Dragon Age: The Veilguard – Gate of Pale Reflections Guide

Key Takeaways:

1. The Gate of Pale Reflections is a pivotal side quest in Dragon Age: The Veilguard, tied to the overarching “Heart of Corruption” storyline.
2. Players must prepare to face two challenging bosses: Amarell the Unwoven and Fall of the Protector, each with unique attack patterns and elemental weaknesses.
3. Strategic party composition, utilizing environmental advantages, and equipping the right gear can make these battles significantly easier.

Are you ready to unlock the mysteries of the Gate of Pale Reflections in Dragon Age: The Veilguard? This daunting side quest is not for the faint of heart, requiring strategic planning and expert gameplay to tackle its fierce challenges. Whether you’re aiming to conquer the high-level bosses Amarell the Unwoven and Fall of the Protector or seeking to progress in the gripping Heart of Corruption quest chain, this guide will provide you with everything you need to succeed.

Unlocking the Gate of Pale Reflections

To begin the Gate of Pale Reflections quest, you must have access to the Crossroads region, specifically the third island. Here’s how to start:

• Reach the Crossroads: Progress through the main storyline to unlock the Hossberg Wetlands and access the Crossroads’ third island.
• Navigate to the Gate: Head up the stairs in the Crossroads and defeat any enemies blocking your path. From there, enter a dilapidated house, ascend a wooden stairway to an elevated platform, and prepare for another wave of enemies.
• Use the Zipline: Look for a ladder to access a zipline. Before crossing, make sure to destroy the blight cysts visible along the cliffside using ranged attacks.
• Clear the Blight Cysts: Follow the blight tendrils to find and destroy three more cysts around the area. Clearing the final large cyst reveals the path to the Gate of Pale Reflections.

Pro Tip:

Shoot down the blight cysts from a safe distance to avoid unnecessary damage. This step is crucial to access the Gate and the boss battle beyond.

Boss Fight 1: Amarell the Unwoven

The first major challenge in this quest is Amarell the Unwoven, a level 35 demon mini-boss located in the Solitude’s Edge region of the Hossberg Wetlands. Here’s how to prepare and defeat this relentless foe:

Preparation:

• Party Composition: Bring characters like Taash and Davrin, who excel in dealing fire damage (Amarell’s primary weakness) and supporting your party with healing abilities.
• Gear Up: Equip weapons and gear that enhance fire damage and damage-over-time effects. Avoid using necrotic damage, as Amarell is highly resistant to it.

Amarell’s Attack Patterns:

Amarell’s moves are devastating, and his lack of a stagger bar makes him even harder to control. Here’s what to watch for:

• Blight Barrier: A defensive barrier that requires charged attacks to break.
• Melee Combo: A quick, close-range combo that’s difficult to dodge.
• Line Attack: A linear strike that damages everything in its path.
• Charge Attack: A fast, high-damage attack that can hit you off-guard.
• Erupting Ground: Targets Rook’s position with multiple explosions.
• Blinding Ability: Temporarily removes all companions from the battle, leaving only Rook to fight.
• Ghoul Spawns: Summons ghouls that can overwhelm your party if not dealt with quickly.

Battle Strategy:

1. Use the Environment: Utilize the giant rock in the middle of the swamp as cover to block Amarell’s melee, charge, and line attacks. Stay at range whenever possible.
2. Exploit Fire Weakness: Equip fire-infused weapons and abilities to maximize damage, especially during Amarell’s fog ability, which limits visibility. Fire attacks will help you track him.
3. Focus on Spawns: Kill any summoned ghouls immediately to avoid being overrun.
4. Stay Mobile: Keep moving to avoid targeted attacks like the erupting ground and charge attacks.

Rewards:

Once defeated, Amarell will drop Champion Essence and reveal a Timelost Hoard chest containing a unique item. Be sure to check the rock where his cyst was located for this treasure.

Boss Fight 2: Fall of the Protector

The second major encounter, Fall of the Protector, awaits in the Heights of Athim area. This level 42 mage-type boss is even more challenging than Amarell.

Preparation:

• Elemental Advantage: Fall is vulnerable to cold but resistant to fire, so adjust your party’s abilities and equipment accordingly.
• Barrier Management: Prepare for a battle that requires you to break through barriers multiple times.

Fall of the Protector’s Attack Patterns:

Here’s what Fall brings to the table:

• Teleportation: Damages a small area upon landing.
• Ice Missile Barrage: Fires two projectiles in a straight line, followed by a fan of seven.
• Meteor Swarm: Targets six small areas and one large area with meteors.
• Fade Tear Phase: Regenerates his barrier and attempts to draw power from the Fade tear. If successful, it causes a massive explosion that damages Rook no matter where you are.
• Summons: Calls in three Superior Armored Undead during the second phase. These minions are resistant to cold and carry shields that block non-charged attacks.

Battle Strategy:

1. Break His Barrier Quickly: During the Fade tear phase, focus all your efforts on breaking Fall’s barrier before he finishes charging.
2. Deal with Summons Strategically: Use area-of-effect (AoE) abilities to clear the Armored Undead quickly, or focus on them one by one while dodging Fall’s attacks.
3. Dodge Constantly: Fall’s beam attack and projectile barrages require you to stay on the move. Watch for his windups to avoid being caught off-guard.
4. Focus on Fall: While his summons are a threat, keep the pressure on Fall to prevent him from regenerating his barrier.

Rewards:

After defeating Fall, read the note below the Fade tear and head to the west end of the arena. Collect the Memento and Timelost Hoard chest, then use the nearby lever to unlock a shortcut back to the Heights of Athim.

Completing the Gate of Pale Reflections Quest

Once you’ve defeated both Amarell the Unwoven and Fall of the Protector, return to the Gate of Pale Reflections in the Crossroads. Place the Champion Essence into the Gate to complete the quest. Doing so not only progresses the Heart of Corruption storyline but also grants you experience points and other rewards.

FAQs

1. What level should I be to attempt the Gate of Pale Reflections quest?
It’s recommended that your party be at least level 35+ to handle Amarell and level 40+ for Fall of the Protector.

2. Which companions are best for this quest?
Taash, Davrin, and any high-DPS companions specializing in fire or cold damage are ideal. Bring a healer to support Rook during extended battles.

3. Can I fight the bosses in any order?
Yes, you can fight the three gate champions in any order. However, it’s wise to take on the ones you’re best prepared for first.

4. What’s the best strategy for Amarell’s fog ability?
Use fire-based attacks to keep Amarell visible during his fog phase. Stay at range and take cover to avoid his explosive attacks.

5. What do I get for completing the quest?
You’ll unlock a portion of the Heart of Corruption storyline, earn XP, and gain unique items from Timelost Hoard chests after defeating the bosses.