Summary
One of the most exciting aspects of the upcomingDragon Age: The Veilguardis the increase in the level cap to 50. This expanded limit offers players far more opportunities to experiment with diverse builds and strategies compared toDragon Age: Inquisition, which capped out at level 27.
The ability to level higher inDragon Age: The Veilguardmeans more skill points to spend, granting access to a wider range of abilities and passive upgrades. As players progress through the game, Rook’s growth is promised to feel more substantial, allowing for specialized and intricate play styles that weren’t possible in the previous title. In contrast, Inquisition’s leveling system felt restrictive in the late game. Once players reached higher levels, there were fewer abilities to unlock, and character progression felt sluggish.
Dragon Age: The Veilguard’s Late-Game Builds Provide More Flexibility
InDragon Age: Inquisition, reaching the maximum level often meant hitting a plateau in terms of character progression. While ability points and passive boosts were granted at each new level, there were only so many meaningful skills to unlock by the time a player hit level 27. This resulted in an inevitable slowdown of character development. The lack of scaling enemies outside of the Even Ground trial in Inquisition made progression feel even less satisfying, as players often faced enemies that posed no significant challenge, despite their higher stats. This was only remedied forDLC added on later, especially withInquisition:Trespasser.
WithThe Veilguard’slevel cap increased to 50, the endgame is poised to feel much more rewarding. It also indicates that BioWare may be learning fromInquisition’s mistakes, and designing an endgame with more challenges. The additional skill points and expanded Constellation Skill Tree provide numerous opportunities to tailor Rook’s abilities to specific playstyles. Players will be able to test new combinations of abilities without being locked into an endgame that feels static. If done correctly, player units won’t feel overpowered and plateaued come the endgame.
Dragon Age: The Veilguard’s Increased Leveling Makes Combat More Engaging
Another area whereThe Veilguard’s progression could outshineInquisitionis in its approach to combat at higher levels. InInquisition, combat can feel repetitive once most abilities are unlocked. Players could only unlock one of the class’ specializations, so they were stuck with that particular progression. At one point, beforethe endgame, the Inquisitor alreadyhad their entire kit available to them, which meant players had already shattered the proverbial ceiling before facing the game’s final boss.
As Rook progresses to level 50, new abilities, upgrades, and passives will become available, which, if done right, will encourage players to reevaluate their approach to combat until the end of the game. As an added bonus, unlikeDragon Age Inquisition, the option to refund skill points at any time without resource costs makes freshening up combat even more appealing.
Equipment Upgrades Support Dragon Age: The Veilguard’s Late-Game Progression
BalancingDragon Age: The Veilguard’s equipment and character progressionwill be crucial, especially with how BioWare is shaping late-game mechanics. Rook can upgrade weapons, armor, and accessories at the Caretaker’s Workshop, allowing players to boost stats and unlock additional effects. This system becomes more complex as the Workshop’s rank increases, revealing a broader range of enchantments that can be applied to a single item or ability, adding depth to late-game builds.
If done right, it’ll improve onInquisition’s, which gear advancementbecame a somewhat secondary concern after reaching the level cap. Many players simply equipped the best available items, which in some cases, could be something they found midway through the game. This had many players beelining for the “best” schematics and ignoring anything else that dropped near the end and was inferior in comparison.
The proverbial shoesDragon Age: The Veilguardmust fill are big. It’s been ten years since the previous entry, and BioWare’s more recent projects, besides remasters, have struggled to live up to the developer’s legacy. However, things are looking up withThe Veilguardimproving on the previous games’ mechanics.
Dragon Age: The Veilguard
WHERE TO PLAY
Enter the world of Thedas, a vibrant land of rugged wilderness, treacherous labyrinths, and glittering cities – steeped in conflict and secret magics. Now, a pair of corrupt ancient gods have broken free from centuries of darkness and are hellbent on destroying the world.Thedas needs someone they can count on. Rise as Rook, Dragon Age’s newest hero. Be who you want to be and play how you want to play as you fight to stop the gods from blighting the world. But you can’t do this alone – the odds are stacked against you. Lead a team of seven companions, each with their own rich story to discover and shape, and together you will become The Veilguard.
