Summary
- Lords of Fortune faction deals extra damage to enemies and has connections to previous Dragon Age titles.
- Mourn Watch faction specializes in undead and demons, applying additional afflictions.
- Veil Jumpers faction excels in critical and weak point damage, great for elves in Arlathan Forest.
Dragon Age: The Veilguard took the role-playing features of this RPG a step further than usual in the franchise by not only allowing a player to choose what lineage they play, such as Human, Dwarf, Elf, or Qunari but also a faction that their main character represents. With two elven gods attempting to take over the world, it is up to Rook, the Veilguard, and the various factions of the latest Dragon Age title to save the world.
Ways Dragon Age: The Veilguard Blends The Best Of The Previous Three Games
There are quite a few ways that Dragon Age: The Veilguard incorporates the best elements of the previous three games into its unique experience.
By being connected to these factions, the player not only has boosts to certain features but also various new dialogue options that better connect them to the story. This is every playable faction in Dragon Age: The Veilguard, ranked on not only how useful their perks are, but also their connection to the story.
Updated March 5, 2025, by Megan Smith: As Dragon Age: The Veilguard is the latest game in the franchise, those who enjoyed the previous titles are likely to want to get stuck into a new RPG. However, Veilguard is also a great title for those new to the franchise with players that own a PS5 and PlayStation Plus being able to download the game for no extra charge due to it being available as one of the three March Monthly titles. Creating a character in this game runs deeper than looks as players can also choose one of six factions to give their Rook an added background as well as various buffs. Those looking to learn what is the best faction in Dragon Age: The Veilguard should look no further, as this article explores each faction, from abilities to their connection to the story.
6 Lords Of Fortune
Treasure Hunters That Take Down Enemies Easier
- Together in Glory: Gain reputation with the Lords of Fortune quicker.
- Healthy Competition: Deal increased damage against mercenaries.
- Relentless: Perform takedowns on enemies a lot easier.
As an organization of informal explorers, pirates, and treasure hunters, the Lords of Fortune is a faction that is new to the Dragon Age franchise. Players who choose this faction not only do extra damage to mercenaries but also have an easier time taking down enemies using takedowns. This is a great trait for players planning on playing a melee Rook, as it allows them to be up close and personal while killing enemies quickly.
Unfortunately, it appears that Lords of Fortune has the least amount of dialogue available to them throughout the story of Dragon Age: The Veilguard. While players may interact with this faction when recruiting Taash or completing various parts of their companion quest line, the Lords of Fortune rarely have any other influence on the main story of this RPG, other than the arena players can repeat. However, this doesn't mean that Lords of Fortune is a bad choice, as this also means players can develop their Lords of Fortune Rook the most. Lords of Fortune also has the strongest connection to the previous titles, as some players may be pleased to see that the leader of these chaotic good pirates is Dragon Age 2's previous companion, Isabela.
5 Mourn Watch
An Expert Necromancer Order With Additional Afflictions
- Recognized Name: Gain reputation with the Mourn Watchers quicker.
- Return to the Grave: Deal increased damage against undead and demons.
- Acute Afflictions: players can apply an additional affliction to enemies.
As a member of the Mourn Watch, players in this faction do more damage to both undead and demons, which are two enemy types that the player will likely encounter frequently throughout the story of Veilguard. Alongside this, Mourn Watch is also a great idea for any player planning an affliction build, as Mourn Watchers can apply an additional stack of any affliction on an enemy.
Dragon Age: The Veilguard - Reasons To Romance Emmrich
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Like Lords of Fortune, the Mourn Watch is another faction that doesn't have as much connection to the main story in Dragon Age: The Veilguard other than its connection to the companion Emmrich and certain side quests. These side quests don't even keep the player in the Necropolis, as the Mourn Watchers will task the player with taking on various undead bosses across the Northern regions of Thedas to then return to them once they have been defeated. Even with its lack of connection to the story, players should still consider giving a Mourn Watcher Rook a try, with some players stating that the dialogue between the Necromancer Emmrich and this background of Rook are some of the best.
4 Veil Jumpers
Keen Eye Keepers Of The Arlathan Forest
- Close to the Veil: Gain reputation with the Veil Jumpers quicker.
- Attuned Strikes: Deal increased damage against fade-touched enemies.
- Keen Eye: Players do slightly more critical and weak point damage.
One of the first factions players will meet in Dragon Age: The Veilguard is the Veil Jumpers. As another new faction that had only previously been mentioned in the Dragon Age comics, this faction, which is primarily elves, has taken it upon themselves to manage the wild magic found within the Arlathan Forest, the home of where the first elven city existed. With this in mind, players will likely enjoy playing as the Veil Jumper faction, especially as an elf, as it feels like they are finally taking on their gods as well as having this added knowledge from their work in the Arlathan Forest.
Naturally, Veil Jumpers' traits focus on improving the damage they inflict on fade-touched creatures, especially as the Veil is so thin within the Arlathan Forest. Besides this, Veil Jumpers also deal increased damage to weak points and critical hits, which is perfect for the Veil Ranger specialization, which is also connected to this faction. Those who have not read the books connected to Dragon Age: The Veilguard may not be familiar with Strife and Irelin, though some players were pleased that these characters finally had a voice to go along with their faces.
3 Shadow Dragons
Tevinter Freedom Fighters That Regenerate Faster Than Most
- Light in the Dark: Gain reputation with the Shadow Dragons quicker.
- Never to Rise: Deal increased damage against Venatori.
- Resourceful: The player's class-specific resources regenerate faster.
With many players looking forward to going to Tevinter in the most recent Dragon Age game, many players may also be intrigued about playing the faction that is connected to the Dock Town, the Shadow Dragons. As freedom fighters who have been fighting for a better Tevinter through freeing slaves and defeating Venatori, it's no surprise that Rooks in this faction deal more damage to these blood cultists. The Shadow Dragons are also very resourceful, as this faction gains adrenaline, rage, or Mana a lot quicker than any other.
Shadow Dragons are also a great faction for players who want a better connection to the story of Dragon Age: The Veilguard, as the city of Minrathous plays an important role in the story of this RPG. They also have a lot to say to companions like Neve, as they bond over both being part of the same faction. Most importantly, like Lords of Fortune, this faction has a deeper connection to the previous Dragon Age titles, as players will meet the much-loved mage, Dorian, once again. Players who stick with the Shadow Dragons in the main story will be able to talk to him a lot more.
2 Grey Wardens
Durable Historic Heroes Against The Blight
- Bonded in Blood: Gain reputation with the Grey Wardens quicker.
- Blight Killer: Deals increased damage against Darkspawn.
- Vigilant Training: The player's base defense and health are slightly increased .
Players who enjoyed Dragon Age: Origins will be pleased to know that they can once again create a Warden by choosing the Grey Wardens faction in Dragon Age: The Veilguard. Having this connection to the first game by playing once again as a Warden not only brings an element of nostalgia, but the Grey Wardens are another faction in Veilguard that is a great idea for any player who wants to have a great connection to the story. The blight has been unleashed on the world once again by Ghilan'nain, and it's up to the Wardens to hopefully put the world back together again. Even if Davrin still pushes himself as the main Grey Warden of the team, as seen in some elements of the story, Rook being a Warden is another nice touch.
Dragon Age: The Veilguard - Best Weapons For Veil Rangers
Players who want to take their Veil Rangers to the next level in Dragon Age: The Veilguard may want to snag the following weapons.
Like every other faction, the Grey Wardens are incredibly beneficial when fighting against Darkspawn due to their increased damage against them. This is one of the enemies that players are likely to encounter frequently, giving them an added edge by playing as this faction. Wardens are also very durable, as they have both increased defense and health from the start, making them a great option for any beginners to both the franchise and the new gameplay found within Dragon Age: The Veilguard.
1 Antivan Crows
Skilled Assassins With An Extra Potion
- Under their Wing: Gain reputation with the Antivan Crows quicker.
- Open Contract: Deal increased damage against Antaam.
- Hidden Pouch: Players hold an extra potion.
The best faction in Dragon Age: The Veilguard is the classic faction of the Antivan Crows. Players may remember Zevran from Dragon Age: Origins as an Antivan Crow, though he had left them behind. While fans may be sad to hear that Zevran doesn't make an appearance in Veilguard, those who are up-to-date on the lore of the Antivan Crows may instead be thrilled to see Viago and Teia. Now, with Treviso being an explorable option in Dragon Age: The Veilguard, players can also become members of House de Riva and put their Crow training to good use.
Besides another important decision within Dragon Age: The Veilguard being heavily connected to the Crows, and the various dialogue options available to them, the Antivan Crow faction also has one of the greatest traits available to Rook. Players in this faction automatically start the game with an extra potion, which is great for players challenging themselves with a harder difficulty or who are new to Veilguard.
Dragon Age: The Veilguard
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OpenCritic Reviews
- Top Critic Avg: 80 /100 Critics Rec: 71%
- Released
- October 31, 2024
- ESRB
- M For Mature 17+ // Blood, Nudity, Sexual Themes, Strong Language, Violence
- Developer(s)
- BioWare
- Publisher(s)
- Electronic Arts
WHERE TO PLAY
- Genre(s)
- RPG
- Platform(s)
- PC, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series S, Xbox Series X
