The Ultimate Guide to Building the Best Gale Companion in Dragon Age: Inquisition
In the vast and immersive world of Dragon Age: Inquisition, companions play a pivotal role in shaping your journey. Among the diverse roster of characters, Gale stands out as a unique and powerful mage with a penchant for primal forces. Building the best Gale companion build requires a deep understanding of his abilities, playstyle, and how he synergizes with your Inquisitor and other party members. This guide will walk you through the optimal strategies to unlock Gale’s full potential, ensuring he becomes an indispensable asset to your team.
Understanding Gale’s Role
Gale is a primal force mage who excels at dealing massive elemental damage, particularly with ice and fire spells. His abilities are centered around area of effect (AoE) attacks, making him a versatile damage dealer in both single-target and multiple-enemy encounters. However, unlike other mages, Gale’s spellcasting is tied to his Primal Force resource, which regenerates over time, adding a layer of strategy to his gameplay.
Key Attributes and Stats
To build the best Gale companion build, focus on the following attributes:
Magic: This is Gale’s primary damage stat. Investing in Magic will increase the potency of his spells.
Willpower: Enhances his ability to control and cast spells, reducing cooldowns.
Cunning: Improves Gale’s critical hit chance, making his attacks more consistent and devastating.
While Strength and Dexterity are less critical for a mage, a moderate investment in Constitution can improve his survivability in tough encounters.
Spell Selection and Rotation
Gale’s spellbook is divided into ice and fire spells, each offering unique benefits. Here’s how to balance them for maximum effectiveness:
Ice Spells:
Winter’s Chill: A powerful AoE spell that slows enemies and sets them up for shattering.
Frostbite: Deals consistent damage over time and primes enemies for combos.
Cone of Cold: Excellent for crowd control and setting up shatters.
Fire Spells:
Flame Burst: A high-damage AoE spell that ignites enemies, dealing additional damage over time.
Wall of Fire: Creates a barrier that damages and impedes enemies, useful for kiting.
Meteor Strike: A devastating ultimate ability that obliterates clusters of enemies.
For the best Gale companion build, prioritize spells that complement your playstyle. If you prefer crowd control, focus on ice spells. If you want raw damage, lean into fire.
Equipment and Gear
Gale’s effectiveness is heavily influenced by his gear. Here are some tips for equipping him:
Staff: A high-damage staff with elemental bonuses (ice or fire) is ideal. Look for Masterwork or Unique staves with additional effects like increased critical chance.
Accessories: Amulets and rings that boost Magic, Willpower, or Cunning are excellent choices. The Ring of the White Hart is particularly effective for mages.
Armor: Light armor with high Magic bonuses is recommended. The Warden Coat from the Jaws of Hakkon DLC is a great option.
Party Synergy
Gale shines when paired with companions who complement his abilities. Here are some ideal party compositions:
Tank: Blackwall or Cassandra can hold aggro while Gale focuses on dealing damage.
Damage Dealer: Pair Gale with Sera or Varric for a balanced mix of ranged and elemental damage.
Support: Dorian or Solas can provide barriers and buffs to enhance Gale’s survivability.
Combat Tactics
To maximize Gale’s impact in combat:
Use Primal Force Wisely: Manage Gale’s Primal Force carefully to ensure he has enough for critical moments.
Set Up Combos: Use ice spells to prime enemies for shattering, then switch to fire for explosive damage.
Positioning: Keep Gale at a safe distance to avoid melee threats while he channels his spells.
Case Study: Gale in