This ability allows the mage to gain an electric charge that deals extra damage on their next attack. It also permanently increases the attribute of magic. This is a useful ability to have in your arsenal, especially when you need to deal a significant amount of damage quickly.

Category: Winter

NAME	TYPE	EFFECT AND COMMENTARY
Winter’s Grasp	A	This ability allows the mage to freeze one opponent in place. It deals moderate damage but its main asset is that it incapacitates the target for a short period of time, making them unable to move or attack.
Frostbite	U	This is the upgrade for Winter’s Grasp. It deals additional damage to the frozen target and any enemies in close proximity, making it a great ability to use against groups of opponents.
Wall of Ice	A	This ability creates a wall of ice that blocks opponents from coming through. It deals no damage but is useful for protecting your party or blocking off certain areas of the battlefield.
Ice Mine	U	This is the upgrade for Wall of Ice. It creates a mine that explodes when an opponent steps on it, dealing damage and freezing them in place. It’s a great ability to use when opponents are chasing you or to set up traps.
Blizzard	P	This ability creates a blizzard that deals damage to all opponents in the area. It also permanently increases the attribute of magic. It’s a useful ability to use when you need to damage multiple opponents at once.
Cold Snap	A	This ability freezes opponents in the area for a short period of time. It deals no damage but is useful for incapacitating opponents and giving you time to plan your attack.
Chilling Fog	U	This is the upgrade for Cold Snap. It creates a fog that deals damage and slows down opponents in the area. It’s a useful ability to use when opponents are trying to flee or when you need to slow them down.
Winter Stillness	P	This ability allows the mage to regenerate mana more quickly when they are in a cold environment. It also permanently increases the attribute of Willpower. It’s a useful ability to have when you need to use a lot of mana quickly.
Frost Mastery	P	This ability permanently increases the damage of all winter spells. It’s a useful ability to have when you rely heavily on winter spells.

This ability removes all negative effects from the mage and his allies, such as poison or paralysis. It is a useful ability to have in your arsenal, especially when facing opponents who use a lot of debuffs. However, it is important to note that it does not have any offensive capabilities.

Summary: The Spirit category provides the mage with defensive abilities that protect him and his allies from harm. Barrier and Elegant Defense are good choices for forming protective barriers, while Peaceful Aura and Guardian Spirit provide passive bonuses to Willpower and Constitution. Dispel is a useful ability for removing negative effects from allies. However, it is important to remember that relying solely on defensive abilities may not be enough, and the mage should also have offensive spells at his disposal.

This ability dispels negative effects on the mage and their allies while also removing positive effects on the opponents. Though it may not seem like an offensive ability, it can be helpful in restoring health to allies and preventing opponents from gaining buffs.

Transmute

U

An upgrade for Dispel that boosts the rate of barrier regeneration and increases the mage’s damage output. Both bonuses are advantageous.

Mind Blast

A

An ability that uses willpower to push opponents away, causing them to become discouraged and stunned. It only has an 8-second cooldown.

Fortifying Blast

U

An upgrade for Mind Blast that works in tandem with Barrier. Pushing opponents away regenerates the barrier.

Rejuvenating Barrier

P

A support ability that provides allies with active barriers a bonus to mana and stamina regeneration. It also permanently increases the Constitution attribute.

Revival

A

The most important healing ability for mages, it allows them to revive downed allies. However, it can only be used once per minute.

Life Ward

U

An upgrade for Revival that temporarily increases resistance to damage for newly revived allies. If they are downed again within 15 seconds, they will revive for free.

Strength of Spirits

P

An ability that boosts the power of barriers by 50%, though it does not provide any attribute bonuses. This ability is useful if the mage frequently uses barriers.

Summary: Spirit is a support specialization that should not be the sole focus of a mage’s development. While lacking offensive abilities, it offers many interesting support-oriented active and passive abilities. Early in the game, the Barrier ability should be prioritized, upgrading it and unlocking as many passive abilities as possible. Revival is also important for bringing back downed allies, especially against stronger enemies later in the game.

Category: Inferno

NAME	TYPE	EFFECT AND COMMENTARY
Flashfire	A	This ability burns opponents from within with flames, causing high fire damage and panic for 8 seconds. The panic effect can be used to finish off opponents or perform other actions, such as healing oneself.

Intense Pain

U

This is an upgrade for Flashfire that prolongs the panic effect on the target for an additional 8 seconds. It is a wise choice to use this ability, especially on stronger opponents, when you need more time to regroup or defeat them.

Incinerate

A

Causes an explosion that sets nearby opponents on fire, making it a perfect ability for area-of-effect attacks. The explosion itself inflicts significant damage on opponents, and they also have to deal with immolation for 8 seconds (75% of the regular damage).

Inferno

U

This is an upgrade for Incinerate that increases the damage dealt to opponents and reduces the cooldown of the main ability. It is a good idea to get this upgrade.

Critical Mass

P

This ability eliminates the cooldown period for a spell cast after a successful critical hit. Additionally, it permanently boosts the magic attribute.

Pyromania

P

It extends the duration of the burning and fear effects by 25%, and permanently increases Willpower. Consider getting this ability if you frequently use spells like Flashfire or Incinerate.

Flashpoint

P

Reduces the cooldown time for active abilities with each spell cast and permanently increases Willpower.

Blaze Glyph

A

Creates a glyph on the ground that explodes when an opponent steps on it. This ability functions similarly to the Rogue’s mines and deals high fire damage while also staggering the opponent.

Inferno Glyph

U

This is an upgrade for Blaze Glyph that causes opponents to be launched into the air and set on fire for 8 seconds, making it even more deadly.

Fiery Focus

P

This ability uses up half of your barrier energy for fire spells and permanently increases the magic attribute. It works only if you have formed barriers from the Spirit category, but the spell potency bonus is worth it.

Wall of Blaze

A

Creates a wall of fire that sets all opponents on fire and causes them to panic. This ability is highly effective but is only useful in small areas and narrow passages.

Eternal Flames

U

This is an upgrade for Wall of Blaze that expands the wall of fire and causes opponents to be set on fire for another 4 seconds (12 seconds in total).

Summary: The abilities in this category deal damage from frost. It is important to remember that some opponents may be immune to this type of attack, so it is also worth considering other abilities available for the mage, such as those based on fire or electricity. Immolation is a good active ability to use at the beginning of the game as it can wound multiple opponents at once. Later on, Fire Mine and Wall of Fire are good additions to consider. Choose passive abilities based on your own preferences and the spells you use most frequently.

Category: Winter

NAME	TYPE	EFFECT AND COMMENTARY
Winter’s Grasp	A	Freezes opponents for 4 seconds and deals decent damage from frost. The only downside is the high cost of the ability.
Winter’s Chill	U	Upgrades Winter’s Grasp by adding AoE damage to opponents in close proximity to the target.
Fade Step	A	Transports the caster to a different spot, but may not be too helpful as it moves the caster forward instead of backwards.
Frost Step	U	Adds an offensive function to Fade Step by dealing decent damage from frost to opponents who are passed through.
Mana Surge	P	Causes ice explosions when mage barriers are destroyed, freezes opponents over, and increases the attribute of magic. Good to have if you rely on barriers.
Winter Stillness	P	Activates a meditation state that increases mana regeneration rate and shortens cooldown on activated abilities. It also permanently increases the attribute of Willpower.
Frost Mastery	P	Increases the duration of freezing and chilling effects and permanently increases the attribute of magic. Recommended for frequent use of ice-based spells.
Wall of Ice	A	Creates a wall of ice that slows down opponents and deals damage from frost. A useful ability to have in arrow locations to protect your party.

Creates a wall made of ice that can obstruct opponents in narrow passages, but is less effective compared to the Inferno group’s wall of fire. Glacial Strength is an upgrade for the Wall of Ice that increases its size up to 9 meters and allows for more frequent casting without significant changes to the main ability. Ice Mine creates a glyph on the ground that freezes opponents for 6 seconds once stepped on, similar to rogue mines. Brittle Glyph is an upgrade for Ice Mine that weakens victim’s armor points, making them easier to kill. Ice Armor reduces damage received when near frozen opponents or areas under freezing spells and increases Willpower permanently. Blizzard summons a vast blizzard that weakens and chills opponents in an 8-meter area, making it ideal for battling multiple opponents. Ice Storm is an upgrade for Blizzard that improves the chilling effect, freezing opponents for several seconds.

Summary: These abilities deal frost damage, but mages should not forget other spells like fire or electric ones since some opponents are immune to fire attacks. Winter’s Grasp, Ice Mine, and Blizzard are the most reliable active abilities. Investing in passive spells like Frost Mastery and Ice Armor can also provide resistance to damage and bonuses to ice spells.

Rift Mage Specializations

NAME	TYPE	EFFECT AND COMMENTARY
Veilstrike	A	Allows mages to deal additional damage with spells that penetrate enemy magical barriers.
Barrier	P	Increases maximum barrier strength, reduces the cooldown time, and regenerates it faster. This specialization also unlocks the spell, Spell Purge, which removes enemy barriers and restores your own.
Rejuvenation	P	Increases the effectiveness of healing spells and restores your own health when an enemy is killed.

The ability called Veilstrike drives nearby enemies into the ground. It is only valuable during major battles and has a cooldown of 24 seconds. It is important to choose the right moment to attack if you decide to use it.

Punching Down

U

The upgrade for Veilstrike is called Punching Down. It reduces the cost to use the main ability and weakens opponents that are driven into the ground.

Stonefist

A

Stonefist summons a stone that hits the target and deals high damage to spirit. It also repels the target on impact and is a useful ability.

Shatterstone

U

The upgrade for Stonefist, Shatterstone, adds an explosion on impact that may weaken or debilitate nearby enemies temporarily.

Restorative Veil

P

This ability improves mana regeneration and permanently increases magic. The rate of mana restoration depends on the damage dealt, so offensive spells are recommended.

Encircling Veil

P

Encircling Veil provides bonuses to the duration of spells on weakened opponents and permanently increases magic. It is only useful if you use weakening spells regularly.

Firestorm

A

Firestorm summons a meteorite rain that lasts for 15 seconds and deals fire damage. It requires Focus and should be saved for long and demanding battles.

Smothering Veil

P

Smothering Veil decreases damage from weakened opponents and permanently increases Willpower. It is only useful if you use weakening spells regularly.

Twisting Veil

P

Twisting Veil deals higher damage to weakened opponents and permanently increases magic. It is only useful if you use weakening spells regularly.

Pull of the Abyss

A

Pull of the Abyss forms a small rift that pulls nearby opponents within 6 meters and deals damage. It is useful for neutralizing groups of opponents and hindering their attacks.

Shaken

U

The upgrade for Pull of the Abyss, Shaken, reduces the cooldown time and weakens opponents pulled into the fade. It is recommended if you like the main ability.

Summary: The rift mage spells have a common feature – aside from dealing regular damage (e.g. from fire or to spirit), they can weaken opponents, making them easier to defeat and reducing their damage output. If you enjoy this playstyle, focus on unlocking passive abilities that provide bonuses to weakening enemies. The Firestorm is a powerful ability that can be useful in battles, but keep in mind that abilities that use Focus instead of mana cannot be used too often, so use them strategically.

Specializations – Necromancer

NAME	TYPE	EFFECT AND COMMENTARY
Horror	A	Summons ghosts that spread panic in the enemy ranks within a three-meter range. While not the strongest ability, it can still be useful for inducing panic in multiple enemies.
Despair	U	An upgrade to Horror that deals low spirit damage to the main target and reduces their armor. This upgrade requires a risky playstyle, as you need to be close to enemies to benefit from it.
Death Syphon	P	Regenerates health and mana from nearby dead enemies, permanently increases Constitution. This upgrade also requires a close-range playstyle.
Blinding Terror	P	Deals more damage to panicked enemies and permanently increases magic attribute. Only useful if you frequently use panic-inducing spells.
Haste	A	Slows down enemies by 85% when activated, useful for the entire party. However, it uses Focus, so save it for tough battles.
Power of the Dead	P	Bonus damage for killing enemies, permanently increases Willpower. Useful for instant-damage spells.
Simulacrum	P	When a necromancer blacks out, he becomes controlled by the spirit he summons. This spirit casts spells without using up any mana, and permanently increases the necromancer’s Willpower attribute. However, the downside is that the necromancer cannot be revived by his allies during the ability’s duration. The spirit remains on the battlefield for 10 seconds.
Spirit Mark	A	This ability summons a spirit that deals damage to the targeted opponent, and remains on the battlefield for 12 seconds. If the opponent is killed during this time, their spirit appears and fights for the necromancer for the next 15 seconds.
Lingering Mark	U	This is an upgrade to Spirit Mark which makes the enemy spirit deal more damage and remain on the battlefield for 45 seconds.
Walking Bomb	A	This ability deals damage over time to the target, and then causes an explosion. It is effective against single strong opponents, as the explosion deals 600% of regular damage.
Virulent	U	This upgrade to Walking Bomb allows negative effects to be carried over to another opponent if the first is killed by the spell. It is considered a must-have and a priority.

Summary: The necromancer mage does not control an army of skeletons, but can summon spirits. Spirit Mark, Walking Bomb (with upgrade), and Haste (if you have enough Focus) are recommended. Consider unlocking passive abilities like Simulacrum and Death Syphon.

Specializations: Knight-Enchanter

NAME	TYPE	EFFECT AND COMMENTARY
Spirit Blade	A	Summons a blade that deals high damage to opponents, especially when attacking their barrier or guard.
Defending Blade	U	This upgrade to Spirit Blade deflects projectiles and sends them back as a shockwave. Useful against archers and mages.
Combat Clarity	P	Increases the necromancer’s attack speed and critical hit chance after killing an opponent.

This ability enhances the mana regeneration rate by 50% when the caster is within 5 meters of an opponent and permanently increases the Constitution attribute. It is a “trade-off” ability, meaning that it comes with a certain risk. However, if you are willing to take that risk, it can be a powerful tool to have in your arsenal.

Fade Cloak

A

By surrounding yourself with the magic of the Veil, this ability makes you invincible for two seconds and allows you to pass through enemies. It is a great way to escape from dangerous situations, as long as you don’t mind the short duration of the spell.

Decloaking Blast

U

As an upgrade to Fade Cloak, this ability not only allows you to retreat but also deals up to 1000% regular damage if you are standing “on the opponent.” It can be a valuable offensive tool against even the strongest enemies.

Resurgence

A

This spell summons healing spirits that restore the caster and their party to full strength. It is the best healing spell in the game, but it requires Focus and should only be used when all party members require healing.

Fade Shield

P

By fortifying the mage’s barrier, this ability permanently increases the magic attribute and is useful for those who often use barriers.

Veiled Riposte

P

This ability deflects 20% of damage with the barrier active and permanently increases the magic attribute. It is a good choice for those who frequently use barriers.

Knight Protector

P

For those who often use barriers, this ability is worth considering as it increases the mage’s barrier decay time and permanently increases the Constitution attribute.

Disruption Field

A

By filling an area with magic energy, this ability weakens and slows down opponents by 50%, making it a useful tool in combat. However, it may not be effective against the largest foes.

Stasis Lock

U

This upgrade to Disruption Field increases the strength of the slowing effect, limiting opponents’ mobility by up to 99%. It can be a powerful tool against enemies in combat.

Overall, the Resurgence spell is the top choice for Knight-Enchanters, as it is the only one that requires Focus and provides powerful healing. The limited number of healing spells in the game makes Resurgence even more valuable, but it should be used with caution. Other useful activated abilities include Spirit Blade, which can weaken enemies and strengthen the mage, and Fade Cloak (once upgraded). Additionally, there are three passive abilities related to using barriers – Fade Shield, Veiled Riposte, and Knight Protector – which can be highly beneficial for those who enjoy using them.

FAQ

1. What are the different types of mage abilities in Dragon Age Inquisition?

There are three types of mage abilities in Dragon Age Inquisition: Spirit, Storm, and Inferno. Spirit abilities focus on healing and support, Storm abilities are focused on crowd control and electricity damage, and Inferno abilities focus on fire damage and area-of-effect attacks.

2. How do I unlock new mage abilities?

You can unlock new mage abilities in Dragon Age Inquisition by spending Ability Points. These points are earned by gaining experience and leveling up. You can spend Ability Points on new abilities or upgrades to existing abilities in the Abilities menu.

3. What are some recommended mage builds in Dragon Age Inquisition?

One recommended mage build in Dragon Age Inquisition is the Support Mage. This build focuses on healing and support abilities, such as Barrier and Revival, to keep your party alive. Another popular build is the DPS Mage, which focuses on dealing damage with spells like Fire Mine and Chain Lightning.

4. Can mages use weapons in Dragon Age Inquisition?

Yes, mages can use weapons in Dragon Age Inquisition. They can equip staves, which are their primary weapon, as well as daggers and swords for close combat. However, their spells are still their primary source of damage and should be used in conjunction with weapons.

5. How do mage specializations work in Dragon Age Inquisition?

At level 10, mages can choose a specialization in Dragon Age Inquisition. There are three specializations to choose from: Knight-Enchanter, Necromancer, and Rift Mage. Each specialization offers unique abilities and bonuses that can greatly enhance your playstyle. You can choose a specialization by speaking to a trainer in Skyhold.