What is the Best Character Class in Dragon Age: Inquisition?
The question of the “best” character class in Dragon Age: Inquisition is a complex one, as it depends heavily on playstyle, preference, and individual definitions of “best.” However, after examining the game’s mechanics, community discussions, and in-game performance, we can confidently state that the Warrior class stands out as the most consistently powerful and versatile option for most players, particularly those seeking a robust experience across all facets of the game. While rogues and mages offer distinct advantages, the warrior’s combination of survivability, damage output, and tactical control makes them the most effective choice overall.
Understanding the Core Classes: Warrior, Rogue, and Mage
To understand why warriors are often considered the “best,” let’s briefly examine each class:
Warriors: The Stalwart Frontline
Warriors are the tanks of Dragon Age: Inquisition. They excel at taking damage, controlling the battlefield, and dealing consistent melee damage. They have access to a variety of skills that allow them to:
- Taunt enemies, forcing them to focus their attacks.
- Block incoming damage, drastically reducing harm taken.
- Utilize powerful melee attacks, dealing significant damage to single targets and groups.
- Employ crowd control abilities, disrupting enemy formations and weakening their attacks.
Warriors can choose between two-handed weapons for raw power and one-handed weapons with shields for added defense. This versatility allows warriors to adapt to different combat scenarios, making them essential in any party composition.
Rogues: The Agile Damage Dealers
Rogues specialize in dealing high damage per second (DPS), focusing on speed, agility, and tactical positioning. They are less durable than warriors but can quickly eliminate high-value targets, using:
- Daggers for close-range combat, dealing rapid, repetitive damage.
- Bows for ranged combat, allowing for damage from a safe distance.
- Stealth and tactical maneuvers, repositioning themselves on the battlefield and flanking enemies.
- Various debuffs and crowd control abilities that can weaken enemies or break their guard.
Rogues can output massive damage, especially when built correctly with specializations, but they require more micromanagement and are less forgiving of mistakes than warriors. There are two popular builds, the Dual-Wield Tempest and the Archer Artificer that become exceptionally powerful.
Mages: The Magical Powerhouses
Mages are the primary magic users in Dragon Age: Inquisition, dealing damage with elemental magic, healing allies, and manipulating the battlefield through spells. They offer:
- Ranged elemental attacks, using fire, ice, lightning, and spirit magic.
- Healing and barrier spells, supporting their party members and bolstering survivability.
- Debuffs and crowd control abilities, weakening enemies and disrupting their actions.
- Powerful area-of-effect spells, dealing significant damage to groups of enemies.
While mages can deal very high damage and provide essential support, they are also the most fragile class, easily overwhelmed if caught in melee range.
Why Warriors Reign Supreme
While each class offers a compelling gameplay experience, the warrior class shines for its consistent reliability and powerful all-around performance. This makes them ideal for both new and seasoned players for several key reasons:
- Exceptional Survivability: Warriors are the tankiest class, capable of withstanding heavy damage and sustaining themselves in prolonged fights, especially when using a shield. This allows them to push the front lines and engage enemy groups, without the constant need for support or retreating.
- Strategic Control: Warriors can control the pace of combat through taunts and positioning. They can draw enemy attention and keep threats away from their more vulnerable allies. This tactical capability is crucial in challenging encounters.
- Consistent Damage Output: While not always the highest DPS, a warrior can maintain a steady and reliable damage output throughout encounters, whether focusing on single targets or engaging multiple foes.
- Adaptability: Warriors can be built for both high damage and high defense, depending on the player’s preference. This flexibility allows them to excel in a wide range of combat situations.
- Ease of Use: Warriors are generally easier to play compared to rogues and mages, requiring less precise micromanagement and tactical positioning. This makes them accessible to new players while still allowing for mastery at higher difficulty levels.
While rogue and mage specializations can reach incredible damage heights and playstyles, the warrior’s innate tankiness, reliable damage, and strategic control are vital for a balanced team. They consistently perform well across all difficulties and encounters in the game. The Templar specialization for warriors adds considerable value with elemental defense bonuses and damage against demons, a common enemy.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. What is the easiest class in Dragon Age: Inquisition?
Generally, archer rogues are considered the easiest class, especially when supported by a mage using barrier spells. This provides a safer, more forgiving way to experience combat in more challenging areas. However, warriors make the beginning areas and especially the Hinterlands much easier because of their durability.
2. Are rogues good in Dragon Age: Inquisition?
Yes, rogues are very good, especially when optimized. Dual-wield rogues and archer rogues with specific specializations like Tempest and Artificer can reach extremely high damage outputs, but they require a different playstyle with more active micromanagement compared to the warrior.
3. Are mages good in Dragon Age: Inquisition?
Mages are powerful damage dealers, able to devastate enemies with elemental magic, and can also provide valuable support. However, they are fragile and require careful positioning. They are essential to any team.
4. What is the most powerful dragon in Dragon Age: Inquisition?
The Highland Ravager is considered the most dangerous dragon in the base game, with powerful attacks and a high health pool.
5. Can I change classes in Dragon Age: Inquisition?
No, you cannot change your base class. However, warriors can switch between two-handed weapons and one-handed weapons with shields, altering their combat approach. Once you reach Skyhold, you can choose a specialization for your class, which you also cannot change later, so choose wisely.
6. Who is the best warrior in Dragon Age: Inquisition?
Many consider Iron Bull to be the strongest warrior in Dragon Age: Inquisition because of his unique specialization and personal story. Cassandra Pentaghast is also a popular choice as a companion warrior because of her Templar specialization.
7. What is the max level in Dragon Age: Inquisition?
The level cap in Dragon Age: Inquisition is 27, which can be reached easily by completing most of the quests and DLC content.
8. Does difficulty affect loot in Dragon Age: Inquisition?
No, difficulty does not affect loot drops. You can get the same gear on any difficulty level.
9. Is it possible to solo Dragon Age: Inquisition?
Yes, it is possible to solo Dragon Age: Inquisition. Some players have even completed the entire game on Nightmare difficulty as a solo rogue.
10. Who is the strongest mage in Dragon Age: Inquisition?
Among the characters in the franchise, Flemeth is considered the strongest mage, followed by Solas. In the game itself, the player character’s inquisitor can become a powerful mage.
11. Which race is best for a mage in Dragon Age: Inquisition?
While elves get some ranged damage reduction, humans are considered the best for a mage due to the extra skill point, allowing you to get stronger faster.
12. What are the best DPS classes in Dragon Age: Inquisition?
Dual-wield rogues and archer rogues, especially Artificers and Tempests, are capable of dealing the highest DPS in the game.
13. Can you be evil in Dragon Age: Inquisition?
You cannot be completely evil, but you can be ruthless, make selfish choices, and force alliances instead of building friendships.
14. What do you get for killing all dragons in Dragon Age: Inquisition?
You get a unique Dragon Hunter set of armor, which is one of the strongest in the game.
15. What difficulty should you play Dragon Age: Inquisition on?
Normal difficulty is recommended for most players, offering a balanced challenge. Hard difficulty is better suited for experienced players.