So, you’re diving into the vast and treacherous world of Dragon Age: Inquisition and wondering where to begin? Smart move! This isn’t just a “go here, kill that” kind of game. The order you explore areas significantly impacts your experience, difficulty, and even the narrative flow. The short and sweet answer is: balance. The Hinterlands is where you’ll start, but don’t get stuck there. Alternate between main story quests and side areas to stay appropriately leveled and avoid burnout.
Area Exploration Order: A Level-Based Approach
A truly optimal path involves a strategic dance between the main storyline and the open-world zones. Here’s a level-based guideline, keeping in mind you can always tweak this depending on your play style and difficulty setting:
The Hinterlands (Levels 1-4): This is your starting point. Get a feel for combat, gather resources, and recruit some early companions. Complete enough quests to unlock new areas on the war table, but don’t try to clear the whole zone before moving on. Aim to reach level 4-5 before departing.
The Storm Coast (Levels 5-7): A change of scenery is welcome at this point. The Storm Coast offers engaging quests and a higher level of challenge than the Hinterlands. Plus, you’ll get to know Iron Bull better!
Val Royeaux (Levels 4-6): A quick trip to Val Royeaux is crucial early on. This area unlocks important quests and provides access to merchants with valuable equipment and schematics.
Mage/Templar Quest Area (Levels 4-12): This is a critical decision point impacting the story. Whether you side with the mages at the Redcliffe or the templars at Crestwood, this choice significantly affects subsequent events and opens up new companion interactions. I would suggest doing all the available quest in Redcliffe before heading into the hinterlands.
Hinterlands (Revisit, Levels 6-8): Head back to the Hinterlands with your new abilities and companions to tackle the higher-level content you skipped earlier.
Forbidden Oasis (Levels 8-12): The Forbidden Oasis is a large zone filled with shards and elemental challenges. These can be tricky, so approach with caution. The rewards, however, are well worth the effort!
The Fallow Mire (Levels 8-12): A bleak and swampy area, the Fallow Mire is a change of pace from the more vibrant landscapes. Expect tough fights against the undead and some intriguing lore.
Skyhold (Level 10+): Reaching Skyhold is a major turning point in the game. It’s your base of operations and unlocks new customization options and war table missions.
Crestwood (Levels 10-13): Crestwood has a town that needs a mayor, you must choose.
The Western Approach (Levels 12-15): The Western Approach introduces a unique blend of desert environments and ancient dwarven ruins. Explore thoroughly and prepare for challenging battles against demons.
Emerald Graves (Levels 14-17): This lush forest is home to elven ruins and formidable wildlife. Be sure to explore the area to discover the secret.
Exalted Plains (Levels 16-19): A war-torn landscape, the Exalted Plains presents a morally complex situation with competing factions. Choose your alliances wisely.
Emprise du Lion (Levels 20-24): A snowy and dangerous area, Emprise du Lion offers a high-level challenge with powerful enemies and rewarding loot. This is also where you’ll find the toughest dragons.
Hissing Wastes (Levels 20-24): A vast desert region filled with secrets and dangers. Exploration is key here, as you’ll uncover hidden tombs and valuable resources.
Important Considerations:
- Level Scaling: While some areas have recommended level ranges, enemy levels can sometimes scale to your party’s level, especially on higher difficulties.
- War Table Missions: Use the war table to scout new areas and unlock quests. Many of the best rewards and storylines are tied to war table operations.
- Companion Quests: Prioritize companion quests. These quests unlock new abilities, deepen your relationships, and often lead to significant story developments.
- Crafting: Don’t neglect crafting! Crafting gear is often superior to what you can find or buy, especially in the mid-to-late game.
- DLCs: Save the DLCs (Jaws of Hakkon, The Descent, Trespasser) for after you complete the main campaign. They are designed for high-level characters and offer significant story extensions.
FAQs: Dragon Age: Inquisition Exploration
1. Should I clear every area completely before moving on?
Absolutely not. Trying to 100% every area as soon as you discover it will lead to burnout and make the game feel like a grind. Follow the level guidelines and revisit areas later when you’re stronger and have new abilities.
2. What if I’m over-leveled for an area?
If you’re significantly over-leveled, the game might become too easy. Consider increasing the difficulty setting or skipping some side content. Alternatively, enjoy feeling like an unstoppable Inquisitor!
3. Is it okay to skip areas entirely?
While you can skip some areas, you’ll miss out on valuable experience, resources, and story content. Each zone offers unique challenges and rewards, so it’s generally best to explore them all at some point.
4. How do I unlock new areas?
Most new areas are unlocked via war table missions. Complete main story quests and side quests to gain influence and power, which you can then use to launch operations on the war table.
5. What is the best way to travel around the world?
Use the fast travel system. Each base camp you establish acts as a fast travel point.
6. How important is resource gathering?
Resource gathering is very important, especially for crafting. Keep an eye out for minerals, herbs, and hides as you explore. Certain resources are rarer and more valuable than others.
7. What should I do first in Skyhold?
In Skyhold, focus on upgrading your companions’ gear, customizing your base, and exploring the new crafting options. Also, talk to all your companions to unlock new quests and interactions.
8. Is there a point of no return in Dragon Age: Inquisition?
Yes, there is a point of no return near the end of the main story. The game will warn you before you reach it. Make sure you’ve completed all the quests you want to do before proceeding past this point.
9. What level should I be before starting the DLCs?
The DLCs are designed for high-level characters. Jaws of Hakkon is recommended for levels 20+, The Descent for levels 22+, and Trespasser for levels 24+. Trespasser must be done last and locks out all other content once you start it.
10. How do my choices in previous Dragon Age games affect Inquisition?
While you can’t import save files directly, you can use the Dragon Age Keep (https://dragonagekeep.com/) to set your world state. This allows you to make key decisions from previous games and import them into Inquisition. These choices will affect dialogue, characters, and even some storylines in Inquisition.
11. What race and class should I choose for my Inquisitor?
This is entirely up to personal preference! Each race and class offers unique dialogue options, gameplay styles, and roleplaying opportunities. Experiment and find what you enjoy most. Rogue is often said to be the most fun.
12. Is there anything missable in Dragon Age: Inquisition?
Yes, there are a few missable things. Anything you miss in the Winter Palace is gone for good, same with Here Lies the Abyss’ last section. All Inner Circle quest are locked once you finish the main quest.
By following this guide, you’ll be well-equipped to navigate the vast and engaging world of Dragon Age: Inquisition in an optimal and enjoyable way. Remember to explore at your own pace, experiment with different builds and strategies, and most importantly, have fun!
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