Companions have always been an important part of the Dragon Age series, and The Veilguard is no different. There are 7 special characters you will encounter at different points in the game that you can recruit to become your Companions:
Each has their own stats, abilities, equipment, and backstory. They also have their own set of mechanics you will need to learn in order to use and level them.
In this guide, we will go over the mechanics of recruiting and using Companions, as well as take a look at each party member individually.
How to Recruit Companions
Each Companion will be found at a different point in the game. In order to recruit them, certain conditions will need to be met — this could include things like dialogue choices and specific quests completed. Once they’ve officially joined you, you’re free to add them to your party!
Leveling & Gearing Your Companions
Each Companion has their own level, and the primary way to level them up will be to complete their individual quests. These quests will deepen their bond with Rook, as well as grant them experience. Additionally, they can gain experience through unique dialogue or from making certain decisions involving them.
Your Companions will have four slots that they can use for equipment:
- Main Hand Weapon
- Off-Hand Weapon or Keepsake
- Armor
- Trinkets
Just like your own gear, these pieces can be upgraded and enchanted at the Caretaker’s Workshop.
Gameplay & Skills
You can only have two Companions in your party at any given time. As each character has their own set of abilities, you will want to find characters that will best compliment your own Class’s strength, or make up for its weaknesses.
All of your Companions will start with 5 abilities, all of which will have different effects and can help you or hinder enemies in various ways.
- Each companion will have 1 Primer ability that will apply a debuff
- Each companion will have 1 Detonator ability that will activate if the enemy has a certain debuff
- You can only equip 3 of these abilities to use at a time
- They can be swapped at any time outside of combat
It’s worth noting that, unlike in the other Dragon Age games, you cannot directly control your Companions. However, you can still command them to use their abilities, so you can ensure that they will combo with your own abilities properly.
Every time Companions gain a level, they will gain 2 skill points, which can then be used to enhance their abilities in various ways.
All Companions
Below, we will give a summary of each of the 7 Companions you can recruit, including their gameplay style, abilities, and Faction.
- Class:
Mage
- Faction:
Shadow Dragons
- Abilities: Icebreaker, Replenish, Blizzard, Time Slow, Glacial Pace
- Applies: Weakened
- Detonates: Sundered
- Obtained: During the quest The End of the Beginning
Being a Mage that specializes in Ice, Neve is great for slowing enemies down and crowd control. The best way she could do this is with her Time Slow ability, which, as the name implies, slows down time for all enemies — this can be a huge help in both offensive and defensive situations. She can even help with healing a bit with her Replenish.
Neve can be recruited very early into the game, during the quest The End of the Beginning. During it, you will get an objective to ‘Find Neve Gallus’. Once you’ve found her and completed the objective, she will join you!
- Class:
Rogue
- Faction: Inquisition Agent
- Abilities: Seismic Shot, Adrenaline Rush, Heavy Draw, Soothing Potion, Shred
- Applies: Sundered
- Detonates: Overwhelmed
Making her return from Dragon Age: Inquisition, Harding is a primarily physical fighter who specializes in debilitating your enemies. She can deal high Stagger damage, disrupt enemies, and lower their defense. On top of this, she can enhance your own damage with her Adrenaline Rush.
- Class: Mage
- Faction:
Veil Jumpers
- Abilities: Enfeebling Shot, Time Slow, Galvanized Tear, Replenish, Fade Bolts
- Applies: Weakened
- Detonates: Sundered
Bellara is a Mage that focuses on electric magic — she can keep enemies grouped together, allowing you to utilize area attacks better. Her Galvanized Tear will group enemies together while dealing damage, while Time Slow and Fade Bolts can keep enemies from moving much.
Taash – The Dragon Hunter
- Class:
Warrior
- Faction:
Lords of Fortune
- Abilities: Fire Breath, Dragon’s Roar, Dragonfire Strike, Fortune’s Favor, Spitfire
- Applies: Overwhelm
- Detonates: Weakened
This draconic fighter uses her dual axes and fire to protect the team and burn down enemies. Dragon’s Roar will taunt enemies, while Fortune’s Favor will temporarily make you invulnerable. Meanwhile, Fire Breath will cause enemies to Burn.
- Class: Rogue
- Faction:
Antivan Crows
- Abilities: Abominate, Adrenaline Rush, Eviscerate, Soothing Potion, Debilitate
- Applies: Sundered
- Detonates: Overwhelmed
While the Demon of Vyrantium is a Rogue, many of his attacks focus on dealing Necrotic damage to enemies. He can keep enemies off balance, being able to deal high damage to Barriers and knock down enemies in an area, and will be able to take out enemies at under half health quickly with his Eviscerate.
Davrin – The Warden
- Class: Warrior
- Faction:
Grey Wardens
- Abilities: Heroic Strike, ‘In War, Victory’, Death From Above, Battle Cry, Assan Strike
- Applies: Overwhelm
- Detonates: Weakened
Davrin is unique in that he fights with his own companion — a young griffin named Assan. He can tank for the party with the use of ‘In War, Victory’ and Battle Cry, while he can also deal high Stagger damage and knock enemies down with his other abilities, keeping the pressure high on them.
- Class: Mage
- Faction:
The Mourn Watch
- Abilities: Final Rites, Replenish, The Bell Tolls, Time Slow, Entangling Spirits
- Applies: Weakened
- Detonates: Sundered
Emmrich uses his Necromancy to protect innocents from the occult. Final Rites and The Bell Tolls will cause explosive Necrotic damage, while Entangling Spirits will both entangle enemies and deal a high amount of Stagger damage.
