The Champion in Dragon Age: The Veilguard is a warrior specialization that enhances both defensive capabilities and offensive strength through counterattacks. This specialization has been a staple since the original Dragon Age and continues to be favored by players due to its versatility in creating a formidable tank. Although many new and intriguing specializations have emerged with Veilguard, the Champion stands out as the most effective choice for building a dependable tank. While other warrior specializations have come and gone, the Champion remains a constant favorite among players.
Champions are known for their heavy reliance on shields, but they have also shifted toward a more aggressive playstyle. Like other specializations, this build in Dragon Age: The Veilguard avoids pigeonholing players into a single combat style, granting them a range of combat options. The introduction of fire-based attacks has made Champions incredibly powerful, particularly when wielded skillfully. Nonetheless, they should primarily still be viewed as tanks, and Rook should ideally be at the forefront, as a skillful Champion can be even more valuable than two standard fighters.
Top Skills for a Champion Build
What Your Champion Needs to Do
In Dragon Age: The Veilguard, Champions may primarily focus on offense, but they remain a tactical choice. Your skills must synergize with your teammates while also being individually powerful. Skills like Driving Kick, Bloody Advance, Blight Bane, and Warden’s Fire excel at eliminating foes, and both Driving Kick and Blight Bane can weaken targets, setting them up for follow-up attacks from allies using their special abilities.
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Dragon Age: The Veilguard – Best Reaper Build (Skills, Companions, Gear)
The Best Reaper Build in Dragon Age: The Veilguard outlines the skills, companions, and gear necessary to overcome every foe you encounter.
|
Skill |
What It Does |
|---|---|
|
Void Blade |
Dashes forward and unleashes a delayed explosion, dealing damage twice. Ideal for closing distances and triggering Arcane Bombs. |
|
Thunderous End (Ultimate) |
Summons a storm avatar that inflicts heavy damage and applies the Shocked status in a wide area. Vital for AoE and boosting damage. |
|
Chain Lightning |
A powerful spell that bounces between foes, applying debuffs and prepping them for Arcane Bomb detonations. |
|
Tempest |
Creates an electric zone that harms and primes enemies for detonation. Great for crowd control and AoE situations. |
|
Storm Surge |
Leaps back while generating an elemental storm, damaging and staggering enemies. Grants mobility and a safe retreat. |
|
Fade Strike |
A potent attack following the use of Fade Step, also allowing a follow-up strike while sprinting. Excellent for flexibility and quick damage hits. |
|
Spirit Blade |
Utilizes a Heavy attack at the end of a Light Attack sequence to conjure a blade and project it. Uses an Arcane Bomb for increased damage. |
Rook won’t be positioned effectively if you equip them with a plethora of damage-dealing skills. Champions thrive alongside other classes and can outlast foes, but teamwork is key to make encounters easier and quicker. Still, keep in mind that Champions typically become the last line of defense in battle, so they need skills to eliminate any remaining adversaries.
Best Gear for a Champion Build
What Your Champion Needs to Wear
When it comes to gear, Champions in Dragon Age: The Veilguard have a variety of options. Unlike many other classes, their equipment choices don’t fall into purely defensive or offensive categories. Instead, they require a balance of defensive resilience and offensive power, particularly with fire damage, to be effective. Selecting gear that enhances these core abilities is crucial, but be aware that not all equipment offers the same protection. You can always start with the recommendations below and adjust according to your preferences. Focus on gear that improves fire damage for your main-hand weapon to enhance skills like Flaming Weapons and Warden’s Fire.
|
Gear Slot |
What to Equip |
Why You Should |
|---|---|---|
|
Main |
Spellbound Longsword |
Offers significant base damage and fire damage enhancements, synergizing well with Champion abilities. |
|
Off-Hand |
Fade-Touched Bulwark |
Pulls enemies in during Perfect Defense, facilitating AoE and combo attacks. |
|
Alt Weapon |
Fade-Touched War Axe |
A strong weapon for various situations, providing good damage for single-target encounters. |
|
Helmet |
Antivan Parade Helm |
Provides the highest boost to defense available. |
|
Armor |
Wanderer’s Long Coat |
Helps with generating ultimate ability use, making Warden’s Fire ops more frequent. |
|
Belt |
Warden’s Straps |
Helpful but can be swapped out as needed; not essential compared to other slots. |
|
Amulet |
Sightless Skull |
Enhances ultimate damage, further augmenting Warden’s Fire performance. |
|
Ring 1 |
Andraste’s Will |
Boosts Rage generation for more frequent use of abilities. |
|
Ring 2 |
Warden’s Signet |
Increases damage for control abilities, enhancing key skill impacts. |
While crafting an ideal build for a Champion can be subjective, the suggestions outlined above are highly recommended. It can be challenging to develop a Champion that aligns perfectly with their intended role. You should feel free to swap out gear based on desired stat boosts and performance since this is an RPG that supports varied builds. However, focus on armor pieces with high defense and those that generate ultimate abilities more frequently for Warden’s Fire. Additionally, prioritize accessories that enhance Rage generation and ensure your weapons complement fire damage effectively. The table provided illustrates this concept well.
Best Party Combos for a Champion
Who Works Best with Your Champion
When constructing a successful four-member party in any RPG, a typical lineup consists of two fighters (whether rogues or warriors), one mage, and a ranged attacker like an archer. Within your party, the Champion (Rook) will serve as the tank and primary fighter. Therefore, it’s essential to select a mage, another fighter, and an archer to create a well-rounded team. Here are some effective party setups to consider in Dragon Age: The Veilguard.
- Rook (Champion), Harding (Archer/Rogue), Neve (Mage), Taash (Warrior/Fighter): This combination offers a strong balance of ranged and melee damage, with Harding excelling in single-target damage while Taash provides solid frontline support. Neve supports the party with essential crowd control and offensive magic.
- Rook (Champion), Lucanis (Rogue/Fighter), Neve (Mage), Harding (Archer/Rogue): This setup maximizes damage output, with Lucanis focusing on quickly eliminating high-value targets while Neve enhances Rook’s fire-based assaults. Harding maintains consistent ranged damage.
- Rook (Champion), Davrin (Warrior/Fighter), Emmrich (Mage), Harding (Archer/Rogue): This team structure leans more defensively. With both Davrin and Rook on the front lines, Emmrich’s necromancy adds survivability and strategic choices. Harding continues to provide vital ranged damage.
- Rook (Champion), Bellara (Rogue/Fighter), Emmrich (Mage), Harding (Archer/Rogue): This party is particularly robust in the early game. Bellara pulls enemies together, making them vulnerable for Rook’s area-of-effect spells and Emmrich’s magic. Emmrich also offers healing support, enhancing overall durability, while Harding maintains consistent ranged assault.
Dragon Age: The Veilguard offers more flexibility compared to other RPGs, allowing for a wide variety of party compositions. Keep in mind that Bellara and Emmrich are solid choices early on due to their synergy with Weakened and Sundered effects. Late in the game, characters like Harding, Neve, and Taash become invaluable due to their elevated damage capabilities and specialized skills. Selecting the best companion configurations will be fundamental as you face off against high-level bosses.
