of Felassan if Morrigan provided it to you after her quests.
Elgar’nan’s Second Phase
Once Elgar’nan’s second phase begins, you won’t have your companions to assist. The damage you can deal to him during this time will be minimal, so just focus on dodging his attacks until the cutscene triggers. After that, you’ll face him again with your companions back at your side.
During this second phase, Elgar’nan’s elemental weaknesses change. He will resist Fire now but will be vulnerable to Cold, and he gains a few new attacks, including:
- Slam Attack: A combination of crackling electricity and his sword move. Dodge away when he jumps.
- Ring of Fire: When red circles surround the arena, rush to the center and perform a melee or heavy attack on Elgar’nan.
- Sword Attack: Similar to before, but this time the sword is ignited with fire.
- Fireballs: Unlike the previous lightning attack, these bombs now travel in a line, making them easier to dodge but more powerful.
Should You Fight Or Trick Solas?
While the first choice was somewhat straightforward, this one is even simpler—it truly doesn’t matter. If you opt to fight Solas, rest assured that you won’t actually have a battle with him; the choice only changes how the game concludes emotionally.
Having Mythal’s Essence from either defeating her or convincing her after viewing all memories of Fen’Harel affords you the best ending. Solas will agree to bind himself to the Veil, resulting in a happy resolution.
If you choose to trick Solas, he’ll realize too late, congratulating you on your cleverness as he finds himself trapped in the Veil. This offers a happier resolution compared to direct conflict, but the material outcome is unchanged.
Opting to fight Solas results in an absence of a boss fight; instead, events unfold in a cutscene where he is forcibly bound to the Veil. Regardless of the approach, the ultimate outcome remains the same: the Veil gets sealed, the gods are thwarted, a celebratory gathering ensues, and so forth—but Solas will remain frustrated and unchanged in his perspective.
How much impact your choices may have on potential sequels remains uncertain, as Solas views things quite differently based on your decisions. However, for now, regardless of your choice, Solas loses, the Veilguard triumphs, and soon after, the credits will roll.