Insights from Dragon Age: The Veilguard Q&A

• Party Size Reduction: Three characters instead of four for more intimate gameplay.
• Companion Banter: Present during travel and at your home base.
• Limited Ability Wheel: Assign three abilities per character.
• Customizable Outfits: Unlike Dragon Age II, outfits are customizable.
• Game Over on Rook's Death: Reload a save if Rook dies.

19 Things We Learned from the Dragon Age: The Veilguard Q&A

The creative leads behind BioWare's next big RPG gathered on Discord to answer fan questions.

By Kenneth Shepard

Published Friday 5:05 PM

The promotional campaign for Dragon Age: The Veilguard is in full swing after BioWare reintroduced the retitled RPG at Summer Game Fest earlier this month.

While we learned a lot from the gameplay reveal and the behind-closed-doors presentation, BioWare is still drip-feeding information to fans. Most recently, a Discord Q&A with game director Corinne Busche, creative director John Epler, and art director Matt Rhodes took place.

Here are some of the major reveals:

• Party Size Reduction: The Veilguard will feature a party of three characters instead of four. This change aims to make gameplay more intimate and manageable.
• Companion Banter: Despite the smaller party size, banter between companions will still be present, both during travel and at your home base.
• Skeletal Romance: While you can't romance Manfred, the skeletal assistant, there may be other skeleton-related interactions.
• No Photo Mode Yet: BioWare is open to adding a photo mode, but it is not available at launch.
• Limited Ability Wheel: Players will have to assign a loadout of three abilities per character, similar to Mass Effect Andromeda.
• Accessibility Features: BioWare will discuss accessibility features at a later date, ensuring the game is playable for everyone.
• Timeline: The Veilguard takes place ten years after the events of Inquisition's final Trespasser DLC.
• Customizable Outfits: Players can customize their party's outfits, unlike in Dragon Age II.
• Focus on Main Game: The team is currently focused on the main game and has not confirmed any DLC plans.
• Transmog System: The game will feature a transmog system, allowing players to wear any outfit while retaining the stats of stronger equipment.
• No Asexual Characters: None of the companions will be asexual, but future games may include such representation.
• No Blood Mage Specialization: Rook will not practice Blood Magic due to plot reasons, but other specializations are available.
• No Canine Companion: There will be no dog companion, but you can pet a griffon.
• Character Creator Reveal: The character creator will be shown before the game's launch.
• Faction-Based Last Name: Rook's last name will be defined by their chosen faction, while the first name is customizable.
• Collector's Edition: BioWare will discuss the different editions of The Veilguard soon.
• Tavern Songs: Tavern songs will return, with new performances in various locations.
• Party Members Can Leave: Companions may leave if they disapprove of your actions but might return to defend Thedas.
• Game Over on Rook's Death: If Rook dies, you must reload a save, as you don't get direct control of companions.
• Fade Decision Irrelevant: The Fade decision from Inquisition won't affect The Veilguard's story.
• No Mounts: The Veilguard will not feature mounts, as it isn't an open-world game like Inquisition.

Dragon Age: The Veilguard is coming this fall. If you haven't played the previous games, now is a good time to catch up.

Continue reading for more insights and updates on this highly anticipated RPG.