This is a guide to the ability trees in Dragon Age 3: Inquisition. For the sake of brevity, we will simply list the abilities below; check out the pics to find out the upgrade paths.
Varric
· Artificer
o Spike Trap
You set a trap that, when an enemy approaches, detonates and flings enemies into the air.
300 % weapon damage
16 seconds cooldown
Costs 35 stamina
o Watch Your Step
You can remain in stealth while using a spike trap, and enemies are flung even farther into the air.
o Set Them Up
You’ve mastered the proper placement of spikes and levers. When you spring any kind of trap, your enemies feel it.
25 % damage
+3 willpower when unlocked
o Hail of Arrows
You fire so quickly that enemies will swear there are at least two of you putting arrows into their ranks. While this ability is active, any archery ability you use is duplicated.
Consumes Focus
Tier 1 lasts 12 seconds
Tier 2 lasts 25 seconds
Tier 3 lasts 40 seconds
o Bait and Switch
You can fight for a longer time before leaping back, and you pull your closest enemy back with you.
Lasts 5 seconds
o Fallback Plan
You place a thieves’ lantern to mark a fallback location before heading into battle. When the fight gets ugly, you leap back to safety, as healthy as you were when you placed your marker.
Lasts 15 seconds
32 seconds cooldown
Costs 35 stamina
o Opportunity Knocks
When an ally critically hits, yoou take advantage of their success faster with reduced cooldown times.
0.5 seconds cooldown
+3 cunning when unlocked
o Tricks of the Trade
You help the team make the most of its abilities, increasing the damage and duration of all status effects anyone in the party applies.
10 % bonus damage
10 % bonus duration
+3 willpower when unlocked
o And Take Them Down
Your experience with finding and pointing out enemy vulnerabilities gives the entire party a better chance to land a critical hit.
5% critical hit chance bonus
+3 dexterity when unlocked
o Throw Everything
It’s now or never. You use every ounce of stamina you’ve got to litter the battlefield with traps. The more stamina you use, the more traps you throw.
1 additional trap for every 5 stamina
Solas
· Mage Winter
o Winter Stillness
By standing still, you enter into a meditative state that restores your mana at an enhanced rate and reduces all cooldown times.
3 seconds idle meditation threshold
50 % mana generation rate bonus
+3 willpower when unlocked
o Ice Armor
You draw on cold magic near you to protect you from attacks. Standing near a frozen enemy or a persistent cold spell reduces all damage you take.
50% damage reduction
+3 willpower when unlocked
o Blizzard
You summon a freezing blizzard to chill and damage enemies caught in the area. Can be toggled on and off.
75% weapon ice damage per second
8 seconds duration
8 meters area of effect
24 seconds cooldown
Costs 5 mana per second
o Ice Storm
Your blizzard now chills enemies, progressively slowing them until they are frozen.
75% damage bonus
4 seconds freeze duration
o Ice Mine
You mark the ground with a glyph that takes a short time to prime. Once it is ready, it will freeze the first target to step on it.
6 seconds freeze duration
3 seconds activation delay
18 seconds cooldown
Costs 35 mana
o Wall of Ice
You raise a wall of ice to keep enemies at bay.
6 meters long
Lasts 20 seconds
24 seconds cooldown
Costs 50 mana
· Mage Storm
o Chain Lightning
You unleash a blast of lightning that shocks one target and arcs to nearby enemies.
5 meters distance
4 hits
300% weapon damage
8 seconds shock duration
8 seconds cooldown
Costs 50 mana
o Arcing Surge
Chain lightning arcs farther and hits more targets
4 meters distance bonus
2 more hits
o Lightning Bolt
You summon a bold of lightning that blasts and paralyzes a single target. If other enemies are nearby, the bolt will paralyze the target for longer
200% electric weapon damage
2 seconds paralyzed duration per nearby enemy
24 seconds cooldown
Costs 65 mana
o Exploding Bolt
Lightning bolt does more damage if there are other enemies nearby, and if there are enough close to the striking point, a wave of force will knock back all enemies except for the paralyzed primary target
200% damage bonus for every creature within 4 meters.
o Static Cage
You trap enemies inside an electric field that paralyzes those that try to leave.
8 seconds duration
9 meters area of effect
2 seconds paralysis duration
32 seconds cooldown
Costs 65 mana
o Static Charge
You sheathe yourself in lightning while casting spells. Enemies that attempt to interrupt your casting with attacks are struck by arcs that leave them paralyzed.
100% electric weapon damage
6 seconds duration
+3 constitution when unlocked
o Conductive Current
The more magical energy you expand, the more damage your spells do.
5% damage bonus for every 10% lost mana
+3 magic when unlocked
o Gathering Storm
You use your staff’s energy to fill the area with sympathetic magic. Each basic attack shortens your active cooldown times.
0.5 seconds cooldown
+3 willpower when unlocked
o Energy Barrage
You launch a salvo of elemental blasts from your staff that hones in on targets ahead of you
12 projectiles
66% weapon damage per hit
16 seconds cooldown
Costs 50 mana
Use Eldritch detonator on incapacitated foes to build combos
o Stormbringer
The storm comes to your aid even without your calling it. When you are in combat, lightning will periodically strike a random nearby enemy.
300% electric weapon damage
25 meters radius
15 seconds cooldown
+3 magic when unlocked
· Mage Spirit
o Barrier
You create a shimmering protective barrier that acts as temporary additional health. The barrier decays naturally over time, and is vulnerable to dispel.
4,116 barrier
4 meters area of effect
24 seconds cooldown
Costs 50 mana
o Elegant Defense
You have learned to cast barrier with a more stable magical pattern. Each time a barrier you have cast expires, the ability’s cooldown time is reduced.
4 seconds cooldown
o Peaceful Aura
Your aura of tranquility makes enemies less likely to attack you in battle, even when you damage them.
50% threat reduction
+3 willpower when unlocked
o Mind Blast
You send enemies staggering with an explosion of willpower that drives them back and makes them less likely to target you again.
5 meters area of effect
8 seconds cooldown
Costs 20 mana
Use Eldritch detonator on incapacitated foes to build combos
o Fortifying Blast
Each enemy you strike with mind blast increases your protective barrier as you turn their pain into your power.
10 % barrier
o Guardian Spirit
A protective barrier springs into place around you automatically when you are badly injured.
100% barrier
25% health threshold
60 seconds cooldown
+3 constitution when unlocked
o Strength of Spirits
Your barriers draw on the magic of the Fade to absorb more energy before depleting.
50% barrier bonus
o Dispel
You remove hostile magic and status effects from allies while stripping beneficial effects from enemies.
5 meters
8 seconds cooldown
Costs 35 mana
Use Eldritch detonator on incapacitated foes to build combos
o Revival
You summon spirits to heal fallen allies in the area, getting them back on their feet and fighting again.
· Mage Inferno
o Immolate
You unleash a massive explosion, leaving enemies in the area burning in agony.
300% weapon damage
75% burning weapon damage per second
8 seconds burning duration
3 meters area of effect
16 seconds cooldown
Costs 35 mana
o Flashfire
You ignite an enemy with searing pain and send them fleeing in panic.
300% weapon damage
8 seconds fear duration
20 seconds cooldown
Costs 65 mana
o Flashpoint
After you land a critical hit, your next spell cast doesn’t trigger a cooldown period.
+3 magic when unlocked
o Pyromancer
You have mastered the summoning of fire, increasing your effectiveness when panicking or burning enemies.
25% burning duration bonus
25% fear duration bonus
+3 willpower when unlocked
o Clean Burn
Your spells burn away ambient magic that would otherwise slow down your casting. Every spell you cast shortens your active cooldown times.
1 second cooldown reduction
+3 willpower when unlocked
o Wall of Fire
You conjure a flaming barrier that burns and panics enemies that pass through it.
6 meters long
20 seconds duration
200% burning weapon damage per second
8 seconds burning duration
4 seconds fear duration
32 seconds cooldown
Costs 35 mana
o Chaotic Focus
When you cast a fire spell, the spell consumes half of your current barrier to empower it. The larger the barrier consumed, the greater the bonus to the spell’s damage.
50% barrier bonus
+3 magic when unlocked
o Fire Mine
You mark the ground with a glyp that takes a short time to prime. Once it is ready, it will erupt into flame when an enemy crosses it, damaging and staggering the target.
1,600% fire weapon damage
3 seconds activation delay
24 seconds cooldown
Costs 35 mana
Cassandra
· Warrior Two-Handed
o Block and Slash
You stand ready to deflect the next incoming attack and deliver a punishing counter to your attacker.
Requires a two handed weapon
150% weapon damage
Costs 10 stamina
Costs 5 stamina per second
o Flow of Battle
Every critical hit reduces the cooldown times on your abilities, giving you the edge to finish off your enemy.
1 second cooldown
+3 strength when unlocked
o Pommel Strike
You lash out with a fast strike that briefly stuns your target.
Requires a two handed weapon
300% weapon damage
3 seconds stun duration
20 seconds cooldown
Costs 35 stamina
o Shield-Breaker
Your critical hits crack armor and rend shields, sundering your enemy’s armor for a short time.
20% armor reduction
6 seconds duration
+3 strength when unlocked
o Whirlwind
You spin with your weapon outstretched, cutting through any enemies in your path.
Requires a two handed weapon
70% weapon damage per hit
24 seconds cooldown
Costs 10 stamina
Use impact detonator on incapacitated foes to create combos
o Rising Winds
Whirlwind becomes more effective the longer you sustain it.
15% damage bonus per rotation
o Earthshaking Strike
Your great blow tears open the ground with a shockwave that batters enemies caught in its path.
Requires a two handed weapon
2 hits
150% weapon damage per hit
12 meter area of effect
20 seconds cooldown
Costs 50 stamina
o Clear a Path
Hitting multiple targets with a single swing of your weapon restores your stamina for each extra target.
10 % stamina restored
+3 strength when unlocked
o Guard-Smasher
You have learned how to batter through your enemy’s defenses, doing more damage to their guard with every hit.
Iron Bull
· Warrior Two-Handed
o Flawless Defense
Countering an enemy’s attack now does bonus damage and adds to your guard.
50% damage bonus
15% guard amount
o Lightning Jab
Pommel strike hits harder and faster
4 seconds cooldown
1 second stun duration bonus
o Shattered Ground
Flames erupt from the fissure left by earthshaking strike, damaging enemies that cross it.
8 seconds duration
20% burning weapon damage per second
8 seconds burning duration
o Mighty Blow
You deliver a powerful attack that crumples foes, leaving them knocked down for a short time. You do more damage to targets that are already knocked down.
Requires a two handed weapon
200% weapon damage
200% damage bonus
16 seconds cooldown
Costs 50 stamina
· Warrior Battlemaster
o Grappling Chain
With a hooked chain and a lot of muscle, you drag your target into arm’s reach
100% weapon damage
12 seconds cooldown
Costs 20 stamina
o Deep Reserves
You get your breath back faster than most. When your stamina is very low, if regenerates more quickly.
50% low stamina threshold
50% stamina generation rate bonus
+3 strength when unlocked
o Horn of Valor
Your war horn’s blast rings across the battlefield, giving allies the strength to fight harder.
15% bonus damage
15% armor bonus
10 seconds duration
18 seconds cooldown
Costs 35 stamina
o Coup De Grace
You deal more damage against enemies that are stunned or knocked down. Better them than you.
30% damage bonus
+3 strength when unlocked
o Combat Roll
You dive and roll to where the battle needs you to be, whether it’s escaping from a group or moving to flank an opponent.
2 seconds cooldown
Costs 20 stamina
o Hamstring
When you attack a target from behind, you leave them slowed
50% speed reduction
3 seconds duration
+3 strength when unlocked
o Crippling Blows
You know how to take the fight out of your foes. Your critical hits leave enemies weakened.
15% damage reduction
10 seconds duration
Stacking effect
+3 strength when unlocked
Inquisitor
· Knight Enchanter
o Spirit Blade
You create a blade of solid magic to make melee attacks against nearby enemies, bypassing their guard and barriers.
300% spirit weapon damage
200% bonus damage vs barrier
400% bonus damage vs guard
Costs 10 mana per attack while active
Use Eldritch detonator on incapacitated foes to build combos
o Defending Blade
You deflect projectiles with Spirit Blade, sending a shockwave of energy back at the attacker
o Resurgence
You call on benign spirits to restore you and your allies for continuing the fight. All party members are healed to full health, including those who have fallen unconscious, and a glyph around you provides ongoing healing to the party for the spell’s duration.
Consumes focus
5 meters radius
10 seconds duration
Tier 1 glyph heals 2% per second
Tier 2 glyph heals 10% per second
Tier 3 glyph heals 25% per second
o Veiled Riposte
Whenever you have a barrier active, enemies who attack you will take damage in return.
20% damage returned
+3 magic when unlocked
o Fade Cloak
You surround yourself with the magic of the Veil itself. You are briefly invulnerable and can pass through enemies unarmed.
2 seconds duration
12 seconds cooldown
Costs 20 mana
o Decloaking Blast
If you rematerialize inside an enemy, they’re blasted back with massive force.
1,000% spirit weapon damage
· Rogue Subterfuge
o Evade
You leap away from incoming attacks, putting yourself where you need to be to win this fight.
2 seconds cooldown
Costs 20 stamina
o Hidden Step
Enemies will swear you’re still there, attacking empty air and hurting nobody but themselves as you leap away.
3 seconds duration
300% weapon damage
o Mercy Killing
When their hearts aren’t in the fight, it’s almost too easy. Your attacks on panicked or sleeping enemies are automatically critical hits.
+3 cunning when unlocked
o Knockout Powder
You throw a handful of dosed dust into an enemy’s face, putting them to sleep for a short time.
10 seconds duration
6 meters area of effect
20 seconds cooldown
Costs 35 stamina
o Deep Sleep
Enemies affected by knockout powder sleep longer and are slow to wake up after being damaged.
10 seconds duration
3 seconds damaged sleep duration
o Ambush
While you’re in stealth and shortly after leaving it, your attacks ignore some of your target’s armor.
50% armor penetration
6 seconds duration
+3 dexterity when unlocked
o Stealth
You step into the shadows, all but invisible to your enemies. Attacking from stealth gives you a damage bonus and brings you back to the enemy’s attention. Dealing damage to enemies reduces the ability’s cooldown time.
100% damage bonus
30 seconds duration
24 seconds cooldown
Costs 20 stamina
o Lost in the Shadows
You live in the darkness. Entering stealth is now instant and removes all debilitating effects on you. While in stealth, you can even pass through enemies without being detected.
o Shadow Strike
You take your enemy by surprise with an attack they never see coming. If you are in stealth or have not taken damage recently, this attack hits even harder.
400% weapon damage
200% stealth bonus damage
5 seconds threshold for not taking damage
16 seconds cooldown
Costs 50 stamina
Use precision detonator ability on incapacitated foes to create combos
o Evasion
They can’t hit what they can’t see. Your deceptive fighting style gives you a chance to dodge enemy attacks, taking no damage
5% chance to activate
+3 dexterity when unlocked
o Easy to Miss
Enemies are likely to overlook you in combat, much to their regret. This is especially true if you’re flanking them.
25% threat reduction
100% flanking threat reduction
+3 cunning when unlocked
· Rogue Sabotage
o Poisoned Weapons
You coat your weapons in a deadly toxin, making every attack poisons enemies for a short time.
10 seconds duration
60% weapon damage per second
8 seconds damage duration
24 seconds cooldown
Costs 20 stamina
o Infected Wounds
Your poison helps your blades and arrows bite deeper. You do damage with your weapons while poisoned weapons is active.
25% bonus damage
o Fighting Dirty
All of your sunder and poison effects last longer as you make more potent toxins and uglier wounds.
25% duration bonus
+3 dexterity when unlocked
o Explosive Toxin
Your poisons curdle the blood of your targets. Enemies that die while poisoned explode in a shower of toxic mist.
8 seconds duration
3 meters radius
50% weapon damage per second
+3 dexterity when unlocked
o Toxic Cloud
You unleash a cloud of toxic dust that damages all enemies that remain in the area.
8 seconds duration
5 meters radius
50% weapon damage per second
32 seconds cooldown
Costs 50 stamina
o Looked Like it Hurt
The worst mistake your enemies can make is to let you see them flinch. Whenever you score a critical hit, you regenerate stamina.
10 stamina restored
+3 cunning when unlocked
o Hook and Tackle
You hurl a light grappling hook at a target, then yank hard as you leap to pull yourself into it.
12 seconds cooldown
Costs 20 stamina
o It Beats Walking
You can use hook and tackle with no stamina cost or cooldown time.
o Cheap Shot
Your critical hits tear through enemy armor, leaving it sundered for a short time.
6 seconds duration
+3 cunning when unlocked
o Throwing Blades
You hurl a group of knives at all nearby targets, ripping through their armor and leaving it sundered.
4 hits
100% weapon damage per hit
8 seconds duration
12 seconds cooldown
Costs 50 stamina
o Caltrops
You scatter spikes behind you, hurting and slowing down enemies who come after you. This ability is considered a trap for any abilities that enhance or affect traps.
30 seconds duration
3 meters radius
10% weapon damage per second
25% speed reduction
16 seconds cooldown
Costs 35 stamina
o Tread Lightly
Your caltrops cover a wider area and impede enemies even more.
5 meters radius
25% speed reduction bonus
· Rogue Double Daggers
o Flank Attack
You leap through shadows to attack your foe with deadly strikes that hit them from behind.
Requires damage
2 hits
200% weapon damage
8 seconds cooldown
Costs 35 stamina
o Bloodied Prey
Your strikes cut deeper into any foe whose current health is lower than your own.
10% damage bonus
+3 cunning on unlock
o Twin Fangs
You lash out with both daggers, striking deep, with bonus damage if you flank your foe.
Requires daggers
2 hits
200% weapon damage
200% damage bonus
8 seconds cooldown
Costs 50 stamina
o Ripping Fangs
If flanking, your twin fangs attack will keep your target’s armor sundered from the blow.
100% damage bonus
8 seconds duration
o Parry
You quickly block a strike made by your foe, then counter as their own defenses fall.
Requires daggers
100% weapon damage
Costs 10 stamina
o Effortless Riposte
If you succeed in countering a blow, your parry costs no stamina at all.
o Unforgiving Chain
Your daggers blur, a dance of deadly pain. Each strike adds to your critical hit chance. After a critical attack, your chain resets as you begin another dance.
1% critical hit chance
+3 dexterity when unlocked
o Spinning Blades
You lash out with a set of slashing blows that bring you in and drive your target back.
Requires daggers
5 hits
75% weapon damage per hit
16 seconds cooldown
Costs 65 stamina
