BioWare is back. Honestly, after Anthem and the mixed reception to Andromeda, people were terrified that the studio had lost its "magic touch" for relationships. But here we are. The Dragon Age Veilguard romance guide landscape is surprisingly deep, a little messy, and way more inclusive than anything we saw in Inquisition. If you’re looking for those sweeping, cinematic kisses or just want to know who is going to break your heart, you’ve come to the right place.
It's different this time. In previous games, you had to jump through hoops, gift-wrap specific items, and basically guess a character’s sexual orientation before making a move. Not anymore. In The Veilguard, every single companion is "Player-Sexual"—or, more accurately, Pansexual. They are open to Rook regardless of gender or lineage. This simplifies things, sure, but it also ups the stakes. You can't just stumble into a relationship; you have to put in the work across the Lighthouse and the various regions of Thedas.
The Heart of the Matter: How Romance Works in The Veilguard
Forget the old approval bar. Well, don't forget it entirely, but it’s not the singular metric it used to be. In The Veilguard, romance is driven by "Bonds." You build these by taking companions on missions, talking to them at the Lighthouse after every major story beat, and—most importantly—hitting those little "flirt" icons (the tiny heart) during dialogue.
Don't wait. Seriously. If you’re eyeing Neve or Lucanis, start flirting early.
BioWare has moved away from the "gift-spamming" meta. You can't just buy a silver ring and make someone love you. It’s about presence. It’s about showing up. If you ignore a companion for ten hours of gameplay, don't be surprised if they treat you like a coworker rather than a lover. The game tracks your "Romantic Intent." Once you commit to a specific character through a "Lock-in" quest—usually occurring in Act 2 or early Act 3—the other flirt options for different characters will simply vanish. You’re in it for the long haul.
Neve Gallus: The Cool Shadow of Minrathous
Neve is probably the most "classic" BioWare romance in the game. She’s guarded. She’s a detective. She’s seen the worst of the Tevinter Imperium and has the scars to prove it. Romancing Neve requires patience. She doesn't like grand, empty gestures. She likes competence.
If you want to win her over, you need to support her efforts in Minrathous. When she talks about the Shadow Dragons, listen. When she pushes back against the venatori, have her back. Her romance path is a slow burn that pays off with some of the most grounded, intimate writing in the series. She isn't looking for a hero; she's looking for a partner who isn't going to lie to her.
Lucanis Dellamorte: Coffee and Killers
Lucanis is... a lot. He’s an Antivan Crow, he’s possessed by a demon of Spite, and he’s obsessed with coffee. His romance is easily the most "angsty" of the bunch. Because of Spite, Lucanis struggles with physical touch and intimacy. It’s a recurring theme in his dialogue.
To successfully navigate the Lucanis branch of this Dragon Age Veilguard romance guide, you have to handle Spite. Sometimes that means being firm, and sometimes it means showing Lucanis that he is more than the monster inside him. Pro tip: Always engage with his culinary interests. The man finds solace in the kitchen. It’s his safe space. If you want into his heart, you’re going to spend a lot of time talking about roasting beans and the ethics of assassination.
Hard Choices and Soft Moments
One thing BioWare did differently here is the concept of "Companions Romancing Each Other." This is huge. If you don't pursue certain characters, they might actually find love with someone else on the team. For example, if you leave Taash and Emmerich to their own devices, you might start seeing sparks fly between other members of the squad.
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It makes the world feel alive. It makes the Lighthouse feel like a real residence rather than a waiting room for the protagonist.
Taash: Fire and Identity
Taash is a powerhouse. A Qunari dragon hunter with a complicated relationship with their mother and their own sense of self. Romancing Taash is about discovery. It’s less about "woo-ing" them and more about standing by them as they figure out who they are outside of the Qun and outside of dragon hunting.
Taash appreciates directness. Don't mince words. If you like them, say it. They have a low tolerance for "polite society" nonsense. Their romance scenes are physically intense but emotionally vulnerable. It’s a fascinating contrast.
Bellara: The Tech-Wiz Heart
Bellara is the "sweetheart" of the group, but don't let the bubbly personality fool you. She’s carrying a massive amount of guilt regarding the Eluvian networks and her people’s history. Her romance is full of wonder. If you’re the type of player who likes the "us against the world" vibe mixed with a bit of nerdy enthusiasm, Bellara is your go-to.
She reacts well to curiosity. Ask her about her gadgets. Show interest in the Veil Jumpers. She wants someone who shares her sense of awe for the world, even when that world is falling apart.
The Role of the "Lock-In"
Let's talk about the point of no return. In Inquisition, you could sort of date everyone until a certain point. In The Veilguard, the game is much more explicit. You will eventually reach a quest that is clearly labeled—or at least heavily implied—to be the "commitment" moment.
Once you click that heart icon during a pivotal scene in their personal loyalty arc, you are "In a Relationship."
This changes things:
- Other companions will comment on your relationship.
- You get unique idle animations at the Lighthouse (think leaning against each other or shared glances).
- The final act of the game features specific dialogue shifts based on your partner.
Honestly, it’s worth doing multiple playthroughs just to see how the ending vibes change. A romance with Davrin, the Grey Warden, feels very different during the climax compared to a romance with Emmrich Volkarin, the polite necromancer.
Emmrich and Manfred: Love Among the Dead
Speaking of Emmrich, his romance is the "sleeper hit" of the game. He’s older, he’s sophisticated, and he comes with a skeleton assistant named Manfred. It sounds weird on paper, but it’s incredibly charming. Emmrich treats romance like a fine art. It’s all about poetry, flowers, and the philosophical implications of the Fade.
If you’re playing a Mourn Watcher or just someone who appreciates the "dark academia" aesthetic, Emmrich is top-tier. Just be prepared for Manfred to be a third wheel. A very cute, very bony third wheel.
Davrin: The Warden’s Burden
Davrin is your classic "broody warrior with a heart of gold," but with a twist: he has a baby griffon named Assan. Look, half the people romancing Davrin are probably doing it to get closer to the griffon. No judgment.
Davrin’s arc is about duty. He is a Grey Warden to his core. Romancing him means accepting that the Blight and the Wardens will always come first—or learning how to make yourself the exception to that rule. He’s stoic, so you’ll need to be the one to break the ice most of the time.
Navigating the Approval System Without Losing Your Mind
You’re going to see "Companions Greatly Approve" or "Companions Disapprove" pop up. Don't panic. Unlike Dragon Age II, where disapproval could lead to a "Rivalry" romance, The Veilguard is a bit more punishing if you're a jerk. If you consistently make choices that spit in the face of a companion’s core values, you will lock yourself out of their bedchamber.
Example: If you’re constantly siding with the gods or being cruel to the downtrodden, Neve and Bellara are going to start looking at you sideways.
The best way to stay in their good graces? Talk to them. After every mission, do a lap of the Lighthouse. If a character has an "exclamation point" over their head, they have something to say. Even if it’s just a small chat about the weather or the quality of the rations, these moments build the foundation for the romance.
Can You Fail a Romance?
Yes. Absolutely.
- Missing the window: If you never flirt, the game assumes you're "just friends."
- The Big Choice: Certain main story decisions will fundamentally break your relationship with specific characters. If you betray a companion's faction in a major way, don't expect them to want to cuddle afterward.
- The "Friend-Zone": There is a specific dialogue option in most loyalty missions to tell a companion you just want to be friends. If you click that, it's over. No take-backs.
Making the Most of the Experience
The Dragon Age Veilguard romance guide isn't just about who you sleep with; it's about the emotional resonance of the story. BioWare wrote these characters to be your family. The romance is just the "extra" layer that makes the stakes feel personal. When the world is ending and the literal gods are walking the earth, having one person to come back to in the Lighthouse makes the struggle feel worth it.
Actionable Insights for Your Playthrough:
- Commit early, but explore: Flirt with everyone in Act 1 to see whose "vibe" fits yours. You won't be punished for being a flirt early on.
- Prioritize Loyalty Missions: These are the "Companions" quests in your journal. You cannot finish a romance without completing these.
- Check the "Library": The Lighthouse has areas that evolve based on your relationships. Check in on your partner's specific room to see how it changes as you get closer.
- Listen to the Party Banter: If you’re romancing someone, take them out in the field with another companion who is "nosy" (like Harding or Lucanis). They will often comment on your relationship, providing extra lore and flavor.
- Don't ignore the non-romanceable NPCs: While they aren't part of this guide, your relationships with secondary characters can sometimes influence how your companions see you.
The "best" romance is entirely subjective. Whether you want the tragic beauty of a Crow assassin or the steady, dependable love of a Grey Warden, The Veilguard gives you the space to find it. Just remember to save often—sometimes the heart wants what the dialogue tree didn't expect.
To ensure you don't miss the critical "Lock-in" moments, keep an eye on your quest log for missions titled after the companion's specific backstory or inner conflict. These are the definitive markers for progressing your relationship to its final stage. Once those are complete, your chosen romance will be solidified heading into the endgame sequence.