Look, picking between Neve Gallus and Bellara Lutare in Dragon Age: The Veilguard isn't just about who has the better skill tree. It's a vibe check. You've got Neve, the cynical, sharp-tongued private eye who looks like she walked out of a high-fantasy film noir, and then there's Bellara, the chaotic, "oh my god look at this ancient relic" energy that keeps the party from getting too depressing.
Honestly? You're going to spend 60+ hours with these mages. Picking the wrong one to focus on—or romance—can fundamentally change how the game feels.
Neve Gallus: The Cold Reality of Minrathous
Neve is basically the "anti-mage." She’s from Tevinter, a place where mages usually act like they own the air everyone else breathes, but she hates that. She’s a Shadow Dragon. She fights for the little guy. She’s also got a literal ice-cold demeanor that masks a massive amount of trauma regarding her home city.
Why Neve Is a Combat Beast
If you want control, you want Neve. Her kit is built around Cold damage and the Weakened status effect.
- Glacial Pace: This is her bread and butter. It freezes enemies in their tracks. It’s not just about damage; it’s about stopping that massive Antaam warrior before he turns your Rook into a pancake.
- Blizzard: This is a literal "delete" button for groups of trash mobs. It creates a swirling vortex that ticks damage and applies Chilled.
- The Healing Factor: Early on, Neve is one of your most reliable healers with Replenish.
But there’s a catch. A big one.
If you don’t back Neve up during the "On Blighted or Deadly Wings" quest—specifically, if you don't choose to help Minrathous—she can become Hardened. This isn't just a story beat. A hardened Neve does way more damage, but she loses her ability to heal you. She gets colder. Meaner. It’s a trade-off that catches a lot of players off guard.
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Bellara Lutare: The Chaos of Arlathan
Then we have Bellara. She’s a Veil Jumper. She’s the person who sees a glowing, buzzing ancient elven artifact and says, "I should probably touch that."
She’s sweet. She’s neurodivergent-coded in a way that feels incredibly authentic. She rambles. But don't let the "clumsy elf" trope fool you; Bellara is arguably the most versatile support character in the entire game.
The Electric Archer
Bellara is unique because she’s a mage who uses a bow. Her damage type is Electric, which is vital because so many late-game enemies are weak to it.
- Enfeebling Shot: Great for Stagger. If you’re playing a Warrior Rook, Bellara is your best friend because she sets up those finishers constantly.
- Time Slow: This is arguably the best ability in the game. It creates a bubble where enemies move in slow motion, but you move at full speed. It’s broken. In a good way.
- Galvanized Tear: This acts like a vacuum, pulling enemies into a single point. Pair this with a Rogue’s explosive traps or a Warrior’s whirlwind, and the fight is over in seconds.
The Romance Dilemma: Slow Burn vs. Puppy Love
This is where the community gets divided.
Neve’s romance is a slow burn. She calls Rook "Trouble." She keeps her walls up high because, in her line of work, getting close to someone usually ends with a knife in the back. If you like the "frenemies to lovers" or "breaking down the ice queen's walls" trope, Neve is the winner. Plus, her voice acting is incredible—smoky, tired, and deeply emotional.
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Bellara’s romance is pure, wholesome chaos. It’s like a first love. She gets flustered. She trips over her words. If you romance her, you're basically her emotional anchor while she deals with the grief of her brother, Cyrian. It’s a "soft" romance, but it has some of the highest emotional stakes in the third act.
Pro Tip: If you don't romance Neve, she often ends up with Lucanis. If you don't romance Bellara, she stays single (and kind of lonely). If you’re the type of person who feels bad for fictional characters, keep that in mind.
Who Should You Actually Take?
It depends on your Rook.
- If you are a Rogue: Bring Neve. You need her crowd control and her ability to apply Weakened, which you can then detonate for massive damage.
- If you are a Warrior: Bring Bellara. Her Electric debuffs and Time Slow abilities make it much easier for you to stay in the pocket and swing without getting interrupted.
- If you are a Mage: Honestly, bring both. Running a triple-mage glass cannon build is a nightmare on higher difficulties, but it’s the most fun way to play The Veilguard on standard.
The "Secret" Interaction
Most people don't realize how much these two actually like each other. If you have them both in your party, Bellara "fanboys" over Neve’s detective stories. Neve, in turn, acts like a protective older sister. It’s one of the best companion dynamics BioWare has written in years.
Your Next Steps
If you're still early in the game, go to the Lighthouse and check the map. If Neve has a "!" over her head, go talk to her. Even if you don't plan on romancing her, her personal quest "The Cobbled Swan Case" unlocks some of the best gear for mages in the mid-game.
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For Bellara, make sure you buy the Elven Frog Figurine from the Veil Jumper merchant in Arlathan Forest. It’s cheap, and giving it to her early on gives you a massive boost to her Bond level, which unlocks her better passive skills before the first major boss fight.
Don't overthink it. Just pick the mage that matches your energy. Whether you want to freeze the world or zap it into submission, you're in good hands.
Actionable Insight: Focus on completing Bellara's "Echoes of the Past" as soon as it drops. It unlocks her ability to revive Rook once per battle, which is a literal life-saver on Nightmare difficulty.
Combat Sync: If you're using Neve, pair her with Taash. Neve applies "Chilled," and Taash can shatter frozen enemies for 200% damage. It's the most efficient way to clear rooms in Act 2.