Summary
Dragon Age: Inquisitionis noDark Souls, but it’s also not the easiest game out there. This is especially dependent on the difficulty setting the player chooses. On harder difficulties, equipment matters more than ever. It makes the difference between life and death.
Luckily, the crafting system inInquisitionis straightforward to understand. It is in crafting schematics with the highest quality resources that create the best weapons in the game. These schematicsare spread all over Thedasand can be rewarded for war table missions, hidden in chests,or dropped by a difficult fight. Hardcore players agree that building one’s weapons and armor is the way to go to get the highest stats. In terms of weapons, some schematics are known to produce the best of the best weapons in terms of stats.
Updated May 23, 2025 by Vlad Mazanko:WithDragon Age: The Veilguardon the horizon, some fans may feel the urge to revisit the earlier chapters of this iconic series. Even a decade later, Dragon Age: Inquisition still stands as one of the most expansive and engaging party-based RPGs, offering hundreds of hours of exploration, combat, and branching dialogues.
Featuring a wide array of classes and playstyles, the game offers an impressive selection of high-quality weapons to suit different strategies. Given the variety of switchable characters in the party, it’s essential to equip everyone with the best gear possible, including top-tier bows, staves, shields, swords, axes, and daggers. Below are some of the strongest weapons to arm the entire party, as well as various methods of obtaining them.
1Savage Thorn
A Deadly Dagger For Stealthy Assassins
The Savage Thorn is a unique dagger, shaped like a massive, razor-sharp tooth, which can be quite handy for rogues who prefer striking from the shadows. This dagger boasts impressive combat perks, including significant bonuses to critical hit chance and flanking damage — key traits for any rogue focusing on backstabbing and quick takedowns. On top of that, this savage dagger grants a substantial boost to Dexterity, further enhancing an assassin’s lethality in battle. These combined traits make Savage Thorn one of the highest-damage short blades inDragon Age: Inquisition.
Unfortunately, players won’t find Savage Thorn in the base game; it’s exclusive to theJaws of HakkonDLC. Like many other weapons from the expansion, Savage Thorn is among the most powerful options for any rogue’s endgame arsenal. To acquire this deadly dagger, players need to close the Fade rift in Endarsen Pass, near the Vastoddon River in the Frostback Basin.
2Hakkon’s Wisdom
Electricity Staff For Critical Damage Mage Builds
As its name suggests, Hakkon’s Wisdom is a powerful, unique staff that can only be obtained in theJaws of HakkonDLC. Specializing in electricity damage, this staff shines incritical damage mage builds. One of its most impressive perks is its ability to increase critical damage by a whopping 100%, alongside its high chance of staggering enemies upon impact. To maximize the potential of Hakkon’s Wisdom, it’s highly recommended that players pair it with the Ring of Doubt (allows to land a crit when attacking from stealth) or stack critical hit chance as much as possible, turning the wielder into an unstoppable force of nature.
To get Hakkon’s Wisdom, players will need to defeat one of the game’smost fearsome dragons — Hakkon Wintersbreath, located in the Frostback Basin. Additionally, a schematic for crafting this powerful staff can be found during the “Ameridan’s End” quest. To obtain it, locate the Veilfire rune inside the Old Temple.
3Tezpadam’s Bane
A Bow That’s More Like A Weapon Of Mass Destruction
Tezpadam’s Bane (which means “deepstalker” in dwarven) is an immensely powerful bow that offers a significant bonus to Dexterity and impressive armor penetration. Its standout feature is a unique perk that causes enemies to explode on kill, dealing 150% weapon damage to nearby targets. ForDragon Age: Inquisitionplayers who invest in a high-damage archer build, this weapon turns into a devastating force for crowd control, as each kill triggers massive AOE splash damage, quickly wiping out groups of enemies from a distance.
The bow’s design showcases intricate lyrium reinforcements along its curve, and its limbs bear small notches, each a testament to hundreds of kills. Tezpadam’s Bane can only be acquired duringThe DescentDLC. It is obtained after defeating the Guardian boss in the Wellspring, right after the expansion’s story.
4Misfortune’s Bite
An Ancient, Cursed Axe
Misfortune’s Bite is an ancient artifact, believed to have been forged by a master Alamarri blacksmith. Legend has it that this deadly axe is cursed, as every wielder has met a mysterious and unfortunate end while in possession of it. Despite the dark history surrounding the weapon, Misfortune’s Bite remains razor-sharp and terrifyingly designed, perfect for fearless warriors who scoff at superstition. This axe is prized for its exceptionally high critical hit chance, solid armor penetration, and added electricity damage, making it a force to be reckoned with in combat.
Obtaining Misfortune’s Bite is straightforward, provided players have theBlack EmporiumDLC. The weapon can be purchased for a hefty price, making it accessible only to the wealthiest adventurers.
5Aurora’s Freedom
An Elegant Dagger For Flanking And Staggering Foes
The Aurora’s Freedom dagger stands out with its elegant, split-blade design and storied past. Once wielded by an Alamarri slave woman who lived in Minrathous during theheight of the Tevinter Imperium, this dagger was enchanted to disrupt spellcasting, aiding her in seeking revenge on her mage masters and winning her freedom. The weapon excels at flanking and staggering enemies, constantly interrupting their actions while also enhancing the wielder’s Guard, making it a perfect fit for rogues who strike swiftly and decisively.
Players can acquire Aurora’s Freedom fairly early inDragon Age: Inquisition, provided they have theBlack EmporiumDLC. The dagger is available for purchase at the Black Emporium market, assuming the player has the coin to afford it.
6Valos Atredum
A Strong One-Handed Weapon For Mighty Warriors
This one-handed weapon for the Warrior class is found inThe DescentDLC. It’s received by doing the sidequest “On Broken Knees.” The quest starts in the Darkspawn Warrens where the player can find a Warden’s journal with a map. By following the map, the player will come upon a cache with gold, some accessories, and this unique one-handed weapon.
The sword’s memorable design isn’t its only advantage. It has great buffs, including a substantial 10% bonus to critical hit damage, adding guard and staggering on hit, as well as a solid boost to strength for its wielder.
7Revered Defender Bulwark
A Beautiful Heavy Shield
Shields are used by characters likeBlackwall and Cassandra, and they are incredibly important in helping them stay alive and tank enemies. Many fans have agreed that the best shield in the game is the Revered Defender Bulwark. Its schematic is looted from an Ogre Alpha inThe Descent(most of the best schematics come from the game’s DLC).
Not only is the shield four-tiered in terms of add-ons inDragon Age: Inquisition, but it also has a lovely design with four blue diamond shapes that appear to be made of lyrium that glow in dark areas.
8Elgar’nan Enaste
A Legendary Elven Bow With High DPS And Exquisite Looks
Named after one of the elven gods, Elgar’nan Enaste is one of the best bows inDragon Age: Inquisition.This can be great forSeraor a rogue Inquisitor. Its schematic can befound in theTrespasserDLCin the Shattered Library area. However, the chest is hidden behind purple flames which can only be crossed with the Knight Enchanter ability, Fade Wall, or with Anchor Discharge.
The bow may only be discoverable in the end-game, but players can keep schematics for other play-throughs with the Golden Nug Statue. It also can be rewarded for completing the Trials that come with theTrespasserDLC.
9Chromatic Greatsword
A Unique Two-Handed Weapon With A Special Design
This fascinating blade is another schematic found inTrespasser. With its unique appearance, it bears a slight resemblance to aStar Warslightsaber, only activating its pulsing blade during combat. When sheathed, only the grip of the sword is visible. Each attack with this weapon deals additional elemental damage.
This sword is a reward for doing an unmarked side quest at the Winter Palace. The quest is available after returning from the Shattered Library. In the southwest corner of the map, the player can find and set off fireworks. Setting off the fireworks earns points, and earning 80 or more points rewards the player with the Chromatic Greatsword schematic. To get the most points, try to detonate the fireworks at the highest position possible in the sky. Alternatively, players can obtain this weapon by completing the ‘Bestow Mourning Halla’ war table operation with any advisor.
10Stone Stalker Blade
One Of The Deadliest Daggers In Inquisition
For rogue Inquisitors or players who want to turnCole or Serainto an overpowered machine, the Stone Stalker Blade schematic proves to be a formidable choice. Boasting notable bonuses to dexterity and reduced ability cost effects, this dagger offers players four tiers for customization. This allows for the creation of an optimal set of murder knives with various properties, high critical chance, and critical damage. Its striking appearance, featuring an asymmetrical large blade and impressive grip, adds to its appeal.
Similar to the best shield schematic available inDragon Age: Inquisition, this schematic is also found in the Deep Roads ofThe Descent. However, instead of being a loot drop, it is randomly located in one of the many chests the player discovers.
