The Veilguard’s Loot System Should Be the New Norm

Posted by By our-little-miss-is-home January 12, 2025 41 Views 6 Min Read
The Veilguard's Loot System Should Be the New Norm



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Dragon Age: The Veilguard introduces a loot system that redefines how players approach exploration and character progression within BioWare games. Unlike its predecessor, Dragon Age: Inquisition, which often relied on randomized loot and excessive inventory management, Dragon Age: The Veilguard offers a more deterministic approach. Players can locate specific upgrades at designated locations, ensuring that exploration feels purposeful without locking build crafting behind the frustrations of RNG.

As an added bonus, this approach doesn’t diminish the thrill of discovery either. Hidden secrets, puzzle-locked chests, and area-specific loot in Dragon Age: The Veilguard encourage players to delve deeper into the game world. However, by tying loot quality to region difficulty and player choices, the system ensures that rewards align with effort, skill, and decision-making. This philosophy, which combines thoughtful design and accessibility, should set the standard for future Dragon Age titles, Mass Effect, and beyond.

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Exploration in Dragon Age: The Veilguard Encourages Mastery

In Dragon Age: The Veilguard, exploration plays a pivotal role in uncovering gear tailored to player builds. Unlike Inquisition, where loot often felt scattered and unfocused at times, The Veilguard ensures that rewards are tied to regions, puzzles, and combat challenges. For instance, puzzle-locked chests demand strategic thinking or the use of specific abilities to access high-value items. Additionally, high-level zones guarantee rare or legendary gear, eliminating the frustration of finding low-tier items in late-game areas.

This design approach emphasizes mastery over chance. A Death Caller mage-focused player won’t waste resources on unwanted fighter gear, as loot distribution reflects the character’s specialization. This deterministic system ensures players can pursue their preferred playstyle while encouraging exploration to unlock upgrades. By giving players control over progression without compromising the excitement of discovery, The Veilguard strikes a balance that few BioWare games have achieved.

Dragon Age: The Veilguard Upgrade Systems Make Builds More Meaningful

Another standout feature of The Veilguard’s loot system is its robust upgrade mechanics. Weapons and armor can be enhanced, allowing players to stick with gear that complements their build. For example, a player wielding a necrotic-damage-focused staff can continuously improve it, reinforcing synergy within their abilities. This contrasts with Inquisition’s more rigid crafting system, which often pushed players to replace their favorite items with randomly acquired upgrades. Or players had to look for the schematics for a specific item, then farm the more valuable versions of materials in the field, and make sure they had enough to build an upgraded version of a previously obtained item.

This upgrade flexibility reduces resource waste while providing a steady sense of progression. Players are rewarded for committing to their builds, ensuring that every piece of gear serves a meaningful purpose. It also values the player’s time more. Such a system not only elevates the player experience in The Veilguard but also sets a precedent for the upcoming Mass Effect 4, which could benefit from adopting similar mechanics.

Dragon Age: The Veilguard’s Loot Design Has Broader Implications

The deterministic loot system in The Veilguard doesn’t just improve upon past Dragon Age entries—it also provides a blueprint for BioWare’s future games, including Mass Effect 4. Loot in Mass Effect: Andromeda often felt disconnected, relying heavily on grinding for resources and research points. By integrating The Veilguard’s focus on meaningful exploration and build-specific rewards, future Mass Effect titles could foster deeper player engagement and respect player’s time.

Moreover, the transmog system in The Veilguard highlights the importance of customization. Players can adjust their appearance without sacrificing stats, a feature that has become increasingly popular in modern RPGs. BioWare’s focus on these systems reflects a commitment to refining gameplay mechanics and taking in player feedback. There’s a big chance that such improvements will be made the standard for the developer’s future games. Hopefully, it is part of BioWare’s new norm.

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