Best Emmrich Companion Build Dragon Age: The Veilguard

Discover how to create the best Emmrich build for Dragon Age the Veilguard, including faction, skills, companions, level progression, and more!

BioWare’s fourth installment of their hit series, Dragon Age the Veilguard, features deep character customization and build options. Players can earn skill points from level 1 to 50, selecting active, passive, traits, and ultimate abilities. Each protagonist, “Rook,” can bring two party members (companions) in exploration and combat, each with their own skills and equipment.

This guide will walk you through the best Emmrich builds in Dragon Age: The Veilguard and explain critical choices: factions, specialization, companions, skills, and more.

Everything About Emmrich Companion Build in Dragon Age: The Veilguard

Emmrich Volkarin is a well-meaning scholar with necromancy capabilities. He is a necromancer (Mage) with a wide range of Necrotic elemental abilities that allow him to engage with enemies from a distance.

Emmrich Volkarin is primarily a Mage specializing in Death Caller, allowing him to use necromancy magic. Most of his spells are necrotic-infused attacks that he can cast from a distance to deal damage. In addition to his potential abilities, he also has the healing ability to heal Rook. Moreover, Emmrich also holds knowledge of control magic allowing him to slow down time for controlling enemies and making opportunities for Rook for potential damage output.

Since Emmrich is a Mage with the potential to deal Necrotic Damage, provide health, and cast control magic, it makes her a great support character in your party.

Emmrich Build Pros	Emmrich Build Cons
Range Support	Lower Base Damage
Control Magic and Necrotic Damage for Crowd Control	Lower Stagger Rate than DPS Companions
Health Assistance for Rook	Slower Pace

Features and Mechanics for the Emmrich Build in Dragon Age: The Veilguard

Creating a companion build in Dragon Age: The Veilguard can aid you greatly in intense fights and turn the tides of the fight in your favor. Choosing a better skill set for active abilities and equipment is necessary for the companion to synergize the combos with Rook. Fortunately, it is less stressful than creating Rook’s build as you don’t have to be much concerned about which Faction and Race to choose for your companion because they are already set and cannot be changed.

The main things that you need to keep in mind are the best active skills and abilities for priming and detonating, along with Rook’s skills and equipment for best base damage. Before we discuss the class-specific Emmrich builds and what skills you have to set, let’s go over a basic overview of Emmrich Companion.

Emmrich’s Faction

Emmrich Volkarin is a highly skilled necromancer and a member of the Mourn Watch faction. The Mourn Watch operates within the Mortalitasi kingdom and is responsible for mummifying the dead so that their soul can rest and enter the fade. Emmrich has been a part of Mourn Watch for over thirty years and holds a deep knowledge of necromancy allowing him to summon forth spirits of the dead.

You can select a faction similar to Emmrich and get bonus traits that provide you with more damage output against Undead and Demons. Moreover, you can apply an additional debuff stack on targets for more potential damage.

Emmrich’s Race

Emmrich is a male Human companion in the Dragon Age: The Veilguard. Human is one of the dominant races because of their widespread population, political dominance, and history in Thedas. Humans are traditionally Warriors and Mages in the series and fit nicely with Emmrich’s role in the game.

Best Skills and Abilities for Emmrich

The best skills for Emmrich are Entangling Spirits, Final Rites, and Replenish. Entangling Spirits ability summons spirits to entangle and hinder the enemies and applies the Weakened status effect. You can upgrade this skill further to increase the duration of the status effect, making it a great combo for any build. Final Rites ability detonates the Sundered status effect and you can immediately combine this with Harding for a powerful companion skill combo at the beginning of the game. Replenish is your companion healing skill with a lower cooldown and it can be upgraded to heal Rook to full.

• Time Slow: Emmrich slows down time affecting enemies and allies’ movement speed, but Rook’s movement stays at normal speed. It has a base cooldown of 48 seconds.
• Final Rites: Emmrich summons an envoy of the dead who explodes in a blast of necrotic energy dealing 507 necrotic damage. Moreover, the enemies within the four meters of the explosion also take damage. It detonates the Sundered status effect on an enemy and has a base cooldown of 38 seconds.
• Replenish: Emmrich casts a healing spell that instantly replenishes Rook’s health by 1,000 health points. It has a base cooldown of 28 seconds.
• Entangling Spirits: Emmrich summons spirits to entangle and hinder the enemies dealing 243 necrotic damage with high Stagger. It also applies a Weakened status effect on the enemy and has a base cooldown of 36 seconds.
• The Bell Tolls: Emmrich casts a death curse that causes an enemy to explode with necrotic energy and deals 351 necrotic damage. It also applies the Quietus effect to targets which will deal increased damage to the targets for a short period. Lastly, it has a base cooldown of 36 seconds.

Level Progression for Emmrich Companion Build

The premise of our leveling progression section for the Emmrich build is to give you a step-by-step leveling guide, which skills to take, and why.

In Dragon Age, the Veilguard, level progressions are gained through experience points (EXP) through different activities such as completing quests and defeating enemies. Emmrich will advance to the next level upon crossing the threshold of EXP of a level, granting her two Skill Points per Level Up. The max level for Emmrich and all other companions is Level 10 which will grant 20 Skill Points in total for a companion. This means you cannot unlock all skills and abilities for Emmrich in the skill tree, but you do have the freedom to respec. The skill tree (honeycomb) comes in two main sections: Core class tree and specialization.

Each skill point can be spent on a variety of skills (abilities):

• Diamond Nodes: Active abilities, which you can slot three at a time
• Smaller Circular Nodes: These are minor passives like small stat points.
• Larger Circular Nodes: These are the ability upgrades corresponding to a branch of the active ability.

Therefore, each build of Emmrich can equip three active skills with various passives and upgrades.

Levels 1 – 10 Progression for Emmrich

Here’s a list of skills, passives, and upgrades to select with the Best Emmrich Build in Dragon Age The Veilguard:

• Level 1: Final Rites and Replenish abilities become available by default.
• Level 2: Entangling Spirits, Time Slow, and The Bell Tolls abilities become available by default. Unlock Transient Spirits passive and Critical Shot passive (Entangling Spirits). Transient Spirits increases the damage against armored and barrier enemies by 25%, Critical Shot increases critical damage by 25%.
• Level 3: Unlock Looming End passive and Killing Hex passive (Final Rites). Looming End increases the damage against low health enemies by 50%, Killing Hex applies Necrosis on hit.
• Level 4: Unlock Grave Rot ability upgrade (Entangling Spirits) and Greater Haunting ability upgrade (Final Rites). Grave Rot applies Necrosis on critical hit, Greater Haunting deals 25% more damage to enemies inflicted with Necrosis.
• Level 5: Unlock Relentless passive (Entangling Spirits) and Recurring Fears passive (Final Rites). Relentless reduces the cooldown by 20%, Recurring Fears reduces the cooldown by 20%.
• Level 6: Unlock Unfinished Business passive (Entangling Spirits) and Encore passive (Final Rites). Unfinished Business triggers the Entangling Spirits automatically during combat, Encore allows the skeletal spirit to attack the initial target a second time.
• Level 7: Unlock Enervate ability upgrade (Entangling Spirits) and Staggering Power ability upgrade (Final Rites). Enervate increases the Weakened effectiveness by 10%, Staggering Power deals 100% Stagger.
• Level 8: Unlock More Vigor passive and Endure passive (Replenish). More Vigor grants 20% of Ultimate during combat upon using Replenish, Endure increases the healing by 50% when low on health.
• Level 9: Unlock Top Form ability upgrade and Run it Back passive (Replenish). Top Form grants a 25% healing bonus, Run it Back reduces the cooldown by 20%.
• Level 10: Unlock Vigor Mortis passive and Extended Invulnerability ability upgrade (Replenish). Vigor Mortis grants Invulnerable upon using Replenish, Extended Invulnerability increases the invulnerability duration by 50%.

Emmrich Abilities & Gear

With the above-level progression, you can equip yourself with the following abilities and gear for Emmrich Volkarin.

• Active Skills and Abilities
  • Ability 1: Entangling Spirits
  • Ability 2: Final Rites
  • Ability 3: Replenish
• Main Hand Weapon: Guardian of the Abyss
• Armor: Researcher’s Robes
• Keepsake: Metal-Plated Focus
• Trinket: Chittering Signet
• Primer Ability: Entangling Spirits (for applying Weakened)
• Detonator Ability: Final Rites (for detonating Sundered)

Best Companion Alongside Emmrich

Harding is the best companion alongside Emmrich. It is because Emmrich synergizes greatly with Harding due to her Final Rites ability that detonates the Sundered effect applied by Harding’s Shred ability. Moreover, she can enhance Rook’s attack damage with her Adrenaline Rush ability. Last but not least, she also has a healing ability, Soothing Potion which heals Rook instantly.

Companion 2: Lace Harding

• Active Skills and Abilities
  • Ability 1: Shred
  • Ability 2: Heavy Draw
  • Ability 3: Adrenaline Rush
• Main Hand Weapon: My Regards
• Primer Ability: Shred (for applying Sundered)
• Detonator Ability: Heavy Draw (for detonating Overwhelmed)

How to Play Emmrich Companion With All Main Classes

Utilizing Emmrich’s potential with all main classes will require you to equip the best priming and detonating abilities corresponding to your class. As Emmrich can detonate the Sundered effect, it is best that your main class or a second companion have a priming ability for the Sundered effect. Moreover, with Emmrich in your group, you can use his Time Slow and The Bell Tolls abilities to crowd control the enemies. Last but not least, Emmrich can provide you with instant health with his Replenish ability, which is great for survival.

We have listed the abilities you can use for maximum potential damage for each main class. Moreover, we have also mentioned the second-best companion that you can use for priming and detonating combos for each class.

Emmrich Companion With Rook Warrior Class

Warrior is the best class that can pair with Emmrich as it completes the overall combat composition of your party. However, it is still necessary that you pick the potential abilities and an ultimate for your Warrior class build that synergize best with Emmrich and the second companion. Here is a list of skills and abilities that you should activate for Warrior Class with Emmrich.

• Abilities & Skills
  • Ability 1: Titan Stomp
  • Ability 2: Fury of the Forge
  • Ability 3: Ground Breaker or Blight Bane
  • Ultimate: Flashing Fists
• Primer Ability: Titan Stomp (for applying Overwhelmed)
• Detonator Ability: Ground Breaker or Blight Bane (for detonating Weakened)

The Ground Breaker or Blight Bane are two excellent choices from which you can equip any. Ground Breaker is an early ability that you get and the Blight Bane is from the Champion specialization that you get after Level 20. Both of these detonate the Weakened effect which pairs greatly with Emmrich’s Entangling Spirits (ability). Use the Entangling Spirits to apply the Weakened effect on a target and then use Ground Breaker/Blight Bane to detonate the Weakened effect.

Titan Stomp is an efficient ability that pairs with Harding’s Heavy Draw ability. Using the Titan Stomp will apply the Overwhelmed status effect on an enemy and then ordering Harding to use Heavy Draw ability on the same enemy will detonate the effect. Lastly, Fury of the Forge is a standalone ability for applying the Burning effect on enemies and it works greatly both in close and range quarters.

Second Companion Alongside Emmrich With Rook Warrior Class

Harding is the perfect companion that pairs with Emmrich while playing the Warrior Class for Rook. She synergizes perfectly with both Emmrich’s active abilities and Warrior’s abilities which we mentioned above. Moreover, here is a list of active abilities for Emmrich that you should equip.

• Active Skills and Abilities
  • Ability 1: Shred
  • Ability 2: Heavy Draw
  • Ability 3: Adrenaline Rush
• Primer Ability: Shred (for applying Sundered)
• Detonator Ability: Heavy Draw (for detonating Overwhelmed)

Emmrich’s Final Rites ability will detonate the Sundered effect after applying it with Harding’s Shred ability. Adrenaline Rush will support you in dealing potential damage to enemies for a short period. Heavy Draw ability will detonate the Overwhelmed effect which you can apply with Warrior’s Titan Stomp ability.

Emmrich Companion With Rook Rogue Class

If you are playing the Rogue Class and want to bring Emmrich along on your journey, then you should activate the following abilities.

• Active Abilities and Skills
  • Ability 1: Static Strikes
  • Ability 2: Explosive Trap
  • Ability 3: Explosive Daggers
  • Ultimate: Concussive Barrage
• Primer Ability: Static Strikes (for applying the Weakened effect), Explosive Daggers (for applying the Sundered effect)
• Detonator Ability: Explosive Trap (for detonating the Overwhelmed effect)

For this set of abilities, Davrin is the best companion that you can pair up with Emmrich. Static Strikes will apply the Weakened effect on an enemy which you can detonate with Davrin’s Death from Above ability. The Explosive Trap ability detonates the Overwhelmed effect which you can apply by using Davrin’s Heroic Strike ability. Lastly, you can use the Explosive Daggers to apply the Sundered effect and then use Emmrich’s Final Rites ability to detonate the effect.

Second Companion Alongside Emmrich With Rook Rogue Class

As mentioned above, Davrin will be the best companion alongside Emmrich while playing the Rogue class. Here is the list of abilities you should equip for Davrin.

• Active Skills & Abilities
  • Ability 1: Death from Above
  • Ability 2: Heroic Strike
  • Ability 3: Assan Strike or In War, Victory
• Primer Ability: Heroic Strike (for applying the Overwhelmed effect)
• Detonator Ability: Death from Above (for detonating the Weakened effect)

Use the Heroic Strike to apply the Overwhelmed effect on an enemy and use Rogue’s Explosive Trap ability to detonate the effect. Activate Rogue’s Static Strikes ability to apply the Weakened effect and then use Davrin’s Death from Above to detonate the effect. Moreover, you can use Emmrich’s Entangling Spirits ability to apply the Weakened effect and then use Davrin’s Death from Above to detonate the Weakened effect. Lastly, you can use the Assan Strike for additional fire damage on enemies, or you can use the In War, Victory to distract the enemies. Distracting the enemies will give you an edge to approach them from behind and land a surprise attack.

Emmrich Companion With Rook Mage Class

If you are playing the Mage Class and wish to bring Emmrich along on your adventures, then you should activate the following abilities.

• Active Skills & Abilities
  • Ability 1: Arcane Shot
  • Ability 2: Storm Surge
  • Ability 3: Meteor
  • Ultimate: Destructive Light
• Primer Ability: Storm Surge (for applying the Overwhelmed effect)
• Detonator Ability: Meteor (for detonating the Sundered effect)

Arcane Shot is a standalone ability that allows you to launch 5 projectiles toward the enemies. The Storm Surge ability pairs well with Lucanis as you can use it to apply the Overwhelmed effect and then use Lucanis’s Eviscerate to detonate it. Lastly, the Meteor ability can detonate the Sundered effect on an enemy which you can apply using Lucanis’s Debilitate ability. Moreover, you can use Debilitate ability of Lucanis and then use Emmrich’s Final Rites ability to detonate the Sundered effect.

Second Companion Alongside Emmrich With Rook Mage Class

Lucanis is a good choice to bring along Emmrich while playing the Mage class. He can assist you in combat by fighting enemies in close quarters and distract them. Moreover, he synergizes well with Emmrich and Mage’s abilities we mentioned above. Here is a list of active abilities, you need to equip for Lucanis while playing Mage class.

• Active Skills and Abilities
  • Ability 1: Debilitate
  • Ability 2: Adrenaline Rush
  • Ability 3: Eviscerate
• Primer Ability: Debilitate (for applying Sundered)
• Detonator Ability: Eviscerate (for detonating Overwhelmed)

Use the Debilitate to apply the Sundered effect on an enemy and use Emmrich’s Final Rites to detonate the effect. If Emmrich’s ability is not ready yet, use Mage’s Meteor to detonate the Sundered effect. Activate Mage’s Storm Surge ability to apply the Overwhelmed effect on an enemy and then use Lucanis’s Eviscerate to detonate the effect. Lastly, you can use the Adrenaline Rush ability throughout the fight to increase Rook’s damage output.

Best Equipment, Items, Weapons for Emmrich Build

Beginner

Gear Slot	Best Item	Best Stats	Best Properties
Main Hand	Guardian of the Abyss	+224 Necrotic Damage +122 Stagger	Attack My Target deals +50% damage vs. Health You heal for 5% of your maximum health when Attack My Target brings enemies to Low Health
Armor	Researcher’s Robes	62% Bonus Ability Damage	Detonations deal +25% Damage vs. Health Detanoations vs. enemies at Low Health reduces Emmerich’s Ability cooldowns by 50%
Keepsake	Metal-Plated Focus	22% Increased Healing	Emmrich’s Ability cooldowns are reduced by 10% Your other companion’s cooldowns are reduced by 10 seconds whenever Emmrich’s Abilities defeat an enemy.
Trinket	Chittering Signet	–	Applying Weakened also applies Vulnerability to Necrotic damage The Necrotic Resistance reduction is doubled vs. Demons are Undead

Advanced: Endgame

Gear Slot	Best Item	Best Stats	Best Properties
Main Hand	The Hermetic Pendulum	+204 Necrotic Damage +223 Stagger	Attack My Target applies Vulnerability to Necrotic damage Vulnerability to Necrotic damage is increased by 50%
Armor	Funeral Finery	83% Bonus Ability Damage	Detonations leech 50% of their damage Detonations apply Siphoned
Keepsake	Metal-Plated Focus	22% Increased Healing	Emmrich’s Ability cooldowns are reduced by 10% Your other companion’s cooldowns are reduced by 10 seconds whenever Emmrich’s Abilities defeat an enemy.
Trinket	Chittering Signet	–	Applying Weakened also applies Vulnerability to Necrotic damage The Necrotic Resistance reduction is doubled vs. Demons are Undead

Build Summary – Emmrich Companion

FAQs About Emmrich Companion Build in Dragon Age The Veilguard

Question 1: What faction should I pick for a Emmrich build?

Answer: Mourn Watch is the best faction to choose for the Emmrich companion build due to the Return to the Grave and Acute Afflictions bonuses. However, your faction choice doesn’t affect that much for a companion build as much as it does for the main (Rook) build.

Question 2: Does race matter in Dragon Age the Veilguard?

Answer: Race is a part of Rook’s identity as their Dragon Age class or faction, and their ancestry can affect dialogue choices in Dragon Age: The Veilguard. The selection of race to play will also determine the story and how the world at large responds to you.

Question 3: Can builds be changed in Dragon Age the Veilguard?

Answer: Yes, you can change the whole playstyle of your build by simply refunding the Skill Points from the Skill Tree and spending them in a different branch.

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• Dragon Age: The Veilguard Classes and Specializations
• Dragon Age: The Veilguard – All Playable Races
• Dragon Age: The Veilguard – Backgrounds (Factions) Explained
• Dragon Age: The Veilguard – All Companions and Everything We Know