Dragon Age: The Veilguard has restored a surprising feature to the games that hasn’t been seen since the very first entry in the series. The Hardened condition is a unique and permanent status applied to characters that can lead to several changes. Not only in the story but also in playstyle. Dragon Age: Origins made excellent use of it to potentially alter two of its most beloved characters depending on how their backstory missions were handled. However, in Dragon Age: The Veilguard, the hardened condition is used as a major turning point in the story. In fact, it is impossible to avoid changing one of Rook’s companions permanently with this condition.
Being hardened is meant to signify a radical shift in the character’s story and personality, potentially leading to different outcomes if the player is not careful. A lot of the time, those outcomes can be less than ideal, but it also makes the story more dynamic, as it feels as though the main character isn’t the only one evolving over the course of the story. Given how long it has been since the last time it was used though, it’s understandable if players are a little shaky on the mechanics or if newcomers to the franchise are unsure what it means and need some advice. So, here is everything that is known about the hardened condition.
The Hardened Condition, Explained
The Mechanic Can Change How Characters Behave
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In Dragon Age: Origins, the meaning of the hardened condition had a different outcome. It was mostly focused on two characters: Alistair and Leliana. Depending on how his personal questline is handled, Alistair can learn that he is the rightful heir to the throne of Fereldan. This can result in an optional shift in his personality. A hardened Alistair can become more confident and assertive, and takes a more positive outlook on potentially becoming king, even pushing for it during the Landsmeet. However, it should be noted that Alistair can become king even if he is not hardened, but pushing him towards the hardened condition makes him more easily persuaded to take the throne for himself.
- In Dragon Age: Origins, the hardened condition changes a companion’s personality.
- It can lead to Alistair and/or Leliana becoming tougher, more assertive, and less morally rigid.
- The condition can unlock new dialogue and potentially alter the storyline of the companions.
Likewise, changes to Leliana’s character due to the hardened condition make her arguably less moral. She is no longer opposed to morally questionable decisions made by the Warden, nor does she have so many criticisms of Morrigan in the game if she is hardened. Interestingly, it also makes both companions a little more daring during romantic scenes, willing to have a threesome with the Warden and another NPC named Isabela if they are in a romance with the Warden. So really, the hardened condition just makes both these characters tougher in an already tough world. While it’s not outright a bad thing, it also isn’t necessarily a good thing.
That’s all the hardened condition boils down to really: a major shift in the personality of the companion in question. While it doesn’t affect gameplay it certainly impacts the story. New dialogue options become available to reflect the change in the character. The condition can impact the story depending on player preferences, and even carries over into the next games, as seen in how they behave around Hawke or the Inquisitor. However in Leliana’s case, there is a chance to soften her during Dragon Age: Inquisition, as it seems that being hardened for so long has isolated her from others and led to a steeper moral decline.
The Hardened Condition in Dragon Age: The Veilguard
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The key difference between Dragon Age: Origins and Dragon Age: The Veilguard is that the hardened condition can be avoided entirely in the first game. It is an option, not a requirement to progress Alistair and Leliana to their story’s natural conclusion. In Dragon Age: The Veilguard, it is impossible to avoid hardening one of two companions: Lucanis or Neve. A decision is presented fairly early in the game that will not only impact both of them but also change Rook’s standing and access to their associated faction. Whichever companion is selected for this condition, their attitude towards Rook will change as will how they can be developed and even used in combat.
Near the end of the game’s sixth chapter, immediately after recruiting Davrin in the mission “A Warden’s Best Friend” Rook returns to the Crossroads with their new ally. They will then be approached by the team and informed that the Elven gods have blighted two dragons and sent one to the cities of Treviso and Minrathous. This presents Rook with a choice, as they must choose which city to save and which to effectively abandon in its time of need. Neve and Lucanis will both make their cases heard. Lucanis will cite Treviso’s lack of a formal military and how the canals will quickly spread the blight to countless innocents.
- Hardening a companion is unavoidable in Dragon Age: The Veilguard.
- Rook must choose between between saving Treviso or Minrathous.
- This will harden either Neve or Lucanis, resulting in changes to their playstyle and development.
Meanwhile, Neve will point out how the Venatori will use the chaos in Minrathous to take over. They then both depart to their homes to help in the defense. Whichever city Rook chooses, the consequence is that the other city will be severely damaged by the remaining dragon. The companion associated with that city will also temporarily leave until Rook recruits the last two members of the Veilguard. However, they will now be changed. The emotional damage sustained will make them more self-reliant and less trusting of Rook.
This locks them out of the ability to use support abilities that could heal Rook in a pinch but bolsters the damage of their attacking abilities. It also means that it will be harder to build a friendship with them due to their sore feelings, so there is a trade-off. Truthfully, the consequences of leaving either city are pretty bad, but boils down to who Rook prefers as a companion when it comes to saving the cities. It should also be noted that not saving Treviso will prevent Lucanis from becoming a romance option for Rook.
The Hardened Condition Is the Embodiment of Consequences
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The hardened condition is arguably the best representation of consequences in the Dragon Age franchise. Almost everyone who plays these games has a favorite, and Alistair and Leliana were certainly among the top ten companions in the entire franchise. So, to see them potentially go from kind and maybe a touch naive to more world-weary could be a treat or tragedy depending on the player. Yet it hooks them right in, driving home the point that choices do have real consequences in this game. It also adds to the world’s realism. After all, the Warden and Rook aren’t the only ones impacted by Thedas’ current events. Everyone loses someone when the end of the world is knocking at their door.
- The hardened condition embodies the risk of choice in this world.
- Dragon Age: The Veilguard takes advantage of it to remind players that even close friends have problems from time to time.
- It is also a good way for players to figure out if they are invested in the game and characters.
While Dragon Age: The Veilguard doesn’t offer the path out of a hardened companion, it does work when considering that the Veilguard itself is meant to capture the trope of the found family. It’s never going to be great all the time; each of these companions is different, be it their backgrounds, occupations, or just their personalities. As in every family, there will be friction as differences clash. With Rook in charge, it can be especially hard, as they will have to make decisions that they know will negatively impact their friends.
Given how much time the player has spent with these companions by that point, it is also an excellent signifier that if they care, they too will be slightly wounded by having to harm one of their companions so deeply. All in all, the hardened condition does an excellent job of representing the RPG element of these games. If there are no consequences to the choices the player made, then is it really such an expansive and engaging world? Rook’s motivations in a decision could be flawed or selfish or made from pure logic, and it would still have the same impact because of the hardened condition. The fact that it cannot be removed once it is acquired also signifies the power of choice and change.
Dragon Age: The Veilguard follows a group of heroes as they embark on a quest to protect the Veil, the barrier between the mortal world and the Fade, from collapsing. As the Veil weakens, demons and other supernatural threats begin to spill into the world. Players must assemble a diverse team of warriors, mages, and rogues to battle these dangers, uncover ancient secrets, and restore balance to the world of Thedas.
- Released
- October 31, 2024
- Developer(s)
- BioWare
- Publisher(s)
- Electronic Arts
- Engine
- Frostbite
- ESRB
- M For Mature 17+ // Blood, Nudity, Sexual Themes, Strong Language, Violence
- OpenCritic Rating
- Strong
- PC Release Date
- October 31, 2024
- PS5 Release Date
- October 31, 2024
- Xbox Series X|S Release Date
- October 31, 2024
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