The best Dragon Age Veilguard factions to choose for Rook

Dragon Age Veilguard factions
(Image credit: EA)

The Dragon Age Veilguard factions are something you pick during character creation, with the best of them unclear at first. The six factions are something that come up throughout the game, with each of the Dragon Age Veilguard companions tied to one of them, and each faction with their own power, merchants and opportunities.

Now, being a member of one particular faction doesn't mean you can't win over the others, but you do so as an ally, not as a member. Being a member comes with all sorts of perks - but which perks are best, and is there a standout faction in Dragon Age Veilguard that you should pick above all others? 

We'll explain the ramifications of your preferred treehouse club below.

What's the best faction in Dragon Age Veilguard?

Dragon Age Veilguard factions

(Image credit: EA)

Of the six factions available in Dragon Age Veilguard's character creation, I'd say the best is probably the Antivan Crows, for their free extra potion slot, though it's a close thing and that's only if pushed - the reality is that there is no clear standout among the six factions, and it's more contextual and about what you want to prioritize.

Each Dragon Age Veilguard faction you choose grants you the following benefits:

  • Faster reputation building with that specific faction.
  • Slightly increased damage against a particular kind of enemy.
  • Bond-building dialogue options with a specific companion.
  • An ability or buff in combat.

There's not much here that you can't get otherwise in Dragon Age The Veilguard, with the exception of the final extra buff. That's why we picked the Antivan Crows - their extra potion slot is a resource that's equally valuable to any of the Dragon Age Veilguard lineages, classes and builds.

Still, if you have a particular companion you want to appeal to, or a specific build you want to lean into (such as picking the Veil Jumpers when you're making a crit-heavy Rogue), picking the other factions is completely viable. None of them are seriously better or worse in any meaningful way, so feel liberated to choose more based on character concept than min-maxing. That being said, unlike the Dragon Age Veilguard change appearance option, there is no option to change faction later on.

All Dragon Age Veilguard factions

Dragon Age Veilguard factions

(Image credit: EA)

As mentioned, there are six factions that the players can choose from in Dragon Age Veilguard, with other non-playable factions (like the Inquisition and enemy groups like the Antaam) mentioned in-game. We've laid out all the playable factions below, and what you get when you choose them.

Swipe to scroll horizontally
FactionIncreases Damage AgainstAbility/BuffAssociated CompanionWho are they?
Grey WardensDarkspawnDefense/Health IncreasedDavrinPaladin Knights who fight back the Blight
Veil JumpersFade-TouchedCritical/weakpoint damage increasedBellaraScholars of ancient elven magic
Shadow DragonsVenatoriClass specific resource regenerates fasterNeveStealthy resistance fighters against corrupt power
Lords of FortunesMercenariesPerform combat takedowns more frequentlyTaashBombastic treasure hunts and mercenaries
The Mourn WatchUndead / DemonsApply 1 additional affliction stack on enemiesEmmrichNecromancers who study life and death.
Antivan CrowsAntaamHold 1 extra potionLucanisAssassins who guard their home from the shadows.

If you're going through character creation at the moment, don't worry - at the hub area you unlock soon there's a way you can discover how to change appearance in Dragon Age Veilguard, so if you want to customise your character's face again, feel free! There's no changing your starting faction after the fact though - it's not like Rook has access to a time machine with which they can rewrite their own history.

© GamesRadar+. Not to be reproduced without permission

Joel Franey
Guides Writer

Joel Franey is a writer, journalist, podcaster and raconteur with a Masters from Sussex University, none of which has actually equipped him for anything in real life. As a result he chooses to spend most of his time playing video games, reading old books and ingesting chemically-risky levels of caffeine. He is a firm believer that the vast majority of games would be improved by adding a grappling hook, and if they already have one, they should probably add another just to be safe. You can find old work of his at USgamer, Gfinity, Eurogamer and more besides.