Key Dragon Age: The Veilguard Choices That Carry Over From Inquisition

Key Takeaways:

1. Three Core Choices Influence the Story: In Dragon Age: The Veilguard, players can carry over three key choices from Dragon Age: Inquisition that affect character interactions and story outcomes.
2. Romance, Inquisition’s Fate, and Solas: These pivotal decisions involve the Inquisitor’s romantic history, the fate of the Inquisition organization, and the Inquisitor’s stance on Solas, the Dread Wolf.
3. No Save Import Option: Although direct save file imports aren’t available, players recreate core Inquisition decisions to keep the storyline consistent in The Veilguard.

As Dragon Age fans anticipate the next chapter, Dragon Age: The Veilguard, BioWare has given fans a chance to carry forward some choices from Dragon Age: Inquisition, allowing continuity in story arcs, relationships, and world-state outcomes. Although there’s no way to directly import Inquisition saves, The Veilguard lets players recreate three impactful decisions that shape the narrative and enrich the interactions with returning characters, including the Inquisitor.

This guide breaks down these key decisions, offering insight into how they might shape your gameplay experience in Dragon Age: The Veilguard.

The Three Key Choices That Carry Over

Unlike previous Dragon Age games, where multiple save details could be imported, The Veilguard narrows the carry-over choices to three pivotal events from Inquisition. Here’s a detailed look at each one and its potential impact on your new adventure in The Veilguard.

1. Romantic Partner of the Inquisitor

The first choice you’ll make in The Veilguard relates to your Inquisitor’s romantic history, adding depth to character interactions and possibly bringing back old flames or lingering tensions. This decision allows you to select the character your Inquisitor romanced in Inquisition. Based on your choice, certain relationships and emotional conflicts may be referenced, adding layers to the storyline.

Available romance options from Dragon Age: Inquisition that carry over include:

• Cassandra Pentaghast (male Inquisitor only)
• Dorian Pavus (male Inquisitor only)
• Blackwall (female Inquisitor only)
• Sera (female Inquisitor only)
• Iron Bull (both genders)
• Josephine Montiliyet (both genders)
• Cullen Rutherford (human and elven female Inquisitors only)
• Solas (elven female Inquisitor only)

BioWare confirmed that The Veilguard respects these romance-specific restrictions, maintaining continuity within the story. For those who didn’t pursue a romance, there’s also an option to indicate a non-romantic path, ensuring players who focused on other aspects of the game aren’t left out of The Veilguard’s personalized experience.

2. The Fate of the Inquisition

The next major decision is tied to the Inquisition’s fate, a storyline heavily influenced by the events in the Trespasser DLC. This choice reflects whether the Inquisition was disbanded to prevent corruption or left under the control of the Orlesian Chantry. Each outcome has its pros and cons:

• Disbanding the Inquisition allowed it to operate independently without risking corruption but limited its resources.
• Chantry Control provided the Inquisition with greater resources and influence but opened it up to potential infiltration and corruption.

This choice will likely impact how the Inquisition’s influence appears in The Veilguard, reflecting whether it remains a powerful organization under Chantry oversight or a decentralized, smaller group from its disbandment. Characters aligned with either decision could appear to offer support, conflict, or both, depending on your choice.

3. Solas: Friend or Foe?

The third decision concerns Solas, also known as the Dread Wolf, one of the most complex figures in Dragon Age: Inquisition. During Trespasser, players learn of Solas’s true identity and his grand plan to dismantle the Veil a mystical barrier separating the physical world from the Fade. This risky move, driven by a desire to restore elven glory, could also bring chaos and destruction to the mortal realm.

In The Veilguard, players choose between two stances toward Solas:

• Stopping Solas at Any Cost: This option sees the Inquisitor view Solas as a threat, prepared to stop him to prevent widespread devastation.
• Saving Solas: This alternative keeps hope alive that Solas might be redeemed, indicating a willingness to seek understanding and perhaps spare him, despite his dangerous ambitions.

This choice will undoubtedly shape encounters with Solas in The Veilguard, as your decision from Trespasser could lead to alliance or conflict. Characters aware of your past with Solas may respond differently depending on whether you view him as a friend in need of saving or a foe to be defeated.

Why Only Three Choices?

Creative director John Epler explained that simplifying the choices to just three was intentional, allowing the team to focus on decisions that could significantly impact The Veilguard’s narrative. Because much of the new game is set in Northern Thedas, many decisions made in southern regions wouldn’t necessarily carry narrative weight in the northern territories where the new story unfolds.

“Much like Inquisition didn’t touch on every decision from Origins, we won’t contradict your choices,” Epler noted. “However, we also won’t touch on every single one. We wanted to bring over the choices that would feel the most relevant for The Veilguard.”

This approach allows BioWare to avoid complicating the story with details that don’t directly affect the new setting or the broader story arc. The three choices selected reflect meaningful story points while leaving space for The Veilguard to develop its own unique narrative.

Can You Import Your Save File?

Due to technological limitations and the considerable time gap since Inquisition, BioWare opted not to include direct save file imports. This avoids compatibility issues, especially for players who may no longer have access to their original Inquisition saves. Instead, The Veilguard allows players to make their Inquisitor’s key choices manually, ensuring everyone can tailor their experience based on past actions, even without a save file.

How to Set Up Your Inquisitor in The Veilguard

After creating Rook, the protagonist in The Veilguard, players will also have the opportunity to design the appearance of their former Inquisitor. Once the physical details are set, the game will prompt you to answer a few questions about your Inquisitor’s past, reflecting the three primary decisions from Inquisition. These customized choices enable continuity without overwhelming players with excessive backstory.

FAQs

Can you romance different characters in The Veilguard if you had a previous romance in Inquisition?

Yes, you can pursue new romances in The Veilguard. The previous romance choice only influences the storyline by referencing the Inquisitor’s past, allowing players to explore fresh romantic interests in the new game.

Will other choices from Inquisition, like character alignments or side quests, appear in The Veilguard?

Only the three main choices romantic partner, Inquisition’s fate, and stance on Solas carry over. Other decisions won’t be directly referenced, keeping the storyline focused on the new setting.

Can you change your decisions from Inquisition when playing The Veilguard?

Yes, The Veilguard allows you to select your preferred choices, even if they differ from your original Inquisition decisions, offering a chance to redefine your Inquisitor’s backstory.

These core choices ensure that Dragon Age: The Veilguard offers a continuity that feels personal and engaging. By carefully selecting these three impactful decisions, BioWare maintains a delicate balance, honoring past adventures while paving the way for an immersive, fresh experience in the Dragon Age universe.