Guide to Romances with Companions in Dragon Age: The Veilguard

As in other BioWare games, in Dragon Age: The Veilguard, you have the opportunity to develop romantic relationships with companions. In this guide, we will discuss the mechanics and specific actions for each party member.

Contrary to rumors, you can start a romantic relationship with any of the seven companions, regardless of your chosen gender and pronouns. Available characters:

To start a romance with a companion, you need to complete four main steps:

For most of the game, you can flirt with multiple companions simultaneously, but don't expect anything beyond ambiguous phrases. After completing three to four personal quests for each companion, there will come a moment when you need to decide on a serious relationship. This will only happen if you have shown interest in the character before, so ignoring flirtation and then trying to start a full romance at the decisive moment won't work. Sometimes this defining conversation will occur during the final mission, sometimes later, but never earlier.

If you refuse the romantic dialogue option at the final stage, this will automatically end the relationship development, stabilizing your interaction at the friendship level. For convenience, refusal will be marked with a broken heart symbol in the dialogues. Don't hesitate to show interest in different companions if you haven't decided on a choice right away; this will help you get to know them better and decide later. Don't worry about worsening relationships. A feature of Dragon Age: The Veilguard is that you cannot play an evil character, and companions are not capable of getting very upset with you or leaving the party.

All you need for successful flirting is to choose the dialogue option with a heart symbol on the dialogue wheel whenever the corresponding response is available. Usually, there is only one such phrase, so finding a special approach to each and listening to character preferences is not necessary. Flirting does not immediately lead to a romantic connection. It will take several dialogues, so as we mentioned earlier, you can interact with multiple characters in this manner for most of the playthrough.

Sometimes unique scenes with flirting will be available, so be sure to participate in them if you want to start a relationship with the initiator of the scene.

The relationship level is shown on the left for each companion in the equipment menu. It does not directly affect the development of flirtation, but leveling it up with your chosen one will not be superfluous. This can be done by:

Completing quests with a companion in the team is the easiest way to increase the relationship level. The fact is that for good decisions, the relationship improves only for those heroes who are with you at the moment, so it is worth constantly varying the group.

Choosing appropriate dialogue options is a less obvious challenge, but you will have to do it very rarely. Most often, absolutely all companions disapprove of the same things — outright aggression or belittling them. Even if you choose a mocking style of conversation most of the time, it will still be approved.

There are not many gifts in the game — one for each, but you will have to look for them. In general, you can buy memorable items for everyone, it will not change much. You may be confused that merchants usually do not have anything that looks like gifts, but you should move the sections of goods, switching from armor and weapons to miscellaneous. The corresponding item will have a small character icon, and immediately after purchase, a quest for presentation will appear. They will just say thank you, and the task will be completed.

Enemies are the easiest. Visually, you can almost always determine in advance who you will have to fight. At the guide statues, you can quickly change the squad composition. In general, this is also not the most important criterion for romance, as all companions equally dislike all your opponents, but if you are fighting, for example, darkspawn in a group with a Grey Warden — he will enjoy it more, and the relationship will increase a little faster.

If you have completed all four personal quests of the companion and flirted with them, you will soon reach a scene with a proposal for a serious relationship. This usually happens around chapter 10 (if you have regularly completed the companion's quests). Keep in mind that this is a general recommendation, and the scene with the choice may arise earlier or later, as well as during a quest.

Committing ends all other romances with other characters. At the moment, it is not known for sure whether you can break up with a character and level up relationships with another, so choose wisely. The broken heart symbol in dialogues will hint that you are refusing the romance.

Commitment and serious relationships are not the end, as there will be several scenes afterward. Closer to the final battle, you will have a full-fledged romantic cutscene. To do this, you need to commit as early as possible and until the end of the game to have time to spend the night with the companion. If you want the scene to be more explicit, turn on the «Nudity» setting in the game parameters.

Gift: Oak from the Hinterlands (can be purchased at the Black Emporium in Port City after completing the main quest «Bloodbath»).

Companion Quests: «Unfamiliar Feeling», «Waiting Stone», «Reviving the Connection», «Heart of the Titan».

Harding is a red-haired dwarf scout and one of the first companions you can recruit in Dragon Age: The Veilguard. Her subplot begins with the quest «Unfamiliar Feeling» in the early stages of exploring Arlathan. To get it, talk to Harding at the Lighthouse after completing the quests «Crossing Shadows» and «Singing Blade.»

Check the Lighthouse map after each major or side quest to avoid missing dialogue scenes. This rule applies to all companions. If a dialogue icon appears next to Harding's or any other companion's image on the map, a new conversation is available. Note that sometimes the icon will have a clock on it. This means you need to speak to the character first, or the scene will disappear. Always choose flirtatious replies when the option appears (marked with a heart symbol).

Although the flirtation with Harding will start quite quickly, it won't have consequences for a long time. Her second subplot quest will only open after the final quest «Something's Wrong,» which is related to the Grey Wardens. Traditionally, talk to Harding at the Lighthouse to continue her story.

The third quest «Reviving the Connection» will become available after receiving the main quest «Cauldron» from Davrin, and «Heart of the Titan» will appear after completing «Fire and Ice.» As you can see, you won't be able to complete the entire personal subplot in one go, so regularly talk to the heroes after each side and main quest.

Note that the «Black Emporium» shop will become available during a separate quest, which can be obtained from the Crossroads Guardian during the main storyline.

The first important dialogue for advancing the romance with Harding occurs right after the «Bloodbath» quest and just before the main quest «After the Storm.» Flirt with the scout at the Lighthouse. Choose the reply «How can I help?» — this will show your romantic interest in her.

Note that in the «Companions» menu, under Harding's relationship level, a heart icon with the inscription «Infatuated» will appear. If it's not there, it means you did something wrong.

The decision to start a serious relationship with the scout is made during the «Reviving the Connection» quest. The dwarf will sense the presence of a creature hunting her, and Ruuk will have the following response options:

By choosing the phrase «I won't let it take you», you will see a sweet cutscene with Harding, and her relationship status will change to «Infatuated» in the «Companions» menu. After this, you can observe additional romantic scenes as you progress through the main campaign, but other romances will already be closed.

Gift: Elven Frog Figurine (can be purchased from the Veil Wanderers' merchant in Arlathan).

Companion Quests: «Echoes of the Past», «Demon's Deal», «Hummingbird's Cry».

Bellara is an elven mechanic and expert in ancient artifacts. She can be recruited into the squad, like Harding, in the early stages of the game in the forests of Arlathan. To do this, start the quests «In the Grip of Entropy» and «Crossing Shadows». You can get her personal quest «Echoes of the Past» after making progress in Port City and Treviso, as well as after recruiting Lucanis. The scheme to follow is no different from the actions with Harding. Talk to the elf whenever you can. The advantage is that the gift for her is available almost immediately in the Veil Wanderers' camp.

During her subplot, Bellara will tell Ruuk more about her family and life with the Veil Wanderers. This is the first stage of rapprochement. The second companion quest — «Demon's Deal» — will start much later, once Ruuk completes the main quest line «Siege of Weisshaupt». After this, visit the Lighthouse several times until Bellara talks and gives out the task.

«Hummingbird's Cry» will become available after you talk to Bellara in the Lighthouse upon completing the main quest «Unwanted Guests» in Arlathan. Remember that in this case, you should always choose the replies with the heart icon.

It is important to understand that Bellara's feelings will develop much more slowly than Harding's, and therefore the number of replies will be significantly fewer. The process will accelerate only in the second half of the game. After completing the main quest «Fire and Ice», talk to Bellara in the Lighthouse (if necessary, reload the area several times), and you will get the following dialogue options when you catch her writing her own book:

If you correctly express your feelings, Bellara's status in the «Companions» menu will change to «Shy Crush», but you will still be able to develop other connections.

To start a full-fledged relationship with Bellara, you must wait for the personal quest «Hummingbird's Cry» after completing the main quest «Unwanted Guests» in Arlathan. After passing «Hummingbird's Cry», talk to the elf at the base, and you will have the following dialogue options when you flirt:

After this, all other relationships with other companions will return to friendly, and Bellara's relationship status in the «Companions» menu will change to «Sweet Romance».

Gift: Collected Clues (can be purchased from the Shadow Dragons' merchant in Port City).

Companion Quests: «Port City Investigation», «Cobblestone Case», «Chasing Clues», «Clear Mind»

Nev is a young mage specializing in cold and working as a detective. You will meet her in the prologue, but romance with her will not start immediately. After one dialogue where a flirt option appears, Nev will fall silent for a long time, regardless of your actions and gift. The situation will change when you fully assemble the team, but until then, there will be several episodes that must be done correctly for successful serious relationships. Dialogues with the mage can be tracked on the map, just like with the others. All of them occur during peaceful episodes at the base.

The beginning of the detective subplot «Port City Investigation» can be missed if you do not complete the task before hiring Davrin during the quest «The Warden's Best Friend». Be sure to pay attention to the side quest as soon as Nev asks you, otherwise, you will miss a precious moment of bonding.

Nev's second personal quest is offered much later, after completing the main quest «Siege of Weisshaupt». Overall, this is a turning point for almost all romances in the game. Talk to the girl at the Lighthouse to get the quest «Cobblestone Case».

«Chasing Clues» will become available after completing the main quest «Fire and Ice» and another conversation with Nev at the base. After completing it, you will unlock the quest «Clear Mind». To do this, be sure to talk to Nev again, reloading the Lighthouse if necessary.

There are not many difficult choices in the game whose consequences are hard to predict, but one of the first directly concerns Nev. It occurs after recruiting Davrin. When Ruuk returns to the base, he meets his companions who will tell about the impending attacks on Minrathous and Treviso.

Naturally, Nev and Lucanis will want to help their compatriots and will be upset if you do not come to their aid. No one will leave the squad forever, but for good serious relationships, you must choose the one with whom you plan them. In our case — with Nev. Go to Minrathous and help the girl with the defense. If you choose Treviso instead of Minrathous, Nev will temporarily leave the Lighthouse but will return as soon as Emmrik and Taash are recruited. Thus, if you want to ease the romance with Nev, it will be more beneficial to save Minrathous.

Another key moment will occur after completing the quests «Siege of Weisshaupt» and «Cobblestone Case». If you decided to save Treviso, you will get the following dialogue options:

As soon as you reload the base and talk to Nev again, you will see a cutscene with lights, providing a chance to properly express your romantic interest (if you saved Minrathous, you will skip the previous dialogue and move straight to this scene).

The point in the game where you actually enter a relationship with Nev occurs during the «Clear Mind» quest. During the quest, you will have the following dialogue options:

If you decide to enter a relationship with Nev, you will not be able to develop them with anyone else and will receive the «Unexpected Fall» tag under her relationship level in the «Companions» menu. Note that you will not see this scene if you have already entered a serious relationship with one of the other characters.

Gift: Antivan Tea Set (can be purchased from the Crow merchant in Treviso).

Companion Quests: «Coffee with Crows», «Blood Bath», «Inner Demons», «Murder of Crows».

Lucanis is an Antivan Crow and assassin. A brutal man and a coffee fanatic, he is not as simple as he seems at first glance and is one of Ruuk's most interesting companions. He can be recruited by visiting the city of Treviso for the first time and completing the quest «Sea of Blood».

Almost immediately after this, Lucanis will offer the quest «Coffee with Crows» at the Lighthouse. As with Nev, make sure you complete this quest before starting «The Warden's Best Friend» and recruiting Davrin; otherwise, the quest will be blocked, and the moment of bonding with the man will be missed.

Lucanis spends his time in the pantry behind the Lighthouse dining hall. Return here after completing main and side quest lines to see more dialogues and cutscenes with him. As always, follow the map and icons above the portrait.

Technically, the quest «Blood Bath» is a plot moment, but it pertains to Lucanis, and he must be in the group to complete it. «Blood Bath» becomes available after «Siege of Weisshaupt». The last two personal quests — «Inner Demons» and «Murder of Crows» — unlock after completing the main quest «Unwanted Guests» in Arlathan.

Interestingly, you may not get the «Inner Demons» quest and instead move straight to «Murder of Crows» if you chose to save Minrathous instead of Treviso.

The first decision to consider in a romance with Lucanis is exactly the same as with Nev; they are mutually exclusive. After recruiting Davrin, Ruuk will have to choose between saving Minrathous or Treviso. If you choose Minrathous over Treviso, Lucanis will temporarily leave the base and the team, then return once Emmrik and Taash are recruited.

Upon returning, Lucanis will be «hardened,» meaning it will take more points to raise his relationship level.

There is unverified information that you can still have a romance with Nev if you save Treviso, but this does not work with Lucanis. If you refuse to help Treviso, you will lose the opportunity for a serious relationship with the assassin. To avoid this, make sure to save the crow's hometown.

Key dialogues to solidify the romance occur after completing the storyline quests «Bloody Dream» and «Cauldron.» Visit Lucanis at the Lighthouse for a conversation. This will be followed by another interaction with Wrath, and then you will have the following dialogue options:

If you choose the option «I don't mind» and then «I like the mess» you will not immediately enter a serious relationship, but the flirtation may continue, and Lucanis's relationship rank will be «Flirting with Danger.»

To fully commit to the romance, you need to complete the main quest «Unwanted Guests» in Arlathan and receive the «Inner Demons» quest. Be sure to reload the Lighthouse area until you see a cutscene where Emmrik and Lucanis are talking to Zara's corpse.

After completing the «Inner Demons» quest, visit Lucanis in the kitchen, and he will offer the following dialogue options (if you decide to save Minrathous, you will not receive the «Inner Demons» quest and will not be able to participate in this dialogue):

Once you enter a relationship with Lucanis, his status in the «Companions» menu will change to «Dancing with the Demon,» and you will no longer be able to develop other connections.

Gift: Ancient Griffon Showcase (can be purchased from the Grey Warden merchant in Lavendel).

Companion Quests: «How to Tame a Griffon», «Cauldron», «Cries from the Past», «A Friend in Need».

Davrin is an elf and a Grey Warden. He appears relatively late. As a bonus, he comes with a pet griffon — Davrin's pet. Once you have the Warden as a companion, it will not be difficult to start his quest «How to Tame a Griffon.» Near the end of this quest, you can choose romantic dialogue options to show your interest in the Grey Warden.

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If you are looking for a gift for Davrin, you can buy the «Ancient Griffon Showcase» from the Grey Warden merchant in Lavendel. To unlock this area, first finish recruiting all 7 companions and start the quest «Something is Wrong».

Technically, «Cauldron» is a plot point, but it pertains to Davrin's backstory and is an integral part of his role in the group. You can get this quest after «Siege of Weisshaupt» and «After the Storm». «Cries from the Past» will open after a dialogue with Davrin and completion of the main quest «Fire and Ice». You may need to reload the area or complete another companion quest before returning to the Lighthouse for this. After completion, talk to Davrin again, and he will give you the quest «A Friend in Need».

The first important dialogue occurs upon completion of the main quest «Cauldron». You will get the following dialogue options:

Choosing to show interest in Davrin does not prevent you from flirting with others at this point, but the status under the elf's relationship level in the «Companions» menu will change to «Hot and Bothered».

The second key dialogue is a point of no return, which will either lead to a serious relationship with Davrin (reverting any other relationships back to friendly) or permanently add the Grey Warden to your cohort of «just friends». During the quest «A Friend in Need», you will have the following dialogue options:

Gift: Priceless Ancient Trinkets (can be purchased from the merchant in the Hall of Valor).

Companion Quests: «Fire on the Sands», «Class of the Dragon», «Little Dragon Hatching», «Secrets of the Qunari», «Slaying the Fangburner».

Taash is one of the last companions you can recruit. She is a Qunari woman with major self-identity issues. Almost her entire subplot revolves around this theme, so be prepared. Once the Qunari becomes part of the group, romantic dialogue with her will start fairly quickly. Taash can be recruited in the «Dragon Slayer» questline.

Both subsequent personal quests, «Fire on the Sands» and «Class of the Dragon», can be quickly obtained after conversations with Taash at the Lighthouse.

The third personal quest, «Little Dragon Hatching», will start when you talk to the Qunari at the Lighthouse after completing the main quest «Siege of Weisshaupt». Complete «Little Dragon Hatching». Regardless of the dialogue choices, Taash will invite Ruuk to dinner and start the quest «Secrets of the Qunari». You will get the final personal quest, «Slaying the Fangburner», after completing the main storyline «Fire and Ice».

The first important dialogue occurs immediately after the quest «Siege of Weisshaupt». Visit Taash at the Lighthouse, and you will have the opportunity to flirt with her. After this, she will ask if you are serious about her or just playing. The following options will be available:

After this, you will see a heart icon under her relationship status in the «Companions» menu with the caption «In Taamlok».

The moment in the game when it's time to commit to Taash occurs during the quest «Little Dragon Hatching». Keep this in mind if you are not ready to enter into a serious relationship with a non-binary person.

Taash will struggle greatly with her place in the culture of the Qun and Rivain, as well as her gender identity. You will have the following options, one of which leads to a serious relationship with Taash:

If you decide to stay with Taash, all other traditional romantic connections will stop. The Qunari will gain more self-confidence and invite Ruuk to dinner with her mother.

The dialogue in this quest will change depending on your choice above. If you decided on a romance with Taash, she will defend Ruuk. If you convinced Taash to embrace Qunari culture, she will try to please her mother.

Alternatively, if you convinced Taash to embrace Rivain culture, she will choose a Rivain dish, and her mother will feel that her daughter is moving away from Qun culture.

Gift: Haunted Statuette (can be purchased from the Warden of Sorrow merchant in Necropolis).

Companion Quests: «Grave Walking», «House of the Dead», «Arrangements».

Emmrich is a human necromancer. This charming and polite man can attract a lot of attention, so don't discount him.

The beginning of Emmrich's subplot, «Grave Walking», starts after completing the main questline «Something is Wrong». The second quest, «House of the Dead», will appear much later, after you complete «Siege of Weisshaupt» and «Bloodbath».

«Arrangements» will open after the main quest «Fire and Ice». Complete each of the companion's personal quests and choose to flirt in the dialogues to show your interest in Emmrich.

After completing the companion quest «House of the Dead» and unlocking the main questline «Cauldron», talk to Emmrich at the Lighthouse (note that you may need to reload the area several times). The necromancer resides in the library, which needs to be opened with a simple puzzle on the Lighthouse grounds. Turn three pairs of statues to face each other, and an entrance will appear in the main hall. During the dialogue, you will have the following response options:

If you decide to show interest, you are still free to engage in other non-serious romantic connections. However, under the necromancer's relationship level in the «Companions» menu, an addition will appear — «Deadly Call» with a small heart symbol.

During the third personal quest, «Arrangements», you will have the opportunity to start a serious romance with him. Do not start this quest if you are not ready to break ties with others. During the quest, you will have the following dialogue options: