Main Story Quest Flowchart/Summary

Welcome, Inquisitor! This detailed guide will walk you through the core narrative of Dragon Age: Inquisition, ensuring you navigate the treacherous political landscape and demonic incursions with confidence. We'll provide actionable steps, highlight key items, and offer strategic advice to make your journey through Thedas as smooth as possible.

Act I: The Breach and the Inquisition's Rise

The Wrath of Heaven

Objective: Investigate the Breach and seal it.
Location: The Hinterlands, Haven.
Walkthrough:
1. After the initial cinematic, you'll find yourself near the Temple of Sacred Ashes. Follow Cassandra and Leliana, learning basic combat and movement.
2. Proceed through the snowy pass, engaging various demons. Pay attention to the tutorial prompts for combat mechanics like Guard and Barrier.
3. Reach the forward camp in the Hinterlands. Speak with Cullen and Cassandra.
4. Your first major task is to seal the smaller rifts scattered throughout the Hinterlands. Each rift requires you to defeat waves of demons and then interact with the rift to close it using your Anchor ability.
5. Once enough rifts are closed, return to Haven. The main objective will update, directing you to the larger Breach.
6. Confront the demon at the Breach. This is a relatively straightforward boss fight; focus on damaging it while avoiding its area-of-effect attacks. Use your Anchor to seal the Breach once its health is sufficiently low.
Key Items/Rewards: Initial party members (Cassandra, Solas, Varric), access to Haven, the War Table.
Strategy Tip: Prioritize sealing rifts early on to gain experience and power. Don't be afraid to explore the Hinterlands, but remember the main objective.

The Threat Remains

Objective: Establish the Inquisition and gain allies.
Location: Haven, Val Royeaux.
Walkthrough:
1. Back in Haven, you'll participate in a series of cutscenes and conversations that establish the Inquisition.
2. Your first War Table operation will be "Address the Chantry Conclave." This is a narrative choice that impacts early approval with certain companions.
3. Travel to Val Royeaux. This is a primarily dialogue-driven segment. You'll meet Vivienne and witness the Chantry's disarray.
4. After the cutscenes, you'll be tasked with recruiting more agents and gaining influence. This involves completing side quests and War Table operations.
5. Return to Haven and use the War Table to complete operations that grant Power. You'll need a certain amount of Power to unlock the next main quest.
Key Items/Rewards: Vivienne as a potential companion, increased Inquisition Influence and Power.
Strategy Tip: Explore Val Royeaux thoroughly for side quests and lore. Don't rush back to Haven; take your time to absorb the atmosphere.

Calamity

Objective: Defend Haven from Corypheus's attack.
Location: Haven.
Walkthrough:
1. This quest triggers after you've accumulated enough Power and advanced the narrative. Corypheus launches a devastating attack on Haven.
2. You'll need to fight your way through waves of Venatori and Darkspawn. Protect key objectives and NPCs as directed.
3. The climax involves a confrontation with a powerful Golem. Focus fire on it and utilize crowd control abilities.
4. After the Golem, you'll face Corypheus himself. This is a scripted encounter where you are meant to lose, so don't worry about dying.
5. Escape Haven and make your way to the new Inquisition headquarters.
Key Items/Rewards: Skyhold becomes your new base of operations.
Strategy Tip: Ensure your party is well-equipped and has a good mix of damage, tanking, and support abilities. Stock up on potions before initiating this quest.

Act II: The Inquisition's Ascendancy

From the Ashes

Objective: Establish Skyhold as the Inquisition's base.
Location: Skyhold.
Walkthrough:
1. This quest is largely a series of cutscenes and dialogue as you explore your new home.
2. You'll be introduced to various facilities within Skyhold, including the forge, the crafting stations, and the War Table.
3. Speak with all your companions and advisors. Many companion quests will become available at this point.
Key Items/Rewards: Skyhold fully unlocked, access to advanced crafting and War Table operations.
Strategy Tip: Take your time to explore Skyhold. It's a massive hub with many hidden secrets and conversations.

Wicked Eyes and Wicked Hearts

Objective: Uncover the plot at the Winter Palace and secure Orlesian support.
Location: Halamshiral (Winter Palace).
Walkthrough:
1. This quest requires a significant amount of Power to unlock at the War Table.
2. Upon arrival at the Winter Palace, you'll be stripped of your weapons and forced to navigate a social stealth segment.
3. Your primary goal is to maintain Court Approval by making polite choices and avoiding scandalous actions.
4. Gather evidence of the Venatori plot. This involves finding hidden documents, eavesdropping on conversations, and exploring restricted areas.
5. The quest culminates in a confrontation with Grand Duchess Florianne. You can either fight her or expose her publicly, depending on your collected evidence and Court Approval.
Key Items/Rewards: Orlesian support, potential new allies, significant lore revelations.
Strategy Tip: Explore every nook and cranny of the palace. Many hidden passages and conversations can boost your Court Approval and provide crucial evidence. Save frequently!

Here Lies the Abyss

Objective: Investigate the Grey Wardens and confront the Nightmare.
Location: Crestwood, Western Approach, Adamant Fortress, The Fade.
Walkthrough:
1. This quest also requires a substantial amount of Power.
2. Begin by investigating the Grey Warden activity in Crestwood and the Western Approach. You'll encounter darkspawn and learn about the Wardens' plight.
3. Travel to Adamant Fortress. This is a large-scale battle sequence where you fight alongside the Grey Wardens against a darkspawn horde.
4. You'll eventually enter the Fade. This is a unique environment with its own challenges and puzzles.
5. Confront the Nightmare demon. This is a multi-stage boss fight that tests your party's endurance and tactical prowess.
6. Make a critical choice regarding the Grey Wardens' future.
Key Items/Rewards: New companions (Blackwall, Iron Bull, Sera, Dorian, Cole, etc. if not already recruited), significant impact on the Grey Wardens' fate.
Strategy Tip: Ensure your party has good spirit resistance for the Fade sections. The Nightmare boss can be challenging; focus on dispelling its buffs and debuffing it.

Act III: The Final Confrontation

What Pride Had Wrought

Objective: Discover the location of the Temple of Mythal and confront Corypheus's agent.
Location: Exalted Plains, Emerald Graves, Arbor Wilds.
Walkthrough:
1. This quest becomes available after completing "Wicked Eyes and Wicked Hearts" and "Here Lies the Abyss."
2. You'll follow clues across various zones, eventually leading you to the Arbor Wilds.
3. Navigate the Arbor Wilds, fighting through Venatori and ancient elven constructs.
4. Reach the Temple of Mythal. Here, you'll encounter Abelas and learn more about the ancient elven gods.
5. Make a crucial decision regarding the Well of Sorrows. This choice has significant consequences for your Inquisitor and certain companions.
Key Items/Rewards: Powerful artifacts, major lore revelations, a companion will gain a unique ability depending on your Well of Sorrows choice.
Strategy Tip: The Arbor Wilds can be challenging with many strong enemies. Bring a balanced party and be prepared for extended combat.

Something Wicked This Way Comes (Optional, but highly recommended)

Objective: Prepare for the final battle.
Location: Skyhold, various War Table operations.
Walkthrough:
1. This isn't a single quest but a collection of War Table operations and companion quests that become available before the final assault.
2. Complete any outstanding companion quests to strengthen your relationships and gain their full support.
3. Undertake War Table operations that gather resources, recruit agents, and weaken Corypheus's forces.
4. Craft powerful gear and upgrade your existing equipment.
Key Items/Rewards: Stronger party, better gear, more favorable conditions for the final battle.
Strategy Tip: Do not skip this preparation phase. The final boss fight can be very difficult, and a well-prepared Inquisitor will have a much easier time.

Doom Upon the World

Objective: Confront and defeat Corypheus.
Location: Temple of Mythal (or a similar final location).
Walkthrough:
1. This is the final main story quest. Gather your strongest party members and ensure they are fully equipped.
2. You'll face several waves of Corypheus's forces before reaching the final boss arena.
3. The final battle against Corypheus is a multi-stage encounter.
4. Stage 1: Focus on damaging Corypheus while avoiding his powerful attacks. He will summon demons and use area-of-effect spells.
5. Stage 2: Corypheus will retreat to a dragon. You must defeat the dragon. Focus on its legs and head, and be mindful of its breath attacks.
6. Stage 3: A final confrontation with Corypheus on foot. Utilize all your abilities and potions. Interrupt his spellcasting whenever possible.
7. After defeating Corypheus, enjoy the ending cinematics and the resolution of the main story.
Key Items/Rewards: Completion of the main story, unique end-game loot.
Strategy Tip: Bring a diverse party with good single-target damage, crowd control, and healing. Use tactical camera frequently to manage your party's positioning and abilities. Focus fire on Corypheus's summoned allies to reduce incoming damage.