In Dragon Age: The Veilguard, you can choose from seven unique companions, each providing distinct advantages and challenges, especially in combat scenarios. Unlike the companions found in Baldur’s Gate 3, your allies do not possess individual health points, utilize simplified equipment, and operate mostly independently during battles. However, the mix of companions you select is still pivotal. You can only bring two at a time, making the decision of which characters to accompany you quite strategic.
When forming your party, it’s advisable to prioritize class diversity. The game features three distinct classes, and achieving a balance among them is crucial for maximizing damage output. By ensuring that you have representatives from each class, you can facilitate essential detonations, which play a significant role in the combat mechanics of Veilguard.
Optimal Companion Combinations for Warriors
Damage Dealers: Team Up with Bellara and Lucanis
As a warrior, you assume the role of your party’s protector, making it vital to have a mage for healing and a rogue for stealthy assaults. Unlike many RPGs, class balance in this game is refined, making it less effective to stack your party with multiple characters of the same class. Lucanis, the only rogue among your companions, is an obvious choice, but selecting the right mage requires a bit more thought.
Having a complete set of classes in your group allows you to trigger Detonations, which result in significant damage bursts of various kinds. You have three magic-focused companions to choose from. Bellara, a unique blend of mage and rogue, excels by casting spells and healing while using a bow. She’s the sole companion with access to Electric magic, and her ability "Galvanized Tear" is perfect for crowd control, pulling foes together and making them vulnerable to your attacks. This tactic lets you target multiple enemies at once, hastening their defeat.
At the start of your adventure, Bellara’s pre-equipped healing ability is particularly beneficial. If you’re learning the new combat system and take a lot of hits, she’s the ideal partner. As you get accustomed to the gameplay, her healing might become less critical, but it’s always nice to have a backup when things get tough.
If you learn how to boost your maximum health and are less concerned about damage intake, consider bringing Emmrich later in the game for your necrotic damage needs. Both Emmrich and Lucanis deliver Necrotic damage, but Emmrich also summons a helpful skeleton to control the battlefield. Despite losing some elemental variety by choosing both Lucanis and Emmrich, don’t hesitate to form the party you enjoy most.
Best Companion Combinations for Mages
Backline Support: Choose Lucanis and Taash
As a mage, you’re the most vulnerable member of your team, excelling at range unless you opt for the Spellblade specialization. It’s advisable to have Lucanis on your side to fill the rogue role.
For the warrior slot, you can choose among Davrin, Harding, and Taash. Taash is generally the better option for consistent damage. While both he and Davrin deal Fire damage, Taash’s steady damage output complements the burst nature of most magic attacks.
Davrin offers a unique advantage with his griffon, Assan, which can join the fight, making him a valuable ally despite his straight-laced demeanor. If you’re leaning towards the burst damage that Davrin provides, feel free to leave Taash behind.
Best Companion Combinations for Rogues
Maximize Your Options: Pair Emmrich and Taash
As a rogue, you enjoy a wide array of companion choices, allowing you to create a well-rounded party. If you want to control the battlefield and inflict status ailments, Emmrich is a strong pick. His abilities are invaluable in setting up detonations.
For your warrior companion, Taash is an excellent choice, providing consistent fire damage that meshes beautifully with the rogue’s hit-and-run tactics. Furthermore, Taash can taunt adversaries, drawing their attention away from you and granting you the chance to maneuver.
With Taash’s ability to distract enemies and Emmrich’s area-wide necrotic assaults, you’ll find it easy to execute your attacks with minimal risk. Don’t forget to activate your companions’ abilities as soon as they’re available; they require nothing more than a button press.
While Taash, Bellara, and Emmrich stand out as formidable allies, any combination can succeed if you employ creative strategies. It may sound like cliché advice, but choosing characters that resonate with you can significantly enhance your experience in Dragon Age: The Veilguard. As you grow familiar with the real-time combat system, your proficiency will naturally improve, and you’ll learn to make the most of your companions’ strengths.
