Dragon Age: The Veilguard

Should Bellara Keep or Free the Archive?

Classes & Builds: Warrior, Mage, Rogue
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Dragon Age The Veilguard - Should You Keep or Free the Archive
In Dragon Age: The Veilguard, players can choose between keeping the archive or freeing the archive. See what the consequences of keeping or freeing the Archive are in this guide!

Should Bellara Keep or Free the Archive?

Free the Archive

Keep the Archive

It is recommended that players free the archive to capitalize on Bellara's Shocked application and augment her ability to eliminate groups of enemies, as opposed to the other choice's incredibly niche rewards.

List of All Major Choices and Consequences

Keep the Archive for Warrior Rook

For players playing Warrior Rook, it is much more beneficial to pick the Keep the Archive option to acquire her Lingering Strike ability. It allow Bellara to apply Weakened upon casting Replenish, allowing Warrior Rook to detonate it via Driving Kick.

Outcomes and Consequences of Keeping or Freeing the Archive

Summary of Choice Outcomes

Prompt
Bellara: Then tell me Rook. What would you do?
Choice Consequence
Keep the Archive. ・You've persuaded Bellara that she should preserve the Archive.
・Bellara gains Lingering Strike (Veilguard Skill)
・Obtain the Archivist's Mail (Legendary Armor)
Free the Archive. ・You've persuaded Bellara that it's best to let go of the Archive.
・Bellara gains Chain Lightning (Veilguard Skill)
・Obtain the Reborn Leathers (Legendary Armor)

Bellara Keeps the Archive

Reward Effect
Lingering Strike
Veilguard Skill
・Bellara's Replenish Ability now applies Weakened in a 6-meter radius around you
・Whenever Bellara applies Weakened, it also deals 200 Electric damage and renders the target Shocked
Archivist's Mail
Legendary Armor
・Detonating a Sundered enemy Detonates another nearby Sundered enemy. (30-second cooldown)
・Enemies near the second Detonation become vulnerable to Electric damage

Lingering Strike and Archivist's Mail further enhance Bellara's supportive capabilities, enabling Replenish to become a valuable source of AoE Weakened. The Weakened effect and the healing make her Replenish one of the best sustain skills in the game, in addition to having an additional source of Shocked for builds that can take advantage of it.

A setup with Bellara can allow a Warrior Rook to head into the thick of the fight, be healed with Replenish, and detonate Weakened to clear out the enemies.

Bellara Frees the Archive

Reward Effect
Chain Lightning
Veilguard Skill
・Bellara's weapon attacks chain lightning against Shocked enemies, dealing 100 Electric damage
・The effect of Shocked is 10% stronger
Reborn Leathers
Legendary Armor
・Detonations apply Shocked to all enemies
・Detonations deal an additional 200 Electric damage

Chain Lightning and Reborn Leathers can enhance Bellara's personal DPS, enabling her to eliminate groups of enemies when utilized in tandem with her skills. Activating the Lingering Spark upgrade for Galvanized Tear can group and apply Shocked to multiple enemies at once, and allow Chain Lightning to take them out as they are gathered inside the skill.

When Does the Choice Appear?

After the Through the Shadows Quest

Through the Shadows

This choice appears after completing the Through the Shadows quest and speaking to Bellara at the Lighthouse. Bellara will attain the Hero of the Veilguard status after the succeeding events.

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Dragon Age: The Veilguard Related Guides

Choices

All Dialogue Choices Major Choices

All Major Choices and Consequences

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Should Harding Honor the Titans' Anger? Should Taash Embrace Rivaini Culture or Qunari Heritage?
Should You Send Davrin or Harding To Lead the Second Team? Should You Send Neve or Bellara to Dismantle the Wards?
All Final Mission Choices Who Should Fight in the Front Line to Defend Divine's Manor?
Should You Fight, Trick, or Save Solas? Should Bellara Keep or Free the Archive?
Should Neve Protect Dock Town or Bring It Hope? -

All Choices with Minor Consequences

Choices with no Minor Consequences
Should You Challenge or Support Varric's Plan? Should You Knock Out or Reason with the First Warden?
Should You Turn the Lovers in or Warn Them? Should Maevaris or Dorian Become the Archon?
Should You Let the Wardens Try? Should You Punish Illario or Save Caterina?

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