Meet The Veilguard: Everything We Know About Dragon Age’s New Companion Characters

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As Dragon Age: The Veilguard approaches its October 31 release date, developer BioWare has unveiled additional details about the seven companion characters available for romantic relationships through their new Vows and Vengeance podcast series. This audio content explores each character’s personal history, combat specialties, faction affiliations, and deeper motivations.

While all companions demonstrate pansexual orientation and will engage romantically with Rook (the player character) regardless of gender selection, a significant limitation exists: Unlike Baldur’s Gate 3’s flexible relationship system where some characters embrace polyamory, The Veilguard restricts players to selecting just one romantic partner throughout the game. Additionally, NPC companions may initiate relationships with each other if Rook fails to pursue romantic options promptly.

BioWare has verified that The Veilguard includes mature romance sequences with substantial character exposure. Considering the exclusive nature of companion romances—combined with the possibility of losing preferred partners to other characters without timely decisions—understanding the seven Veilguard members before launch becomes essential strategic planning. If you’re uncertain about which companion aligns with your preferences or want deeper insight into their combat capabilities, continue reading for comprehensive analysis of each team member.

Bellara possesses expert knowledge of ancient elven relics and artifacts.

Bellara represents a daring, confident elven mage whose fascination with uncovering Elvhenan mysteries approaches compulsive levels. She regularly enters Fade Tears (described as “Veil-jumping”) to acquire valuable elven antiquities or evade capture following successful acquisitions. Before The Veilguard’s main narrative begins, Bellara barely escaped Lyrium-corrupted Templars after an artifact retrieval mission turned dangerous. During this encounter, she saved two additional individuals (Drayden and Nadia) caught in the conflict. Subsequently, Bellara revealed to her new companions that she previously lost a loved one to the Fade, though she withheld specific details about this traumatic event.

BioWare characterizes Bellara as inquisitive and innovative, employing electrical spells and Fade manipulation techniques to strategically overcome opponents during combat encounters. She is approximately in her thirties, with pan-fried fish ranking as her preferred culinary choice.

Faction: The Veil Jumpers

For additional background information about Bellara’s history, explore her dedicated episode within the Vows and Vengeance podcast series.

Combat Strategy and Romance Approach

Bellara’s combat style emphasizes tactical positioning and environmental manipulation rather than direct confrontation. Her electricity-based abilities work exceptionally well against armored opponents, while Fade manipulation can create strategic advantages by altering battlefield terrain. When pursuing romance with Bellara, players should demonstrate genuine interest in elven history and respect her independent nature. Key dialogue choices that acknowledge her expertise while showing concern for her safety typically yield positive relationship development.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Many players underestimate the timing requirements for Bellara’s romance arc. Her background in artifact recovery means she frequently undertakes dangerous solo missions, creating limited windows for relationship-building interactions. Avoid pushing for details about her lost loved one too early—this sensitive topic requires established trust before she’ll share deeper emotional vulnerabilities.

Davrin maintains a griffon companion alongside his compassionate nature. What elements could possibly detract from his appeal?

Strategic Romance Planning

Successful romance navigation in The Veilguard demands proactive decision-making rather than reactive responses. Companion affinity meters operate invisibly, with relationship thresholds triggering both romantic opportunities and potential companion-to-companion pairings. Industry analysis suggests players have approximately 15-20 hours of gameplay to establish primary romantic connections before NPC relationships begin forming independently.

Companion Interaction Dynamics

The game’s relationship system creates organic social dynamics where companions develop opinions about each other based on player choices and mission outcomes. These inter-companion relationships significantly impact which characters remain available for romance as the narrative progresses. Strategic players should prioritize companion missions for their chosen romantic interest early while maintaining positive relationships with potential alternatives as backup options.

Avoiding Missed Opportunities

Critical romance triggers often occur during specific main story missions rather than through optional content. Pay close attention to companion reactions during major narrative events, as these moments frequently contain unrepeatable relationship advancement opportunities. For players struggling with character selection decisions, understanding each companion’s personal values and combat synergies becomes essential for both romantic and gameplay success.

BioWare’s design philosophy emphasizes meaningful consequences for relationship choices, creating replay value through different romantic pathways. Each companion offers unique narrative perspectives and gameplay advantages, making strategic selection crucial for optimizing your Veilguard experience. Additional guidance on gameplay mechanics and combat optimization can further enhance your overall gameplay strategy.

In her Vows and Vengeance storyline, Scout Harding’s mission intersects with the ongoing journeys of Drayden and Nadia. Harding collaborates with Nadia to liberate Drayden from a dangerous cult that intended to sacrifice him ritually. After they successfully protect the besieged settlement from these fanatics, a crucial revelation emerges: Nadia’s quest extends beyond locating her beloved Elio to pursuing Solas, the elven deity who created the massive Fade rift flooding Thedas with monstrous entities. Though Nadia extends an invitation to join her mission, Harding respectfully declines, prioritizing her responsibility to report to Varric, her trusted Inquisition comrade. Similar to Davrin’s earlier encounter, Harding expresses hope for future reunions with Nadia.

During engagements, Harding demonstrates remarkable versatility by employing both traditional archery and mysterious arcane talents that haven’t been fully explained. Her specialized arrows can disrupt enemy balance and create tactical openings for allies.

Despite his exceptional capabilities, Lucanis actively avoids ascending to leadership within the Antivan Crows organization.

Lucanis operates as a human rogue assassin within the notorious Antivan Crows, the infamous collective of thieves, killers, and intelligence operatives. Intriguingly, this network of elite assassins and covert agents essentially functions as Lucanis’ hereditary occupation, given his grandmother Caterina serves as the First Talon commanding the Antivan Crows. Under Caterina’s rigorous tutelage, Lucanis developed extraordinary proficiency in neutralizing magic-users. His reputation for eliminating mages became so formidable that he earned the distinctive epithet: the Demon of Vyrantium.

Contrary to his violent profession, Lucanis displays introverted tendencies in social contexts, avoids spotlight attention, and firmly resists Caterina’s aspirations for him to succeed her as First Talon. During his Vows and Vengeance chapter, he receives an assignment to eliminate a prominent target. When the operation encounters complications, Lucanis crosses paths with Nadia and Drayden. Earlier series developments established Nadia’s unconscious service to Solas’ agenda, but this installment uncovers a significant connection regarding Drayden: His father previously contracted Lucanis for protective services while investigating mysterious magical disturbances affecting his community. The episode further confirms Lucanis’ dry wit when he casually observes that “Decapitations are so messy.“

In battle situations, Lucanis employs twin daggers in coordinated attacks, delivering necrotic damage to opponents. Similar to Harding’s situation, evidence suggests Lucanis may command supernatural abilities—the game’s launch trailer depicts him manifesting ethereal purple wings that materialize and vanish according to his will.

Faction: Antivan Crows

Beneath her frosty exterior, Neve maintains genuine concern for Thedas’ inhabitants.

Neve identifies as a human mage originating from Minrathous, Tevinter’s capital city. Growing up in a labor-class household shaped her worldview, distinguishing her from many Tevinter magic practitioners who assert inherent magical superiority.

Neve serves as an investigative specialist for the Shadow Dragons, Tevinter’s resistance movement, utilizing mystical methods when conventional approaches prove inadequate. The Shadow Dragons’ primary objective involves dismantling Minrathous’ entrenched slavery systems and institutional corruption. Her Vows and Vengeance narrative chapter premieres on October 17.

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