Are You Making These Mistakes? How to Avoid Critical Pitfalls in Dragon Age The Veilguard

So, here’s the thing: playing Dragon Age: The Veilguard without a strategy can be a real pain. Little choices in the game? They stack up. Here are the traps I stumbled into (more than once) so you don’t have to.

Mistake #1: Dumping All Your Junk at One Vendor

First up, let’s talk junk. Selling faction-specific items? It’s crucial. Every item you dump at the right vendor gives you a boost in faction strength, but only if you’re selling to the right person. Darkspawn bits? Hand those to the Grey Wardens. Venatori relics? Shadow Dragons love them. Randomly selling to any vendor means you’re missing out on key rewards and stronger factions. Simple fix: match your junk to the right vendor and you’re golden.

Mistake #2: The Major Choice Dilemma

One big moment will come – help the Crows, or side with the Shadow Dragons. This choice? It impacts everything: the storyline, missions, even future conversations. I messed this up on my first playthrough by rushing to recruit Davin, only to realize I’d locked myself out of half the quests! Before picking sides, check out each faction’s gear. Shadow Dragons might seem like the “good” option, but it’s your call.

Mistake #3: Missing Out on Companion Conversations

Don’t keep running through quests back-to-back. The lighthouse is your social hub – go back after every mission. Trust me, those little chats with companions can unlock hidden quests and more. One time, I skipped a check-in, only to miss a pivotal moment with a companion. Easy fix: fast-travel back to the lighthouse and keep your conversations fresh.

Mistake #4: Trying to Uncover the Map Too Soon

Certain areas? They’re locked. Either by mist or blocked doors. I wasted hours trying to reach them early on. Don’t sweat it – the map gradually unlocks as you progress. For now, roam where you can, pick up those rare chests, and let the story guide you. And, by the way, the Crossroads area? Essential. As soon as it’s accessible, dive into it.

Mistake #5: Ignoring Combat Mechanics

Here’s the secret to surviving fights: don’t just dodge. Parrying is where it’s at. You’ll see a white alert pop up just before an attack, but yellow? That’s your window to hit back hard. Red means dodge – simple as that. If the default timing feels tricky, adjust the settings. Once I got the hang of parrying, it felt like the game opened up in a whole new way.

Mistake #6: Overlooking Runes and Passive Boosts

These are lifesavers. Runes can make or break a fight, especially for builds like a charge-based Slayer. Freezing enemies with one rune? It’s almost broken. Max out passive stats and rank up your Workshop instead of splurging on gear you’ll replace. Runes are like hidden superpowers most players skip. Don’t be one of them.

Mistake #7: Using the Wrong Companion for Romance Goals

I tried sticking with the companion I wanted to romance, but it turns out, building influence happens passively. To seal the romance, just visit the lighthouse and pick the heart icon whenever it pops up. So, if a different companion fits your build better, don’t feel restricted by romance.

Mistake #8: Fumbling Companion Ultimates

At the end of your companion’s quests, they’ll offer two upgrades. If you didn’t pick their faction in the big choice, your options are limited. Make a save, try each one, then see which suits your build better. You can reset if needed, so no harm done.

Play smart, and don’t skip those conversations. Make the right calls at each choice, and you’ll be setting yourself up for the best ending Veilguard has to offer.