Summary
On one hand, theDragon Ageseries is famous for its rich lore and endlessly endearing characters. You were likely drawn in by the fantasy aesthetic and probably stuck around for these lovable party members. But don’t worry, we won’t tell if you also stayed for the neverending social media posts.
On the other hand, Dragon Age is also adept at using those lovable characters as bait to lure you in for a sound thrashing of your emotions. Maybe it’s a betrayal, and maybe it’s a completely unavoidable death. Either way, your heart isn’t coming out of Dragon Age in one piece, and there are a ton of moments always ready to aid in its evisceration.
8In Hushed Whispers
Even In The Future Nothing Works
BioWare knew they struck emotionally devastating gold with thisDragon Age: Inquisitionsegment, having sneakily used it prominently in promotional materials with a few strategic changes before the game even launched.Side with the mages rather than the templarsin the first few hours of the game and you’ll see this time-traveling cautionary tale.
You’re sent forward two years, seeing what can happen if you’re not around to stop the big bad. But to get back, the future versions of the companions you brought with you sacrifice themselves, including your intimidating spymaster, Leliana. Despite this future being undone, her last stand hits just as hard each time.
7Human Noble Origin
Who Would Have Thought Evil McScaryvoice Would Betray Us?
There’s an argument to be made that the human choice in each game is technically the “boring” option. But if that’s the case, then BioWare clearly knows how to aim for the jugular even during its most basic of times. Every race origin inDragon Age: Originsends in tragedy, but there’s something particularly brutal in this case.
You start off living your bougie life, maybe evenenjoying the company of those around you. But your estate is quickly under siege thanks to a betrayal by the very betrayal-faced Rendon Howe. You watch family, friends, and lovers cut down without mercy, even down to the children. Origins knows how to make it personal.
6Alistair’s Sacrifice
“You Say That As If I’m Giving You A Choice.”
Be honest, you didn’t trust Morrigan at first. So you turned down her “ritual” just before the endgame that she claimed would save both you and your sweet himbo boyfriend Alistair from dying when you killed the Archdemon. You probably thought, hey, we can find another way, right?
Wrong. If you don’t take Morrigan’s offer,one of the Grey Wardenswill die at the end, whether it’s you, Alistair, or the other guy. Unfortunately, if you’re in a romance with Alistair, he’ll refuse to let you sacrifice yourself and go in your stead. That sinking feeling when you know there’s nothing you can do to change his mind? That’s that BioWare magic, baby. Cry it out.
5The Tragedy Of Merrill
When you first meet Merrill in Dragon Age 2, maybe you saw the adorably awkward elf as your new quirky friend or your future quirky girlfriend. What you probably didn’t see her as is the potential doom of her entire clan (despite many of them saying exactly that).
Her obsession with blood magic and using the unknown power of the Eluvian mirror was all done with noble purpose. But that doesn’t help when she inadvertently causes the deaths of her friends and even the clan keeper. The worst part is, the only way to save the rest of her claim is to be mean to her. Possibly the most evil thing BioWare has done yet.
4The Iron Bull’s Betrayal
Ask Not What Your Country Can Do For You
Some see Dragon Age: Inquisition as arguably the most tame and least “dark” of the series. But have you ever prioritized an alliance with the Qunari over the lives of The Iron Bull’s mercenary band? Based on the number of confused forum posts asking why the normally affable Bull betrayed them, statistically, maybe you haven’t.
Choosing to sacrifice Krem and the rest of Bull’s Chargers for the sake of the alliance doesn’t just end with The Iron Bull himself being sad for a bit. If you play the fantastic Trespasser DLC, he’ll turn against you on a single order from Qunari agent The Viddasala. Hey, if you put orders over people, then he can too.
3City Elf Origin
“Like Dogs, Shianni.”
If you thought the Human Noble Origin from Dragon Age: Origins was heart-wrenching, then you’re correct. There’s no need to compare. Trauma is trauma. But the City Elf Origin is also equally as worthy of some lost sleep after the fact. Elves are famously treated horribly in the Dragon Age universe, so you were already in for a bad time when you chose this one.
Human nobles show up to your wedding ceremony and ruin everything, killing some and doing far worse to others (notably the women). You end up on a revenge mission that can feel cathartic. But even your satisfying declaration to your terrified cousin that you killed the monstrous humans “like dogs” isn’t enough to truly wash away the horrors your people just endured.
2Alistair Or Hawke
This Dream Has No Happy Ending
Dragon Age: Inquisition included arguably the most notorious instance of past choices coming back to bite you in a BioWare game. At one point, you must choose who to leave behind in the dream world of the Fade so that the rest of your team can escape, potentially one of the hardest decisions in Dragon Age.
Depending on past choices, you may very well have to decide between Alistair, who was possibly your true love in Origins, and Hawke, your customizable main character from Dragon Age 2. There’s no easy answer, but if you leave Hawke behind, their best friend Varric will greet you back at Skyhold with the most hearbreaking line in the series: “Where’s Hawke?” Your therapist will love this one.
1All That Remains
“I Love You. You’ve Always Made Me Proud.”
The thing about Hawke is, potentially being left behind to die in the Fade isn’t even the worst thing they’d have gone through. During the roughly ten years that span the events of Dragon Age 2, they lose seemingly everything as they go from nobody to fame and then infamy.
They lose their sibling right at the game’s start, then potentially lose the other depending on choices made during the Deep Roads Expedition. All they have left is their mother, Leandra, and the Act 3 quest All That Remains takes that from them, too. Seeing her abducted and used in a grotesque ritual to bring back a serial killer’s dead beloved. She was all that Hawke had left, and seeing her die in such a horrific way will stay with you forever.
