The Best Sequence for Exploring Dragon Age: Inquisition Areas

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In contrast to many role-playing games, Dragon Age: Inquisition does not feature one vast open world. Instead, you’ll navigate through a variety of expansive areas, each functioning like a mini open world. You unlock several of these locations early in the game, allowing you to visit them in any sequence. However, choosing the wrong order could lead to some serious challenges.

Some areas become accessible long before your character is equipped to handle the dangers within. If you venture into these regions prematurely, you might quickly find yourself overwhelmed by tougher enemies. To avoid this predicament, it’s best to explore the locations in the most effective order. Below is that recommended sequence.

Recommended Exploration Order for Locations

This guide covers the larger locations worth your exploration, such as the Hinterlands and Storm Coast. It doesn’t include smaller places you only visit for specific quests.

Location	Recommended Level	Description
Haven		You begin your journey in Haven, as the game places you there after the initial quest.
Hinterlands		The Hinterlands is your first scoutable area from the War Table, so it’s essential to visit after Haven. This location offers numerous quests to complete during your first exploration. Be cautious; some enemies may be level four to eight. You can likely reach level four just from quests in the Hinterlands. However, avoid the areas with level eight enemies until you’re better equipped.
Val Royeaux		As part of the storyline, visiting Val Royeaux is suggested after the Hinterlands. Combat is minimal here, making your level less critical.
Storm Coast	5 (first visit) 7-11 13-15	Scout the Storm Coast after the Hinterlands. This area may require multiple visits due to varying enemy levels.
Forbidden Oasis	8 (first visit) 5-15 18-20	You can access the Forbidden Oasis after locating a shard in a different area. This location isn’t critical for the main storyline, allowing flexible timing for your visit. Complete access awaits you only after finding all shards. It’s advisable to visit early to gather resources beneficial later.
Fallow Mire		Access this area when seeking missing Inquisition soldiers from Ferelden by unlocking it via the War Table after the Hinterlands. It may be risky, so approach with caution; at least level eight is recommended. Be mindful that some sections have enemies too strong for your first visit.
Skyhold		Transition to Skyhold after completing the In Your Heart Shall Burn quest. This is your home base, so level isn’t an issue once you arrive. However, aiming for at least level 10 before the quest is wise.
Crestwood		Crestwood becomes available shortly after arriving at Skyhold by completing the Find the Warden operation. Enemy levels in this area are relatively balanced.
Western Approach		Investigating the War Table for Grey Warden activity, which started in Crestwood, leads to the Western Approach. There’s not much variance in levels between Crestwood and the Western Approach.
Exalted Plains		Unlock this area through a quest shortly after Skyhold called Silence of the Plains. The starting level is similar to Crestwood and the Western Approach, though expect some stronger foes in Exalted Plains.
Emerald Graves		Scout the Emerald Graves after starting Fairbanks’ Trust side quest at the War Table, accessible soon after reaching Skyhold. Though suggested to be level 12, a slightly higher level is prudent due to the formidable enemies present.
Emprise Du Lion		Complete the Liberate Emprise du Lion operation at the War Table to explore this area, available after reaching Skyhold. It’s advisable to be at least level 16 before facing the challenges in this location.
Hissing Wastes		To access the Hissing Wastes, complete the Stop Venatori Activity in the West operation from the War Table. This area is the highest-level location in the game, requiring at least level 16 to attempt, though level 19 is preferred.