Dragon Age: The Veilguard doesn’t just throw you into action, only to run out of steam. It delivers an extensive and diverse set of quests that keeps you hooked all the way through.
The Cauldron, for example, lets you explore ancient Warden sites and uncover secrets about the order's origins and connection to the Blight. Here’s what you need to know to start and complete the Cauldron:
How To Find Your Way Into the Cauldron
The Cauldron is one of the most engaging quests you’ll come across in Dragon Age: The Veilguard.
click to enlarge
+ 3It starts deceptively simple but soon escalates into a series of challenges that put your combat skills and strategic thinking to the test.
When you arrive at The Cauldron’s entrance, Davrin will run a quick cutscene to show you the blocked path ahead.
Once the cutscene wraps up, head up the nearby ramp and use Assan’s ability (Press R1/RB) to lower a platform. Hop onto this platform, then head up the ladder to take on your first Darkspawn encounter.
You’ll find three Blight Boils in this area that you should take out while keeping your distance.
Use your most powerful fire abilities and heavy attacks to penetrate the armor of the Greater Hurlocks.
The trick is to stay on the move and keep the pressure on your enemies to avoid getting swamped.
Now that you’ve cleared the first section, you’ll need to take out four more Blight Boils to access the deeper areas of The Cauldron.
Start by heading through the left archway to face off against several ghouls and a lone Greater Hurlock.
Once these enemies are defeated, another Boil will appear. Take it down fast to prevent getting ambushed.
Head left along the path and climb the ramp leading to a ballista. Use this weapon to line up your shot and take out the far-off Blight Boil on the wall.
Cross a wooden gap to encounter two smaller Boils that can spawn enemies if you don’t take them down right away. Deal with them either by preemptive strikes or quick melee engagements.
This path takes you to another Boil at the top of a set of steps. Return to the central area and head up the stairs on the right side.
You can skip the ballista nearby and head straight into the castle, where two Frenzied Berserks guard a Blight Boil.
These enemies can be tricky, but heavy attacks and strategically using area-based abilities should help you dispatch them efficiently.
Finally, climb the stairs along the back wall to disable the last Boil.
How To Complete the Cauldron
Since every Boil has been wiped out, the path into The Cauldron is now wide open.
click to enlarge + 3The Cauldron is a maze-like structure filled with lore and dialogue that gives more meaning to the quest.
As you progress, explore side areas like the alcove near the twin statues, where you can find a hidden Warden's Signet.
This part of the quest leads you to a spacious area with another Blight Boil. Taking down this Boil opens up access to the Gloom Howler’s lair.
As you step into the Gloom Howler's territory, you’ll be greeted by waves of Darkspawn.
The secret to getting through this wave is to keep your attention on the Blight Boils that are scattered around.
Focus on getting rid of the two Boils up the ledge to the left and around the corner on the right before going after the one in the middle.
The sooner you deal with these, the less you'll have to fight down the line. After clearing the area, head through the left archway and take out the final Boil. Just be mindful of your steps to avoid any extra hits.
click to enlarge + 3The climax in The Cauldron features a battle against the Darkspawn Horde. This intense fight can easily catch you off guard if you aren't prepared.
The huge number of enemies might freak you out, but winning comes down to crowd control and picking your targets wisely.
If you have Davrin in your party, his Detonation abilities can be a lifesaver. Taash is also a strong choice for this segment, especially when focusing fire-based attacks on high-value targets like Greater Hurlock Blighters or even the Greater Ogre that shows up near the end.
On the other hand, if you bring Bellara or Neve, use their crowd-control abilities to thin out weaker enemies.
You’ll be faced with a swarm of smaller ghouls right from the start, so use any area attacks to keep them off you.
Once you leap into the lower area, prioritize the Greater Hurlock Blighters since they can hit hard from a distance.
These enemies are armed with powerful ranged attacks that can quickly whittle down your party’s health if left unchecked.
Keep shifting around to avoid being trapped, and hit them hard with your strongest abilities to take them down fast. The Greater Ogre is the most daunting foe you'll face during this battle.
This hulking brute deals massive damage but is fortunately slow-moving, allowing you to use hit-and-run tactics.
Before engaging the Ogre, thin out as many of the smaller enemies as possible, this will prevent the Ogre from cornering you while you’re distracted.
The fight will only finish when every last Darkspawn has been defeated, so maintain focus until the end. Hitting the final blow will trigger a cutscene.
Have you discovered any hidden secrets or items while exploring The Cauldron?
For more articles like this, take a look at our Guides and Dragon Age: The Veilguard page.