The Warden Vault in Dragon Age: The Veilguard is a secret stash tucked away in a crumbling Grey Warden castle along the Rivain Coast.
This vault houses priceless treasures but is secured by three intricate lock puzzles. Here’s how to solve all the Shield Puzzles in the Warden Vault.
How To Solve All Shield Puzzles To Open the Warden Vault
The quest starts as soon as you come across the grand Warden Castle on the Rivain Coast's eastern side.
click to enlarge
+ 4As you enter, head to the main hall and down the broad staircase to the vault area.
This area reveals a locked door adorned with three Grey Warden shields and a note left by a fallen explorer.
The note suggests that to unlock the door, you need to trigger three hidden mechanisms located in the castle.
The quest markers give you a general idea of where to go, but it’s on you to crack these puzzles.
If you get stuck, here’s a precise breakdown of how to tackle each one:
First Shield Puzzle
The first puzzle includes a series of torches and levers.
click to enlarge + 4To start, exit the vault area and head back to the main level of the castle. Make your way outside to a little courtyard in the northern area.
Search for a sealed alcove packed with wooden crates and a wooden cart.
Move aside the barriers to unveil three levers linked to the torches along the wall. The goal of the puzzle is to ignite all three torches in a particular sequence.
Start by pulling the left lever, then the right lever, and finally the middle lever. After all the torches are lit, retrace your steps up the staircase.
Return to the upper platform in the castle, where you'll find a Grey Warden shield on the wall. Flip the nearby switch to activate the first lock on the vault.
Second Shield Puzzle
The next puzzle is trickier and has you trailing a ghostly spirit through different areas of the castle.
click to enlarge + 4Head to the back courtyard and see if you can spot a skeleton surrounded by bright butterflies.
Interact with the skeleton to summon a green spirit, which will float away, leading you to different parts of the castle. It moves quickly, so you have to stay on its tail.
The spirit will stop at three different locations:
- The spirit will drift through the wall into the courtyard after leaving the skeleton. Retrace your steps through the main hall and head to the upper level near the entrance. A wall will partially hide the spirit. You’ll know you’re in the right area from the familiar green glow.
- From the first spot, go to the upper battlements where the torch puzzle was. Climb down into a shaded area near the ruins, where the spirit waits beside some rubble.
- Head back to the lower level and proceed toward the front of the castle. Loop around to a cavern-like area near the front gate, where the spirit will be glowing near a skeleton.
Follow the spirit to each of these places in order. After the spirit has finished leading you through these areas, it will return to the main hall where you first summoned it.
Enter the fortress once more and head to the southern end of the main hall. This is where you’ll find that the spirit has unlocked a secret room.
Go into the newly revealed room and look for another shield switch. Flip it to activate the second lock on the vault.
Third Shield Puzzle
The last puzzle is to catch and lead a Wisp to animate a skeleton.
click to enlarge + 4From the ghost puzzle area, head south down the corridor until you reach an open space filled with Antaam enemies.
Wipe out the enemies, then move behind the massive statue in the courtyard for cover.
Look up to spot a fire pot perched on the wall above. Use Taash’s explosive ability to ignite it, causing a ladder to drop down.
Climb the ladder to reach a glowing Wisp at the top. After collecting it, make your way back down.
From there, look for a Blistering Drakestone blocking a nearby path. Use Dragonfire's ability to melt the stone and proceed forward.
The Wisp will float toward a skeleton hidden behind a broken wall. When it reaches the skeleton, it activates the final switch.
Since all three shield switches are now on, return to the lower hall vault. The door finally gives way, revealing a room with chests of treasure.
You can expect rare rewards, including the Crookytail’s Crest Unique Ring, sturdy armor called Weisshaupt’s Wall, and Taash's Trussed Finery armor.
There are also class-specific items, mementos to increase the Caretaker’s power, and a large cache of gold.
Completing the quest also grants you experience points and boosts the approval of your companions.
Which part of the quest was the most exciting for you? Comment down below!
For more articles like this, take a look at our Guides and Dragon Age: The Veilguard page.