Warrior Skill Tree and priority for Dragon Age: The Veilguard. See a list of all warrior skills and which ones are the best to get!

Warrior Guides
Best Builds	Skill Tree & Priority	All Equipment
Champion Builds	Reaper Builds	Slayer Builds

Best Warrior Skills to Get

Best Warrior Skills

Your skill priority really depends on what Specialization you want, but here's what we think are the top Warrior skills for each category.

• Core: Rancor, Shield Volley, Counterblow, Tumbling Blades
• Survival: Titan Stomp, Groundbreaker, Traumatize, Depth of Fury, Supercharged, Necessary Steps, Slam, Staggering Toss
• Mourn Watch: Bloody Advance, Master Throw, Ricochet Shot, Shot Chaser
• Abilities: Explosive Toss, Spectral Bulwark, Deadly Ground, Arm's Reach, Depth of Fury, Enraged, Killer Instinct, Seething Pitch
• Lord of Fortune: Whirlwind, Rolling Thunder, Heavy Hitter, Staggering Charge, Overhand Smash
• Weapons: Guardian's Reprieve, Sly Strike, Cleaving Strike, Fury of the Forge, Wear and Tear, Bloody Vengeance, Staggering Finale, Incite Violence, Velocity
• Grey Warden: Grappling Spear, Traumatize, Enraged, Staggering Charge, Unbroken Finale

Warrior Skill Tree Progression

Reaper Skill Progression

Reaper

Slayer

Champion

Order	Skill
1	Counterblow
2	Focused Retaliation
3	Titan Stomp
4	Improved Throw
5	Return to Sender
6	Providence
7	Masochism
8	Shield Volley
9	Rancor
10	Staggering Toss
11	Desolate Malady
12	Eclectic Armorer
13	Ignition
14	Ricochet Shot
15	Bloody Advance
16	Mortal Wounds
17	Seething Pitch
18	Death's Blessing
19	Master Throw
20	Spirit Storm
21	Reaper
22	Death's Blessing
23	Deadly Ground
24	Reckless Shot
25	Devastation
26	Death's Touch
27	Insidious Rot
28	Spectral Bulwark
29	Enraged
30	Killer Instinct
31	Providence
32	Masochism
33	Depth of Fury
34	Death's Throw
35	Invigoration
36	Living Decay
37	Desperation
38	Triple Threat
39	Shellbreaker
40	Flames of Victory
41	Bulwark
42	Quick Strikes
43	Perfect Throw
44	Shattering Throw
45	Spirit of Hunger
46	Let it Linger

Slayer Skill Progression

Reaper

Slayer

Champion

Order	Skill
1	Tumbling Blades
2	Downfall
3	Fury of the Forge
4	Rancor
5	Spectral Bulwark
6	Enraged
7	Counterblow
8	Decisive Finish
9	Determined Death
10	Underestimated
11	Incite Violence
12	Wrath
13	Velocity
14	Guardian's Reprieve
15	Concentration
16	Flames of Victory
17	Staggering Charge
18	Whirlwind
19	Bulwark
20	Rolling Thunder
21	For Gold and Glory
22	Heroic Leap

Champion Skill Progression

Reaper

Slayer

Champion

Order	Skill
1	Counterblow
2	Focused Retaliation
3	Titan Stomp
4	Bulwark
5	Return to Sender
6	Reinforcement
7	Enraged
8	Heavy Armor Mastery
9	Fiery Resolve
10	Heavy Hitter
11	Grappling Spear
12	Shield Volley
13	Rancor
14	Collateral Damage
15	Wildfire
16	Staggering Charge
17	Unbroken Finale
18	Explosive Anger
19	Arcane Defiance
20	Pump the Primer
21	Warden's Fire
22	Blight Bane
23	Shield Bearer
24	Bulkhead
25	Wildfire
26	Endless Fire
27	Third Degree
28	Providence
29	Masochism
30	Depth of Fury
31	Sly Strike
32	Reverb
33	Flare-Up
34	Ring of Fire
35	Enflamed
36	Traumatize
37	Falter
38	Breathing Room
39	Decisive Finish
40	Inspiring Guard
41	Battlecry
42	Aftermath
43	The Best Defense

All Warrior Skills

The Warrior Skill Tree has 6 categories. Core, Survival, Abilities, and Weapons are generic skill tree areas, while the other three, usually named after a faction, unlock a Specialization.

Mourn Watch unlocks Reaper, Lord of Fortune unlocks Slayer, and Grey Warden unlocks Champion. You can refund skill points and respec for your desired Specialization at anytime.

Core Warrior Skills

COR

SUR

ABI

WEA

MWA

LOF

GWA

Skill	Description
Counterblow	Deflect your enemy’s attack and perform a powerful counterattack.
Downfall	Jump attacks guarantee Critical hits if the target is Knocked Down.
Driving Kick	Focus all your strength and determination into one mighty kick. Deals a very high amount of Stagger and very likely disrupts the target. Detonates Weakened.
Flashing Fists	Batter your enemies with repeated, powerful blows. Deals damage to a large area 4 times.
Focused Retaliation	Gain Precision after a successful Perfect Defense.
Rancor	Rage takes 50% longer to begin to decay.
Shield Volley	Striking a Shield Toss with a Shield attack volleys the shield back at enemies up to 3 times, dealing damage each time.
Tumbling Blades	Use your speed to unleash a powerful attack immediately after performing a Combat Roll.

Survival Warrior Skills

COR

SUR

ABI

WEA

MWA

LOF

GWA

Skill	Description
Battlefield Awareness	Control Abilities now deal Critical hits vs. enemies recovering from Knocked Down.
Bulwark	Physical Resistance: +10%
Conditional Surrender	Primers applied by Control Abilities last 20% longer. Detonations triggered by Control Abilities deal 20% more damage.
Depth of Fury	Maximum Rage: +50
Fortifying Shots	Defeating an enemy with a Projectile Ability grants Resistant. The duration of Resistant resets if it is already active.
Good Arm	When a Projectile Ability hits an enemy, the damage ignores all Resistances.
Groundbreaker	Shake and shatter the ground with your weapon, spreading cracks that explode after a short delay. Damage is applied on the initial strike and again a short time later. The secondary explosion applies Burning and is likely to disrupt enemies. Detonates Weakened.
Improved Health	Health: +100
Improved Throw	Shield Toss damage: +10%
Masochism	You generate 4 Rage when taking damage.
Necessary Steps	Primer duration: +20%
Providence	Advantage duration: +20%
Ready Guard	Gain Deflect at the start of each encounter.
Refract	Maximum Deflect stacks: +1.
Reinforced	Defeating an enemy with a Control Ability grants Deflect.
Return to Sender	Send incoming projectiles back at your attacker with Perfect Defense.
Supercharged	Projectile Abilities deal 75% more damage vs. Barrier.
Third Degree	Maximum Burning stacks: +1.
Titan Stomp	Create a shockwave around you by slamming into the ground. Deals very high Stagger to nearby enemies. Applies Overwhelm.
Traumatize	Takedown damage: +15%

Abilities Warrior Skills

COR

SUR

ABI

WEA

MWA

LOF

GWA

Skill	Description
Arm's Reach	The effects of Smash Abilities cover a greater distance. The distance depends on the Ability.
Critical Power	Gain Enhanced Damage on Critical hit kill.
Deadly Ground	Create a Necrotic field at your current location. Enemies caught inside the field take constant damage until they escape. Grants Enhanced Damage while you are inside the field.
Death's Blessing	Necrotic damage: +10%
Depth of Fury	Maximum Rage: +50
Enduring Rage	Your Rage no longer decays below 50, allowing you to sustain it between fights.
Enervation	Damage vs. Barrier: +20%
Enraged	Rage generation: +10%
Explosive Toss	Charging your Shield Toss at least one level and then pressing Light attack will toss an explosive version of the shield, causing it to deal damage in an area around the target. This attack has a high chance to disrupt enemies.
Insidious Rot	Maximum Necrosis stacks: +1
Inspiring Strength	Defeating an enemy with a Smash Ability grants Rally Party.
Killer Instinct	Stagger from Abilities: +20%
Providence	Advantage duration: +20%
Salt in the Wound	Hitting enemies with a Duration Ability adds 1 stack to all active Afflictions on the target.
Shellbreaker	Damage vs. Armor: +20%
Shieldbreaker	Breaking an enemy's Armor or Barrier with a Smash Ability grants Enhanced Damage.
Spectral Bulwark	Hone your guard and protect yourself from enemies foolish enough to attack. Enemies who hit you with a melee attack take damage and very high Stagger. Increases Defense by 50% while active.
Time Management	Effects of Duration Abilities are increased by 50%.
Unyielding Focus	Using a Duration Ability grants Immovable.
Wrath	Critical damage: +10%

Weapons Warrior Skills

COR

SUR

ABI

WEA

MWA

LOF

GWA

Skill	Description
Bloody Vengeance	Charged attacks with Swords or Axes apply Bleeding to enemies. Charged attacks with Mauls or Shields deal 15% bonus damage vs. Bleeding enemies.
Breathing Room	The scope of Area Abilities is greatly increased.
Cleaving Strike	A large, sweeping strike pushes a damaging wave over the battlefield. Damage dealt increases with distance from the target while applying Bleeding on hit.
Concentration	Charged attack damage: +10%
Critical Leverage	Strike Abilities are guaranteed to do Critical damage vs. enemies more than 10 meters away.
Dazzle	Hitting multiple enemies with a single Area Ability grants Quickened.
Decisive Finish	Agile attack damage: +10% Charged attack damage: +10% Final attack damage: +10%
Depth of Fury	Maximum Rage: +50
Desolate Malady	Affliction damage: +10%
Determined Death	You can now hold down your Final attacks, strengthening their impacts. Releasing with perfect timing adds a powerful effect based on your weapon type.
Fighting Dirty	Hitting enemies with a Strike Ability applies an Affliction aligned with the Ability's damage type.
Fury of the Forge	Burning steel blades rain down on your enemies. Applies Burning on impact.
Incite Violence	Generate 15% more Rage from weapon attacks. This value is doubled vs. enemies suffering from an Affliction.
Punisher	Damage dealt by Strike Abilities vs. enemies with Low Health increases by 25%.
Spill Blood	Maximum Bleeding stacks: +1
Staggering Finale	Stagger from Final attacks: +20%
Underestimated	Light attack damage vs. health: +10%
Velocity	Stagger from weapon attacks: +20%
Wear and Tear	Damage from Area Abilities gain 30% Penetration.
Wrath	Critical damage: +10%

Mourn Watch Warrior Skills

COR

SUR

ABI

WEA

MWA

LOF

GWA

Skill	Description
Bloody Advance	Throw a fan of blades that seek out and impale nearby enemies. Applies Bleeding . While enemies are still impaled, a charged Shield Toss will cause a burst of damage to nearby enemies. Applies Sundered.
Carom	Enemies take 100% more damage and Stagger from environmental impacts.
Defy the Elements	Fire Resistance: 10% Cold Resistance: 10%
Desolate Malady	Affliction damage: +10%
Double Shot	Activating any Projectile Ability also launches a projectile, dealing 100 damage to a nearby enemy.
Eclectic Armorer	While wearing different classifications of Helm and Armor: Shield Toss bounces +2 Ranged attack damage +15% Weakpoint damage +15%
Enervation	Damage vs. Barrier: +20%
Ignition	Gain Flaming Weapons after defeating an enemy with a Weakpoint hit. Flaming Weapons deals +25% damage.
Lingering Decay	Duration Abilities apply Necrosis on impact.
Master Throw	Shield Toss can now be charged up an additional level.
Mortal Wounds	Weakpoint damage: +10%
Necessary Steps	Primer duration: +20%
Ricochet Shot	Shield Toss bounces: +1
Seething Pitch	Shield Toss now generates 2 additional Rage on impact. Striking Weakpoints doubles the effect.
Shot Chaser	Using a Projectile Ability deals an additional 10% damage relative to the number of possible Shield Toss bounces.
Slam	Performing a Takedown generates an additional 20% Ultimate and 50 Rage.
Staggering Toss	Shield Toss converts 25% of your current Rage into Stagger.
Staying Power	For each active Duration Ability's effect, you take 5% less damage from all sources.

Lord of Fortune Warrior Skills

COR

SUR

ABI

WEA

MWA

LOF

GWA

Skill	Description
Blunt Force	Enemies are Knocked Down when their Armor breaks.
Bulwark	Physical Resistance: +10%
Bulwark (Penetration)	Penetration: +15%
Concentration	Charged attack damage: +10%
Concussive Smash	Hitting enemies with a Smash Ability permanently reduces their Defense by 20.
Executioner's Gaze	Final attacks are Critical hits vs. enemies with Low Health.
Flames of Victory	Gain Flaming Weapons on a successful Takedown. You generate 25% more Stagger from weapon hits while Flaming Weapons is active.
Guardian's Reprieve	Performing a Takedown heals you for 250 health and grants Deflect.
Heavy Hitter	Heavy attack damage: +10%
Medium Armor Mastery	While wearing a Medium Helm and Armor: Final attack damage: +20% Charged attack damage: +20% Agile attack damage: +20% Takedown damage: +20%
Overhand Smash	Smash Abilities now deal an additional 50% damage vs. Armor and deal 50% more Stagger.
Precision Strikes	Hitting enemies with a Strike Ability deals increased damage equal to 50% of your base Weakpoint damage.
Quick Strikes	Defeating an enemy with a Strike Ability replenishes 25 Rage.
Rolling Thunder	After Charged attacks, use a Light attack or Heavy attack to follow up with an additional powerful Charged attack.
Shellbreaker	Damage vs. Armor: +20%
Staggering Charge	Stagger from Charged attacks: +20%
Triple Threat	Equipping an Ability of each damage type increases Ability damage by 20%.
Whirlwind	Unleash a whirlwind of steel that damages everything it hits and ends with a final massive blow. The final hit deals increased damage and Stagger. It is also highly likely to disrupt enemies.

Grey Warden Warrior Skills

COR

SUR

ABI

WEA

MWA

LOF

GWA

Skill	Description
Arcane Defiance	Electric Resistance +10% Necrotic Resistance +10%
Battlefield Awareness	When you interrupt an enemy in the middle of an attack with a Control Ability, you deal 15% bonus damage.
Breathing Room	The scope of Area Abilities is greatly increased.
Collateral Damage	Hitting multiple enemies with a single Area Ability deals 10% more damage for each enemy hit.
Enraged	Rage generation: +10%
Explosive Anger	Spending Rage deals 200% of the cost as Fire damage to enemies within 6 meters.
Falter	Using Control Ability attacks vs. enemies with High Health deals 100% additional Stagger.
Fiery Resolve	Gain Flaming Weapons on Perfect Defense. Flaming Weapons lasts 50% longer.
Grappling Spear	Harpoon your targets with a strong throw and drag them in for a closer encounter. Pulls your target toward you. Press Light or Heavy to perform a follow-up attack that deals Physical damage with a high chance to disrupt enemies. Applies Overwhelm.
Heavy Armor Mastery	While wearing a Heavy Vitaar and Armor: Defense + 20%. You are now less likely to be disrupted when getting hit.
Heavy Hitter	Heavy attack damage: +10%
Pump the Primer	Overwhelmed and Sundered are 20% more effective.
Reinforcement	Each of your active Advantages increases damage dealt by 10%.
Sly Strike	Agile, Charged, and Final attacks deal 15% bonus damage to enemies suffering from an Affliction.
Staggering Charge	Stagger from Charged attack: +20%
Traumatize	Takedown damage: +15%
Unbroken Finale	Add a powerful Shield Final attack to the end of your Attack Chain.
Wildfire	Fire damage: +10%

Warrior Specialization Skills

Reaper Specialization Skills

Reaper

Slayer

Champion

Skill	Description
Death's Blessing	Necrotic damage: +10%
Death's Throw	Converts Shield Toss to deal Necrotic damage.
Death's Touch	While any Duration Ability is active, your Charged attacks also apply Necrosis to enemies.
Desperation	Gain bonus damage relative to the amount of health your target and you have lost.
Devastation	Affliction damage: +10% Affliction duration: +20%
Invigoration	Leech effectiveness: +20%
Let it Linger	Shield Toss bounces now apply an Affliction based on your Shield’s damage type.
Living Decay	Your Necrotic damage now has 50% Penetration and restores 2% of your health.
Perfect Throw	Release Shield Toss the moment a new Charge level is attained to gain bonus damage and bounces.
Reaper	Call forth an ethereal scythe that slashes and slices your enemies. Applies Siphon. Detonates Weakened.
Reckless Shot	Projectile Abilities deal 25% more damage but consume 10% health.
Shattering Throw	Shield Toss damage: +10% Shield Toss bonuses: +1
Spirit of Hunger	Killing an enemy spawns a Necrotic projectile that follows enemies.
Spirit Storm	Call upon the Mourn Watch’s occult knowledge to unleash a Necrotic storm. A whirlwind moves toward your target, inflicting multiple hits and applying Siphon to enemies.

Slayer Specialization Skills

Reaper

Slayer

Champion

Skill	Description
Arc of Destruction	After a Sprint Attack, use a Light attack or Heavy attack to follow up with an additional Final attack.
Blindside	After a short delay, Charged attacks deal an additional 150 Physical damage.
Charged Smash	Smash Abilities are now Charged attacks. For Whirlwind, this applies only to the final hit.
Decisive Finish	Agile attack damage: +10% Charged attack damage: +10% Final attack damage: +10%
Determination	Physical damage: +10%
Double-Edged	Bonus Ability damage also applies to Weapon damage at 20% of its value. Bonus Weapon damage also applies to Ability damage at 20% of its value.
For Gold and Glory	Glory favors the bold. Leap into the fray. Deals very high Stagger to enemies within range.
Furor	Charged attacks generate more Rage relative to Charge level.
Harder Hits	Weapon damage: +10% Ability damage: +10%
Heroic Leap	Leap forward and deal heavy damage to any nearby enemies. Deals high Stagger and is likely to disrupt enemies. Detonates Weakened.
Sharper Edge	Penetration: +15%
Striking Precision	Hitting an enemy with a Strike Ability grants Precision. The duration of Precision resets if it is already active.
Two-Handed Wind-Up	Charged attacks with your Two-Handed Weapon can be charged even further, unlocking a powerful new attack and greatly increasing its effectiveness.
Violent Catharsis	Expending Rage heals you for 100% of the Rage spent.

Champion Specialization Skills

Reaper

Slayer

Champion

Skill	Description
Aftermath	Unbroken Finale now also deals its damage in a large cone behind the target.The radius is doubled if you have Rally Party. This damage does not count as a Final attack.
Battlecry	Health +10% Defense +10%
Blight Bane	Throw a Warden siege bomb that bursts into a cluster of explosives after a short delay. Launches multiple explosives with each capable of applying Burning to enemies in a small radius. Detonates Weakened.
Bulkhead	For each equipped Control Ability, you gain 20 Defense.
Endless Fire	Area Abilities now deal Fire damage. Blight Bane deals additional blasts.
Enflamed	Burning damage increases by 20% of your current Rage.
Flare-Up	Maximum Burning stacks: +1
Inspiring Guard	Executing a Perfect Defense now guards against otherwise unblockable attacks. Doing so grants Rally Party.
Reverb	Trigger a powerful shockwave when executing a Perfect Defense. The shockwave deals 300 Fire damage and applies Burning to enemies.
Ring of Fire	Burning is now also applied to enemies around the target.
Shield Bearer	Shield damage: +10%
The Best Defense	Gain 50% of your Defense as bonus Shield attack damage.
Warden's Fire	Unleash a barrage of strikes with the burning strength that resides within every Grey Warden. Applies Burning to enemies.
Wildfire	Fire damage: +10%

Dragon Age: The Veilguard Related Guides

All Skills and Skill Trees

Skills by Class

Rogue Skills

Warrior Skills

Mage Skills

All Skills Types

Abilities	Passives
Traits	Ultimates
Companion Skills