Best skills for Spellblade mage in Dragon Age the Veilguard

Spellbalde mage in Dragon Age The Veilguard is one of the most unconventional mage builds in the world of RPGs. The mage is traditionally a slow, frail yet hard-hitting fantasy class. However, in Dragon Age the Veilguard, mages can be built as versatile, quick-moving elemental masters, and the Spellblade Mage build is the prime example.

In this guide, we have shared an introductory guide to the build so you can also use the Spellblade mage in Dragon Age the Veilguard.

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What are the best skills for Spellblade Mage in Dragon Age the Veilguard

Best skills for the Spellblade build (Image via Electronic Arts)

Early game skills (Level 1-20)

1. Meteor - Powerful AoE fire skill that deals massive damage and applies Burning.
2. Wall of Fire - Summons a barrier that damages and burns enemies on contact.
3. Storm Surge - Causes you to leap backward, leaving a trail of elemental damage.
4. Destructive Light (Ultimate) - Unleashes massive one-directional damage, ideal for single-target elimination or clustered enemies. Grants temporary invulnerability while casting.

These skills are versatile and allow you to control the battlefield effectively. Meteor is excellent for detonating Sundered status effects set up by companions, while Wall of Fire and Storm Surge provide excellent crowd control options, helping you sustain as well as control the battlefield.

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Skill tree progression for Spellblade mage in Dragon Age the Veilguard

Core abilities to maximize

1. Fade Strike (Core) - After using Fade Step, this skill lets you throw a follow-up attack.
2. Downfall (Core) - Guarantees critical hits from jump attacks on knocked-down enemies.
3. Storm Surge (Antivan Crow) - This skill provides high-damage crowd control.

Key sustain abilities

• Wall of Fire - Constant AoE damage and Burning on enemies crossing the barrier.
• Velocity - Adds 20% Stagger on weapon attacks, giving you better crowd control.
• Return Fire - Execute a counterattack after a perfect parry.

Antivan Crow skill path

• Essence Eater - Restores 250 health and 20 Ultimate with each Takedown.
• Imbued Reaction - Grants Shocking Weapons after Perfect Defense.
• Spirit Blade - End a Light Attack Chain with a Heavy Attack to conjure a short-ranged blade, triggering Arcane Bombs.

This combination of skills allows the Spellblade to perform aggressive attacks while building and detonating Arcane Bombs effectively.

The recommended order for unlocking the skills:

• Fade Strike (Core)
• Downfall (Core)
• Wall of Fire (Sustain)
• Velocity (Sustain)
• Essence Eater (Antivan Crow)
• Deterioration (Antivan Crow)
• Imbued Reaction (Antivan Crow)
• Staggering Charge (Antivan Crow)
• Storm Surge (Antivan Crow)
• Finale (Antivan Crow)
• Spirit Blade (Antivan Crow)
• Return Fire (Sustain)
• Bigger Blast (Sustain)
• Inner Focus (Sustain)
• Wildfire (Sustain)
• Meteor (Sustain)
• Demolisher (Sustain)
• Flames of Inspiration (Sustain)
• Bombastic (Sustain)
• Energy Burst (Burst)
• Thunderous End (Spellblade)
• Void Blade (Spellblade)

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Best Weapons and Armor for Spellblade Mage in Dragon Age The Veilguard

Here is all the best gear for the Spellblade mage build and the best enchantments for each of them.

Weapons (Level 1-20)

• Main Hand: Urthemiel's Ash - +10% Weapon Damage
• Off-Hand: Split-Hilt Dirk - +25% Stagger
• Alternative Weapon: Flamebranch - +20% Barrier Damage

This setup focuses on Mageknives as the primary weapon with a Fire orb, as most of the Spellblade’s early abilities are Fire-based, maximizing your DPS and debuffs with each attack.

Armor (Level 1-20)

• Helmet: Helm of Light and Shadow - +20% Electricity Resistance
• Armor: Defiant Plate - +20% Fire Resistance
• Belt: Tincture Kit - Not enchantable
• Amulet: Halla’s Grace - Boosts Ultimate damage by 25%
• Rings: Amaranthine Loop - +25% Mana Regeneration; Graven Opal - +25% Mana Generation

The equipment here is geared toward maximizing elemental resistance, improving mana efficiency, and increasing damage output. With fire and electricity resistance, you’ll withstand environmental and enemy elemental attacks better.

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How to play the Spellblade Mage in Dragon Age the Veilguard

How to play the build effectively (Image via Electronic Arts)

Combat Tips and Strategy

Use Mageknife for primary attacks

• The Spellblade uses Mageknives rather than traditional staves, engaging in close-range combat. Equip a Mageknife with a Fire orb to boost elemental damage and stay close to the action.

Generate and detonate Arcane Bombs

• Accumulate Arcane Marks on enemies with Light attacks, creating an Arcane Bomb once you reach three marks. Trigger the bomb with a Heavy Attack or the spinning blade move unlocked via Spirit Blade, dealing explosive area damage.

Parry for bonus damage

• Utilize the Spellblade’s parry mechanic, timing your block with enemy attacks to execute a counterattack that deals significant damage. Look for the glowing yellow indicator to time your parry correctly.

Maintain crowd control

• Storm Surge is essential for crowd control, knocking back enemies, and applying Overwhelm for extra damage. Use it to manage difficult encounters or to break out of crowd-heavy situations.

Switch to staff for ranged attacks

• If melee range becomes too dangerous, switch to your staff to minimize DPS loss while staying safe. Though it won’t deal as much damage as your Mageknife, it provides a valuable alternative for distant targets.

That’s all for our Spellblade mage in Dragon Age the Veilguard, use this guide to optimize the build as much as possible.