Things to Do First in Dragon Age: The Veilguard – A Beginner’s Guide

Key Takeaways:

1. Unlock Eluvians Early: Access these ancient mirrors to open new areas, find allies, and unlock side quests.
2. Gather Essential Resources: Stockpile key materials for upgrading gear at the Caretaker’s Workshop to stay battle-ready.
3. Connect with Companions: Regularly speak with companions at the Lighthouse to unlock unique dialogues and side quests.

Starting Dragon Age: The Veilguard can feel overwhelming with so many places to explore, characters to meet, and treasures to find. This guide will walk you through the essential first steps to make the most of your journey in Thedas, ensuring you’re well-prepared, strategically aligned with factions, and ready for the challenges that lie ahead.

Visit the Eluvians and Unlock New Areas

One of the most crucial tasks early in the game is exploring the Eluvians ancient mirrors that act as magical portals linking different parts of Thedas. These portals are accessible from The Crossroads, a unique area within the Fade that allows you to travel quickly across various locations in Veilguard.

Why the Eluvians Matter

As you progress through the game, more Eluvians will become available, and activating them grants you access to:

• New Locations: Begin with areas like the Arlathan Forest and the Necropolis Halls, each rich with quests, allies, and lore.
• Valuable Loot and Allies: Many side missions, powerful allies, and important resources are only accessible through these portals.
• Fen’Harel Altars and Hidden Chests: Access rare collectibles and powerful items that boost your character’s abilities.

To maximize your exploration, prioritize unlocking each new Eluvian as they become available at The Crossroads. These locations are essential for side content and can significantly impact your game’s progression.

Stockpile Resources for Crafting and Upgrades

In The Veilguard, crafting materials are a lifeline for improving your character’s armor, weapons, and accessories. You’ll find resources scattered throughout Thedas, marked by a distinct glint, indicating a potential crafting component.

Important Resources to Collect

Early on, focus on gathering key materials such as:

• Heartwood
• Imperial Weave
• Flawless Crystal
• Pure Ore
• Etheric Remnant

These items become even more valuable once you unlock the Caretaker’s Workshop at the Lighthouse, where you can use them to upgrade your gear. Some merchants also offer to trade resources for gold, so having a variety on hand can be useful when you’re low on currency.

Pro Tip: Although the Caretaker’s Workshop isn’t available from the start, building your stockpile will ensure you’re ready for upgrades as soon as it opens.

Sell Your Valuables to Faction Merchants

Throughout your journey, you’ll pick up countless Valuable Items from gemstones to carved trinkets and even practical items like field rations. Though they may seem minor, selling these items plays a vital role in both earning gold and strengthening relationships with the game’s six factions.

Where to Sell and Why

Only faction-associated merchants will accept these valuables, so you’ll need to locate merchants in specific faction camps or towns, such as:

• The Antivan Crow Merchant in Treviso: Selling here benefits the Crows’ faction.
• The Veil Jumper Camp in Arlathan Forest: Ideal for strengthening ties with the Veil Jumpers.

Each sale not only fills your purse but also boosts the merchant’s faction, enhancing their alliance with you. A strong faction will provide better resources, access to unique items, and may even offer special support in difficult quests. For balanced faction support, spread out your sales across different merchants.

Engage in Companion Conversations

Companions in Dragon Age: The Veilguard offer more than combat support they add depth to the story and often provide unique insights into the events of Thedas. Each time a companion joins your group at the Lighthouse, make it a priority to talk to them. This will open limited-time dialogues and, at times, lead to side quests or exclusive backstory details that enrich your gameplay.

How to Keep Up with Companion Dialogues

1. Visit the Lighthouse: After each mission, check in with your companions, as they may have new information, insights, or quests available.
2. Look for Symbols on the Map: A clock icon signals time-sensitive dialogues, while an exclamation point indicates a companion quest is ready.
3. Don’t Miss Out on Quests: Engaging with your companions not only builds relationships but also unlocks unique missions that add depth to the story.

Building strong bonds with your companions opens up a deeper, more personalized experience in the game and can even influence your success in battles and quests.

Additional Tips and Tricks for a Strong Start

These are some extra pointers to help you start off strong in Dragon Age: The Veilguard:

• Save Regularly: The world of Thedas is unpredictable, and some decisions or encounters can lead to unexpected outcomes. Frequent saves give you the flexibility to explore without fear.
• Plan Purchases Wisely: Gold can be limited, so don’t splurge on items early in the game. Save your gold for rare items that may appear later at merchants.
• Experiment with Abilities: Try different combinations of skills and upgrades to see what works best for your play style. The Veilguard offers plenty of customization, so don’t hesitate to mix things up.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Q1: How do I activate new Eluvians?
Head to The Crossroads in the Fade, where you can find and unlock Eluvians to access new areas. More Eluvians will become available as you progress through the story.

Q2: Why are faction merchants the only ones who buy valuables?
Faction merchants strengthen their respective factions when you sell to them. This relationship-building element is key to gaining their support throughout the game.

Q3: What are the best resources to gather early on?
Focus on materials like Heartwood, Imperial Weave, Flawless Crystal, Pure Ore, and Etheric Remnant for upgrades at the Caretaker’s Workshop.

Q4: Can I miss conversations with companions?
Yes, companion dialogues can be limited-time, marked with a clock icon on the map. Check in with your companions at the Lighthouse after missions to avoid missing out.

Q5: Is there any benefit to saving valuables instead of selling them?
Valuables don’t serve any purpose beyond selling, so there’s no need to hold onto them. Selling them to various faction merchants boosts faction strength, which is beneficial for your journey.

By following these essential steps, you’ll set yourself up for success in Dragon Age: The Veilguard. Embrace the opportunities offered by the Eluvians, stock up on resources, connect with your companions, and build those faction ties. With a solid start, you’ll be well-prepared to navigate the challenges and mysteries awaiting you in Thedas.