In BioWare’s Dragon Age series, Thedas is home to all manner of threats ranging from bandits to Old Gods, and everything else in between. In such a world rife with danger and threats, a person will need to have whatever is on hand to defend themselves, and that’s especially the case for the player character. Fortunately, they do not lack the means to do so; between the blade, the bow, or the staff, all manner of weaponry and skills are available for the player to choose from.

To be specific, there are mainly three classes that the player has access to: the warrior, the rogue, and the mage. Each class has its own benefits and perks to choose from, and each is definitely enjoyable to play in its own right. However, it can be argued — quite successfully— that no class is as fun, varied, or even as intrinsic, as the mage.

The Mage is Dragon Age’s Staple Magic Using Class

A Rare and Powerful Commodity in Thedas

In the world of Thedas, few beings are possessed of such power as that of a mage. Those born with an innate connection to the Fade, mages can draw magic from the world itself to weave into powerful spells and enchantments.

They can use different types of magic including elemental magic (drawing power from the elements themselves to wrought great destruction), spirit magic (the means to draw power from the spirits of the world to heal and ward off debilitating effects), and even blood magic (an ancient, taboo source of magic that draws power not from lyrium, but from the blood of living beings).

Because of their connection to the Fade and the power that they wield, whether such is used for themselves or others, mages are regarded with both awe and wariness. They are a people possessed of great, raw, and unbridled power; ones that if left unchecked, can be subject to the influence of demons and other corruptible beings. A mage literally has the power to change the world, for better or worse, and such knowledge has put them under the thumb of great organizations like the Chantry and their templars.

Aside from their lore, a mage is just as deadly in the hands of the player character. Throughout all Dragon Age titles, from Origins to The Veilguard, players have access to the mage class and all the power that it brings. Now each game has its own method of approach and playstyle when it comes to the mage, but each one succeeds in making the class one of, if not the most enjoyable classes in the series.

Dragon Age: Origins’ Mage Class is More Tactical than Others in the Series

A Patient, Methodical Approach

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In Dragon Age: Origins, which is arguably the best game in the entire series, one of the things that made the title stand out was its tactical combat. Much in the vein of other similar titles like Knights of the Old Republic or Baldur’s Gate, Origins‘ combat allowed players to pause combat in real-time, allowing them to plan out their movements and actions before executing them. Strategy was emphasized heavily in Origins, and it was needed to help players gain the advantage they needed to win.

Dragon Age: Origins is known for its tactical combat, and is one of its fondest features
The mage is a class filled with depth and strategy
Has some of the most unique and varied specializations in the series

Every class is subject to this style of combat, but for the mage, it’s especially important. A mage in Origins is the most versatile class in the game and one that can offer great benefits in both damage and support playstyles. However, they are also the weakest, physically. It only takes a few good hits from an enemy to bring them down. As such, a mage is best used from afar, a good distance away from the front lines. The name of the game is strategy, and a mage, when played right, can be the ultimate winner.

In addition to all of the spells they have access to, which include anything from healing to buffing and even destroying, they also have access to unique specializations like the other classes, though theirs are some of the most unique and varied throughout the game and series itself as a whole.

An Arcane Warrior, for example, can use magic to enhance their physical capabilities, while a Shape Shifter can alter their physical form to transform into wondrous and ferocious creatures. And for those who wish to dabble in the darker side of magic, they can become a Blood Mage, fueling their spells with the blood of themselves or that of their enemies.

Dragon Age 2 Makes the Mage Class More Interactive

More Active, Less Passive

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In Dragon Age 2, there were quite a few changes in the game when compared to its predecessor; one of those things was the combat. Taking a more action-style approach, players are able to be far more hands-on with the combat, beating down their enemies up close or from afar with powerful skills and spells. The sudden switch to this style of combat is something that fans of the series still debate to this day, but it can’t be denied that this form of gameplay can be quite enjoyable to the action-combat style of player.

Dragon Age 2 deviated from its predecessor in many ways
The mage class is still fun and enjoyable to play
Many spells and specializations are available to the player, including their companions

All classes are subject to this change in combat style, and the mage is no exception. In fact, one could argue that the mage is made even more enjoyable because of the action combat, as they are capable of actively attacking the enemy from afar while weaving in between powerful spells to buff themselves or decimate the opposition. The mage can use spells from various ability trees including Elemental, Primal, Spirit, Arcane, Creation, or Entropy.

Like Origins before it, Dragon Age 2 also has access to unique specializations. The Spirit Healer specializes in healing themselves and other characters, while the Force Mage uses the power of nature itself to decimate their enemies. And finally, the Blood Mage, a forbidden specialization that like in Origins, can be used to strengthen the player and their abilities with the use of the taboo Blood Magic.

Dragon Age 2‘s companions also have access to their own unique specializations. For the mages Anders and Fiona, the former’s Vengeance specialization can tap into his spirit of Vengeance to buff himself and others, while the latter’s Dalish Pariah can be used to buff their spells.

Dragon Age: Inquisition Makes the Mage Class Both Tactical and Interactive

A Mix of Both Combat Styles

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In Dragon Age: Inquisition, there was a mix of both tactical and action combat in an attempt to please both sides of the fandom. Whether or not this was done successfully is a matter of personal opinion, but what is a fact is this: Inquisition was a success. With an amazing story, great features, and fan-favorite characters like Dorian, the game became one of BioWare’s greatest achievements.

Dragon Age: Inquisition was a mix of action and tactical combat
Spells and specializations make a return from past titles

Of course, combat is something that can make or break any RPG, but thankfully, Inquisition’s was for the most part adequate. Once again, the three playable classes of warrior, rogue, and mage returns, and once again, the mage class reigns supreme. Much like Dragon Age 2, mages can continuously pelt the enemy with magic attacks while weaving in between powerful spells that can either buff their enemies and themselves or obliterate the enemy in front of them. These spells are spread across different schools of magic, and each one can more than place the odds in the player’s favor.

Spells like Chain Lightning from the Storm tree, for instance, can arc in between multiple opponents, stunning them and causing a lot of damage, while the Inferno spell Immolate can cause a fiery explosion, severely hurting enemies and burning them over time. Of course, there are the subtler, nuanced spells like Barrier, which can shield the caster and their allies with a shield to temporarily negate damage. Specializations make a return and with them different playstyles to enhance a class’s ability to fight.

For the mage, there is the Knight Enchanter (a mage that can summon blades of magic from the Fade and are expert in fortifying themselves from attacks), the Rift Mage (a mage that can manipulate the Fade and the Veil attached to it to deal devastating damage to their opponents), or the Necromancer (mages who summon the dead to fight on their behalf​​​​​​).

Dragon Age: The Veilguard’s Mage Class is One Filled With Fun, Enjoyment, and Action

One of a Few Things the Game Gets Right

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Look, there’s no sugarcoating it: Dragon Age: The Veilguard is the most divisive entry in the series. It is a game that unfortunately did a lot more wrong than it did right; whatever side fans fall on, that fact can’t be argued. But one of the few things that it did get right was the combat. This may be a controversial take, but the combat in Veilguard is some of the most stylish and action-packed throughout the series.

With an emphasis on action, it completely does away with the tactical aspects of its predecessors, fully embracing the pure action-based persona. Again, this is something whose success and approval are wholly subject to a matter of opinion, but for this writer at least, it is something that enjoyment can be found in.

Dragon Age: The Veilguard is the most divisive entry in the series
It is a game that did more harm than good
Combat was one of the few things that was decent about the game

All the classes: warrior, rogue, and mage, are filled with a plethora of skills to choose from, each one serving to buff the player and their allies or to beat the enemies in front of them. When it comes to the mage, once more, it is the most enjoyable. A mage in The Veilguard can use their magics to pelt the enemy with spell after spell, using the more powerful ones in their arsenal to devastate and cripple their enemies.

They are capable of teleporting from place to place throughout the battlefield, continuously assaulting the enemy with magics while keeping themselves safe from harm. In addition, they are capable of switching between using a staff or an orb and dagger, each weapon serving to visibly change the playstyle of the mage.

As far as skills and specializations go, the mage is one of the most expansive. There are plenty of spells available for the player to choose from, whether it’s summoning thunderstorms or frost magic, or using fire spells to burn everyone and everything in the player’s path. For specializations, this depends solely on the player character’s faction choice.

For a mage belonging to the Mourn Watch for instance, there’s the Death Caller, which uses various spells pertaining to necromancy. For those belonging to the Antivan Crows, there’s the Spellblade, which involves a mage of the Antivan Crows infusing their weapon with powerful magics. And finally, there’s the Evoker, a mage of the Shadow Dragons that specializes in ice magic.

Across all titles, whatever the popularity or infamy, the mage is one of, if not the most varied, fun, and expansive classes to play in the Dragon Age series. A caster capable of doing just as much aid as harm, they are beings possessed of the greatest power in the world of Thedas. Whether it’s Dragon Age: Origins, Dragon Age 2, Dragon Age: Inquisition, or Dragon Age: The Veilguard, whatever game is chosen, one should dedicate at least one playthrough to the mage class. It’s not something the player is likely to regret.