DA:Veilguard Official Trailers Breakdown {Overview. - Spoilers All} 

EDIT: One huge apology- I had forgotten that in reusing the footage from an old video, I had made a mistake in that video! The image of scraped mural from Trespasser had come from Solaris, Cal had just showed the image to me. Cal was also the one to remind me of this, but It had slipped my mind. Huge apology to Solaris, and thank you for the image

I'm pretty sure Rook walks around saying "Mama said I can be anything I want to be so I choose to be the problem". This should be fun.

Because Dragon Age embraces character perspective so flagrantly, I absolutely understand if the symbols fall out of order. Solas didn't arrange them as a worshiper, he didn't arrange them as a sycophant, he arranged them as an equal who once saw them as friends who went too far and he realized he did, too. To me, the order elves might arrange them reflects a value he might not share.

The Last Court 😭forever in our hearts

I’ve seen some suggestion Neve is voiced by Kate Kennedy, she plays a Spartan in Halo and she voiced Avela Kjar in Mass Effect Andromeda as well as someone in Anthem. Her voice does seem very similar in interviews to Neve.

Floating tower could be the black chantry

I've been waiting for your take!

The doubled up statues during the gameplay trailer ritual is in my mind too big of an oopsie to actually be an oopsie. It's visible in multiple shots for minutes. The only thing I can imagine for saying that Harding has "unexpected magical powers" is that either she's infected with lyrium somehow or she is half-human

I was just reading The Wigmaker Job again and in Vyrantium they have a floating aqueduct. I don’t think the Minrathous structure is an aqueduct, but it seems having floating architecture is common in Tevinter

She even says welcome welcome in the description.

Thx for recommending the tumbler post!

Maybe the titans are waking again and the dwarves are gaining abilities similar to the Decent DLC. My only issue with this theory is that surface dwarves can't hear the titans, however the fact that they are waking up means their "voice" carries further and now even some surface dwarves can now hear it and reconnect to them. Or just ENCHANTMENT.....somehow

I'm starting to assume that we We'll be using the blade as a conduit to talk to solas through the fade?🤔🧐

Im pretty excited about the fact the community probably predicted the blights/old gods/evanuris connection so early! Im so happy it turned out to be true. If the moonhead is indeed ghilan’nain the design is so interesting with the multiple arms and appendages. Mother of monsters indeed.

Very cool video and breakdown! Also about the name Rook, I have a theory that's more wishful thinking... If Rook is actually named after a chess piece, what would that make all the other heroes in the Dragon Age series? If Rook is Rook, what if the Hero of Ferelden is a Bishop, Hawke is a Knight, and the Inquisitor is the queen? Silly theory, I know, but still wishing for a Dragon Age game in the future where all the heroes you've created are actually the team/party (that would be like Avengers Endgame culmination)

I think the released gods will turn out to be falon din and ghilan'nain, I think Solas was Fen harel, but before that ... before falon & ghil left him, he was dirthamen. I hope so anyway as this would tie up all the loose lore ends 😊

i can get behind the idea that Rook's primary character trait is recklessness (Hawke and Sheperd have some of that too), sort of the opposite of Solas who has overthought everything and still keeps making giant mistakes.

Oh I am so playing Rook as no thoughts, only chaos feral hero 😂

Falon din reminds me of the alien from toy story lol

Two things. 1. After watching the dumb trailer 4 times, it still didn't register to me what was shown with Rook. Every time I was dumbfounded by how awful the presentation of the companions is. 2. I'm surprised you haven't listened through the Q&A they did. They literally touch the topic of why they did a massive redesign of all the spirits. The answer is to be lore accurate. While I love the previous designs, I am more than accepting of their reasoning to change. They mention they have never been able to properly represent the spirit's appearances until now. They even bring up how Solas describes what sprits are and how they work in Inquisition. I highly advice you to listen through the Q&A.

On Rook being the unpredictable mess that will finally stop Solas: The best swordsman in the world doesn't fear the second-best. He fears the worst, cause there's no telling what that idiot will do.

NEW CAITIE VIDEO LET'S GO

I hope Rook has a special attack where he summons a chandelier from the fade to crush enemies

Love the idea that Arlathan forest is just…filled with giant mirrors.

The thing I like about Varric and Solas interacting in the gameplay trailer, is that they're flipping the sides of the argument they had about Cole in DAI. One wants for Cole/Thedas to change even if it might hurt a while in order to reach an idealized state of more fulfilling life; while the other argues that leaving Cole/Thedas unchanged would better because doing otherwise would mean getting rid of the essence that makes Cole/Thedas what it is.

I'm also really curious about why the Fen'Harel wolf has the same number and position of eyes as a pride demon. It could just be a reference to Solas' name meaning "pride," but I wonder if there is some other lore reason behind it.

Reagrding Solas and Varric's views on Cole's personal journey; You can hear from party banter between Solas and Cole after the choice which one Solas actually likes. Even though he advocated for a spirit-Cole, he is much more engaged and supportive of a human-Cole. His voice sounds more animated and sincere with human-Cole, while there is almost a sadness and sense of finality with spirit-Cole. It underlines Solas' personal hurt so much, where he thinks he is fighting for what is right but loses himself in the process and becoming the Dread Wolf others made him out to be. The looming figure from his frescoes, his darker nature.

Dodging or getting hit by an IRON chandelier. I'll take dodging. I don't want a shattered spine.

something I love about the whole "Tevinter is built on the remnants of the ancient Elvhen empire" thing? Is that it's been teased all the way back to Origins. The ruins you find the Eluvian in in the Origin are said to have a "mix" of ancient elven and ancient Tevinter statuary and architecture, while the temple in the forest is said to have an even more contemporary "wait, this stuff is elvhen, but this stuff looks a bit more modern, but this stuff looks human?!" style. They've been running that one for a long time.

Is it pronounced Emm-rich? I was pronouncing it Emm-rick, like a german name.

That circular castle like thing could be the magisterium as it's hovering over the city it's the most important building as it holds the main political powers of the country and with a threat to them having a martial law like stance makes sense

With the blue blade, what was top of my mind is the blade hidden inside the red lyrium idol from Tevinter Nights - I assume Solas - for REASONS - knows or found out how to cleanse the blight from it.

I feel about Titans the way you do about elves. I cannot get enough of them. Yummyummyumm. And I think/hope that's where Harding is getting her magic! We had Valta in The Desent and others were waking up. Additionally, back with the non romancable tree we had a talking hill/Mound? I'm assuming those are about as related to Titans as Golems are. (taking the dwarves and bathing them in liquid titan blood). Also, Titan's blood is Lyrium, often described as physical magic. Tell me more about ancient dwarves! We know they're about as old as the elves, as they've been with the titans as long as elves have known of them, right?

On Harding's "powers": "What that means, I can't say" As in, you know, but you can't reveal ;) you tease Ah well, keen to find out. I imagine tearing the veil down will indeed bring the magic back, making everyone "just like they were" (best boy Sandal).

what you said about rook being a wild card. id say it tracks, considering them majorly fucking up AT THE START and releasing evanuris??

Solas claimed he was trying to minimize the damage as much as he could. Couldn't the thing of him working alone be that he called the elves into a sort of bunker/shelter to protect them from when the Veil falls? But then the elves wanted to help so instead of sitting around waiting for the Veil to fall they try to do things they think will help the Dreadwolf? So while Solas himself is working alone the group acting in his name think they are helping him?

Hey Caitie, just one thing before I go to sleep. Fun fact time! Some of the symbols in the bells of the tambourine are taken from antient Egyptian mythology. I've even managed to match up 5 different symbols to five different Egyptian gods.

Vibrating intently about how you ended that section about the gameplay trailer 👀👀👀

With the Rogue Rook in the gameplay trailer being able to seemingly use magic, I have a feeling that Harding can, too, because the weakening of the veil is generally making magic more accessible

I reckon the unpredictability with Rook is exactly what they're going for. It's Rook's idea to topple the statues, while the others think it's much too dangerous to mess with the ritual. It's not the most ingenious plot point, but it could work. I'm also thinking that in the bits cut from the gameplay trailer is a moment where we find something left behind by Solas which makes Varric think that Solas wants to be convinced to stop the ritual. Rook, who does not know Solas, would not be convinced by this, thus setting up the debate in the video.

This last week has been a great excuse to binge your content as I prepare for a whole series playthrough. Dragon Age Summer is here 😈

Absolutely flew to this video when I seen it was uploaded. Thank you for your hard work and congrats on being part of the community council!! Very much deserved 💜

I think the voice of Neve is Alex Kingston who plays River Song in Doctor Who, might be wrong tho

I want this game to do well. Truly. I really liked the cinematic trailer.

Man I was so close to going to sleep lol

Just a sidenote: Im DAO, we learn that small statues of Fen'Harel was placed at the boundaries of Dalish camps. So that Fen'Harel would prevent humans from finding it. We meet larger versions of these Fen'Harel statues in what once was likely Elvhen settlements after Elven slaves escaped Tevinter and was given the Dales as a new homeland. Though some might go back to the time of the Elvhen Empire. So even a few centuries. After the Veil was created. Fen'Harel was also viewed as a protector of freed slaves. (We have learned he was a bit of a rebel in his "youth".) And part of that sentiment was remembered through time. Solas has also told us that he was given the title of Fen'Harel by enemies who feared him. (He likely participated in a war between the later known Evanuris and The Forgotten Ones, probably as a general.) So perhaps back in Arlathan (As we do end up in Arlathan Forest.) Solas was initially viewed as a General/King/God of Protection from those who threatened the Elvhen Empire. So statues of his wolf shape was placed near gates to "guard" city/settlements even then. And because of his schemes to free slaves and imprison the now corrupted Evanuris. And "betrayed" friends/family/colleagues? To achieve that. Which is why he was later known as a God of mischief and trickery, instead of a God of protection. Ok I promise I'm done now.😅

First playthrough im running a fat bumbling warrior dwarf, to really emphasize the idiot persona

Thank you this summary, Caitie!

26:01 why does the veiljumper give me PeeBee vibes 😂

the griffin story is also explored in Inquisition if your warden from the first game is still alive and you had the kid with morrigan as in the letters she get in the fort the hero (former grey warden commander ) mentions he is on the trail of them and the mage that saved them from the taint as a way to cure all wardens of the calling he mentions hearing of griffons being seen way to the south west you also see more notes within the area where you first meet the wardens in the inquisition

Taking notes on this one

I wonder if Neve is related to the Magister Gallus who was mentioned to be working for/with the venatori in Inquisition. Possible character motivation/backstory?

Harding is gonna be able to use the same magic as the female dwarf, can’t recall her name, from The Descent DLC. That’s my guess.

Oh I am going to be ABSOLUTELY UNBEARABLE when this game comes out 😅

Harding magic hints sounds like they will tap into some of that awesome Lyrium/Titans/Dwarves lore from the Descent DLC :)

devs need to be more carfull about lore telling. god, I just think they do it messy in this game

Perhaps Mythal is controlling a part of Solas since she is a revenge God, and Solas is torn between wanting to do the right thing and this could explain why the Demons are more ethereal. as they are produced by the emotions of Solas and the Gods.. Makes sense what you said about the Elven Gods. I think if Varric has been injured or died and it is in that section you pointed out behind Solas, he has a glowing object sticking out of him, which I think is Solas' dagger because he doesn't have it in his hand after he deflects the falling statue. I believe Harding runs to his side and takes the dagger out and that may be when she gets her magic and Varric is either dead or incapacitated in some way and becomes our adviser along with our inquisitor character.

The swarms of rats are SO Dishonored combined with the aesthetic. Really gives Minrathous its own look but also I'm biased because I love Dishonored 😅

Oh my god, Davin is Javik? Sold, first play-though is the Wardenmance.

i doubt they are caring about the lore at this point, looks more like they are just wanting to make money, they already mentioned they are not using dragon age keep anymore to use the previous saves from other games, this is sad, i wanted to bring my previous character not just select some generic choices at the start of the new game

Neve's voice reminds me of Sonja from Horizon zero dawn, similar tone...😊

Babe come over, the new Ghil Dirthalen theory just dropped

I'm so pumped for DAV. I've been replaying all the games (currently on DAI) working on building my world state I want to use in DAV. Are there any recommendations for extended material (e.g books comics) I should check out before DAV? From what I heard Tevinter Nights is a must, and the Missing is ok.

I absolutely love your videos because you delve into every detail, examine everything so thoroughly, and possess such vast knowledge. I'm also a huge Dragon Age fan, but you know so much more and manage to connect all the elements and theories in a way that truly captivates me. Watching your videos and listening to your theories is a real pleasure for me because they make the most sense.🩷🤗 I have a question that’s been on my mind for a while: Is there any chance our Hero of Ferelden might make a return? Even though it might be unlikely, I hold onto that hope. We’ve seen so many characters come back from the dead, so why not our Hero from the first game? 🤔

There's the theory that the tevinter old gods who spoke to the Sidereal were actually the Evanuris locked behind the veil. What if the Evanuris, seeing Solas is awake and planning something, began speaking to the elves to build up there own army against Fen'harel

11:53 I think you mean «raises the question». «Begging the question» is something completely different.

My current theory on why some evanuris got released is that the magic linking the statues to the ritual solas was performing isn't liking ALL the statues. Moonhead is hard to see cause covered by all the magic but it doesn't look magically linked and neither does the one on the very far left that has that diamond, old origin mask, shaped head on top of it. I saw Solas movement at the end of the gameplay trailer but- to me it looked more like he was getting sucked or pulled into the rift than him walking. His upper body is dragged forward before his lower body follows which wouldn't happen if he was moving on his own volition.

Your mention of "Fen" being a title for guards made me think of the Irish myth of Cu Chulainn--the Hound of Chulainn, who took that name after slaying Chulainn's literal guard dog when it attacked him, and swearing to basically take its place. Feels....potentially connected? In the shape of things? I don't know, I may be drawing connections where there are none, all the pieces of lore we have (including and especially the stuff from the GameInformer article) have reduced me to a state of [pepe silvia.gif] that will not be remedied until I beat Veilguard for the first time, probably. ....And maybe not even then, knowing this fucking series (affectionate)

I enjoyed the trailer, even if it felt too cartoonish for my tastes. A lot of hate for the trailer comes from people who loathe seeing diverse casts and will spam negativity to harass studios into more heteronormative and whitewashed casts (Rings of Power suffered from this a lot) and content creators who profit off of negativity since rage engages more than delight. Ultimately, a trailer is just an introduction reel, so the criticism for it seems... underbaked and hasty? Anyhow, as long as they have characters with just as much brilliance and nuance as Vivienne and Solas in the Veilguard, I will feel elated.

Can't wait to be a himbo!

14:45 I loved it (I did feel "meh" about the song) But I LOVED the characters and everything else.

On Rook. Even tho I'm hoping you can be evil/amoral with him, by some of the responses he gave in the gameplay trailer I feel he is inclined to have a ''all it takes attitude'' to stop Solas. Same way the Inquisitor is inclined to being a mediator and idealistic hero, at best (or worst I guess) you could be with her/him is a jerk but nothing downright moraly questionable. I personally like the idea that Rook cannot necessarily be bound by morality and that's makes him unpredictable wich is necessary to stop Solas.

Your comment about Rook being a bit of an unpredictable himbo made me laugh, cause that's always been the way I've seen my Purple Hawke... No wonder Varric snapped him up!

no clue if it is relevant but everything is very purple. what do you get when you combine blue and red? idk… just a thought

HEYOOOO EXCITED FOR THIS I've been waiting for your thoughts! It's a good night when Caitie uploads!

Ghil trailer breakdown, let's gooo!

Omg, seeing part of Inquisition reminds me how DIABOLICAL the hair and body models were. EDIT: IS THAT THE DA:I ROMANCE THEME PLAYING IN THE BG?

The primary current focus in DA is Elven mythology, but I think Veilguard will set up the next focus (which sadly may never happen) to be Dwarves, specifically Titans

Okay, and hear me out! I don't think Moonhead and Beetle aren't elven gods. When Solas looks up at them it's not disgust, anger or shock on his face, he is scared! I think if Solas were to see the Elevian any of them he wouldn't be afraid, but angry or shocked they got from the Black City to him so quickly. I think Moonhead and Beetle are powerful Spirits, more powerful than anyone else, that first helped Solas put up the Veil. And that is why he is fearful when he sees them. Because he had hoped to avoid them when tearing down the Veil. They also don't look anything like Elves and Solas has said before the gods were just very powerful elf mages. So why would they look so different to him?

Ok question, if I remember correctly, the Lace quasi romance went further if you were a dwarven Inquisitor. Doesn’t Vivian have a line in trespasser about making sure you are treating Harding well? Thus implying there is a world state where the inquisitor could end up in a relationship with Harding Apologies if this has already been discussed and I missed it

Is the blade the idle, purified? We know the blight can be cured (look at Fiona) maybe Solas knows how.

@GhilDirthalen If you look at the ritual site at 11:01 it remarkably resembles images of the black city the game shows us especially during Varric story telling in DA keep.

Idk now I'm pretty sure Antient Gods = Evanuris, and since only two Archdemons are still alive maybe there are only two of them left? After all Mythal was also able to turn into a dragon

Years ago I watched your lore videos and loved them, I stepped away from the fandom but coming back it’s so nice to see your videos again 🤍

I really don't like how Solas prepears stuff for the ritual and let the eluvian active to be followed and how the structures are so fragile that they are hold up by a simple small loose log. Is this how it was supposed to be? Did they nerfed Solas intelligence or they want to force him subestimating everyone his personality trait/flaw? I think they could have been more creative on how the ritual is interrupted

I really hope Harding having magic and Solas opening the fade again are connected. I feel like if the elven calendar is real, then that means dwarves DID have magic and they were barred from it by the elves after the titan battle. Yay for more dwarf lore! 🤞

other mentioned it already but the blade does remind me vaaaagueely of the red lyrium idol, with the ring and then the figures being the hilt. But like in the same way the Mea Culpa from Blaspehmous has a figure as its hilt lol Also didnt Merrill need a blade from the Keeper to cleanse the Eluvian of the taint??

I hope they stick with the inhuman eldritch designs for the Eluvians hinted at in Origins that was part of what made the setting so unique was how it would take famtasy tropes and instead of just reversing them they would alter them just enough to be unique. Like eleven gods instead of being these beautiful beings of light were these monstrous abominations.

Harding has magic, where is Magda? Sandal? surely they would have something to say

The weird lump at the bottom of the stairs around 13:42 moves, like a person lying on their side and lifting their head. Is it possible that's Varric, lying at the base of the stairs?

I thought the floating building in Minrathas was merely a enforcement vehicle that monitors the whole city. Even imagine there are more floating above the city protecting it from the Qunari.

DAV is a much better acronym to say than DAD - I realize now. I was a little bummed at the title change but with all of this fantastic news, I truly do not mind at all anymore.

I think Harding will be connected to a titan. I personally believe that all the dwarves were like Valta before Solas put up the vail or mythal sang titans to sleep.

I think the old gods are the draconic champions of the elven gods and the source of their immortality, hence why elgar'nan and ghila'nan are the only ones left

I do like the new rage demon design but not a fan of despair and pride. I wonder why BioWare decided to change them.

Paused in the middle of the god heads section to rewatch all the trailers. So hype for more Dragon Age!

wow grest breakdown of the statues

15:53 So you’re saying that we need to become Justin to beat Salos?!

The tree IS romanceable in my heart! ...and in my fan fic on ao3 if you care...

YES FINALLY🎉💜🙏✨💯