Dragon Age: The Veilguard Release Date Window, Characters, Gameplay, And More

Dragon Age: The Veilguard is the most recent addition to BioWare’s iconic fantasy RPG franchise and is slated for launch in 2024. The upcoming sport is the fourth entry within the Dragon Age sport collection, and picks up the place its predecessor–2014’s Dragon Age: Inquisition–left off.

First revealed in 2020 (after being teased throughout 2018’s The Sport Awards), the sport was initially known as Dragon Age: Dreadwolf, however had its title modified a couple of days earlier than BioWare launched the sport’s official cinematic trailer and a 20-minute gameplay reveal in June 2024. Although there are nonetheless loads of questions surrounding the extremely anticipated RPG, the discharge of each trailers means that, as the sport’s Fall 2024 launch date approaches, BioWare is lastly prepared to drag again the veil on The Veilguard and present gamers what sort of expertise they will count on when the sport launches. Focused on studying extra about your subsequent journey in Thedas? Here is every part we learn about Dragon Age: The Veilguard.

When is Dragon Age: The Veilguard popping out?

Though BioWare has but to supply a selected launch date, latest trailers have confirmed that The Veilguard’s launch date is deliberate for someday in Fall 2024.

What platforms will The Veilguard launch on?

EA has confirmed that Dragon Age: The Veilguard will launch on PC, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Sequence X|S. Few particulars relating to the specs required to run the sport on PC have been launched, however the game’s Steam store page signifies {that a} 64-bit processor and working system might be required for the PC model of the sport.

Why was Dreadwolf renamed The Veilguard?

The first glimpse gamers received of the sport referred to it by the title Dragon Age: Dreadwolf–a reference to certainly one of Dragon Age: Inquisition’s companion characters, an elf named Solas. Close to the top of Inquisition, it’s revealed that Solas is definitely an historical god named Fen’Harel, a reputation which interprets to “Dread Wolf” or “The Wolf To Be Feared” in Elvish.

However upon the discharge of the official cinematic trailer, it was revealed that the sport has been renamed to Dragon Age: The Veilguard. The Veilguard govt producer and BioWare basic supervisor Gary McKay clarified the explanation behind the identify change in a blog post on the developer’s official web site. Finally, the sport’s identify was modified to shift focus onto the sport’s foremost group of protagonists–which embody the player-character and 7 NPC companions–rather than its antagonist.

“Naturally, the Dread Wolf nonetheless has an vital half on this story, however you and your companions–not your enemies–are the guts of this new expertise,” McKay defined.

“So, to seize what this sport is all about, we modified the identify as the unique title didn’t present simply how strongly we really feel about our new heroes, their tales, and the way you’ll have to convey them collectively to avoid wasting all of Thedas.”

The place does Dragon Age: The Veilguard happen?

The Veilguard is about in Tevinter (additionally referred to as the Tevinter Imperium). Tevinter is the oldest present human-inhabited nation in all of Thedas. Culturally, Tevinter locations an excessive amount of emphasis on magic, and mages are handled with respect. Sadly, the nation additionally has an extended historical past of slavery–specifically the enslavement of elves. Because of this, Tevinter is commonly regarded with ire by those that dwell exterior its borders.

Going down within the nation’s capital metropolis, Minrathous, the sport’s cinematic trailer and gameplay reveal gave gamers their first good take a look at Tevinter. Sadly, the town has descended into chaos because of Solas’ try and tear down the Veil, which serves as a barrier between the mortal world and the Fade, a spot the place spirits, demons, and different mysterious magical beings reside.

What’s Dragon Age: The Veilguard about?

Dragon Age: The Veilguard focuses on the aftermath of the occasions that happen in Dragon Age: Inquisition–namely Solas’ quest to tear open the Veil, which he himself created. The Veil is all that separates the world of the residing from the magical world of spirits, demons, and different harmful creatures. Within the gameplay trailer, we see the player-character and their companions doing their finest to stop Solas from destroying the Veil. That is no small activity, as Solas is a god with immense energy. The gameplay trailer sees Varric (a dwarf and former member of the Inquisition) doing his finest to persuade Solas to desert his plot, because the entirety of Thedas might be successfully doomed ought to Solas succeed. Even with the ritual not but full, demons are already slipping via the Veil and terrorizing Minrathous’ residents.

Varric and Solas labored collectively within the Inquisition, and though Solas would not appear significantly pleased to have Varric interrupt his Veil-shredding ritual for a last-minute chat, he nonetheless exhibits the dwarf mercy. Within the blink of an eye fixed, Solas destroys Varric’s crossbow with a blast of highly effective magic, however this act would not even come near displaying how harmful Solas really is. The Dread Wolf has killed fellow gods, sealed others away for eternity, and even possesses the power to petrify the our bodies of his foes with a single thought.

It isn’t instantly clear why Solas has chosen Tevinter as the location for his ritual, although it might have one thing to do with the nation’s historical past of elf-enslavement. However one factor is definite: Taking him down might be no straightforward activity.

Who’s Dragon Age: The Veilguard’s player-character?

As an alternative of enjoying because the Inquisitor–a stereotypical “chosen one” just like the Dragonborn in Skyrim–The Veilguard will see gamers tackle the function of a relative no person. Although little is understood concerning the player-character, we do know they are often personalized in various methods.

Just like the way in which Baldur’s Gate 3’s player-character is also known as Tav (regardless of gamers being allowed to present their character any identify they need), BioWare has nicknamed The Veilguard’s player-character Rook, however gamers can identify the character no matter they need. Gamers can even customise Rook’s look in various methods and may change their appears any time after leaving character creation.

Dragon Age: The Veilguard character creation

When creating their very own customized Rook, gamers can choose the character’s race, gender, class, specialization, and faction, along with selecting certainly one of 4 voices–two female, two masculine–for Rook to make use of throughout cutscenes and when commenting verbally throughout gameplay. Similar to Inquisition, The Veilguard permits the participant to decide on between 4 races (human, elf, dwarf, or Qunari) and three courses (mage, rogue, or warrior). Every class has its personal talent tree, together with three distinctive specializations for the character to select from. No info is at the moment out there relating to mage-exclusive specializations, however we do know which choices can be found to rogues and warriors (through Eurogamer):

Rogue specializations

• Duelist: Focuses on motion, like dodging and parrying assaults
• Saboteur: Focuses on setting traps for enemies
• Veil Ranger: Focuses on long-range fight

Warrior specializations

• Champion: Permits the participant to make use of a protect to keep away from injury dealt by enemies
• Reaper: Permits the participant to siphon well being from enemies
• Slayer: Permits the participant to make use of the biggest weapons within the sport, growing injury output

Factions

Throughout character creation, gamers should select from one of many following factions:

• Antivan Crows: A gaggle of sneaky, cruel assassins with a repute for safeguarding Antiva while hiding within the shadows, unseen.
• Gray Wardens: An previous order of people who’ve sworn to guard the realm from darkspawn and different undesirables. Gray Wardens are identified for present process a secret darkspawn blood-drinking ritual referred to as The Becoming a member of. Those that try The Becoming a member of will expertise certainly one of two attainable outcomes: the acquisition of highly effective supernatural skills, or an excruciating demise.
• Lords of Fortune: A gaggle of explorers and treasure-hunters who hail from Rivain. Lords of Fortune are identified for each taking up dangerous missions and executing daring escapes.
• Mourn Watch: An order of necromancers who’re answerable for the maintenance and safety of Nevarra’s huge Grand Necropolis–a place inhabited by undead, spirits, and different creatures that stroll a high-quality line between life and demise.
• Shadow Dragons: A gaggle of rebels who struggle towards corruption and slavery. Shadow Dragons are successfully Tevinter’s model of Robin Hood, working to enhance circumstances and guarantee equity for all.
• Veil Jumpers: A gaggle of adventurers identified for finding and exploring elven ruins, primarily based mostly in Arlathan.

Dragon Age: The Veilguard fight

The 20-minute gameplay preview lately launched by BioWare contains a Rook who has chosen the rogue class and is a member of the Shadow Dragons faction. BioWare has confirmed that The Veilguard won’t enable gamers to regulate their companions in fight the identical approach they did in Inquisition, which noticed gamers leaping between totally different characters mid-combat, controlling every of them in a fashion just like the way in which gamers can management companions in Baldur’s Gate 3.

As an alternative, the newly added capability wheel permits gamers to concern instructions and put together companion assaults whereas nonetheless controlling Rook. More choices are added to the power wheel as gamers progress via the sport.

As for the player-character, Rook can assault in real-time or pull up their very own capability wheel, pausing time whereas choosing a capability to make use of. In contrast to Dragon Age: Inquisition, The Veilguard would not appear to supply a method to transfer the digital camera across the 3D surroundings whereas fight is paused, and it seems that enemies should be inside the player-character’s line of sight to hit them with an assault through the power wheel.

Which characters can be found as companions in The Veilguard?

There are seven companion characters in Dragon Age: The Veilguard, however solely two companions can be a part of the participant’s social gathering at a time, down from the three-companion social gathering gamers had entry to in Inquisition. Regardless of being seen becoming a member of and combating alongside Rook within the 20-minute gameplay trailer, evidently Varric is not a everlasting, romanceable companion in The Veilguard. More particulars about every companion may be discovered under:

• Bellara: Bellara is an elven mage and a part of the Veil Jumpers faction, making her a great companion for missions that see the social gathering coming into shut contact with creatures from past the veil.
• Davrin: Davrin is an elven warrior, and a member of the Gray Wardens. Davrin is a monster-hunter with a daring and charming character.
• Emmrich Volkarin: Emmrich is a mage–specifically, a necromancer–and a member of the Mourn Watch faction. He’s accompanied by his skeletal assistant, Manfred.
• Lace Harding: Lace–frequently referred to by her final name–first appeared in Dragon Age: Inquisition as a dwarven scout for the Inquisition. She’s categorized as a rogue in The Veilguard and is expert with a bow, but additionally possesses “surprising magical powers.”
• Lucanis Dellamorte: Lucanis is a rogue, described as “a poised & pragmatic murderer” who descends from the famend felony group referred to as the Home of Crows.
• Neve Gallus: A cynical, human mage-turned-detective, Neve hails from Minrathous and is a devoted member of Tevinter’s insurgent faction, the Shadow Dragons.
• Taash: Taash is a dragon-hunting Qunari who’s allied with the Lords of Fortune faction. She loves journey, and is not afraid to take dangers to get the job finished.

Dragon Age: The Veilguard romance and decision-making

In contrast to Dragon Age: Inquisition, which featured companions with their very own particular likes, dislikes, and sexual orientations, all seven companion characters in The Veilguard are successfully pansexual. They’ll have interaction in a romance with the player-character, offered the player-character manages to efficiently woo them via dialogue choices and particular decisions.

Talking of the participant’s phrases and actions, The Veilguard contains a new function when the participant is confronted with a choice: helpful context. As seen within the gameplay trailer, Rook is finally pressured to decide on one companion to hitch him and assist him knock over a large statue, whereas the opposite companion stays behind and retains the demons–who are spilling into the fabric world because the Veil weakens–at bay.

A choice-making menu then seems on the display screen, forcing Rook to decide on between taking Neve with him and leaving Harding behind, or vice versa. Apparently, when he hovers over the selection to convey Harding with him, some textual content pops up that reads, “Harding will comply with you into better hazard.” The similar textual content seems when hovering over the choice to pick Neve. This implies that companions may be put in severe hazard (and maybe even prematurely killed) as a direct results of the participant’s decisions, even in seemingly low-stakes conditions like knocking over a statue.

Lastly, it will be vital to keep in mind that, identical to in Inquisition, if you happen to dilly-dally for too lengthy, your companion-of-choice might begin romancing one other NPC member of The Veilguard, so gamers will need to ensure that they’ve made their transfer earlier than they’re out of time. That mentioned, the sport’s builders have harassed that the bonds the participant types with every companion are a pivotal a part of the sport that they supposed to be rewarding for each participant, even when they do not select to romance anybody.

When can I preorder Dragon Age: The Veilguard?

No info on preordering Dragon Age: The Veilguard is at the moment out there, although it might probably at the moment be wishlisted on Steam. The retail value for the sport has not but been introduced.

Watch the Dragon Age: The Veilguard trailers right here

Thedas Calls

This trailer gave gamers certainly one of their first tastes of the sport again when it was nonetheless going by Dragon Age: Dreadwolf, and revealed the setting of the upcoming sport could be the never-before-seen realm of Tevinter.

Dragon Age Day trailer

Launched in 2023, this trailer options Varric telling the story of Solas’ life as Fen’Harel, the Dread Wolf–and explains why the god who created the Veil is at the moment attempting to tear it down.

Cinematic trailer

Unveiled on the 2024 Xbox Video games Showcase, this trailer gave followers a take a look at The Veilguard’s new artwork type and revealed the seven romanceable companions that can be a part of gamers on their journey to avoid wasting Thedas.

Gameplay reveal

This 20-minute trailer exhibits prolonged in-game footage from one of many first missions within the sport, giving gamers a take a look at fight, companions, decision-making, and one very sad elven god.