The Best Characters in Dragon Age: The Veilguard

Key Takeaways

• Neve is a unique detective & mage combo with a complex backstory and a warm heart beneath her icy exterior.
• Rook, the customizable main character, is charismatic and has a personalized role in The Veilguard story.
• Emmrich, a senior necromancer, defies stereotypes with his charming personality, respectful nature, and dynamic with Manfred.

The latest installment in Bioware’s epic fantasy video game series Dragon Age – Dragon Age: The Veilguard – features a new cast of colorful characters. Bioware is known for creating interesting characters that are easy for the player to get close to, and the companions in The Veilguard are no exception.

With this in mind, we’re going to be looking at eight of the best characters in Dragon Age: The Veilguard. These are the characters that players fell in love with (literally if they are romanceable) thanks to their likability, how well they are written, and the in-depth nature of their backstories.

8 Neve Gallus

Icy Detective

• Human
• Tevinter Mage
• Member of the Shadow Dragons
• Private Detective
• Voiced by Jessica Clark

Neve is a detective and ice mage from Tevinter who is one of the first to become part of the Veilguard, alongside Rook and Harding. Neve can be a little hard to connect with at times due to her cynicism and cold nature – as well as the aloof and monotone vocal performance from the VA -, but it is this part of her that makes her feel particularly realistic.

Her desire for justice and commitment to the people of her home city of Minrathous are indicative of the warm and kind person that lies beneath the icy exterior. If players are willing to make the effort to find it, they will see Neve for who she truly is.

7 Lace Harding

Stone Scout

• Dwarf
• Bow and Arrow Wielding Rogue
• Inquisition Member
• Lead Scout
• Voiced by Ali Hillis

Harding is a returning character from Dragon Age: Inquisition. Despite being a fan-favorite supporting character in that game, and getting a much more prominent role in The Veilguard because of it, she doesn’t stand out as much as some of the characters that we are going to be discussing. That’s not to say that she isn’t a good character though, as she more than earns her place on this list nevertheless.

Harding has an interesting side quest that – without mentioning spoilers – offers a deeper insight into the lore of the dwarves in the Dragon Age universe. She gets much more to do this time around, and more of her personality comes to light. However, she remains the loveable scout that captured the hearts of players in Dragon Age: Inquisition.

6 Rook

More Than A Blank Canvas

• Can be human, elf, dwarf or qunari
• Can be a mage, a warrior, or a rogue
• Can be from one of six factions: The Veil Jumpers, the Grey Wardens, the Shadow Dragons, the Mourn Watch, the Antivan Crows, or the Lords of Fortune.
• Voiced by Erika Ishii (American female), Bryony Corrigan (British female), Jeff Berg (American male), or Alex Jordan (British male).

This next entry is a bit of a cheat, as Rook is the playable character and so their background, race, and gender are all chosen directly by the player. However, no matter how players make their Rook look and what faction they pick for them, they maintain a charisma that makes them perfect for the main role in The Veilguard.

Much like The Inquisitor, Hawke, and even the voiceless Hero of Ferelden before them, Rook is not only a custom character that can be transformed to the player’s preferences, but they are a character in their own right with plenty of personality.

5 Davrin

Griffon Papa

• Elf
• Sword and Shield Warrior
• Assan’s Babysitter
• Grey Warden
• Voiced by Ike Amadi

Davrin is the stereotypically handsome warrior boy of the group, but he has a secret weapon that gives him an extra dose of charm: a baby griffon named Assan. Davrin is charming and likable on his own, but his relationship with Assan is a big part of his storyline and his character.

Their bond grows as the story goes on, and it’s sweet to see Davrin’s nurturing side emerge as it does so. That being said, even without Assan in the picture, Davrin’s backstory of a Dalish outcast turned Grey Warden is still thoroughly intriguing.

4 Lucanis Dellamorte

Never Beating The Puss In Boots Allegations

• Human
• Master Assassin Rogue
• Known as the Mage Killer and The Demon of Vyrantium
• Antivan Crow
• Voiced by Zach Mendez

Antivan Crow Lucanis is an interesting and in-depth character who just so happens to be housing a demon called Spite. While locked away in an underwater prison, Spite became a part of Lucanis after Venatori experimentation.

The relationship between the two isn’t what players might expect. Rather than a harrowing struggle for control of his own body, Lucanis mostly seems to be minorly vexed by Spite’s outbursts and attempts to escape. They are a bit like the stereotypical odd couple, with Lucanis being the level-headed straight man and Spite the eccentric comic relief.

The dynamic between Lucanis and Spite is not the only thing that makes him a good character though, as he has some complex family drama to dive into as well as a love for slaughtering Venatori cultists and a good cup of coffee.

3 Assan and Manfred

Adopted Kids

• Assan: Griffon
• Manfred: A wisp inhabiting a skeleton body
• Assan: Grey Warden griffon who is cared for by Davrin
• Manfred: Assistant to Emmrich and aligned with the Mourn Watch
• Assan: No VA (just a squawky boy).
• Manfred: Voiced by Matthew Mercer

Assan and Manfred are being put together as one on this list as both play the role of loveable sidekicks to two of Rook’s companions (Davrin and Emmrich). Despite being non-verbal characters, they are incredibly loveable and their interactions with Rook and the team are some of the highlights of the game.

Assan is more than just a pet, just as Manfred is more than just an assistant. They have their own stories and become close companions to the player as the game progresses, especially if Rook completes Davrin and Emmrich’s side quests.

This griffon and skelly boy duo are not only cute, but they are also well-devised and fully fleshed-out characters in their own right.

2 Solas

The Dread Wolf

• Elf
• Rift Mage
• Previous member of the Inquisition
• Voiced by Gareth David – Lloyd

Solas was the most anticipated returning character from Dragon Age: Inquisition, especially for those who romanced him. He makes a full return in The Veilguard, and he is utilized in a way that does his character justice while also giving him a lot more backstory.

Solas was a mystery of sorts in Inquisition, with certain revelations about who he really is coming to light in the game’s conclusion and in the Trespasser DLC. Veilguard reveals all of Solas’s history, adding even more depth to him and his narrative.

There were a lot of ways that Solas could have been turned into a stereotypical villain in The Veilguard, but Bioware manages to maintain the integrity of his character while still raising the stakes. Players who romanced Solas also get some loose ends tied up after a decade of waiting, but that’s all there is to say for fear of diving too deep into spoiler territory.

1 Emmrich Volkarin

Charming Corpse Raiser

• Human
• Necromancer Mage
• Senior Member of the Mourn Watch
• Voiced by Nick Boraine

Emmrich is by far the most fascinating new companion and new character in Dragon Age: The Veilguard. He is slightly older than the other companions, which gives him a different perspective due to his additional experience. His role as a senior necromancer for the Mourn Watch in Nevarra also makes him more unique while allowing him to have a different take on matters concerning life and death.

Emmrich’s work with the dead suggests a macabre personality, but this couldn’t be further from the truth. Emmrich is a sweet, charming, polite gentleman who respects both the living and the dead. He handles criticism and prejudice towards his profession with grace and decorum, but he can also flirt back with enthusiasm when players choose to romance him. He is also Manfred’s keeper/creator/father figure, and the two have a cute dynamic, especially when Manfred surprises Emmrich with his mischievous antics.

There is no doubt that Emmrich is one of the best new additions to the Dragon Age franchise, as well as a well-written and interesting character with plenty to offer when it comes to companionship or possible romance.