Best rogue Duelist build in Dragon Age The Veilguard
The Duelist build in Dragon Age the Veilguard is one of the best builds available for the Rogue class. The Duelist is one of the best builds to deal burst damage in the game. While the community has a mixed opinion of the Rogue class in the game, no one can disagree that it is one of the best damage-dealing classes available in the game and with the Duelist build, you can unlock the full damage potential of the class.
In this guide, we have shared an introduction as well as a leveling guide and more to help you play the Duelist build in Dragon Age the Veilguard yourself.
What is the Duelist build in Dragon Age the Veilguard?
The Duelist build is very similar to Dex builds in Souls-like games. This build rewards high agility, good aim and overall adaptability. A Duelist has the best burst damage compared to any other build in the game. However, the defense is rather lacking. Here's a breakdown of its strengths and weaknesses:
Pros
- Extremely high burst damage
- Exceptional mobility
- Necrotic damage over time
Cons
- Complex combat mechanics
- Heavily dependent on Momentum
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Key mechanics and features of the Duelist build in Dragon Age The Veilguard
To play the Duelist build, you first need to understand its mechanics. Here are the core features that define the Duelist's playstyle:
High usage of Momentum:
- The Rogue’s primary resource, Momentum, is generated by landing hits on enemies and decreases when taking damage. It's crucial to stay on the offensive while avoiding hits to maintain your Momentum pool. Abilities are either Momentum-based or cooldown-based, so balance your skill usage accordingly because this build is highly dependent on abilities.
Using the Bow as a secondary weapon:
- Aiming at weak points like the head can trigger Weak Point Damage, significantly increasing your output.
How Arrows work:
- Your bow uses arrows that regenerate over time. You start with a base of 8 arrows, so manage them wisely. Take passives that increase arrow regeneration or capacity if you find yourself relying heavily on ranged attacks.
Weak Point Damage:
- Targeting enemies' weak points, especially with the bow, deals increased damage. Headshots are most effective but experiment with different enemies to find other weak spots, like a dragon's legs or a demon’s core.
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What are the best Race and Faction for Duelist build in Dragon Age the Veilguard
Elves are the ideal race for this build due to their innate agility and strong connection to the Fade. While the race doesn’t have any direct effects on the build, from a lore POV, the Elves do with the roleplay aspects of the Rogue class due to their swift attacks and necrotic affiliation.
On the other hand, the best faction for the Duelist build is Veil Jumpers. The reasons behind choosing this faction are certain faction bonuses:
- Keen Eye: Increases critical and weak point damage, perfect for maximizing your burst potential.
- Attuned Strikes: Grants extra damage against Fade-Touched enemies.
- Alternative Faction: Shadow Dragons, Faster Momentum generation, useful if you’re finding yourself lacking momentum in longer fights.
Abilities and skill rotation for Duelist build in Dragon Age The Veilguard
Skill Breakdown
Toxic Dash:
- Description: A quick dash that deals slashing necrotic damage, applying Sundered.
- Usage: Use Toxic Dash to engage targets, applying the Necrosis status to amplify damage from your other abilities.
Hurricane of Blades:
- Description: An area-of-effect ability that hits multiple enemies around you up to four times, with the final strike dealing the most damage.
- Usage: Best used when surrounded by enemies to clear mobs quickly. Combo it after applying Toxic Dash for maximum effect.
A Thousand Cuts:
- Description: A rapid series of slashes focused on a single target, perfect for bursting down bosses or high-value targets.
- Usage: Save this ability for tough enemies or when you need to quickly eliminate a threat.
Pilfer (Flex Slot):
- Description: Provides utility by allowing you to steal buffs or items from enemies, adding versatility to your kit.
Murder of Crows (Ultimate):
- Description: Rapidly cut enemies using your high agility, dealing massive necrotic damage over a large area.
- Usage: Use this as your finishing move to melt large chunks of HP on bosses and other tough enemies.
Evasion Maneuvers (Trait):
- Description: Grants a powerful counterattack after performing an extended dodge or recovering from being knocked down.
- Usage: Time your dodges to counter enemy attacks and maintain your Momentum.
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Best companions:
For this build, the best companions are:
- Darvin: Offers additional necrotic damage and crowd control.
- Harding: Provides ranged support and debuffs, making a deadly combination when paired with your melee assaults.
Level progression guide for Duelist build in Dragon Age the Veilguard
Leveling Overview
In Dragon Age The Veilguard, you gain experience points (EXP) through quests, defeating enemies and completing various events in the open world. Additionally, completing puzzles and finding Fen'Harel altars grants extra skill points.
Below is the recommended skill progression for the Duelist build:
Levels 1-10: Early game
Key Abilities:
- Hurricane of Blades: Early game AoE (Area of Effect) ability for clearing groups of enemies.
- Pilfer: Provides utility by items from enemies.
Gameplay Tips:
- Focus on using Riposte to counterattack enemies and generate Momentum.
- Necrotic Fog and Poisoned Reply will enhance your damage over time by inflicting necrotic debuffs.
Levels 11-20: Mid-Game power spike
Key Abilities:
- Toxic Dash: Quick gap closer that applies necrotic damage and weakens enemies.
- Murder of Crows: Your primary Ultimate ability for massive AoE necrotic damage.
Gameplay Tips:
- Use Toxic Dash to initiate combat, followed by Hurricane of Blades for burst AoE.
- Prioritize using Murder of Crows during large encounters, or boss fights for massive damage.
Levels 21-30: Refining your build
Key Abilities:
- Shall We Dance: Powers up your light attacks and grants Adrenaline.
Gameplay Tips:
- Focus on chaining Hurricane of Blades with other Burst abilities to deal high damage.
- Utilize Decisive Finale to finish off enemies quickly.
Best Equipment and Weapons for Duelist build for Dragon Age the Veilguard
Tips for Gear Optimization:
- Focus on stacking Necrotic Damage and Critical Hit Damage to maximize your burst potential.
- Equip items that boost survivability if you're struggling with staying alive during fights (e.g., Jenny’s Belt for extra healing).
Best Runes for the Duelist build in Dragon Age the Veilguard
The Duelist relies heavily on abilities and momentum, so selecting the right runes can greatly enhance your combat effectiveness:
Regroup:
- Effect: Refreshes all companions' cooldowns.
- Usage: Allows rapid-fire use of companion abilities for healing, crowd control, or extra damage. Essential for longer battles.
Crystallize:
- Effect: Freezes all enemies within 10 meters.
- Usage: Provides crowd control to manage overwhelming groups of enemies.
Overflow:
- Effect: Increases potion capacity by +1.
- Usage: Extra potions can make a difference in prolonged fights, allowing for more healing or damage boosts.
Using these Runes to unlock the full potential of the Duelist Build in Dragon Age the Veilguard.
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