Dragon Age: Inquisition is no Dark Souls, but it's also not the easiest game out there. This is especially dependent on the difficulty setting the player chooses. On harder difficulties, equipment matters more than ever. It makes the difference between life and death.
Luckily, the crafting system in Inquisition is very easy to understand. It is in crafting schematics with the highest quality resources that create the best weapons in the game. These schematics are spread all over Thedas and can be rewards for war table missions, hidden in chests, or dropped by a difficult fight. Hardcore players agree that building one's own weapons and armor is the way to go to get the highest stats. In terms of weapons, there are some schematics that are known to produce the best of the best weapons in terms of stats.
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Updated May 17, 2024, by Vlad Mazanko: Even a decade later, Dragon Age: Inquisition remains one of the largest and most exciting party RPGs out there, offering hundreds of hours of content and discoveries. With its wide range of classes and playstyles, the game offers many quality weapon choices. With a cast of switchable characters, players will likely want more than one of the best bows, staves, shields, swords, axes, and daggers to equip everyone in their party with the best gear possible. Here are some of the strongest weapons to distribute among the party, and various methods of obtaining them.
15 Valos Atredum
A Strong One-Handed Weapon For Mighty Warriors
This one-handed weapon for the Warrior class is found in the Descent DLC. It's received by doing the sidequest 'On Broken Knees.' The quest starts in the Darkspawn Warrens where the player can find a Warden's journal with a map. By following the map, the player will come upon a cache with gold, some accessories, and this unique one-handed weapon.
The item's level is 26. It has great buffs, such as a 10% bonus to critical hit damage, gaining five points of guard on hit, 27 points of extra strength on the user, and a +6% chance to stagger on hit.
14 Revered Defender Bulwark
A Beautiful Heavy Shield
Shields are used by characters like Blackwall and Cassandra, and they are incredibly important in helping them stay alive and tank enemies. Many fans have agreed that the best shield in the game is the Revered Defender Bulwark. Its schematic is looted from an Ogre Alpha in the Descent. (Most of the best schematics come from the DLC).
Not only is the shield four-tiered in terms of add-ons, but it also has a lovely design with four blue diamond shapes that appear to be made of lyrium that glow in dark areas.
13 Elgar'nan Enaste
A Legendary Elven Bow with High DPS and Exquisite Looks
Named after one of the elven gods, Elgar'nan Enaste is one of the best bows in Dragon Age: Inquisition. This can be great for Sera or a rogue Inquisitor. Its schematic can be found in the Trespasser DLC in the Shattered Library area. However, the chest is hidden behind purple flames which can only be crossed with the Knight Enchanter ability, Fade Wall, or with Anchor Discharge.
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The bow may only be discoverable in the end-game, but players can keep schematics for other play-throughs with the Golden Nug Statue. It also can be rewarded for completing the Trials that come with the Trespasser.
12 Chromatic Greatsword
A Unique Two-Handed Weapon with a Special Design
This fascinating blade is another schematic found in Trespasser. With its unique appearance, it bears a slight resemblance to a Star Wars lightsaber, only activating its pulsing blade during combat. When sheathed, only the grip of the sword is visible. Each attack with this weapon deals additional elemental damage.
This sword is a reward for doing an unmarked side quest at the Winter Palace. The quest is available after returning from the Shattered Library. In the southwest corner of the map, the player can find and set off fireworks. Setting off the fireworks earns points, and earning 80 or more points rewards the player with the Chromatic Greatsword schematic. To get the most points, try to detonate the fireworks at the highest position possible in the sky. Alternatively, players can obtain this weapon by completing the 'Bestow Mourning Halla' war table operation with any advisor.
11 Stone Stalker Blade
One of the Deadliest Daggers in the Game
For rogue Inquisitors or players who want to turn Cole or Sera into an over-powered machine, the Stone Stalker Blade schematic proves to be a formidable choice. Boasting notable bonuses to dexterity and reduced ability cost effects, this dagger offers players four tiers for customization. This allows for the creation of an optimal set of murder knives with various properties, high critical chance, and critical damage. Its striking appearance, featuring an asymmetrical large blade and impressive grip, adds to its appeal.
Similar to the best shield schematic available, this schematic is also found in the Deep Roads of the Descent. However, instead of being a loot drop, it is randomly located in one of the many chests the player discovers.
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For one-handed warriors, this blade schematic from Trespasser can truly make a difference. It is obtainable as a reward for completing a war table operation called 'Stop the Rumors.' However, the schematic is received only if the player completes the operation with Leliana or Josephine, so keep that in mind.
What sets this sword apart is its ability to apply one of three buffs to any nearby party member on each hit. These buffs include armor bonuses, increased movement speed, and elemental and spirit resistance. A weapon fit for any true leader, it serves as a great late-game option for either Cassandra or Blackwall.
9 Grunsmann's Bow
One of the Best Easy-To-Get Bows
As a schematic weapon, this bow offers ample room for upgrades. It features a grip and a rune slot, along with a significant bonus to dexterity and a special ability to explode targets on kill. While not the absolute best, it serves as a popular choice for many players before accessing stronger bows, particularly during the middle stages of the game and for dragon-hunting with Sera.
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Its popularity stems from its accessibility, as players can easily obtain it with the Black Emporium DLC. The bow schematic is available in the Schematics of Legend shop from the beginning, purchasable for 12,156 gold. Additionally, it can be bought from Bonnie Simms in Skyhold later in the game for a lower price, although this non-craftable version is considerably weaker.
8 Blade Of Red Birth
Drink Some Blood
This is the second-best set of daggers in the game. What makes it second to the Stone Stalker Blade is that it has three tiers of customization instead of four. However, it can be much easier to get for players who don't want to search every inch of the Deep Roads for whichever chest The Stone Stalker Blade ends up in.
Getting the schematic for the Blade of Red Birth is easy: just buy it at the Black Emporium. It is under Schematics of Legend and costs 8,478 gold.
7 Axe Of The Dragon Hunter
Make Even Dragons Fear For Their Lives
For players who want a strong two-handed weapon before doing Trespasser content for the first time, look no further than the Axe of the Dragon Hunter. This schematic is easy to obtain, as long as players have the money to spend and the Black Emporium. At the Emporium, the schematic can be bought for 15,356 gold in the Schematics of Legend section of the shop.
There is also a non-customizable version of this axe that can be obtained by non-DLC players. It can be purchased by Bonny Sims at Skyhold for 11,540 gold. However, it will be weaker than craftable versions.
6 Encore Staff
One of the Rarest, Most Powerful Staves
Found in Trespasser, this schematic is known to make the most powerful mage staff in the game. Getting it can be a little bit of a journey though. Firstly, the player needs to loot a treasure map from a skeleton. The map will reveal four halla statues scattered in the Winter Palace. Get all four statues to receive the schematic for the Encore Staff.
It has three tiers of customizable slots, and it can cast buffs such as attack speed bonuses, damage bonuses, and an increase in health by two percent.
5 Prismatic Greataxe
Brother to the Chromatic Greatsword
For players who aren't feeling the Chromatic Greatsword, the Prismatic Greataxe is another powerful weapon for two-handed warriors like Iron Bull. Like the greatsword, the schematic for this weapon can be found in Trespasser. It is the reward for completing the war table mission, 'Learn More about Dragons.' The player can use any adviser and still obtain the schematic. Alternatively, it can be looted in the cave revealed by unlocking Astrariums on the Coast.
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Like the greatsword, the greataxe boasts a unique design that appears almost otherworldly. In combat, the axe's blade emanates from an energy field, while the character carries only a long two-handed staff on their back. Every attack with this weapon deals additional elemental damage.
4 Staff Of Corruption
The Ultimate Weapon For A Mage
What may look like a copy of Orsino's staff from Dragon Age 2 is actually one of the best staves available in Inquisition. It is also pretty easy to get, as it is purchasable at the Black Emporium. It can be found among the Schematics of Legend and costs 16,956 gold.
That is pretty expensive, but worth it for its four customizable tier slots. It's great for any mage like Dorian, Vivienne, and Solas (though maybe take it off Solas before the end game in order to keep it). The non-craftable version of this staff could also be acquired from Calpernia in the Temple of Mythal during the What Pride Had Wrought main quest.
3 Hakkon's Wrath
Shoot Deadly Frost Arrows
One of the best bows available is found in the Jaws of Hakkon DLC. It is typically obtained later in the game, as this area can be quite challenging. This bow features four customizable slots, excellent armor penetration and stagger effects, and a unique design resembling a thick chunk of ice or a glass shard. It stands out as it lacks bowstrings.
Hakkon's Wrath can be obtained either before or after completing the quest 'Ameridan's End' in the Old Temple. The good news is that acquiring it doesn't require completing any difficult challenges or relying on luck. Simply reading a Veilfire rune in the area or looting it from the Ice Giant will grant the player this powerful weapon.
2 Truncheon of the Master
A One-Handed Mace That Stuns and Staggers Enemies
The Truncheon of the Master can be challenging to obtain, as it is a random reward for completing the Trials that come with the Trespasser. There are numerous trials available, such as 'Even Ground', where enemies scale to match the Inquisitor's level, and 'Fair-Weather Friends', which doubles any disapproval from companions. As players complete these Trials, they receive special shipments that may include this mace.
The Truncheon of the Master is a formidable choice for any warrior, boasting an impressive appearance along with decent damage and combat bonuses. Its most notable features include a high chance to stagger enemies on hit, and attack chains that can briefly stun them. Perhaps its only drawback is the unreliable obtaining method, making finally acquiring this weapon a real relief.
1 The Knight's Second
Rare & Unique
Another great (and exceedingly rare) shield is found in the Trespasser. The Knight's Second boasts buffs such as a 30 percent increase to frontal defense, a significant boost to melee defense, and the ability to block one melee attack every 30 seconds. Its visually striking shape and design reflects its Marcher origin.
To obtain this shield, players must complete the War Table mission, 'Aiding Kirkwall' or 'Annexing Kirkwall'. Most importantly, they must complete it only with Cullen, not Leliana or Josephine. This requirement is why many players may never discover or utilize this rare piece of equipment.
