How to Defeat the Formless One in Dragon Age: The Veilguard – A Complete Guide

Key Takeaways:

1. Powerful Endgame Boss: The Formless One is a Level 40 high dragon, making it one of the toughest battles in Dragon Age: The Veilguard players should ideally be level 35+.
2. Quest Requirements: To reach the Formless One, players must complete the lengthy “Pinnacle of Its Kind” quest, which involves hunting down demonic avatars across multiple locations.
3. Special Abilities and Tactics: Using necrotic attacks, dodging lightning strikes, and targeting weak points are essential strategies for defeating the Formless One.

In Dragon Age: The Veilguard, one of the most challenging and rewarding encounters is the battle with the Formless One, a high-level dragon possessed by a powerful demon. Known as a High Dragon, the Formless One waits in the depths of the Grand Necropolis, armed with deadly lightning attacks and able to summon hordes of undead. This boss can only be fought after completing the “Pinnacle of Its Kind” quest. In this guide, we’ll break down all the tips and strategies needed to conquer this formidable foe.

Understanding the Pinnacle of Its Kind Quest

The journey to face the Formless One begins with the “Pinnacle of Its Kind” side quest, which becomes accessible after unlocking the Grand Necropolis and recruiting Emmrich, a late-game companion. This is a multi-step quest designed to test your combat skills, preparation, and ability to manage difficult enemies.

Steps to Initiate the Quest

1. Unlocking the Grand Necropolis: After recruiting Emmrich, travel to the Grand Necropolis and head to the Central Hall.
2. Completing the Restless Spirits Quest: Myrna, an NPC in the Central Hall, will give you the Restless Spirits quest. Here, you’ll guide four wisps to skeletons to unlock a room filled with cultists. Defeating them opens the Chamber of the Unforged and grants access to the main Pinnacle of Its Kind quest.
3. Encountering the Door and the Mysterious Voice: After clearing the room, interact with the large door where you’ll receive the main objective to hunt down three demon avatars in various locations.

Demon Avatar Locations and Battle Tips

Each demon avatar is a piece of the Formless One, and defeating them unlocks the final fight in the Necropolis. Here’s a guide to each demon’s location, weaknesses, and strategies.

1. Hossberg Wetlands Demon
   • Location: South of Hossberg Wetlands in Solitude’s Edge.
   • Weakness: Electricity.
   • Resistance: Necrotic attacks.
   • Strategy: This demon appears as a fast, ghostly figure. Use electric-based attacks and avoid necrotic ones to make quick work of it.
2. Dock Town Demon
   • Location: Southeastern corner of Dock Town, near the Spillway.
   • Weakness: Necrotic damage.
   • Resistance: Electricity.
   • Strategy: This brute is slow but hits hard. Equip necrotic abilities and maintain distance to avoid its heavy attacks.
3. Arlathan Forest Demon
   • Location: Northwest Arlathan, near the Tattered Bridge.
   • Weakness: Cold attacks.
   • Resistance: Fire.
   • Strategy: A charging fire-based demon, vulnerable to cold abilities. Use characters with ice magic to maximize damage.

Preparing for the Battle with the Formless One

Once the demon avatars are defeated, return to the Necropolis and unlock the door. Behind it waits the Formless One a Level 40 undead dragon with unique strengths and weaknesses. Ensure your party is well-equipped with healing items and necrotic abilities to exploit the dragon’s weaknesses.

Essential Team Composition

• Necrotic Abilities: The Formless One is highly vulnerable to necrotic damage. Emmrich and Lucanis, companions with necrotic abilities, are ideal for this fight.
• Dodge Experts: Since the Formless One frequently uses rapid lightning attacks, bring characters with high agility or dodge abilities.
• Balanced Team: Include one high-damage character and a healer for support.

Combat Tips for Defeating the Formless One

The Formless One’s battle unfolds in an arena filled with undead minions and powerful dragon attacks. Here’s a breakdown of its abilities and the best tactics to overcome them.

1. Dodge the Lightning Bolts
   • When the Formless One hovers, it will cast lightning bolts down on the battlefield. Dodge them and wait for the dragon to land, revealing its weak points.
2. Target Glowing Weak Spots
   • The dragon’s glowing body parts, especially around the chest, are susceptible to critical hits. Target these spots to deal maximum damage and stagger it.
3. Save Ultimates for Stagger Phases
   • When the Formless One is staggered, unleash your ultimate attacks on its chest area to inflict heavy damage.
4. Avoid the Wall Perch Attack
   • At times, the dragon will fly to a wall perch and unleash a devastating electric attack. Run to the opposite end of the arena to avoid this strike, as it deals massive damage.
5. Focus on the Dragon Over Minions
   • The Formless One periodically summons undead minions. Let your party handle the mobs while you continue attacking the dragon.
6. Manage Its Armor Regeneration
   • The Formless One can recharge its armor, extending the fight if left unchecked. Apply constant pressure to prevent it from recovering too much.

Rewards for Defeating the Formless One

After a grueling battle, defeating the Formless One rewards you with significant loot and in-game perks:

• 1,000 XP
• Dragon Tooth
• Two Dragonfire Catalysts
• +200 Strength for Mourn Watch faction
• +300 Strength for Lords of Fortune faction
• Unbound Achievement/Trophy

Additionally, defeating this boss unlocks access to new chests in the arena, filled with valuable gear and resources.

FAQ

1. What level should I be to face the Formless One?
It’s best to be at least level 35, though level 40 is ideal for this fight. Lower-level players will likely struggle against the dragon’s high-damage attacks.

2. Can I beat the Formless One without necrotic abilities?
While it’s possible, necrotic abilities provide a significant advantage due to the dragon’s vulnerability to this damage type. Consider equipping necrotic items or characters for a smoother battle.

3. What’s the fastest way to find the demon avatars?
Each demon avatar is marked on your map once you receive the Pinnacle of Its Kind quest. Follow the markers and use the brazier in each location to summon and battle the avatars.

4. What should I do if the dragon regenerates its armor?
Keep a constant assault to prevent prolonged armor regeneration. Using powerful skills during stagger phases will help reduce the dragon’s armor quicker.

5. Is it worth completing this quest?
Absolutely! The Formless One battle is challenging, but the rewards are highly valuable for endgame content. Plus, completing this questline is essential for players aiming to unlock all achievements in Dragon Age: The Veilguard.