Dragon Age II Companions and equipment: rivalry, armor and tactics
Manage relationships and gear without treating every companion like Hawke.
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Edition covered
Original Dragon Age II campaign in Kirkwall, using original PC publisher imagery. Sebastian requires The Exiled Prince DLC; Legacy and Mark of the Assassin are separate adventures.
Friendship and rivalry are both paths
Companions respond to decisions according to their values. Strong friendship and strong rivalry have distinct benefits; a disagreement does not automatically mean the relationship has failed.
| Character or slot | Rule | Action |
|---|---|---|
| Hawke armor | Ordinary armor equipment | Meet the item’s requirements |
| Companion armor | Signature outfit with upgrades | Find or buy the specific improvement |
| Varric weapon | Bianca is his unique crossbow | Do not buy an ordinary replacement bow |
| Accessories | Character requirements still apply | Compare bonuses against the role |
Companion armor uses upgrades
Hawke equips ordinary armor pieces, while companions normally retain their signature outfit and improve it through specific upgrades. Check merchants and relevant quests instead of waiting for a generic breastplate to become equippable.
| Situation | Useful approach | Reason |
|---|---|---|
| Moral decision | Consider the active companions’ beliefs | Reactions differ by character |
| Companion quest | Visit the marked contact | Personal stories develop over acts |
| Gift | Give it to the intended companion | Gifts are character-specific |
| High rivalry | Read the unlocked relationship ability | Rivalry can be a developed relationship |
Weapons and accessories still matter
Most companions can change weapons within their allowed categories and equip accessories. Varric’s Bianca is the conspicuous exception to ordinary bow replacement; keep his available upgrades and other equipment current.
Review tactics after learning abilities
A newly learned support spell is not useful if the tactics never call it at a helpful time. Revisit conditions when the party changes and when a companion gains a major defensive or combo ability.
References
| Reference | Website |
|---|---|
| Dragon Age II publisher listing | store.steampowered.com |
| Publisher game manual | eaassets-a.akamaihd.net |