For players eager to pursue a romance with Lucanis in Dragon Age Veilguard, a crucial early-game decision can make or break your romantic aspirations. Surprisingly, this pivotal choice arises after the quest “A Warden’s Best Friend,” which primarily focuses on Davrin. Therefore, it’s easy to be caught off guard and inadvertently lock yourself out of a Lucanis romance.
Before you embark on “A Warden’s Best Friend,” it’s highly advisable to complete all available sidequests, especially those located in Minrathous and Treviso. These early-game sidequests are relatively few and won’t consume too much of your time. Simply explore each city, address any active quests marked with golden exclamation points on your map – these indicate undiscovered sidequests. If romancing Lucanis is a priority, ensure you purchase all available items from the initial vendor you encounter in Minrathous/Dock Town, as this will be your only chance to access their inventory. The three essential main quests to finish before starting “A Warden’s Best Friend” are:
- A Slow Poison
- A Study of Dock Town
- Coffee with the Crows
After completing each of these quests, make sure to visit the Lighthouse to check in with Lucanis or Neve. Some of these quests, particularly “A Slow Poison,” trigger follow-up conversations and sometimes even additional mini-quests with either Lucanis or Neve.
Once you’ve wrapped up these loose ends, proceed with “A Warden’s Best Friend.” Consider bringing Lucanis and Davrin along for this quest, as their combat abilities synergize effectively, and most quests reward you with approval boosts from companions who join you.
The climax of “A Warden’s Best Friend” presents a critical choice. Both Neve’s hometown, Minrathous, and Treviso, Lucanis’s home city, are under attack. Players face a decision reminiscent of Mass Effect: help Lucanis defend Treviso or assist Neve in saving Minrathous. To romance Lucanis, you MUST choose to save Treviso. Opting to save Minrathous will have severe consequences, effectively ending any chance of a romance with Lucanis.
Choosing to save Minrathous results in the following negative outcomes regarding Lucanis and your relationship with him:
- A significant loss of 100 faction approval with the Antivan Crows.
- A substantial gain of 250 faction approval with the Shadow Dragons.
- Permanent loss of access to the Antivan Crow vendor, preventing future purchases.
- Rediscovery of Fast-Travel Beacons in Treviso will be necessary.
- Lucanis will temporarily leave your party, prioritizing the protection of his city.
- Lucanis becomes “Hardened,” losing access to certain support abilities (while gaining buffs to combat abilities).
- Lucanis’ romance path is permanently locked. Even if you later regain his trust, romance options will never become available.
Choosing to save Treviso, on the other hand, while presenting its own set of consequences, is the optimal path for those interested in a Lucanis romance and for those who are still undecided about their romantic interests. Saving Treviso leads to:
- A loss of 100 faction approval with the Shadow Dragons.
- A gain of 250 faction approval with the Antivan Crows.
- Loss of access to the Shadow Dragon vendor.
- Rediscovery of Fast-Travel Beacons in Minrathous.
- Neve temporarily departs, committed to defending her city.
- Neve becomes “Hardened,” losing support abilities but gaining offensive combat buffs.
- Neve’s romance path remains open. Rebuilding Neve’s trust is possible, and her romance remains achievable.
In conclusion, selecting Treviso is unequivocally the better choice. Whether you are firmly set on romancing Lucanis or simply want to keep your romantic options open, saving Treviso ensures that the Lucanis romance remains a possibility throughout your Dragon Age Veilguard playthrough. Avoid the irreversible mistake of choosing Minrathous, and secure your path to potentially winning Lucanis’s heart.
