BioWare is back, and honestly, the stakes for Dragon Age The Veilguard characters couldn’t be higher. After a decade of waiting since Inquisition, fans aren't just looking for a solid RPG; they’re looking for family. That’s what this series does best, right? It gives us people to argue with, fall in love with, and eventually betray if the dialogue choices get spicy enough. But The Veilguard feels different. The tone has shifted. The grit of Origins has been replaced by a neon-soaked, high-fantasy aesthetic that’s got some people worried.
Here is the thing.
If you’ve been following the development cycle, you know the roster is a mix of fresh faces and a few "wait, I know them" moments. We’re moving away from the sprawling, bureaucratic Inquisition and into something tighter. Seven companions. That’s the magic number. It’s smaller than previous games, which BioWare claims allows for deeper, more reactive relationships. But let's look at who these people actually are before we decide if that's a good trade-off.
Meet the New Crew: The Dragon Age The Veilguard Characters That Matter
Everything starts with Rook. That's you. But a leader is only as good as the disasters they surround themselves with.
Neve Gallus is basically your noir detective archetype. She’s a member of the Shadow Dragons, an underground resistance group in Tevinter. Unlike the magisters who use blood magic to build golden palaces, Neve is a frost mage who cares about the "little guy" in Minrathous. She’s got a prosthetic leg made of magitech, which is a cool touch, but her real appeal is that weary, cynical energy. She’s seen it all. If you like the "reluctant hero who just wants a drink" vibe, Neve is probably going to be your first pick for the party.
Then you have Lucanis Dellamorte. The name alone screams "I have a lot of feelings and a sharp knife." He’s a member of the Antivan Crows—yes, the same assassin guild Zevran came from—but he’s specialized in killing mages. The twist? He’s haunted by a demon called Spite. It’s not just flavor text; it actually affects his combat and dialogue. Lucanis represents that darker, more traditional Dragon Age edge that fans were worried might be missing. He's lethal, he's complicated, and he definitely doesn't trust you yet.
The Weird and the Wonderful
BioWare took some swings with the rest of the lineup. Take Bellara. She’s a member of the Veil Jumpers, a group dedicated to exploring ancient elven ruins. She’s high-energy, tech-obsessed, and carries a bow that looks like it was pulled out of a futuristic dream. Some fans think she’s a bit too "Marvel-y" in her quips, but others see her as the heart of the team.
And then there is Taash. A Qunari dragon hunter from the Lords of Fortune. Seeing a Qunari who isn't defined solely by the rigid religious laws of the Qun is refreshing. Taash is big, loud, and lives for the hunt. It’s a nice pivot from Iron Bull’s mercenary-spy complexity or Sten’s stoicism. Sometimes you just need someone who can hit things very hard with an axe.
Why the Combat Roles Change How We See Them
In previous games, you could sort of ignore your companions' specific builds if you played on lower difficulties. In The Veilguard, the combat has shifted toward a more action-oriented style, similar to God of War or Mass Effect. This means Dragon Age The Veilguard characters are more like "classes" in a hero shooter than generic party members.
Each companion has a primer and a detonator ability.
You can't just spam buttons. You have to set up combos. If Neve freezes an enemy (the primer), Rook or another companion has to shatter them (the detonator). This mechanical dependency makes the characters feel like a cohesive unit rather than three people standing in a field hitting a dragon. It forces you to think about who you’re bringing not just because you like their banter, but because you need their specific elemental output to survive a boss fight.
The Return of the Dread Wolf
We have to talk about Solas. He isn't a companion this time—well, at least not in the way he was in Inquisition. He’s the catalyst. The whole reason this game exists is because of his plan to tear down the Veil. But the narrative has a funny way of complicating things. Early in the game, the ritual goes sideways, and two even worse Elven gods get loose. Suddenly, Solas is stuck in a sort of spiritual limbo, acting as a mentor or an antagonist (or both) to Rook.
The dynamic between the new Dragon Age The Veilguard characters and Solas is the backbone of the story. How do you deal with a god who thinks he’s saving the world by destroying yours? Some companions want him dead. Others, like the elven members of the team, have a much more nuanced view of his "rebellion."
Digging into the Grey Wardens and Necromancy
BioWare didn't forget the classics. Davrin is our Grey Warden representative. He’s a monster hunter with a young griffon named Assan. Yes, griffons are back. For lore nerds, this is a massive deal because griffons were supposed to be extinct for centuries. Having a companion whose entire identity is tied to the preservation of a legendary species adds a layer of responsibility to your missions. You aren't just saving the world; you're protecting a baby bird that happens to be a biological weapon.
On the spookier side, we have Emmrich Volkarin. He’s a necromancer from the Mourn Watch in Nevarra. If you’re expecting a creepy, dark wizard, think again. Emmrich is a gentleman. He’s polite, well-dressed, and treats death with a sort of scholarly reverence. He has a skeleton assistant named Manfred who provides most of the physical comedy. It’s a very different take on necromancy than we’ve seen in Ferelden or Orlais. It shows how big the world of Thedas actually is.
The Missing Link: Harding
Scout Harding is finally a full-fledged companion. After being a fan favorite NPC in Inquisition, she’s stepped up to the plate with a bow and some newfound magical abilities. Wait—a dwarf with magic? That’s supposedly impossible in Dragon Age lore. Exploring how and why Harding is suddenly slinging titan-powered energy is one of the early hooks of the game. She’s the bridge between the old games and this new era.
How to Actually Build Your Team
Don't just pick your favorites. Or do, but be prepared to sweat.
The game rewards "synergy" above all else. If you are playing a Warrior Rook, you’ll probably want Neve for crowd control and maybe Lucanis for single-target DPS. If you’re a Mage, you’ll need Taash or Davrin to soak up the aggro. The interplay of Dragon Age The Veilguard characters during combat is where the game truly shines.
👉 See also: Why the Balatro Wheel of Fortune is the Most Frustrating Card in the Game
- Focus on the Primer/Detonator loop: Check your companion screen to see which abilities trigger off each other.
- Rotate for Dialogue: BioWare still uses the "approval" system, though it’s been streamlined. Take characters to locations where they have a personal stake (like taking Neve to Tevinter) to unlock their "Loyalty" missions faster.
- Invest in the Hub: The Lighthouse is your new home base. Talk to everyone after every major mission. This is where the real writing lives—not in the heat of battle, but in the quiet moments where Lucanis tries to explain why he's grumpy or Bellara nerds out over an artifact.
The Verdict on the Cast
Is this the best cast in the series? It’s too early to say for sure, but they are certainly the most distinct. BioWare has moved away from the "realistic" gritty fantasy of 2009 and leaned into a more vibrant, character-focused adventure. Some people will miss the mud and the blood, but the personality on display here is undeniable.
The secret to enjoying The Veilguard is accepting that these aren't the same types of heroes we had in Origins. They’re faster, louder, and more specialized. But at the end of the day, they're still a bunch of misfits trying to stop the apocalypse. And that’s pure Dragon Age.
Next Steps for Players:
- Audit your party composition: Look at your skills menu and identify exactly which of your companions' skills "Detonate" your specific "Primers."
- Prioritize Neve or Harding early: Their utility in the first ten hours is unmatched for clearing out early-game mobs.
- Check the Lighthouse frequently: Dialogue triggers are often missed if you fast-travel straight to the next objective without checking in on your crew.