The Best Dragon Fights In Dragon Age

Key Takeaways

• Blighted dragons now exist in the Dragon Age franchise, adding new challenges for players
• Dragon fights in The Veilguard fantasy franchise include inspecting dragons infused with elemental magic
• Dragon Age series features intense battles against multiple dragons, escalating in difficulty and grandeur

The titular giant flying reptiles of Dragon Age have been present throughout the series, whether in the form of optional boss fights, or the occasional roadblock to steer well clear of. Though with Dragon Age: Origins, there were very few dragon fights in the main game, their presence has been quickly growing across Thedas, as each series has seen a steady increase in these fantastical foes.

The latest entry in BioWare’s fantasy franchise also includes the unique twist of having blighted dragons – something that, until this point, has been stated as being essentially impossible. So whether it’s ice dragons, fire dragons – or zombie dragons brought back from the dead, here’s a list of the best dragon fights in the Dragon Age series, ranked.

8 The Formless One

Dragon Age: The Veilguard

The reveal that the demon the player has been tracking across Thedas is currently residing within the body of a lightning-wielding dragon that lays asleep deep beneath the Necropolis Halls is a startling one. Especially given just how high level the dragon is.

The Formless One initially lies asleep, locked away in the sickly green arena. The combination of the dragon’s lightning powers, whirling up storms as it tramples its way through Rook’s party, and the closed-space nature of the fight makes it a nailbiting one. Fighting The Formless One takes a lot of preparation, and potentially, a lot of leveling before the player can put their magic orbs to use.

7 Fangscorcher

Dragon Age: The Veilguard

Though Taash is a little more sympathetic towards dragons than the average dragon slayer expectedly would be, it doesn’t mean they don’t take Rook out for some good old-fashioned dragon hunting.

What does help this fight stand out is its fantastic setting, the middle of a field surrounded by warmly lit structures as Rook desperately tries to roll out of the way of beams of fiery breath headed straight for them. It’s as grand as it should be, and Fangscorcher’s design is definitely one of the more memorable designs in the franchise.

6 Corius The Icetalon

Dragon Age: The Veilguard

Depending on whether the player decides to defend either Treviso or Docktown – this is one of the first dragons encountered in the latest franchise entry, The Veilguard. The more cinematic nature takes full force to emphasize the immense scale of this titan.

Corius is also the first time in the series players have seen a dragon that has succumbed to the blight, and the fight fits it. Rook has no real way to win the fight, as they’re massively underleveled and under-prepared – but players will need to hold out just long enough and do as much damage as they can to this dangerous foe.

5 Frostback Mountain

Dragon Age: Origins

This is one of the more unnerving dragon encounters in the series, given that it’s both entirely optional – and comes seemingly out of nowhere. After players make their way through various trials, the relief of finally getting to be outside in the snow-covered ruins of Frostback mountain is quickly eclipsed by the revelation that there’s a massive sleeping dragon nearby.

Though it’s mechanically the same as the other Dragon-like enemies in Origins, the open area – and the sheer presence of the sleeping creature is what makes it such a tense moment. It’s also an insanely difficult fight for those that haven’t prepared themselves for a day of dragon slaying. The only safety net is that players must use a special horn to wake the dragon – if they’re ready for it.

4 Fire & Ice

Dragon Age: The Veilguard

The intense and climactic battle that sees Rook with their merry band facing off against not one, but two dragons at once. These are the dragons that terrorized both Docktown and Treviso, and depending on prior player choices, they’ve faced off against atleast one of them already.

It’s as grandiose as it should be, and after players barely survive their scape with just one of the dragons earlier in the game – being confronted with the fact that this time they need to take on both of them, at the same time – is completely blood-pumping. Though help from some poison ballistas does help hasten the battle, it’s still a dance of powerful abilities, patience and planning. This fight is definitely going to put some blemishes on any gamers controller.

3 The Archdemon

Dragon Age: Origins

The final boss that the entire grueling journey across Ferelden has been building towards is just as climactic as it needed to be. Surrounded by the corpses of Darkspawn and Wardens alike – and bathed in the red glow of the sky, facing down the Archdemon in Dragon Age: Origins is enough to make the most experienced Warden quake in their boots.

Being the creature who’s constantly been present in the player’s mind throughout the game, whether it was through the Calling induced nightmares, or the brief glimpse players get in the Deep Roads. This dragon is the only thing standing infront of putting an end to the Blight, and it’s a hard fight.

2 Red Lyrium Dragon

Dragon Age: Inquisition

The reveal of the armored dragon under the control of Corypheus is nothing short of a spectacle. The devastating power of the Red Lyrium dragon is shown early on in the inquisition’s journey, and from its first appearance – it’s clear that players will fight it eventually.

The improved presentation of Dragon Age: Inquisition allowed the actual battle with the Red Lyrium Dragon to live up to its hype, as players gruelingly take out limb after limb, chipping away at it’s health as it bellows flames of red towards the entire party. The backing music also helps the fight stand out as the epic clash that it is.

1 Flemeth

Dragon Age: Origins

Flemeth was a mysterious character throughout her tenure as the ever mysterious Witch of The Wilds in Dragon Age: Origins. The Warden had never seen her direct power up close, but her composure made it very clear she was not an apostate to be trifled with.

The buildup to this fight and the reveal of her immense potency as a mage when she transforms into a dragon is one of the most memorable moments in the entire franchise, and the moral ambiguity surrounding her actions, as well as her parentage for the fan-favourite Morrigan, makes the decision to spare her a little more challenging. It’s an incredibly tough fight, especially on those greater difficulties – so being strategic is essential.