Best Slayer build in Dragon Age The Veilguard

The Slayer build in Dragon Age The Veilguard is the best damage build for the Warrior class. Using this build, you can clear large groups of enemies and even deal massive damage to bosses. However, the Slayer also has a glaring weakness: the Glass Canon. This means the Slayer build can deal massive damage, but it has the lowest defense compared to all the Warrior builds in Dragon Age in Veilguard.

In this guide, we delve into everything you need to know to start using the Slayer build in Dragon Age The Veilguard.

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What is Slayer build in Dragon Age The Veilguard?

Best damage build for the Warrior class(Image via EA)

The Slayer build focuses on high burst damage with powerful AOE attacks using a two-handed weapon. You’ll excel in dealing with groups of enemies through sweeping ground slams and stuns, but you’ll need to rely on perfect blocks and companions to stay alive.

Pros	Cons
Massive AOE Damage	Weak Defensive
High Stagger and Crowd Control	Heavy Attack Dependent
Best Damage for a Warrior Build	Companion Dependent for Synergy

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Core mechanics of the Slayer Build in Dragon Age The Veilguard

Core mechanics of the build (Image via EA)

Blocking and Perfect Defense

• Perfect block: Time your block when you see a yellow halo above your character. A well-timed block knocks back enemies and grants passive buffs. It’s crucial for survivability due to your low defense.
• Dodging: Use dodging to reposition or avoid heavy hits. This is the best method to use if you end up missing out on getting perfect blocks.

Rage and Synergies

• Rage: This resource is generated by dealing damage. The Slayer build is centered around building and using Rage.
• Companion Synergy: Use companions with time-stop abilities and equip the passive that gives you 50 Rage every time you use the ability.

Stagger and Takedowns

• Stagger Mechanic: The Slayer’s heavy attacks and AOE abilities fill up a purple Stagger bar under enemy health. Once filled, you can perform a "Takedown" that deals massive damage or instantly kills weaker foes.

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Core skills and abilities for the Slayer build in Dragon Age The Veilguard

Active Abilities

Driving Kick

• Type: Physical Damage
• Effect: Deals direct damage and detonates Weakened effects, stunning enemies.
• Companion Synergy: Pairs well with Emmrich’s Entangling Spirits or Bellara’s Enfeebling Shot, which apply the Weakened effect.

Bloody Advance

• Type: Necrotic Damage
• Effect: Throws a fan of blades that can inflict DoT on enemies.
• Companion Synergy: Works with Emmrich’s Final Rites or Bellara’s Fade Bolts to detonate Sundered effects.

Heroic Leap

• Type: Physical Damage
• Effect: Detonates Weakened effects and deals AOE damage, perfect for crowd control.

Ground Breaker (Flex Slot)

• Effect: A wide AOE ground slam that fills the Stagger bar quickly. Use it to control groups of enemies and set up takedowns.

Ultimate Ability: For Gold and Glory

• Type: Physical AOE
• Effect: Leap into the air, targeting an area for a massive slam that deals high physical damage and staggers enemies within a large radius. Ideal for starting or finishing a fight.

Trait

• Shield Volley
• Effect: Grants additional ranged options and synergizes with your Rage.

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Skill progress priority for Slayer in Dragon Age The Veilguard

Upgrade your skills to unlock the build (Image via EA)

Level	Skill
1	Shield Volley
2	Rancor
3	Spectral Bulwark
4	Enraged
5	Focused Retaliation
6	Titan Stomp
7	Improved Throw
8	Return to Sender
9	Necessary Steps
10	Macochism
11	Explosive Toss
12	Killer Instinct
13	Triple Threat
14	Shellbreaker
15	Flames of Victory
16	Staggering Charge
17	Whirlwind
18	Bulwark
19	Rolling Thunder
20	For Gold and Glory Heroic Leap
21	Sharper Edge
22	Charged Smash
23	Determination
24	Striking Precision
25	Overhand Smash
26	Bulwark
27	Quick Strikes
28	Concussive Smash
29	Heavy Hitter
30	Blunt Force

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Best Faction for Slayer build in Dragon Age the Veilguard

Primary Choice: Grey Wardens

• Vigilant Training: Increases base defense and health, offsetting some of your build’s squishiness.
• Blight Killer: Boosts damage against darkspawn, fitting both the narrative and combat effectiveness.

Secondary Choice: Lords of Fortune

• Relentless: Reduces the effort needed to perform Takedowns, which can be valuable for maintaining your damage flow in combat.

Also Check: Dragon Age: The Veilguard Interactive Map

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Best companions for the Slayer build in Dragon Age the Veilguard

Companion 1: Emmrich

• Role: Ranged DPS + Support

Skills:

• Final Rites (Detonates Sundered)
• Entangling Spirits (Applies Weakened)
• Replenish (Healing)
• Weapon: Staff

Companion 2: Bellara

• Role: Ranged DPS

Skills:

• Enfeebling Shot (Applies Weakened)
• Fade Bolts (Detonates Sundered)
• Galvanized Tear (AOE Pull)
• Weapon: Bow

These companions are ideal for the Slayer build as they can apply and detonate status effects, allowing you to trigger skill combos and maximize damage output.

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Best equipment for the Slayer build in Dragon Age the Veilguard

Gear Slot	Best Item
Main Hand	Blight Killer
Off-Hand	Captain’s Heater
Alternate Weapon	Shadowbreath
Helmet	Carastes Double-Hat
Belt	Dragon’s Brace
Amulet	Halla’s Grace
Ring 1	Amaranthine Loop
Ring 2	Bleeding Shard

Best Runes:

• Regroup: All companion’s cooldowns are refreshed.
• Crystallized: All enemies within 10 meters are frozen.
• Overflow: increases potions by +1.

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How to play the Slayer build in Dragon Age the Veilguard

Fill up Rage constantly

The Slayer's combat effectiveness revolves around generating Rage through aggressive attacks. Focus on using your basic weapon strikes and Shield Throw to build up Rage in the early game. As you progress into the late game, Rage generation becomes easier, allowing you to spam abilities more frequently and maintain a high offensive tempo.

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Heroic Leap for high stagger

Heroic Leap is a versatile ability that inflicts high stagger and knocks down smaller enemies, making it perfect for crowd control. Use it as an opener if Driving Kick is on cooldown, or weave it into your attack rotations to stagger foes and set up takedowns.

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Driving Kick weakened opponents

Your companion, Bellara, can apply the Weakened effect on enemies, setting them up for your Driving Kick. Use Driving Kick to target a weakened enemy and send them into a group, turning them into a living projectile for AOE damage.

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For Gold and Glory as a Nuke

The Slayer’s ultimate ability, For Gold and Glory, is a devastating nuke that can annihilate most enemies caught in its AOE blast. If possible, start encounters with For Gold and Glory to significantly weaken or eliminate tough opponents, making the rest of the fight much easier.