Dragon Age Veilguard has many decisions during the main storyline but some of the major decisions will involve the companions we brought along the way. Companion decisions can weigh on our hearts, as different choices will lead to rewards that might not bode well with our current playstyle, build or role-playing. It is better to know about the rewards and consequences of the decision before making it in the game. The guide here will navigate you through the rewards and consequences of whether should Bellara keep or free the Archive in Dragon Age: The Veilguard.
Keep Or Free The Archive In Dragon Age: The Veilguard?
The decision to keep or free the Archive does not have any impact on the main story, or on your romance possibilities with Bellara. It does impact, however, the kind of rewards that you get, so let’s look at both the options, the rewards for both, and finally, what is our pick among the two choices.
The decision to keep or free the Archive takes place in the Lighthouse after finishing the personal quest for Bellara titled ‘Through The Shadows’. The decision is part of Bellara’s Hero of the Veilguard status, which is necessary for the secret ending of the game.
What If Bellara Keeps The Archive
Story Consequences:
When you decide to keep the Archive instead of letting it go, the Elves will store the Archive’s knowledge, safely keeping it from getting into the hands of others.
“You’ve persuaded Bellara that she should preserve the Archive.“
Rewards:
Lingering Strike (Veilguard Skill):
- The replenishment ability applies a weakened 6-meter radius around Bellara.
- Anytime Bellara inflicts Weakened on the enemy, she does +200 Electric Damage leaving the target in a state of shock.
Archivist’s Mail (Legendary Armor):
- Detonating any enemy with Sundered status will also detonate nearby Sundered enemies, it has 30 seconds of cooldown.
- Enemies near the 2nd Sundered enemy will be vulnerable to electric damage.
The Veilguard Skill for keeping the archive will work out well if you are playing as a Warrior. Bellara will inflict Weakened after casting Replenish, making the Driving Kick detonation easy to perform.
What If Bellara Frees The Archive
Story Consequences:
Elves will not gain the Archive’s Knowledge permanently. Here Bellara will have to let go of the Archive leading to a different set of rewards.
“You’ve persuaded Bellara that it’s best to let go of the Archive.“
Rewards:
Chain Lightning (Veilguard Skill):
- Bellera weapon attack can now chain lighting on shocked enemies, it will deal +100 Electric damage.
- The shock effect will now be 10% stronger.
Reborn Leathers (Legendary Armor):
- Every shocked enemy will get Detonation
- Detonation will now send off an additional +200 Electric Damage.
If you want to raise Bellara’s personal DPS and let her have an ability that can annihilate a group of enemies with her skills, then the combo of Chain Lightning and Reborn Leathers will be able to pull it off. The cherry on the cake here is the second perk which makes the shock effect 10% stronger. Since we are spreading chain lighting and bringing 100 electric damage to everyone, the more powerful shock will quickly take care of the masses.
Bellara Keep Or Free The Archive: Which Is The Best Choice?
We recommend freeing the archive to access the Chain Lightning skill, having the ability to take out a horde of enemies is always a plus sign to have in any RPG. While the choice of keeping the archive does make sense the rewards for the choice are dull compared to the other side.
