Best skills for evoker mage in Dragon Age the Veilguard

All you need to know about the Evoker Mage build (Image via Bioware)
All you need to know about the Evoker Mage build (Image via BioWare)

The Evoker Mage in Dragon Age the Veilguard is a long-range damage dealer that excels in freezing enemies, applying debuffs, and dealing burst damage. Unlike traditional mages, Mages in The Veilguard are faster and can be built similarly to Rogues in other RPGs. However, if you want to play as a hard-hitting elemental master Mage then the Evoker Build is the best choice for you.

This build focuses on using Cold spells to crowd-control enemies while leveraging high burst damage with large AoE spells. Evokers have high survivability due to their ability to freeze and disrupt enemies, making them very effective in both solo and group play. In this guide, we have shared everything you will need to start playing as the Evoker Mage in Dragon Age the Veilguard.


Best skills for Evoker Mage in Dragon Age the Veilguard

Skills you need for the build (Image via BioWare)
Skills you need for the build (Image via BioWare)

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Early game skills (levels 1 to 20)

Skill

Type

Description

Dark Squall

Shadow Dragon

A burst of entropic energy that knocks back enemies, applies Sundered and Chilled, and can proc Detonation. Unlock this at level 18 for your main AoE damage.

Frost Nova

Control

Your primary crowd control spell that freezes enemies in a wide area and inflicts Bleeding on low-health targets. Great for stopping enemies in their tracks.

Ice Blast

Control

Deals high Cold damage in a tight radius, leaving behind shards that Chill enemies. Excellent for AoE burst damage.

Destructive Light

Ultimate

A devastating beam of pure energy that pierces through enemies, dealing immense damage. Perfect for clearing out groups or finishing tough opponents.

At the start, use Arcane Shot as your primary damage spell until you reach level 18, where you unlock Dark Squall. It is a key ability that applies Sundered, Chilled can trigger Detonation and inflicts knockback, making it essential for controlling groups of enemies. Frost Nova is your go-to crowd control spell, freezing nearby enemies and inflicting Bleeding on those with low health.

Use it often in combination with Mind Blast to maximize crowd control and prevent enemies from swarming you. For burst damage, prioritize Ice Blast and Destructive Light, as they deliver the highest damage output early on. Ice Blast also leaves behind shards that Chill enemies, adding another layer of crowd control to your arsenal. Destructive Light serves as your ultimate damage spell, ideal for clearing out waves of enemies or finishing off tougher foes.


Skill tree progression for Evoker Mage in Dragon Age the Veilguard

Invest in passives like Frostbite and Ice Storm early on, as you'll rely heavily on Cold spells to freeze and damage enemies. As you progress, focus on ability upgrades such as Breathing Room and Greater Authority, which enhance the radius of your control spells and reduce their cooldowns.

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Once Greater Authority is unlocked, it removes the mana cost of Ice Blast, turning it into a cooldown-based ability. At this point, swap Mind Blast with Mortal Concentration since your spells no longer consume mana, allowing you to channel all your mana into sustaining powerful ranged attacks.


Skill priority order

Below is the recommended order for unlocking your skills and passives, focusing on optimizing control and burst damage:

  1. Mind Blast (Core): While defending, consume 50 mana to unleash a shockwave 6 meters in all directions. Deals damage based on your equipped staff.
  2. Charging Spirit (Core): Staff energy generates passively when you are not in combat.
  3. Frost Nova (Control): Freeze enemies to the bone in a wide area around you.
  4. Frostbite (Control): Damage vs. Frozen enemies increases by 15%.
  5. Fade Reflex (Control): Dodging just before an enemy’s attack lands slow time, allowing you to move and attack normally.
  6. Necessary Steps (Control): Primer duration increases by 20%.
  7. Breathing Room (Control): Increases the radius of area ability effects by 50%.
  8. Shattering Control (Control): Control abilities deal 75% more damage against armor.
  9. Clarity in Suffering (Control): Taking damage regenerates 5 mana.
  10. Ice Storm (Control): Increases cold damage by 10%.
  11. Ice Blast (Control): Hurl shards of ice to impale enemies in a small radius, applying Chilled.
  12. Meditation (Control): Increases mana regeneration rate by 15%.
  13. Absorb (Control): Blocking an attack charges staff energy by 25%.
  14. Greater Authority (Control): Reduces the cooldown of control abilities by 20 seconds. Ice Blast becomes a cooldown-based ability.
  15. Zone of Infusion (Control): For every enemy hit with an area ability, gain 10% staff energy.
  16. Mana Infusion (Shadow Dragon): Performing a takedown restores 50 mana and 33% staff energy.
  17. Early Frost (Shadow Dragon): Increases maximum Chilled stacks by 1.
  18. Dark Squall (Shadow Dragon): Releases a burst of entropic energy, knocking enemies back.
  19. Desolate Malady (Shadow Dragon): Increases affliction damage by 10%.
  20. Salt in the Wound (Shadow Dragon): For each active affliction on enemies hit by control abilities, gain 1 additional stack.
  21. Multiplicity (Shadow Dragon): Abilities that shoot projectiles launch an additional one with the same properties.
  22. Bolt Volley (Shadow Dragon): After a light attack, quickly tap the light attack again to shoot an additional bolt.

Weapon and equipment recommendations

Slot

Weapon

Enchantments

Main

Thunderclap

+10% Weapon Damage

Off-Hand

Spellcaster's Stiletto

+20% Barrier Damage

Alt.

Shockbranch

+25% Stagger

  • Thunderclap and Shockbranch are excellent for Lightning Damage, which provides bonus stagger and Takedown opportunities.
  • Spellcaster's Stiletto increases Mana regeneration, crucial for spamming your spells.

Also Read: Dragon Age The Veilguard: Cornered in the Catacombs walkthrough


Early Game Armor and Accessories

Slot

Equipment

Enchantments

Helmet

Cursed Vitaar

+20% Electricity Resistance

Armor

Quickstart Leathers

+20% Fire Resistance

Belt

Twin Buckle Binding

Cannot be enchanted

Amulet

Magister's Bargain

+25% Ultimate Damage

Ring 1

Band of Smoke

+25% Mana Regeneration

Ring 2

Graven Opal

+25% Mana Generation

  • Focus on Mana Regeneration and Cold Damage bonuses to maximize your spellcasting capabilities.
  • Equip gear that enhances your AoE damage and crowd control potential.

How to play Evoker Mage in Dragon Age the Veilguard

Tips for playing the build (Image via BioWare)
Tips for playing the build (Image via BioWare)

Keep your distance:

  • Position yourself far from the frontlines, using your long-range spells to control the battlefield.
  • Use Frost Nova to freeze nearby enemies, then reposition.

Manage your mana carefully:

  • Only block if you have Mana to spare. Use Charging Spirit and Meditation to keep your Mana high.
  • Mortal Concentration can be switched in to amplify your ranged attacks once your spells cost no Mana.

Heavy Attack:

  • Build Staff Energy using AoE abilities like Frost Nova and Zone of Infusion.
  • Once your Staff Energy is fully charged, unleash a powerful Heavy Attack to apply Chilled status.

Spell Rotation:

  • Start with Frost Nova or Dark Squall to crowd control.
  • Use Ice Blast for high burst damage and follow up with a Heavy Attack.
  • Finish off groups with Destructive Light.

Frost NovaIce Blast → Fully Charged Heavy AttackDestructive Light.

Reposition and repeat once cooldowns are ready.


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Edited by Ashmita Bhatt
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