Dragon Age: The Veilguard Lays Out Progression System in New Deep Dive

As with any RPG, the progression system is an important tool to grow your characters and companions. It's what allows us to take down difficult foes, learn powerful abilities, and weird deadlier weapons. In Dragon Age: The Veilguard, we'll have a variety of progression avenues to explore, which EA has unveiled in a brand new blog.

Dragon Age: The Veilguard Progression System Explained

The Skill Tree

To begin, EA took us further into the Skill Tree where the bulk of leveling up will take place. With a max level of 50, Rook will earn experience points killing enemies and natural exploration just as in previous Dragon Age titles. However, Rook will earn the biggest amount of XP by completing quests. The bigger the challenge, the bigger the reward. 

Each time Rook levels up, they'll earn a Skill Point to place in the Skill Tree, which contains a number of different icons to reflect certain ability types and traits:

• Large circle: Class (core skills and weapon proficiencies)
• Diamond: Ability (can be assigned to an Ability slot)
• Medium circle: Major Passive or Ability Upgrade (adds effects or modifies existing Abilities or stats, like guaranteeing a critical hit on knockdown or extending range)
• Small hexagon: Trait (modifies existing class skill, like counter-attack, extending an attack combo or missile block/return)
• Small circle: Minor Passive or Stat Boost (increases efficacy of Abilities, Passive, or stats)

Item Progression

Part of building out your character is upgrading your items and equipment. Each item has its own stats and properties which can be upgraded by visiting the Caretaker’s Workshop. To start with, Rook will only have access to basic upgrades and enchantments, but more become available each time the Caretaker's Workshop is upgraded. Each item or Ability only has a slot for a single enchantment, and each enchantment can only be used on a single item or Ability at a time.

Depending on the Faction Rook aligns themselves with at the beginning of the game, Rook's initial appearance will be influenced by that Faction (such as in Rook's casual wear). However, EA have confirmed that we'll be able to Transmog Rook's wardrobe. There will also be appearance-only armors, such as the Blood Dragon Armor for pre-orders, and casual outfits. 

• Read more: Dragon Age: The Veilguard Reveals Learned Baldur's Gate 3's Most Important Lesson

Companion Progression

Bolstering your companions is also the key to success, with each one having their own Skill Tree to level through. Each time a companion gains a level, they receive two Skill Points. Rook can also complete special quests to deepen bonds with each companion, which then opens up unique dialoge and decisions.

Companion gear can also be upgraded and enchanted at the Caretaker’s Workshop. In addition, each Companion will have Primer and Detonator abilities that combine with each other or Rook in combat.  Each Primer has a matching Detonator, and using them correctly will trigger the Detonation that deals increased damage and stagger.

Dragon Age: The Veilguard launches on October 31, 2024 on PS5, Xbox Series X|S, and Windows PC.