Challenging Tradition: How Dragon Age: Dreadwolf's Departure from the Warrior, Mage, and Rogue Trifecta Defies Expectations
Dragon Age: Dreadwolf's decision to stray from the traditional Warrior, Mage, and Rogue classes could prove to be a detrimental move Explore the significance of these classes in the Dragon Age universe and the potential repercussions of abandoning them
Article Key Points
It is expected that Dragon Age: Dreadwolf will introduce a shift towards action combat, deviating from the hybrid system utilized in its predecessor. This change in gameplay style may represent a substantial departure from the previous installment.
Rumors circulate about a potential faction-based class system or the complete elimination of classes in Dreadwolf. Numerous fans view these changes as a potential error. The skill tree prototype shared by BioWare indicates a different direction for character abilities, potentially disregarding the series' distinctive essence and the significance of teamwork in gameplay.
Dragon Age: Dreadwolf continues the Inquisition storyline, where players embark on a quest to locate the mythical elven sorcerer. However, due to numerous changes in leadership and direction, it comes as no surprise that the upcoming Dragon Age installment will differ significantly from its predecessor. One notable change is the rumored transition to action combat, departing from the hybrid real-time-with-pause system utilized in the previous game.
Additional speculation suggests a significant departure in how Dragon Age: Dreadwolf approaches character classes. Some speculate that Dreadwolf may introduce a faction-based class system, deviating from the traditional Warrior, Mage, and Rogue archetypes. Alternatively, there are those who believe BioWare may choose to eliminate classes entirely. While neither of these claims has been substantiated, it is crucial to note that either decision would be a significant misstep.
Dreadwolf Shouldn’t Abandon Warrior, Mage, and Rogue
Dragon Age's Classes and Origins
In February, footage and screenshots were leaked, revealing gameplay of Dreadwolf. These leaks included an image of the character screen, which labeled the character as a "Level [blank] Grey Warden." Although Grey Warden could potentially be the character's backstory, many speculate that it actually refers to their class. As a result, there has been ongoing speculation about Dreadwolf's faction-based classes.
One particular fan theory suggests that all Warriors will become Grey Wardens, all Rogues will join the Antivan Crows, and all Mages will align with the Tevinters. However, this concept appears to be a significant regression. Dragon Age: Origins presents six diverse backgrounds based on both race and class. Inquisition technically features six as well, but they received criticism for their limited options, such as compelling dwarf players to be Carta members and excluding the possibility of being a city elf. The idea of Dreadwolf having only three character backstories associated with class would likely be perceived by many fans as unnecessary restriction.
Origins in DAO | Origins in DAI |
|---|---|
Human Noble | Human Noble |
Human or Elf Mage | Human Mage |
City Elf | Dalish Hunter |
Dalish Elf | Dalish Mage |
Dwarf Noble | Carta Dwarf |
Dwarf Commoner | Qunari Mercenary |
It also doesn't align well with the lore. The essence of Dragon Age's Grey Wardens lies in people from various backgrounds devoting themselves to combatting the Darkspawn. They have never been limited to only Warriors, as Rogue and Mage Wardens have appeared in all three games.
However, completely eliminating classes would also be a mistake, although it might be the direction the game is taking. Those who have witnessed the game compare its combat to the God of War reboot. If this comparison holds true, it is uncertain if Dragon Age's tightly defined classes would work well with Dreadwolf's more hack-and-slash style of gameplay. BioWare may have decided that it doesn't, ultimately discarding the strict class system altogether.
Dreadwolf's Skill Tree Concept
Another interpretation of the Dragon Age: Dreadwolf skill tree prototype shared by BioWare in February presents itself. This skill tree consists of six branches, each one color-coded, that encircle a central ring. The central ring contains a few skills and is connected to the blue, yellow, and red branches. Each of these branches connects with two of the remaining three branches, which, in turn, do not connect with the central ring. These three interconnected branches then lead to two additional sub-branches. It is possible that the initial three branches correspond to the fundamental abilities of the Warrior, Mage, and Rogue, while the subsequent branches signify combinations of these abilities.
The action RPG skill tree layout is interesting but not suitable for a Dragon Age game as it would compromise the series' unique identity. In previous games, Warriors, Mages, and Rogues each had distinct gameplay roles. Additionally, the inclusion of cross-class ability combos encouraged players to experiment with different character builds to find effective combinations. This gameplay design also emphasized the player's control over a team rather than just the main character.
However, if Dreadwolf eliminates the concept of classes, it would align the game more closely with mainstream action RPGs that typically focus on a single all-powerful protagonist and forego the use of parties. Reports suggest that the new game will remove the player's ability to control companions, which may lead to a lack of team dynamics. It can be challenging to feel like a cohesive team when each character essentially acts independently, particularly if one character is capable of fulfilling every role.
Dragon Age: Dreadwolf is in development.
Dragon Age: Dreadwolf
Franchise Dragon AgePlatform(s) PS5, Xbox Series S, Xbox Series X, Microsoft WindowsDeveloper(s) BioWarePublisher(s) Electronic ArtsGenre(s) RPG
Editor's P/S
As an enthusiastic fan of the Dragon Age series, I am concerned about the potential ramifications of abandoning the traditional Warrior, Mage, and Rogue classes in Dragon Age: Dreadwolf. These classes have been a fundamental aspect of the Dragon Age universe since its inception, and their removal would represent a significant departure from the series' roots.
The Warrior, Mage, and Rogue classes have played a crucial role in defining the gameplay and storytelling of previous Dragon Age titles. Each class offers unique abilities and playstyles, allowing players to customize their characters and approach combat encounters in various ways. The interplay between these classes has also been a vital aspect of the series' tactical combat system, enabling players to create dynamic and effective party compositions.
