Dragon Age's best rivalry

Key things

• Companions in the Dragon Age series can become rivals; tension adds depth to relationships.
• Some companions like Alistair reluctantly remain loyal despite opposing views.
• A rivalry like Merrill's contrast creates an interesting dynamic without being overtly hostile.

From the classics Origins up to explosives Veilguard, Dragon Age she was always game about her companions. They are the people the players share their journey with, the people who see the protagonist's rise and potentially their fall. The events of the Dragon Age story can lead the protagonist and their companions into a story of lifelong friendship. But it doesn't always work out that way.

While it's true that players can become great friends or even lovers with some of their companions over the course of the game, there's also the risk that traveling trials will put a heavy strain on the companions' relationship with the protagonist. Across all Dragon Age games, this tension spills over into a fantastic rivalry. In particular, players who want to explore the dynamics of a more negative relationship with companions should keep an eye on these characters.

Spoilers ahead for all Dragon Age games.

7 Alistair

A promising partnership turns problematic

Alistair is the first true companion players encounter Dragon Age Origins. While many agree that the references from the previous games in the following are just cameos and easter eggs, Alistair's story may end in the first title or continue into Interrogation.

What makes Alistair such a great rival is that he's functionally stuck with the Gray Warden – both are bound by duty. Players can argue with Alistair many times about how much the pair hate each other – but Alistair reluctantly stays by the hero's side, if only to continue his promise to the Gray Wardens. It's an interesting twist in the character dynamic, but it might be hard for fans of Alistair to watch him get upset by this rivalry.

6 Leliana

Bard may have a troubled history with the administrator

Leliana is one of the most talented assassins in the series and a good person to have on your side. Fortunately, she appears to be player-friendly in all of her iterations across the series. Well… in most of its iterations across the series. Players who take Leliana with them to the Temple of Andraste and desecrate the Urn of Sacred Ashes with dragon blood inflame the unhardened Leliana to such an extent that she turns on the players and attempts to kill them.

This option was so unpopular that BioWare felt comfortable reconfiguring it functionally and bringing it back for the third game, but he clearly mentions how much he despises the Warden and that they aren't the heroes people make them out to be. It is implied that she was revived as a ghost by dying so close to the holy place – meaning that Leliana retains her hatred of the Watcher beyond the grave.

5 Merrill

A great rivalry of contrasts

If anything can be said about the rivalry in Dragon Ageit's that players usually have to go out of their way to become an opponent. It can be easy for Morrigan to think you're a bit of a loser, but you usually have to be incredibly tough to win an opponent. Not so with Merrill. Part of what makes her rivalry so great is that players can take a fairly reasonable stance against blood magic and be at odds with her.

Merrill's fascination with the eluvian – and eluvian for players of Dalish descent – it's dangerous and disturbing. The players don't need to rival her by being mean and obnoxious, but by having a genuine fear for her safety – which she acknowledges. This only makes the relationship between Hawke and Merrill even more complicated.

4 Anders

A rivalry built for the conclusion

Anders is one of the most interesting characters Dragon Age series for players who continue from Awakening to continue. His views on oppressing the chantry are supported by the spirit of justice within him.

Dueling him gets ugly fast as Hawke will most likely be a pro-Templar character. This rivalry is a fantastic asset to the often rushed finale, as it gives a better look into Anders' mind and why he did what he did.

3 Carver

Nothing like sibling rivalry

One of the best features often underestimated Dragon Age 2 The game, as you can see from this game having more entries than any other on this list, was a rivalry system. In every previous game and since, players have had to uncover rivalries as if they were Easter eggs – in this game, it's a slap in the face that companions can be rivals.

Carver will only be around if Hawke is a mage. If Carver becomes a Templar, he becomes the polar opposite of Hawke – the two actually perfectly represent both sides of the Kirkwall unrest, and Carver's rivalry with Hawke, built on a messy foundation of jealousy and resentment, is easily one of them. the most compelling and natural rivalry in the game.

2 Cassandra

Another rivalry that gives depth to the characters

Like Dragon Age games go on, it can be hard for players to be… well, evil. Or at least disgusting. Hero of Ferelden may end up being second, maybe only to the Archdemon himself, in terms of evil, Hawke has some bad moments to choose from, but the Inquisitor, while occasionally making troubling decisions, can never be truly badass.

However, driving Chantry Seeker Cassandra Pentghast to drink is a rather significant display of the Inquisitor's character. The two can be at odds fairly easily over Cassandra's principles, but for them to reach such a state of hatred that Cassandra has lost faith in Thedas as a whole… that's a huge amount of animosity to experience towards someone.

1 Solas

Never miss an opportunity to punch Solas in the face

One of the great tragedies of the recent edition Veilguard is that it will keep many players coming back Origins and do a new run of four games, you have a Solas inquisitor romance in the third title, so you miss the opportunity to punch Solas in the jaw.

In all seriousness, anything to add momentum to the relationship between Solas and the Inquisitor is worth it Veilguardand players who upset Solas too much are treated to a surprisingly racist tirade and a delicious foreshadowing of what's to come. Players can try to negotiate with Solas or famously punch him in the face.