Dragon Age: The Veilguard – 8 Tips For Slaying High Dragons

High dragons provide some of the toughest boss battles that players can encounter in Dragon Age: The Veilguard. It’s more than a little intimidating when players have to fight them, thanks to their massive health bars, shields, armor, and destructive attacks that can quickly take Rook and the team out.

There are ways to make the dragon fights in The Veilguard as painless as possible. For those looking for some guidance when it comes to these confrontations, here are some particularly handy tips for slaying high dragons in Dragon Age: The Veilguard to remember.

8 Bring At Least One Companion That Can Heal

Having Backup Healers Can Be The Difference Between Victory And Defeat

This might seem like an obvious point, but it can be easy to forget to always have an ally to hand who can offer some healing. When fighting a dragon, there must be at least one member who can heal, whether it is via spells or with potions.

There are usually some collectible potions spread out that Rook can use on themselves, but one mistimed dodge can lead to a lot of damage or even immediate death, so having a backup plan is crucial. Two healing companions make for an excellent safety net, though it might not be necessary when playing on the easier game modes.

7 Aim For Weak Spots

Look For Them On The Legs And Head

Weak spots on a dragon are highlighted in purple, but they aren’t present during the entire fight. Players should keep an eye on their front and back legs and their head, as these areas will light up purple when they are in a weakened state.

Dragon Age: The Veilguard players can attack these areas when they turn to purple to get some major damage points, and this approach can go a long way when facing these formidable opponents.

6 Save Ultimates For When Weak Points Appear

Know When To Use An Ultimate And When To Save It

Rook’s ultimate ability is hugely powerful and can do a fair amount of damage. However, it is best to save this skill for when the purple weakened areas appear on the dragon. Hitting these areas with an ultimate will do even more damage than regular attacks.

Though it isn’t advised to hold onto an ultimate for too long – as they can be recharged – it is always best to try and use it when the dragon is vulnerable.

5 Whittle Down Shields And Armor

Bring Them Down Quickly To Avoid Drawing Things Out

Some dragons have blue shield bars, while others have yellow armor bars, much like other enemies in Dragon Age: The Veilguard. There are certain methods of depleting shields and armor. Ranged attacks bring shields down fast, while charged attacks work best against armor. This is no different for the dragon boss fights in The Veilguard.

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Once a shield or armor bar is apparent, players should whittle it down with the appropriate attacks. If the right attacks aren’t used, it will take much longer to get rid of shields and armor. If armor and shields aren’t focused on when they appear, the battle can become particularly lengthy. This is even more so for shielded dragons, as shields will regenerate.

4 Don’t Stop Dodging

Red Circles Are A Sign To Dodge As Fast As Possible

The dodge button is an invaluable tool to rely on during a dragon fight. Most of the moves that the dragon will use can be dodged, though only if players get the timing and direction of their dodge right.

Players should keep a close eye on the dragon’s movements and learn their abilities to perfect timely dodges. Red circles are an indicator that the dragon is about to attack, and it’s vital to dodge when they are visible.

3 Go All In When The Dragon Goes Prone

When On The Ground, The Dragon Is Highly Vulnerable

When a dragon’s health bar gets to a certain level, the creature will fall to the ground and lie prone for a few moments. When this happens, its belly will become a purple weak spot. Players should hit the dragon with everything when this happens. If Rook’s ultimate is charged, they can aim it at the dragon’s purple belly to do massive damage.

The dragon will only lie prone for a few moments, so it’s vital to make the most of the time allowed. This will happen a few times during the fight, and players should aim to be ready to pounce when the dragon falls to the ground.

2 Equip Runes That Work Against Each Dragon’s Vulnerability

Players Can Only Equip Three Runes At A Time, So It’s Important To Choose Wisely

Each dragon has its own vulnerabilities to certain elements, such as poison or electricity. While Rook’s skills and the team’s individual abilities can cater to this – such as Neve’s ice-based skills – runes are an excellent way to do different kinds of elemental damage, no matter what class Rook is.

The different runes in the game give various buffs, but the most useful to equip when fighting dragons are the runes that do a certain amount of elemental-type damage when activated. Only three runes can be equipped on Rook’s lyrium dagger at a time, but the element-based power-ups can make all the difference during a dragon battle.

1 Keep The Fortify Rune To Hand

Becoming Invulnerable Is A Must, Even If It Is Only For A Moment

The Fortify rune makes Rook invulnerable for a few moments, and this can make all the difference during a fight with a dragon. If the player is close to death, waiting for a companion’s healing skill to come off of cooldown, or simply all out of potions, the Fortify rune can give them a few extra seconds, which can mean the difference between life and death.

This rune is useful for any situation in Dragon Age: The Veilguard, but it’s well worth having it equipped during a high dragon boss fight.

Released

October 31, 2024

OpenCritic Rating

Strong