Unlocking the Gate of Lost Ages in Dragon Age: The Veilguard – A Complete Guide

Key Takeaways:

1. The Gate of Lost Ages is a complex, crystal-bound barrier located in Dragon Age: The Veilguard, requiring players to explore Dock Town, defeat Venatori cultists, and tackle various challenges.
2. The powerful level 20 boss, Quyn the Sparkwielder, guards the essential Champion’s Essence needed to open the gate, with fire-based attacks proving most effective.
3. Strategic use of characters and abilities, like Lucanis’ Spite’s Reach, is crucial to overcoming obstacles, battling enemies, and accessing hidden areas within the Converged City.

In Dragon Age: The Veilguard, players are drawn into a labyrinth of blocked pathways and challenging boss battles, as they seek to unlock the Gate of Lost Ages in The Crossroads. Here’s everything you need to know about conquering the Venatori cultists, defeating Quyn the Sparkwielder, and navigating the crystal-encrusted areas that stand in your way.

Understanding the Gate of Lost Ages in the Crossroads

In Dragon Age: The Veilguard, the Crossroads serve as a bustling nexus connecting various locations. However, many paths, including the Gate of Lost Ages, are locked by “Blight gates” barriers left by the elven gods. These ancient pathways are carefully protected, requiring players to fulfill specific objectives to advance.

To unlock the Gate of Lost Ages, players must journey to Dock Town, specifically to the area known as Andraste’s Watch, a critical location linked to the Converged City.

Preparing to Unlock the Gate

The journey to unlock the Gate of Lost Ages begins in the Converged City. Upon approaching the gate, players receive a quest entry. Here, the next steps involve traveling to Dock Town in Minrathous, a dangerous, cult-ridden area where the key to opening the gate lies.

Dock Town of Minrathous: Enter Andraste’s Watch

In Dock Town, proceed north through the market area until reaching Andraste’s Watch, where a Dread Wolf statue sits near a fast-travel beacon. Interacting with the statue reveals a hidden pathway that will lead to the Lost Company Mine area and eventually to the boss fight with Quyn the Sparkwielder. Prepare yourself for a challenging descent into a hostile mine swarming with undead and other dangers.

Facing Quyn the Sparkwielder

Quyn the Sparkwielder, a powerful level 20 boss, is found deep in the Lost Company Mine. Guarded within a Blight cyst, Quyn wields lightning-based attacks, necessitating a careful strategy focused on dodging and fire-based attacks.

Combat Strategy for Quyn

1. Positioning and Dodging: Quyn’s attacks are lethal and cover a wide area. His ground-stomping shockwaves send debris falling, indicated by red circles on the ground. Dodge immediately when you see this to avoid damage.
2. Exploiting Weaknesses: Quyn is resistant to necrotic damage but vulnerable to fire. Characters like Davrin, who wield fire-based attacks, can deal significant damage. Avoid bringing Lucanis, as his skills may prove ineffective against Quyn’s Blight armor.
3. Managing Minions: During the fight, Quyn summons additional enemies, weak to necrotic attacks. Target them quickly before they swarm your party.
4. Attack Patterns:
   • Melee Combo: Quyn performs one to three quick strikes.
   • Lightning Charge: Leaves shock areas in his path.
   • Lightning Eruption: A six-hit combo releasing bursts of lightning.
   • Leap Attack: Slams the ground, creating shock zones.
   • Stone Throw: Throws stones that spawn darkspawn minions upon impact.

Once Quyn is defeated, he drops the Champion’s Essence. Claim this essential item and head back to the Gate of Lost Ages in the Crossroads to unlock it.

Breaking the Crystal Array in Converged City

Returning to the Converged City, you’ll find that unlocking the Gate of Lost Ages involves more than just presenting the Champion’s Essence. You’ll encounter Venatori cultists guarding a massive crystal array that powers the gate.

Step-by-Step Guide to Breaking the Crystal Array

1. Initial Encounter with Venatori Cultists: When you first approach the gate, several Venatori cultists will attack. Defeat them to access the crystal array safely.
2. Destroying Crystal Pairs: The array requires breaking several crystal pairs. Start with the first set, located west of the main path near a Veil rift. Use Lucanis’ Spite’s Reach ability to open the Veil rift, creating a platform leading to the crystals.
3. Progressing Through Platforms: Each set of crystals is guarded by Venatori mages and assassins. After clearing them out, continue to break the crystals along the platform path until you’ve destroyed three pairs.
4. Facing the Smoldering Blood Forge: Breaking the final crystal set activates the Smoldering Blood Forge. This formidable structure emits a sweeping laser attack but can be overcome regardless of Rook’s class by keeping your distance and using ranged attacks.

Collectibles and Secrets Beyond the Gate of Lost Ages

After unlocking the Gate of Lost Ages, players can access an Evanuris Altar to increase their maximum health. This area also contains several hidden items and collectibles:

• Targets for Health Increase: Located west of the altar, next to a fire pit, and along a rock wall to the east. Finding these targets will boost health significantly.
• Ladder to the Giant Snake Statues: South of the crystal array, break the chain to activate a ladder leading to an area full of snake statues and more Venatori cultists.

Defeating Cultists and Finding Mementos

Once inside the gated area, you’ll face Venatori cultists empowered by a siphoning crystal. Destroy the crystal to weaken them, making the ensuing battle much easier. A “Memento for the Caretaker” can also be found in this area, hidden near the siphoning crystal’s location.

Collecting the Dread Wolf Statuette

Beyond the Gate of Lost Ages, you’ll find another Dread Wolf statuette. To collect it:

1. Climb the ladder behind the blocked passage.
2. Use Spite’s Reach on the Veil tear at the top, creating a platform leading to the statuette.

Completing this series of tasks will add the statuette to your inventory as part of the “Regrets of the Dread Wolf” quest.

FAQ: Unlocking the Gate of Lost Ages in Dragon Age: The Veilguard

Q1: Where is the Gate of Lost Ages located?
The Gate of Lost Ages is in the Crossroads area of Converged City. Accessing it requires starting the quest in Dock Town at Andraste’s Watch.

Q2: What’s the best way to defeat Quyn the Sparkwielder?
Quyn is a level 20 boss vulnerable to fire but resistant to necrotic attacks. Using characters with fire abilities, dodging his attacks, and defeating his summoned minions are essential strategies for this fight.

Q3: How do I destroy the crystal array to open the gate?
After defeating the Venatori cultists, follow the crystal path using Spite’s Reach to reach each set of crystals. Breaking all the crystal pairs will activate the Smoldering Blood Forge, completing the gate’s unlocking process.

Q4: What collectibles are available beyond the Gate of Lost Ages?
In addition to an Evanuris Altar that increases max health, there are hidden Mementos, a Dread Wolf statuette, and various chests in the area.

Q5: What rewards can I expect after completing this quest?
Besides advancing through the Gate of Lost Ages, players can unlock valuable stat boosts, unique items, and quest items that further the storyline and enhance character abilities.