BioWare went all in. Honestly, if you were expecting the rigid, race-locked or gender-locked romances of Inquisition, you’re in for a bit of a shock. In Dragon Age: The Veilguard, the studio pivoted hard toward a "player-sexual" model, which basically means every single companion is a potential partner regardless of whether your Rook is a chunky Dwarf, a towering Qunari, or anything in between. It’s a design choice that sparked plenty of debates on Reddit and BioWare’s own forums, but the reality is it opens up a massive amount of narrative flexibility that we haven't seen in the series since Dragon Age II.
You aren't just picking a partner; you're navigating a messy, high-stakes workplace romance while the world literally falls apart.
Making Sense of Dragon Age The Veilguard Romance Options
The lineup is diverse. Seven companions. Seven distinct personalities. And yeah, they’re all "panromantic," a term BioWare leads like Corinne Busche used frequently during the lead-up to the 2024 launch. This isn't just about who you can flirt with during a coffee break in the Lighthouse. It’s about how these characters interact with each other too. That’s a massive wrinkle. If you don't pursue a specific character, they might actually find love elsewhere within the team. It makes the world feel alive. It makes your indecision have consequences.
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Take Lucanis Dellamorte. He’s a Crow assassin with a literal demon in his head. Romance with him isn't just about sweet nothings; it's about navigating the trauma of his imprisonment and the constant presence of Spite. Then you have Neve Gallus. She’s cool, detached, and a private investigator from Tevinter. Her romance path is a slow burn. It’s about breaking down those icy walls she’s built to survive the corruption of Minrathous.
BioWare writer Trick Weekes has mentioned in various interviews that the goal was to make these relationships feel like they have "meaningful friction." You aren't just pressing a "heart" icon to win. Well, you are pressing the heart icon, but the responses you get aren't always what you’d expect.
The Seven Contenders for Rook’s Heart
- Harding: The scout we all loved in Inquisition finally gets her spotlight. She’s relatable, grounded, and dealing with newfound magical powers that scare her. Her romance is arguably the most "sweet" of the bunch, focusing on discovery and vulnerability.
- Davrin: A Grey Warden who comes with a baby griffon named Assan. Let's be real—half the people romancing Davrin are doing it for the griffon content. He’s a bold, classic hero type, but there’s a layer of Warden duty that complicates things.
- Bellara: She’s high-energy, obsessed with ancient Elven tech, and a bit of a nervous talker. If you like the "manic pixie dream girl" energy but with way more trauma and focus, she’s the one.
- Taash: A dragon hunter who provides a very different vibe. Taash’s story involves a lot of self-discovery regarding identity and belonging. It’s a more physical, intense relationship compared to the others.
- Emmrich Volkarin: The necromancer. He’s older, sophisticated, and incredibly polite. His romance is surprisingly wholesome despite the fact that he hangs out with skeletons and deals with the dead for a living. His assistant, Manfred, adds a hilarious layer of "third wheel" energy to the whole affair.
Why the Lighthouse Changes Everything
The Lighthouse is your base. It’s your home. Unlike the Skyhold from Inquisition, which felt massive and sometimes empty, the Lighthouse is designed to be intimate. This is where the Dragon Age The Veilguard romance options really breathe. You’ll find companions hanging out in each other's rooms. You might walk in on a conversation that has nothing to do with you.
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This proximity matters. The game uses a "Relationship Level" system that rewards you for taking companions on missions, but the real progress happens in those quiet moments between the chaos. BioWare implemented a "non-binary" approach to romance progression. This means you don't just hit a "lock-in" point and the story ends. The relationship continues to evolve based on the major choices you make in the main quest. If you sacrifice a city that a companion loves, don't expect them to be in the mood for a romantic dinner later.
The "Veilguard" Difference: Rivalry and Chemistry
One of the biggest complaints about modern RPG romances is that companions often feel like they’re just waiting around for the player to acknowledge them. In The Veilguard, BioWare leaned into the idea of "autonomy."
The companions have lives.
They have opinions that will make them actively dislike your choices. While the "Rivalry" system from Dragon Age II isn't back in its exact form, the tension is palpable. If you constantly clash with Neve about how to handle the Venatori, your romance isn't going to be a walk in the park. It becomes a relationship defined by professional respect clashing with personal disagreement.
Also, the nudity and intimacy levels were dialed up for this entry. BioWare was clear: these are adult relationships. They aren't just fading to black every time things get serious. This allows for a level of physical intimacy that helps ground the high-fantasy stakes. When you're about to face an Elven god, that final night together feels like it actually carries weight.
Misconceptions About the "Player-Sexual" System
A lot of people worry that making everyone romanceable by everyone cheapens the characters. They think it erases their identity. But if you look at the writing, that’s not really the case. Taash, for example, has a very specific story about gender and identity that remains consistent regardless of Rook’s gender. The characters aren't blank slates; they are people who happen to be open to a relationship with the person leading them through the end of the world.
It’s less about "everyone is bi" and more about "the story focuses on the connection between two specific individuals." It’s a subtle distinction, but an important one for role-playing. It means you never feel like you picked the "wrong" gender during character creation and missed out on the character you actually bonded with.
Navigating the Lock-in Points
Eventually, you have to commit. You can flirt with everyone—and you should, honestly, just to see the dialogue—but there comes a point where the game asks you to choose.
- Early Flirting: These are low-stakes. Use the heart icon. It builds rapport.
- Personal Quests: Each companion has a multi-stage questline. You cannot finish a romance without completing these. They are mandatory.
- The Point of No Return: Usually, after a major mid-game shift, a character will trigger a specific scene in the Lighthouse where they ask where you stand. If you say yes, other romance paths usually close off.
The game is pretty good about signaling this. You won't accidentally stumble into a lifelong commitment because you were being "too nice" (looking at you, Dragon Age: Origins Zevran).
Actionable Tips for Your First Playthrough
If you want the "best" romantic experience in The Veilguard, stop trying to please everyone. The characters in this game value conviction.
- Check the Map: Frequently look for the "exclamation point" icons in the Lighthouse. These are often small, missable character moments that provide the "approval" needed to trigger the next romance stage.
- Bring Them Along: If you're eyeing Davrin, take him on missions. The banter between companions in the field often reveals more about their romantic preferences than the scripted scenes at base.
- Don't Ignore Manfred: If you're romancing Emmrich, pay attention to his skeleton assistant. The way you treat Emmrich’s work and his "family" matters immensely to him.
- Be Prepared for Rejection: If you've been a total jerk to the Mages and you're trying to woo Neve, it might not happen. The "disapproval" can be a hard wall.
The beauty of the Dragon Age The Veilguard romance options lies in the variety. Whether you want the tragic, haunted vibes of Lucanis or the quirky, tech-focused energy of Bellara, there's a path that fits your specific version of Rook. Just remember that in Northern Thedas, love is rarely simple, and it's almost always interrupted by a dragon or a blighted god.
Focus on one character during your first run to see their full arc, as the "inter-companion" romances that happen if you stay single are fascinating but can leave you feeling like a third wheel in your own story.