Dominating Thedas: Unveiling the Strongest Class in Dragon Age: Inquisition

The question of the strongest class in Dragon Age: Inquisition is a complex one, as “strongest” can be interpreted in various ways: highest damage output, best survivability, or overall effectiveness in diverse combat scenarios. However, considering a blend of these factors, the Archer Artificer Rogue emerges as the most consistently powerful class in the game. With optimized builds and skilled play, it boasts unparalleled sustained damage, excellent crowd control, and surprising survivability thanks to its focus on critical hits and cooldown reduction.

Why Archer Artificer Reigns Supreme

The Archer Artificer’s strength lies in its synergy of abilities. Here’s a breakdown:

• Artificer Specialization: The Artificer specialization is all about manipulating the battlefield. Abilities like Throwing Blades and Elemental Mines not only deal significant damage but also generate tons of critical hits.

• Opportunity Knocks Passive: This passive is the cornerstone of the build, reducing the cooldown of all abilities whenever the Rogue or their party members score a critical hit. With a high critical hit chance, your abilities become spammable, creating a near-constant barrage of damage.

• Full Draw: This ability is your bread and butter for single target damage. With the right upgrades and a high critical hit chance, you can consistently deliver massive damage.

• Leaping Shot: Provides excellent mobility and allows you to reposition quickly to avoid damage. It also deals good damage and applies elemental effects based on your weapon.

• Flask of Fire: This ability is a crucial damage booster. It grants infinite focus and drastically increases your attack speed. This, coupled with the Artificer’s crit-focused abilities, leads to insane damage output.

• Versatility is Key: While the sustained damage is remarkable, this build also offers great tactical flexibility with abilities like Caltrops and Spike Trap for crowd control, and Stealth for repositioning or escaping danger.

Overcoming the Challenges

While the Archer Artificer excels in many areas, it’s not without its weaknesses. Rogues are inherently squishier than Warriors, so positioning and awareness are crucial. To mitigate this:

• Craft armor with high cunning and critical hit chance: Focus on increasing your critical hit chance to trigger the Opportunity Knocks passive more frequently, which in turn reduces cooldowns, allowing you to use abilities like Leaping Shot more often for dodging.

• Utilize Guard on Hit Masterworks: Craft armor with materials that have a chance to grant Guard on Hit. This provides a buffer of extra health, making you significantly more durable.

• Exploit Enemy Weaknesses: Always analyze your enemies before engaging. Focus fire on the most dangerous threats and utilize elemental damage types that they are weak against.

• Positioning is Paramount: As a ranged damage dealer, you need to maintain a safe distance from enemies. Utilize terrain to your advantage and always be ready to reposition if necessary.

Why Not Other Classes?

While other classes have their strengths, they fall short of the Archer Artificer in terms of overall effectiveness:

• Warriors: Warriors excel at survivability and single-target damage, but they often lack the sustained damage output and crowd control of the Archer Artificer. While Reaver can deal substantial damage, it requires constant self-sacrifice, leaving them vulnerable. Champions are tough to kill, but their damage output is far lower.

• Mages: Mages offer powerful area-of-effect spells and support abilities, but they can be fragile and rely on mana management. While the Knight Enchanter is incredibly durable, it sacrifices raw damage output for survivability.

• Tempest Rogues: Tempest Rogues excel at burst damage, but their reliance on Flask of Fire makes them less consistent than the Archer Artificer. Once the flask expires, their damage output drops significantly.

The Importance of Skill

Ultimately, the effectiveness of any class depends on the player’s skill and understanding of the game mechanics. A poorly optimized Archer Artificer will underperform compared to a well-played Knight Enchanter. However, with the right build and playstyle, the Archer Artificer has the potential to be the most dominant class in Dragon Age: Inquisition.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. What is the best race for an Archer Artificer?

There is no objectively “best” race. Elves offer a bonus to ranged attack, which is beneficial. Humans provide an extra skill point, granting more flexibility in your build. Dwarves offer magic resistance, which can be helpful against mages. Choose the race that you find most appealing aesthetically and thematically.

2. What are the best stats for an Archer Artificer?

Prioritize Cunning for increased critical hit chance and damage. Secondly, focus on Dexterity for ranged attack and defense. A small investment in Constitution can improve survivability.

3. What are the must-have abilities for an Archer Artificer build?

• Full Draw: High single target damage.
• Leaping Shot: Mobility and damage.
• Throwing Blades: Main source of critical hits.
• Elemental Mines: Area of effect damage and critical hits.
• Flask of Fire: Massive damage buff.
• Opportunity Knocks (Passive): Core passive for cooldown reduction.

4. What are the best weapons and armor for an Archer Artificer?

Look for bows with high base damage and critical hit chance. Craft armor with materials that grant cunning, critical hit chance, and Guard on Hit. The Spike Shooter and Enhanced Drakeskin are examples of good early-game options.

5. How important is crafting for the Archer Artificer?

Crafting is crucial. It allows you to create weapons and armor with the specific stats and masterworks you need to optimize your build. Don’t neglect crafting!

6. How do I increase my critical hit chance?

Craft armor and accessories with cunning-boosting materials. Utilize upgrades that increase critical hit chance. Certain unique items also provide critical hit chance bonuses.

7. Is the Archer Artificer viable on Nightmare difficulty?

Yes, it’s one of the most viable classes for Nightmare difficulty, thanks to its high damage output and tactical flexibility. However, proper gear and skillful play are essential. Many players find ranged classes are best for nightmare mode.

8. What companions synergize well with an Archer Artificer?

Warriors like Blackwall or Cassandra provide essential frontline protection. Mages like Vivienne offer support and crowd control. Rogues like Varric can contribute to critical hit chains.

9. How do I deal with enemies that are resistant to physical damage?

Utilize elemental damage types that they are weak against. Upgrade your abilities to apply elemental effects. Consider crafting weapons with elemental runes.

10. What is the best way to use Flask of Fire?

Activate Flask of Fire before engaging in a major battle or when facing a difficult enemy. Make sure your abilities are off cooldown before activating it to maximize its effect.

11. How do I generate Guard on Hit?

Craft armor using materials with a Guard on Hit chance. Masterworks can also grant a chance to generate Guard on Hit.

12. Is the Archer Artificer good for soloing?

Yes, the Archer Artificer is arguably the best class for soloing, thanks to its high damage output, mobility, and survivability.

13. How do I respec my character?

You can respec your character by purchasing an Amulet of Rebirth from the merchant in the Undercroft at Skyhold.

14. What is the best strategy for fighting dragons with an Archer Artificer?

Focus on dodging their attacks and exploiting their elemental weaknesses. Use abilities like Leaping Shot to reposition quickly. Target their wings to disable their aerial attacks.

15. Where can I learn more about Dragon Age: Inquisition strategies?

The Games Learning Society at GamesLearningSociety.org hosts various discussions and resources related to gaming strategies. They offer insights into the educational aspects of gaming and how strategic thinking can be applied in different contexts. This can be valuable for understanding complex game mechanics like those in Dragon Age: Inquisition.

Dragon Age: Inquisition offers a diverse range of classes and specializations, each with its own strengths and weaknesses. While other classes might excel in specific areas, the Archer Artificer stands out as the most consistently powerful and versatile class, capable of dominating the battlefield with its relentless damage output and tactical flexibility. With careful planning, strategic crafting, and skillful execution, the Archer Artificer can lead the Inquisition to victory against even the most formidable foes.