Mages are a fascinating class to play in Dragon Age: Inquisition, offering three unique specializations that allow players to either unleash devastating damage or command the flow of battle. This class holds a significant place in the narrative of Dragon Age: Inquisition. Picking the mage class for your Inquisitor immerses you directly into the unfolding Mage/Templar conflict that dominates the early stages of the main storyline.
In Dragon Age: Inquisition, there are three classes available, each with distinct benefits and drawbacks, allowing players to find the one that suits them best. Fortunately, this installment of the series has made all classes feel balanced and equally engaging, offering a great opportunity for players to experiment with different options. The Mage Class stands out for its access to diverse elemental abilities and enchantments that enhance equipment.
What Mage Builds Can Do
Sub-Classes and Options by Race
When building a Mage character, it’s crucial to keep in mind the racial limitations. Only humans, elves, and Qunari can choose the Mage Class, while dwarves are excluded. At the game’s start, Mages can access four distinct skill trees: Spirit, Winter, Inferno, and Storm. Each tree provides a different branch of elemental magic, enhancing the Mage Inquisitor’s offensive capabilities alongside their special abilities.
Once the Inquisition reaches Skyhold, players have the option to specialize their mage. The three specializations available are Knight-Enchanter, Rift Mage, and Necromancer. Knight-Enchanters can handle both ranged and melee combat, thanks to their spirit blade, which resembles a lightsaber. Rift Mages manipulate the Fade, the mystical realm from which Mages draw their power, allowing them to control the battlefield effectively. They complement the Inquisitor’s unique ability to seal rifts in the Fade.
Necromancers excel at high damage output and can temporarily raise the dead as allies while instilling fear in their enemies. Each mage companion reflects one of these specializations: Vivienne is a Knight-Enchanter, Solas is a Rift Mage, and Dorian Pavus boasts Necromancer abilities. Even if the player opts for a different class, these companions can still be leveled up to become essential and formidable allies. For those looking to explore the intricacies of each specialization further, check out AbilityPreview’s detailed YouTube videos.
Best Knight-Enchanter Build in Dragon Age: Inquisition
Strong Spirit Blade Builds
The most effective Knight-Enchanter build centers on utilizing the Spirit Blade when it reaches a high charge value. Players should quickly replenish the charge after discharging the blade by casting spells or using standard attacks with their staff. This build focuses on skills that facilitate rapid charge buildup, making Knight-Enchanters incredibly resilient due to the constant application of barrier effects from Fade Shield.
Important abilities for this Knight-Enchanter build include:
| Skill Tree | Recommended Abilities |
|---|---|
| Spirit | – |
| Storm | – Energy Barrage – Energy Bombardment (Upgrade) – Conductive Current – Static Charge – Static Cage & Lightning Cage (Upgrade) |
| Inferno | – Immolate – Flashpoint – Pyromancer – Clean Burn – Chaotic Focus – Fire Mine & Flaming Array (Upgrade) |
| Winter | – Fade Step & Energizing Step (Upgrade) |
| Knight Enchanter | – Spirit Blade & Amplified Blade (Upgrade) – Combat Clarity – Fade Cloak – Decloaking Blast – Fade Shield |
Optional Skills to Consider
Players can enhance their builds with these optional skills if they have available points:
| Skill Tree | Recommended Optional Skills |
|---|---|
| Spirit | – Guardian Spirit – Peaceful Aura – Rejuvenating Barrier |
| Storm | – Chain Lightning & chosen upgrade – Stormbringer |
| Knight Enchanter | – Veiled Riposte – Knight-Protector – Resurgence |
The Resurgence Focus Ability is a solid choice for Vivienne, while a Knight-Enchanter Inquisitor can spare points for Mark of the Rift to concentrate on damage output.
Gameplay Strategy
To maximize effectiveness, players should fill their skill bar with Spirit Blade, Fade Step, Fire Mine, Energy Barrage, Static Cage, Fade Cloak, and Barrier. Starting a fight with Barrier will safeguard the party. Following that, focus on dealing damage with Energy Barrage to build Spirit Blade charges close to or at 99.
After engaging in melee with Fade Step, unleash the powered Spirit Blade to exploit all accumulated charges. Once the barrier is full, activate Fire Mine to leverage the extra damage from Chaotic Focus.
Utilizing weaponry like the Blade of Tidarion, Seer Staff, and Razikale’s Staff will enhance your effectiveness as a Knight-Enchanter. Players should craft a blade and grip that emphasizes critical chance and damage for optimal performance.
Best Rift Mage Build in Dragon Age: Inquisition
Support and AoE Damage
Rift Mages primarily excel in controlling the battlefield while providing substantial AoE damage when combined with the Inferno and Winter trees. Players can create devastating spell combinations that deliver significant damage.
| Skill Tree | Recommended Abilities |
|---|---|
| Spirit | – |
| Inferno | – Immolate & Wildfire (Upgrade) – Flashpoint – Clean Burn – Pyromancer – Fire Mine & Flaming Array (Upgrade) |
| Winter | – Fade Step & Energizing Step (Upgrade) – Winter Stillness – Ice Mine & Chilling Array (Upgrade) – Ice Armor |
| Rift Mage | – Stonefist & Shatterstone (Upgrade) – Encircling Veil – Veilstrike & Punching Down (Upgrade) – Restorative Veil – Smothering Veil – Twisting Veil – Pull of the Abyss & Devouring Veil (Upgrade) |
This build allows players to maximize spell effectiveness while ensuring their team benefits from debuffs that weaken enemies. Combining these spells results in enhanced cooldown management, enabling frequent casting.
Using Your Rift Mage
If the Inquisitor is a Rift Mage, prioritize Mark of the Rift as the Focus Ability. If controlling Solas, ensure to add Firestorm to your arsenal. Key skills for the skill bar should include Immolate, Fire Mine, Fade Step, Ice Mine, Stonefist, Veilstrike, Pull of the Abyss, and either Firestorm or Mark of the Rift.
Begin battles with Veilstrike to create openings for melee fighters. The most significant damage output occurs when using Fire Mines followed by Pull of the Abyss to group enemies together.
Best Necromancer Build in Dragon Age: Inquisition
High-Damage Output
Known as the specifications with unparalleled high damage potential, Necromancers operate near the edge of blood magic, which many perceive as taboo. Skills from this specialization complement the Inferno tree nicely, maneuvering panic and horror into chaotic burning effects.
| Skill Tree | Recommended Abilities |
|---|---|
| Spirit | – Barrier – Peaceful Aura – Dispel & Transmute Magic (Upgrade) |
| Inferno | – Immolate & Wildfire (Upgrade) – Flashpoint – Pyromancer – Fire Mine & Flaming Array (Upgrade) – Clean Burn – Wall of Fire & Wave of Flame (Upgrade) |
| Winter | – |
| Necromancer | – Horror & Terror (Upgrade) – Death Siphon – Blinding Terror – Power of the Dead – Simulacrum – Spirit Mark – Walking Bomb & Virulent (Upgrade) |
Using the Necromancer Class
To leverage the Necromancer build effectively, focus on utilizing Fire Mine as the primary offensive spell. Use Spirit Mark and Walking Bomb near enemies on the verge of death to maximize AoE damage. Combining Horror with Wall of Fire creates panic, making enemies more vulnerable.
Like with the Rift Mage, wearing the Ring of Doubt allows for automatic critical hits, enabling players to exploit opportunities rapidly.
For optimal playstyle, equip a staff with strong DPS attributes, complemented by gear that boosts critical hit chances and damage. Players are also encouraged to incorporate masterworks that provide opportunities to trigger effects like Horror or Walking Bomb on hit.
For more insights on the game, players can refer to videos by AbilityPreview on YouTube.
