Missed Opportunities and Vanished Quests: A Deep Dive into Missable Content in Dragon Age: Inquisition

Yes, unfortunately, Dragon Age: Inquisition is rife with missable content. From entire questlines that disappear based on your choices and actions to crucial crafting recipes and companion-related events, it’s easy to play through the game and realize later you’ve missed out on significant portions of the experience. Understanding what can be missed and how to avoid it is crucial for players aiming for a complete or near-complete playthrough.

The Perils of a Blind Playthrough: What Can You Miss?

Many players choose to go in blind, and that’s a valid approach. However, it’s important to be aware of what’s at stake. The following elements are particularly vulnerable to being missed:

• Inner Circle Quests: These are crucial companion quests that develop your relationships with your party members and unlock unique abilities. Critically, all Inner Circle quests are locked once you finish the main questline. This means any outstanding companion storylines will be inaccessible after defeating Corypheus.

• War Table Missions: Certain War Table missions, particularly those tied to Iron Bull, Sera, and Blackwall, have outcomes that are mutually exclusive depending on the choices you make in their personal quests. Failing to complete specific War Table missions before triggering these personal quests can permanently lock you out of certain outcomes and rewards.

• Resource Gathering and Crafting: Early game resources, like logging stands and potion recipes (Passing Notes), are easily missed if you don’t explore thoroughly. These provide early game power boosts and should be prioritised.

• Romance Options: Breaking off a romance ends it permanently for that playthrough. Consider your options before making a commitment!

• World States and Choices: Many minor variations and outcomes are based on choices you make throughout the game, some even drawing upon decisions from previous Dragon Age titles (if imported). These can affect dialogue, character interactions, and the overall tone of certain events.

• Dragon Encounters: While the 10 High Dragons are hard to miss entirely, failing to prepare adequately and skipping early encounters will result in being under-levelled for the later more powerful dragons.

• Hidden Quests and Secrets: Dragon Age: Inquisition is packed with hidden areas, puzzles, and quests that are easy to overlook without a meticulous approach to exploration. Some of these secrets remained undiscovered for months after the game’s initial release.

Mitigation Strategies: Minimizing Missed Content

The best way to mitigate missing content is to be thorough, communicative, and strategic:

1. Prioritize Companion Quests: Focus on completing companion quests as soon as they become available. Always have a diverse party with you while exploring new areas, as companion commentary can trigger quests or reveal hidden locations.
2. Engage with the War Table: Regularly check the War Table and complete missions as they appear, especially those related to companions. Pay close attention to the time requirements and potential rewards before assigning advisors.
3. Explore Methodically: Take your time exploring each zone, paying attention to side passages, hidden areas, and interactable objects. Use your search ability frequently to reveal hidden items and resources.
4. Talk to Everyone: Engage in conversations with all available NPCs, both in your base and throughout the world. These conversations can trigger quests, provide valuable information, or unlock new dialogue options.
5. Consult a Guide (Sparingly): While playing entirely blind can be rewarding, consulting a guide periodically can help you avoid major pitfalls and ensure you don’t miss crucial content. However, avoid over-reliance on guides to preserve the sense of discovery and enjoyment.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) About Missable Content

1. Are any entire zones missable in Dragon Age: Inquisition?

No, entire zones are not technically missable. However, content within zones can become inaccessible based on your choices. For example, failing to secure a region during a specific quest can lock you out of certain side quests and resources within that area.

2. Can I miss out on obtaining specific specializations for my Inquisitor?

No. You can acquire all three specializations by finding the trainers and completing their respective quests. However, it’s advantageous to choose your specialization early to get a head start.

3. Is it possible to miss getting certain companions?

No. All companions are guaranteed through following the main story, and they are an important part of the Dragon Age story.

4. What’s the deal with the ‘Passing Notes’ quest and why is it important to get the Logging Stands early?

The ‘Passing Notes’ quest leads you to potion recipes and the ability to set up logging stands, which provide a steady supply of crafting materials. Obtaining these early on significantly boosts your crafting capabilities and makes you stronger.

5. How do I ensure I don’t miss any important War Table missions related to Iron Bull, Sera, and Blackwall?

Complete their personal quests as soon as they become available, and prioritize any War Table missions that directly mention them or their associated factions. Keep your companions happy, as they may choose to leave otherwise.

6. What happens if I don’t do all the side quests before finishing the main story?

Many side quests will become unavailable after completing the main story. The world state will be altered, and certain characters or factions may no longer be present or interactable.

7. Does difficulty level affect the availability of quests or content?

No. The difficulty level only affects combat and enemy stats. It does not impact quest availability or content accessibility.

8. Can I redo quests if I make a mistake or choose the wrong option?

No, choices are permanent! The game autosaves frequently, and there is no manual “rewind” feature. Be cautious with your decisions! This is true for most quests; once you have made the choice, it is final.

9. How long does it take to complete everything in Dragon Age: Inquisition, including all missable content?

Aiming for 100% completion can take upwards of 150 hours, even with strategic planning. It is impossible to find everything yourself, and even with a guide, some things are very rare.

10. What happens if I kill Leliana in Dragon Age: Origins?

Despite your choice in Dragon Age: Origins, Leliana appears in Dragon Age: Inquisition as the Inquisitor’s spymaster. She will explain that she was resurrected by The Maker.

11. What is the maximum level in Dragon Age: Inquisition?

The maximum level is 27.

12. Does having the DLCs affect missable content?

Yes and no. The DLCs add new areas and quests, which can themselves have missable elements. However, they do not typically change the missable aspects of the base game. It’s wise to complete the base game quests before doing the DLC.

13. What is considered the easiest High Dragon to defeat in Dragon Age: Inquisition?

The Northern Hunter is typically considered the easiest High Dragon to defeat, with a recommended player level of 13 or above.

14. What happens if I break up with a companion in Dragon Age: Inquisition?

You cannot re-romance them during that playthrough. Think before you end a relationship!

15. Why was Dragon Age: Inquisition banned in some countries?

The game was banned in India, Pakistan, and Bangladesh due to local obscenity laws regarding same-sex romance and gay characters.

Dragon Age: Inquisition is a rich and rewarding experience, but it requires careful attention and strategic decision-making to ensure you don’t miss out on significant content. Remember, the journey itself is part of the fun. For more insights on the educational aspects of gaming and how games contribute to learning and development, visit the Games Learning Society at https://www.gameslearningsociety.org/.