Which dragon armor is the best Dragon Age: Origins?

As with any RPG, equipping your characters with the right gear can be the difference between life and death in a battle. Dragon Age: Inquisition is no different, and finding the right equipment for your party members is an important task. There is a variety of armor in both the base game and the DLC, but picking out the perfect set is not always so easy.

We've gathered together a list of some of the best armor in the game, including items from both the base game and DLC, and covering all classes. Most of the best armor within the game is crafted from schematics, and therefore, is most efficient when the highest quality crafting ingredients are used. We recommend using Tier 4 ingredients to ensure the best results.

5/5 Rogue Armor

Head: Stone Stalker Mask (Paid DLC)

• Armor: 50-51
• Stats:  +9 Cunning/+9 Dexterity/+9% Magic Defense

The Stone Stalker Mask is the top choice for headgear when it comes to rogues, but it is only available if you have The Descent DLC. It can be found in a chest in the Forgotten Caverns, an area accessed by initiating the Deep Roads Expeditions: Forgotten Caverns Bridge scouting operation.

Head: Superior Skirmisher Hat Schematic (Base Game)

• Armor:  19–24–29–37
• Materials:  Armor: 4 Metal/Utility: 10 Leather

The Superior Skirmisher Hat Tier 3 Schematic is your best choice for rogue party members. It can be obtained as a random reward from looting Tier 3 chests, or alternatively can be purchased from the Black Emporium for 1,663 from Emporium's Schematics, as long as you have downloaded the free Black Emporium DLC pack.

Body: Superior Prowler Armor Schematic (Base Game)

• Armor:  200–234–261–288
• Materials:  Armor: 21 Leather/Utility: 5 Leather/Utility: 4 Leather/Defense: 5 Metal/Masterwork: 1 Masterwork

The Superior Prowler Armor Tier 3 Schematic is the best option for your rogue characters. It can be obtained either as a possible random loot reward from any Tier 3 chest, or, if you have the Short List Inquisition Perk, it can be purchased in the Hissing Wastes from the Canyon Merchant for 15,995. You can leave the area and then re-enter in order to refresh the stock if the schematic doesn't show immediately.

Recommended Upgrades: 

• Prowler Armor Arms Tier 3 Schematic: Can be purchased in the Hissing Wastes from the Canyon Merchant for 934.  Materials:  Utility: 8 Leather/Defense: 4 Leather
• Hunter Coat Legs Tier 2 Schematic: Possible random loot reward. Materials:  Utility: 6 Leather/Defense: 3 Metal

4/5 Mage Armor

Head: Cowl of the Pure Schematic (Paid DLC)

• Armor:  25–30–33–36
• Materials:  Armor: 4 Cloth/Defense: 12 Cloth

The Cowl of the Pure Tier 4 Schematic is only available if you have the Descent DLC pack. It is a possible random loot reward in the Bastion of the Pure area of the Deep Roads. Alternatively, it can be obtained by defeating The Guardian in The Wellspring area of the Deep Roads.

Head: Superior Seer Cowl Schematic (Base Game)

• Armor:  20–24–26–29
• Materials:  Armor: 4 Cloth/Utility: 10 Cloth

The Superior Seer Cowl Tier 3 Schematic is not as good as the Cowl of the Pure but is a good option for those without the paid-for DLC packs. It can be obtained as a possible random loot reward from Tier 3 chests, or alternatively, it can be purchased for 1,663 at Emporium's Schematics in the Black Emporium, if you have the free Black Emporium DLC.

Body: Superior Battlemage Armor Schematic (Base Game)

• Armor:  187–219–244–269
• Materials:  Armor: 21 Cloth/Utility: 6 Cloth/Defense: 4 Metal/Utility: 4 Leather/Masterwork: 1 Masterwork

The Superior Battlemage Armor Tier 3 Schematic is the best armor available for your favorite mages in the base game, especially those set up to be offensive mages. In order to obtain it, you must have the Short List Inquisition Perk, after which, it will be one of the possible items for sale from the Canyon Merchant in the Hissing Wastes for 15,995. If the merchant doesn't have it for sale, leave the area and then re-enter in order to refresh the stock.

Recommended Upgrades:

• Battlemage Armor Legs Tier 3 Schematic:  Can be purchased in the Hissing Wastes from the Canyon Merchant for 934. Materials:  Utility: 8 Cloth/Defense: 4 Cloth
• Battlemage Armor Arms Tier 3 Schematic:  Can be purchased in the Hissing Wastes from the Canyon Merchant for 934. Materials:  Utility: 8 Cloth/Defense: 4 Cloth

3/5 DPS Warrior Armor

Head: Revered Defender Helm Schematic (Paid DLC)

• Armor:  23–30–36–46
• Materials:  +9 Constitution/+9% Magic Defense/+9% Melee Defense

The Revered Defender Helm Tier 4 Schematic is only available if you have The Descent DLC. It is a possible random loot reward in the Bastion of the Pure area of the Deep Roads. Or, it can be looted from The Guardian in The Wellspring area of the Deep Roads.

Head: Superior Venatori Helmet Schematic (Base Game)

• Armor:  19–24–29–37
• Materials:  Armor: 4 Metal/Utility: 10 Metal

The Superior Venatori Helmet Tier 3 Schematic can only be obtained if you have the Short List Inquisition Perk, after which it becomes one of the possible items for sale from the Canyon Merchant in the Hissing Wastes and costs 1,279.

Body: Battlemaster Armor Schematic (Base Game)

• Armor: 174–203–227–250
• Materials: Armor: 17 Metal/Utility: 4 Metal/Utility: 4 Metal/Defense: 4 Leather/Masterwork: 1 Masterwork

The Battlemaster Armor Tier 3 Schematic is the ideal choice for your DPS warriors. It can be purchased in the Hissing Wastes from the Canyon Merchant for 3,839. You can refresh the available stock by leaving the area and entering again.

Recommended Upgrades:

• Battlemaster Armor Arms Tier 3 Schematic: Can be purchased in the Hissing Wastes from the Canyon merchant for 934. Materials:  Utility: 8 Metal/Defense: 4 Metal
• Battlemaster Armor Legs Tier 3 Schematic: Can be purchased in the Hissing Wastes from the Canyon merchant for 934, or as a possible loot reward. Materials:  Utility: 8 Metal/Defense: 4 Leather

2/5 Tank Warrior Armor

Head: Revered Defender Helm (Paid DLC)

• Armor: 54-55
• Stats:  +9 Constitution/+9% Magic Defense/+9% Melee Defense

The Revered Defender Helm can only be obtained if you have The Descent DLC and have initiated the Deep Roads Expeditions: Bastion of the Pure Bridge scouting operation in order to reach the area it is located in. The helm can be looted from a chest in the Bastion of the Pure and is perfect for your strongest warrior characters.

Head: Duke's Mane (Base Game)

• Armor: 45-46
• Stats: +14% Heal Bonus/+8% Melee Defense/+8 Strength

Not to be confused with the Duke's Mane Schematic that is only available from the Jaws of Hakkon DLC. This helmet can be obtained after defeating the Highland Ravager high dragon in the Emprise du Lion.

Body: Superior Battlemaster Mail Schematic (Base Game)

• Armor:  215–250–280–309
• Materials:  Armor: 21 Metal/Defense: 6 Metal/Defense: 4 Metal/Defense: 4 Cloth/Masterwork: 1 Masterwork

The Superior Battlemaster Mail Tier 3 Schematic can be obtained as a random reward from looting Tier 3 chests, or alternatively can be purchased from the Black Emporium for 20,794 from Emporium's Schematics, as long as you own the free Black Emporium DLC pack.

Recommended Upgrades:

• Battlemaster Mail Arms Tier 3 Schematic: This can be obtained as a random loot reward. Materials:  Defense: 8 Metal/Defense: 4 Metal
• Battlemaster Mail Legs Tier 3 Schematic: This is a rare reward that is randomly received from looting Tier 3 chests. Materials:  Defense: 8 Metal/Defense: 4 Leather

1/5 Qunari Head Armor

As Qunari are more limited in the headwear they can equip, these are the best options for them across all classes.

Cretahl Vitaar (Paid DLC)

• Damage: 24
• Stats:  +9% Attack/+9% Critical Chance/+59 Maximum Health

The Cretahl Vitaar is the best option for your Quanri characters, but it can only be obtained if you have The Descent DLC. It is one of the lootable rewards from defeating the Arcane Horror in the Bastion of the Pure area of the Deep Roads.

Arishok's Vitaar (Base Game)

• Damage: 19
• Stats:  +8% Attack/+4% Critical Chance/+4 Willpower

For anyone who doesn't have the paid-for DLC, your next best option is the Arishok's Vitaar. It is obtained from a sarcophagus in the Solasan Temple in the Forbidden Oasis. The sarcophagus in question is in the central chamber, and so you must undertake the "A Prideful Place" sidequest in order to access this room.

Next: Dragon Age Inquisition: Every Main Character’s Age, Height, And Birthday