Getting Started

Welcome, Inquisitor! This comprehensive guide is your essential companion for navigating the vast and perilous world of Thedas in Dragon Age: Inquisition. Whether you're a seasoned veteran of the series or a fresh recruit to the fight against the demonic Breach, this section will equip you with the foundational knowledge and actionable steps needed to begin your epic journey.

We'll cover everything from the critical decisions made during character creation, understanding the initial quests that shape your early game, to mastering core mechanics like combat, exploration, and resource management. Prepare to lead the newly formed Inquisition, forge alliances, make difficult choices, and ultimately save Thedas from a cataclysmic demonic invasion. Understanding these initial steps and core systems is paramount for a smooth, rewarding, and successful playthrough.

Character Creation: Forging Your Inquisitor

Your first crucial step is to create the hero who will lead the Inquisition. This isn't just about aesthetics; your race, class, and background will influence dialogue options, available companions, and even some quest outcomes.

Choosing Your Race

Each race offers unique dialogue and role-playing opportunities, though no race provides significant combat bonuses. Choose what resonates with your desired character fantasy.

• Human: The most common race in Thedas, humans are often seen as natural leaders. They have no special racial abilities but fit seamlessly into most narrative contexts.
• Elf (Dalish): An ancient and often persecuted race, Dalish elves are typically viewed with suspicion by humans. They gain a +25% bonus to ranged defense, which can be marginally useful for archers or mages.
• Dwarf (Surface): Known for their resilience and connection to the Stone, dwarves are unable to wield magic. They receive a +25% bonus to magical defense, making them excellent tanks or melee damage dealers.
• Qunari (Vashoth): A horned, imposing race often misunderstood and feared. Qunari gain a +10% bonus to all elemental resistances, making them incredibly durable against magical threats.

Selecting Your Class

Your class determines your primary combat role and available abilities. Consider your preferred playstyle.

• Warrior: Masters of melee combat, warriors excel at absorbing damage (Tank) or dishing it out up close (Two-Handed DPS).
  • Recommended for Beginners: Sword and Shield Warrior. High survivability and straightforward combat.
• Rogue: Agile and cunning, rogues can specialize in stealth and precision strikes (Dual Daggers) or ranged damage (Archery).
  • Recommended for Beginners: Archer Rogue. Allows for safer positioning and consistent damage.
• Mage: Wielders of powerful elemental and spiritual magic, mages control the battlefield with spells. They are squishy but incredibly versatile.
  • Recommended for Beginners: Spirit Mage. Focuses on barrier generation and support, making the party more resilient.

Customization and Background

Beyond race and class, you'll customize your Inquisitor's appearance. While largely cosmetic, take your time to create a character you'll enjoy looking at for hundreds of hours. Your chosen background (e.g., Dalish Hunter, Human Noble) will also provide unique dialogue options throughout the game, adding flavor to your role-playing experience.

The Prologue: The Wrath of Heaven

Upon completing character creation, you'll be thrust directly into the game's gripping prologue, "The Wrath of Heaven." This section serves as a tutorial, introducing you to core mechanics and the dire situation facing Thedas.

Initial Objectives and Companions

You awaken as the sole survivor of a cataclysmic event at the Conclave, bearing a mysterious mark on your hand and accused of causing the disaster. Your immediate goals are survival and understanding your new power.

1. Follow Cassandra: Your first companion, Cassandra Pentaghast (Warrior, Sword and Shield), will guide you through the initial snowy mountain pass. Listen to her instructions; she's your primary source of information.
2. Close the Minor Rifts: Your unique mark, the "Anchor," allows you to close Fade Rifts – tears in the fabric of reality spewing demons.
   • First Rift (Mountain Pass): Approach the glowing green rift. Target it and use the "Close Rift" ability (default 'V' on PC, 'L3' on console). You'll face a few Lesser Shades.
   • Second Rift (Temple Entrance): After a brief cutscene, you'll encounter another rift. Here, you'll be joined by Solas (Mage, Spirit) and Varric Tethras (Rogue, Archer). Use their abilities to defeat the more numerous Lesser Shades and a Rage Demon.
3. Reach Haven: Continue following the path, defeating minor demon groups. You'll eventually reach the village of Haven, the temporary base of the nascent Inquisition.

Core Mechanics Introduced

• Combat Basics: Learn to use basic attacks, abilities, and potions. Pay attention to the tactical camera (default 'T' on PC, 'Select/View' on console) for pausing combat and issuing precise orders.
• Fade Rifts: Understand how to close rifts, which involves weakening demons and then using your Anchor ability.
• Looting: Interact with glowing objects and fallen enemies to collect gold, crafting materials, and equipment.
• Dialogue Choices: Notice the different dialogue options (e.g., inquisitive, sarcastic, aggressive). Your choices can influence relationships and future events.

Enemies and Strategy (Prologue)

The primary enemies in the prologue are various types of demons:

• Lesser Shade: Basic melee demon. Easily dispatched.
• Rage Demon: More durable, uses fire attacks. Focus fire with your party.
• Despair Demon: Ranged demon that slows and freezes. Prioritize these to prevent crowd control.

Recommended Strategy:

1. Let Cassandra tank the melee demons.
2. Use Solas's Barrier spell on Cassandra to increase her survivability.
3. Have Varric and your Inquisitor (if ranged) focus fire on Despair Demons or Rage Demons.
4. Use potions when health drops below 50%.

Haven: Your First Steps as Inquisitor

Upon arriving in Haven, you'll be introduced to the key figures of the Inquisition and begin to understand the scope of your new responsibilities.

Key Quests and Objectives

1. The Threat Remains: Speak with Leliana and Cullen in the war room. This introduces you to the War Table, a crucial mechanic for managing Inquisition operations.
2. The Horrors of the Breach: This quest will guide you to the main Breach above Haven. You'll need to gather your party and prepare for a more challenging encounter.

War Table Introduction

The War Table is where you send your advisors (Leliana, Cullen, Josephine) on missions across Thedas. These missions grant resources, influence, power, and unlock new areas or quests. In the early game, focus on missions that grant "Power" to unlock new regions on the world map.

• First War Table Mission: You'll be prompted to complete a mission to secure supplies or scout an area. Choose one that grants Power.

Early Game Progression & Exploration

Before tackling the main Breach, take some time to explore Haven and familiarize yourself with its facilities.

• Crafting Stations: Locate the crafting stations in Haven (near the blacksmith). You can craft new armor, weapons, and upgrades once you find schematics and materials.
• Merchants: Purchase basic supplies, potions, and schematics from the merchants in Haven.
• Side Quests: Speak to NPCs in Haven for minor side quests. These are excellent for gaining early experience and gold.
  • Example: "A Friend in Need" (helps a refugee), "The Lone Hunter" (helps a hunter track a beast).
• Gathering Resources: As you explore, collect herbs (e.g., Elfroot, Spindleweed) and minerals (e.g., Iron, Obsidian). These are vital for crafting and upgrading.

Preparing for the Breach

Before confronting the main Breach, ensure your party is adequately prepared:

• Level Up: Try to reach at least Level 3 by completing side quests and exploring Haven.
• Equip Best Gear: Ensure all party members have the best available armor and weapons. Craft basic upgrades if possible.
• Stock Potions: Have at least 8 healing potions. You can refill them at supply caches or by returning to Haven.
• Party Composition: For the Breach, a balanced party is recommended:
  • You (DPS/Support)
  • Cassandra (Tank)
  • Solas (Support Mage)
  • Varric (Ranged DPS)

Common Pitfalls and Missables (Early Game)

• Ignoring the Tactical Camera: Especially on higher difficulties, pausing combat and issuing precise orders is crucial. Don't just button-mash.
• Not Looting Everything: Resources are vital for crafting. pick up all glowing items and loot all enemies.
• Skipping Dialogue: Dragon Age: Inquisition is rich in lore and character development. Skipping dialogue can lead to missing important story beats and relationship opportunities.
• Underestimating Side Quests: While some are simple fetch quests, many side quests offer valuable experience, gold, and insight into the world. They also help you level up before tougher main story encounters.
• Forgetting the War Table: Send advisors on missions regularly. Power and Influence are essential for unlocking new areas and advancing the Inquisition.
• Not Customizing Abilities: As you level up, spend your ability points. Don't just rely on default skills. Experiment with different abilities and specializations.

By following these initial steps, you'll lay a strong foundation for your journey as the Inquisitor. Thedas awaits your leadership!