MeinMMO editor Karsten Scholz only had to plan a little time to create his perfect “Rook” for the first run in Dragon Age: The Veilguard and settle on a playstyle. Once a rogue, always a rogue.
My main character in WoW has been a rogue for almost 20 years. In Elder Scrolls Online, I have been playing a Khajiit nightblade with two one-handed weapons and a bow since the beta. I am causing chaos in Guild Wars 2 with my thief. In Throne and Liberty, I only go out of the Amitoi house with daggers and a crossbow. In Final Fantasy 14, I have been an enthusiastic monk for many years.
The common thread is quickly found, right? I like agile rogue classes of all kinds that can wreak great havoc offensively, but usually cannot take much damage in return. Thieves and scoundrels who deal maximum damage from behind their victims and rely on toxins, bleeding, or traps.
So it shouldn’t surprise you that I also created a supervillain for Dragon Age: The Veilguard. I will reveal all the dirty details about my Rook below.
The launch trailer for Dragon Age – The Veilguard:
Quickly Covered: Character Creation
The introduction has already made it clear: For my Rook, it could only be the rogue class. Additionally, I always play as male characters in RPGs because I am one myself. Identification with the character and all that. And if it’s supposed to be some sort of assassin, then the faction of the crows from Antiva naturally comes to mind.
Since I played an elf in Dragon Age: Inquisition, I chose a human this time. I only play small or large races (in this case dwarves and Qunari (or Kossith)) in exceptional cases (read: when I have to). A short haircut, a heroic face, and a stylish beard, and within just a few moments, my new adventure in Thedas began.
What Kind of Rogue Should It Be?
When looking at the skill tree, I particularly liked the description of the duelist specialization: I am as fast as the wind and dance with my deadly blades among my victims to annihilate them with devastating melee hits. Sold!
On the way there, I noticed that the topic of necrotic damage and necrosis (debuff that causes necrotic damage over time and increased damage to barriers) keeps coming up. Additionally, I found items like the Ring of Precious Corruption or the Rune of Scourges, which allow me to successively increase the necrotic damage dealt.
Therefore, I am now fully focused on necrotic abilities.
- Crow Swarm as Ultimate
- Thousand Cuts for high burst damage on a target
- Toxic Sprint for mobility, high damage on multiple closely packed targets and activation of the effects Exhausted and Necrosis
- Blade Whirl for necrotic area damage against many rather weak enemies
Since all of these are strike category abilities, I focus on talents that specifically enhance strike skills. Additionally, I try to optimize my dynamics (primary resource for skill usage) and adrenaline buildup (buff that increases damage dealt) whenever possible.
When it comes to equipment, I aim for medium armor whenever possible to activate the corresponding mastery talent (more crit damage, sword damage, and dynamics buildup through perfect defense).
The Choice of Companions
It is important that I have at least one companion by my side who can cause a detonation with the exhausted effect and has access to a healing ability – in some challenging fights, I run out of limited potions far too quickly. Otherwise, I mix the team freely according to the active quest and region.
Last but not least, I of course have to answer the most important question of all: Which companion has captured my Rook’s heart? As of now, there is no romance yet, but sparks fly as soon as the lively Bellara is in a room with my hero.
Not only Karsten Scholz is currently enjoying the new BioWare RPG, but also colleagues. The most time spent with Dragon Age: The Veilguard so far has likely been by Benedict Grothaus. But Sophia Weiss and editor-in-chief Leya Jankowski also share their experiences in Thedas so far. Where? Well, here: The latest Dragon Age in review: The Veilguard is the ideal Dragon Age for those who have not yet experienced Dragon Age
