What’s the Best Pommel in Dragon Age: Inquisition?
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The short answer to the question, “What is the best pommel in Dragon Age: Inquisition?” is the Masterwork Dense Pommel. This pommel, when crafted with the right materials, offers a substantial boost to your weapon’s offensive capabilities, making it a top choice for players aiming for maximum damage output. However, the situation is more nuanced than just a single pommel being superior. Let’s delve deeper into why the Masterwork Dense Pommel is so highly regarded and explore some viable alternatives.
Pommel Power in Dragon Age: Inquisition
Pommels in Dragon Age: Inquisition are a critical component in weapon crafting, significantly influencing the stats and performance of your swords and axes. They occupy one of the three crucial upgrade slots (along with blade/head and grip), and choosing the right pommel can often be the deciding factor between a powerful weapon and a lackluster one. Unlike other components, pommels largely focus on offense, enhancing critical hit chance, attack power and sometimes even adding armor penetration.
Why the Masterwork Dense Pommel Reigns Supreme
The Masterwork Dense Pommel stands out because of its high metal slot count, which allows for the greatest boost to offensive power, particularly attack percentage and critical damage. These slots are where you place materials that directly boost these crucial offensive stats. The metal slots contribute significantly more to attack potency than their leather or cloth counterparts. This pommel is the ideal choice when you’re aiming to maximize your DPS with a two-handed weapon, making those hits land harder.
The “Masterwork” aspect is also crucial. The Masterwork bonus is achieved when you combine a masterwork material at the crafting bench with the chosen schematic. This means that when you get a masterwork Dense Pommel and then add a masterwork material to it, the masterwork benefit will be attached to this pommel. Each Masterwork material adds a specific buff depending on the material chosen. These buffs can be extremely powerful and make a weapon even more devastating in combat, meaning the masterwork version of any equipment is the most desired.
Honorable Mentions: Spiked and Etched Pommels
While the Masterwork Dense Pommel is a top pick, the Spiked Pommel and Etched Pommel are also noteworthy, especially if you want a more balanced build for a one-handed weapon. The Spiked Pommel often focuses on flat damage increases, offering a raw power boost to your strikes. The Etched Pommel may introduce additional critical hit chance which pairs well with some unique builds. These pommels can be valuable, especially if you are earlier in the game and do not have access to the resources needed for the Masterwork Dense Pommel, or if your build requires that specific blend of stats. However, the overall damage potential of the Dense Pommel ultimately places it as the top option.
Beyond the Pommels: Weapon Choices
It’s crucial to remember that the pommel is just one piece of the puzzle. Your overall weapon choice, blade/head, grip, and material selection all contribute to the effectiveness of your weapon. For example, once you start the Trespasser DLC, the Chromatic Greatsword is an excellent base for building damage because it has 12 leather slots and 20 metal slots which offers a massive amount of customization. It is best utilized when aiming for high crit and attack percentage builds. The Chromatic Greatsword is an extremely versatile option because of the number of metal slots available, but other unique weapons, such as those dropped from dragons, also work well.
Always consider your specific playstyle and the type of build you are aiming for when choosing your pommel. If you’re a high-damage melee character, the Masterwork Dense Pommel will likely be your go-to. For characters seeking a specific balance of stats, the Spiked or Etched Pommels may provide what is needed for their style.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Here are 15 Frequently Asked Questions to further clarify the nuances of pommels in Dragon Age: Inquisition:
1. Where can I find the schematic for the Masterwork Dense Pommel?
The schematic for the Masterwork Dense Pommel can be found in various chests or purchased from vendors throughout the game. It’s not tied to a single location, so exploring thoroughly is key. You may have the best luck farming specific tier 3 weapon schematics chests.
2. Is a Masterwork pommel always better than a regular one?
Generally, yes. A Masterwork pommel, when used with the correct Masterwork material, offers superior bonuses and stat boosts compared to its regular counterpart. Masterwork bonuses drastically increase your stats in combat.
3. What materials should I use with the Masterwork Dense Pommel?
The best materials to use with the Masterwork Dense Pommel are those that provide boosts to attack percentage and critical hit damage, often found through completing side quests or exploring optional areas. Search out the rarer metals that offer these bonuses and combine them with a good Masterwork material, for example, dragon bone, to maximize the benefits.
4. Can pommels affect my weapon’s armor penetration?
Some pommels may offer slight armor penetration bonuses, but this is not their primary function. They predominantly focus on improving damage output, rather than defense penetration.
5. Do all pommels have the same slot distribution?
No, pommels have different slot distributions, with some favoring metal, leather, or cloth. The Masterwork Dense Pommel is favored for its high metal slot count.
6. Are there any unique pommels with special effects?
Some rare, unique weapons have unique pommels that come attached, but usually the standard crafted pommels are superior for most players.
7. Does my character’s class affect the best pommel choice?
Not directly, but a warrior is likely to benefit more from a high-damage pommel like the Masterwork Dense Pommel than a rogue. Mages don’t use pommels at all.
8. How do I know which pommel is the best for my build?
Experimentation is key. Read the descriptions and check the stats. Focus on what your build is lacking and use the pommel that is most likely to benefit you based on your playstyle.
9. Can I remove a pommel once it’s crafted onto a weapon?
No, once a pommel is crafted, it cannot be removed or replaced. Choosing carefully and building your weapon to maximize your build’s strengths is key.
10. Are there any pommels better than Masterwork Dense in the DLCs?
While DLCs introduce many unique schematics, the Masterwork Dense Pommel remains a top choice due to its reliable and consistent damage output in combination with masterwork bonuses. The Chromatic Greatsword is an exception, if you can obtain the sword, because of the number of metal slots available, which can maximize the pommel’s abilities.
11. Can I craft Masterwork pommels early in the game?
Yes, but you’ll need to find the schematic and the required high-tier materials, which may be challenging early on. Start by farming for tier 3 weapon schematics in chests to increase your chances of a good pommel.
12. Should I prioritize attack or critical hit damage when choosing pommel materials?
It depends on your build. A balance is often best, but if you’re going for pure damage, attack percentage and critical hit damage are the most important. Critical hit chance is also important to prioritize.
13. Does the pommel’s tier affect its power?
Yes, higher-tier pommels generally provide better stats and effects, making them superior in combat. Always choose a Tier 3 option whenever possible.
14. What role do masterwork materials play in pommel effectiveness?
Masterwork materials add a specific bonus effect to your weapon, so choosing materials that best fit the pommel and your playstyle will significantly benefit your build.
15. Is it possible to farm for a specific pommel schematic?
You can improve your chances by farming for specific Tier 3 schematics chests, but it is still based on luck. Exploring areas thoroughly, completing side quests, and checking vendors often are the best ways to find what you’re looking for.
By understanding the nuances of pommels, you can significantly enhance your Dragon Age: Inquisition experience. The Masterwork Dense Pommel is a fantastic choice for those seeking maximum damage output, but the best choice ultimately comes down to individual playstyle and build preferences. Good luck on your adventures!