Arcane Warrior

Unlock the full potential of the Arcane Warrior in Dragon Age: Inquisition. Learn the best unlock order, ability synergies, and recommended passives for this powerful mage specialization.

The Arcane Warrior is a mage specialization in Dragon Age: Inquisition that focuses on close-quarters combat, using Spirit Blade and defensive abilities to overwhelm enemies. This guide outlines the optimal unlock order, key abilities, passives, and recommended weapons to maximize the Arcane Warrior's effectiveness.

Unlock Order:

1. Unlock Fade Shield (Level 2).
2. Upgrade Fade Cloak (Level 5).
3. Unlock Pull of the Abyss (Level 9).
4. Upgrade Pull of the Abyss and Chain Lightning (Level 11).
5. Acquire remaining passives in any order.
6. Distribute remaining points as desired.

Strategy:

1. Cast Pull of the Abyss to group enemies.
2. Use Chain Lightning to build a full barrier.
3. Activate Fade Cloak and move into the center of the enemy group.
4. Utilize Spirit Blade and Chain Lightning until all enemies are defeated.
5. Use Fade Cloak for spike damage against single targets and to evade projectiles, especially the archers' full draw attack.

Recommended Abilities:

• Chain Lightning: Deals 250% weapon damage with an 8s shock effect, up to 4 hits, 5m arc range, 8s cooldown, and costs 50 mana. The upgrade adds +4m arc range and 2 additional hits.
• Fade Cloak: Grants 2s invulnerability with a 12s cooldown and costs 20 mana. The upgrade provides 1000% weapon damage when decloaking inside an enemy.
• Pull of the Abyss: Pulls enemies within a 6m radius to the center, lasts 12s, has a 32s cooldown, and costs 65 mana. The upgrade reduces the cooldown by 8s and weakens enemies for 10s.
• Spirit Blade: A melee ability dealing 400% weapon damage, with a 200% bonus against barriers and 400% against guard. It costs 10 mana per attack and detonates incapacitated enemies. The upgrade reflects projectiles.

Recommended Passives:

• Combat Clarity: Increases mana regeneration by 50% when within 5 meters of hostile enemies. Grants +3 Constitution on unlock.
• Fade Shield: Strengthens your barrier based on damage dealt. Any successful attack contributes to barrier growth. Grants +3 Magic on unlock.
• Rejuvenating Barrier: Increases mana regeneration by 35% for you and allies with an active barrier. Grants +3 Constitution on unlock.
• Twisting Veil: Increases damage by 15% against weakened enemies. Grants +3 Magic on unlock.
• Restorative Veil: Recovers 10% of damage dealt as mana against weakened enemies. Grants +3 Magic on unlock.
• Spell Sword: Grants a 10% armor bonus for 6 seconds after striking with Spirit Blade. Grants +3 Magic on unlock.

Best Weapons:

• Pyre of the Forgotten (Staff, Unique, Item Level 21): 112 DPS, 69 Fire Damage
• Fury of the Veil (Staff, Rare, Item Level 23): 110 DPS, 68 Electricity Damage
• Mindchill Staff (Staff, Rare, Item Level 22): 107 DPS, 66 Cold Damage
• Staff of the Void (Staff, Unique, Item Level 20): 105 DPS, 35 Electricity Damage
• Sorcerer’s Staff (Staff, Rare, Item Level 21): 100 DPS, 62 Fire Damage