Dragon Age: The Veilguard allows players to make several important choices throughout their journey, which can lead to a variety of outcomes happening once they reach the conclusion of the story. At the time of writing, the exact count of how many endings exist is unknown, but there is at least one definitive "good" end and one "bad" end, where choices can cause differences even within those outcomes and lead to several variations. As is the nature of the Dragon Age series, characters are quite literally putting their lives on the line and emotions can, and will, run high.
Warning: This article includes major spoilers for the story and ending of Dragon Age: The Veilguard.The story of Dragon Age: The Veilguard picks up the storyline of Solas, who was shown at the end of Inquisition to be the elven god of betrayal, Fen'Harel. Although he is trapped in the Fade prison he had created for Ghilan'nain and Elgar'nan for most of the game, Solas inevitably becomes a crucial figure once again at the finale. This god of betrayal is a tricky one, but it stands to be seen whether he can choose to do the right thing in the end.
What Happens After The Point Of No Return
Several Missions Complete The Adventure
During the main campaign of Dragon Age: The Veilguard, players will eventually reach a quest titled "When Plans Align" which will prompt a warning when started. This warning lets players know that if they continue with that quest, all side missions, companion story arcs, and exploration for secrets will be locked out and the ending storyline will begin. There is still quite a bit of content following this point, but it is a much more focused and linear progression of the main story only.
After the point of no return has been passed, the player character, Rook, will have some crucial decisions to make. First, Rook will need to decide whether to send Harding or Davrin to head up the distraction party on the island where Ghilan'nain and Elgar'nan are at. The group will serve to keep Ghilan'nain's focus so that Lucanis can use the dagger to kill her. This choice, sadly, means the death of either Harding or Davrin, as they will ultimately sacrifice themselves during the fight against Ghilan'nain.
After Rook and their team get onto the island, they are faced with a situation where the way forward is blocked, but Neve and Bellara are both offering to dismantle the wards to open the way. Whoever is chosen does manage to successfully clear the path, but they are then taken by Elgar'nan and will not be available for the rest of the game. They do show up again later in the story and will play a key role in defeating Elgar'nan, but their future from then on is grim as they will be heavily blighted.
How Faction Strength And Companion Level Play Into The Conclusion
Side Quests And Companion Arcs Are Worthwhile
There are several major factions that Rook can build up reputation with throughout the game, and the final strength of these alliances once the final battles begin can have life and death consequences. At the Point of No Return, a screen will pop up showing players a basic look at their companion and faction strengths to give an idea of how well they may be prepared to move forward with the story. Ideally, players will want to get their faction strength up to Rank 3 for each of the six groups, which means doing the sidequests in each area and upgrading the Faction vendors.
The emotional connections formed with NPCs in games like Dragon Age: The Veilguard can significantly enhance the immersion and depth of the game.
Companion story arcs are also a strong determining factor in the end missions, as completing the main personal objectives for each companion will give them the distinction of being a "Hero of the Veilguard". Having this marker next to their name gives them a much greater chance of successfully handling their assigned tasks in the end, and can help determine if they live through the experience, with some exceptions.
While planning the final battle, there are several situations that could be different based on what has transpired up to that point.
If players have completed Emmrich's story arc, there will be a Juggernaut Construct. If not, there will be a Skeletal Construct controlled by Emmrich's school friend.
Completion of Regrets of the Dread Wolf side quest to earn Mythal's Essence can grant a new rune for the final battle against Elgar'nan.
Choices of which companion to send on earlier portions will limit who is able to help with three decisions within the quest The Last Gambit.
The choices regarding who is sent to help the Veil Jumpers, who helps the Crows and Lords of Fortune, and who helps the Grey Wardens and Mourn Watch can have positive or negative outcomes based on who is sent, what the companion level is, and the faction strength for each choice.
Solas's Betrayal Knows No Bounds
Varric's Death, The Fade Prison, And Continued Deceptions
The story continues following the death of either Harding or Davrin, and Lucanis is finally able to stab Ghilan'nain with the dagger and kill her. With the dagger still wedged in the gods torso, a massive tear in the veil opens and Rook reaches for the dagger in an effort to seal it again.
A controversial character even before The Veilguard, Solas has a deep history in Dragon Age lore, and is proven to hold the title as the god of betrayal for a reason. As Rook grabs the dagger, Solas uses the opportunity to switch places with Rook, thereby locking Rook in the prison built for gods so that Solas can reenter the world.
Solas tricked Rook into believing that Varric was alive throughout the game, when in reality Varric was killed in the initial confrontation.
In this bleak and sad environment, Rook is faced with all the regrets, accusations, depression, and loss that they have faced. Varric's voice is there to guide Rook as they come to understand that the prison locks are held by feeding off the regret of its captives. Rook faces down the weight of their decisions, and comes to understand a lot more about what has transpired, including one other deception Solas used to sway them. Solas tricked Rook into believing that Varric was alive throughout the game, when in reality Varric was killed in the initial confrontation.
After escaping the prison, Rook confronts Solas again, who, once again, explains his actions and shows remorse. He gives Rook the dagger, promising that the Veil will not be destroyed by him. This is later proven to be yet another form of deceipt, as Solas has learned that as soon as Elgar'nan falls, the veil will be torn asunder anyway.
The Best Ending For Dragon Age: The Veilguard
And Which Choices Can Lead To Different Deaths Within It
A massive final battle takes place against Elgar'nan, during which Solas has the job of defeating the archdemon and turning Elgar'nan mortal. While Rook is fighting Elgar'nan, they can see that Solas appears to be losing his battle. At this point, either Neve or Bellara (depending on who was kidnapped by Elgar'nan) will use their terminal connection with the blight to sway the fight and allow Solas to succeed.
After the battle is completed and Elgar'nan has fallen, the veil has become opened because of its connection with Elgar'nan. In the good ending, Rook can use the essence of Mythal and, with the aid of Morrigan and the Inquisitor, convince Solas to sacrifice himself and bind himself to the veil to close it. Mythal's words can convince a downtrodden Solas to do the right thing, and the Inquisitor, who is in love with Solas, offers to go with him so that he doesn't have to be alone forever.
The two walk off willingly into the veil and the world is saved.
Alternately, Rook can choose to trick Solas using a replica of the dagger, which he will later respect Rook for outsmarting him and accept his fate.
The Worst Ending For Dragon Age: The Veilguard
Carnage And Destruction
In a truly worst-case scenario, players will not have leveled up any factions or companion strength, and they will be forced to witness their allies falling around them throughout the final battles that take place. All combat scenes will be substantially harder.
After Elgar'nan meets his end, Rook can choose to fight Solas rather than either talking to him or tricking him. This fight is not one that players can actually control, and it will play out as a cutscene based on the stats as they currently stand regarding reputations and alliances. If the companions are not sufficiently strong, or living, then the battle will likely be lost, and Solas will kill the remaining companions and the game will end with both Rook and Solas bound together to the veil. The world is still ultimately saved, but at a heavy cost, and Rook and their party in Dragon Age: The Veilguard will be left as nothing but a memory, as fallen heroes.
Systems
Released October 31, 2024
Developer(s) BioWare
Publisher(s) Electronic Arts
Engine Frostbite
ESRB M For Mature 17+ // Blood, Nudity, Sexual Themes, Strong Language, Violence
Custom image by Katarina Cimbaljevic
English (US) ·