When you reach the Crossroads in Dragon Age: The Veilguard, the choice to visit Dock Town or Treviso first might seem crucial-but it’s really a matter of personal preference. Both locations offer unique quests, factions, and companions, and you’ll eventually explore both regardless of your initial choice. However, heading to Treviso first unlocks the formidable companion Lucanis early and sets you up for a smoother progression, while Dock Town ties closely with the main storyline and resistance efforts. Choose your path wisely, as the order can influence side quests and companion availability before a pivotal later decision reshapes your journey.
You next step is to travel to either Dock Town or Treviso (via the Crossroads). Our Dragon Age: The Veilguard guide will let you know if you should head to Dock Town or Treviso first.
Should you go to Treviso or Dock Town first?
When deciding whether to visit Treviso or Dock Town first in Dragon Age: The Veilguard, it ultimately comes down to personal preference, as you will visit both locations and complete their respective quests regardless of the order. However, going to Treviso first is often recommended because it allows you to unlock Lucanis as a companion early, who can then assist you in the subsequent Dock Town quest. Treviso’s “Sea of Blood” quest involves engaging with the Antivan Crows and features several battles, while Dock Town’s “Smuggled Relic Case” centers on the Shadow Dragons and tracking a dangerous relic. Completing all side quests in both locations before moving on to the next major quest is advised, as later choices may lock you out of some content.
The two quests you get from Neve are leads in your larger investigation. “Sea of Blood” is a lead on an assassin to recruit from the Antivan Crows. “The Smuggled Relic Case” has you check in with the Shadow Dragons and track down a dangerous relic.
You can do these two missions in either order. They both involve exploring parts of the world you haven’t really been to yet and opening up a lot of fast travel locations. Both involve a (not surprisingly) major fight at the end.
The question of what to do first is really about your priorities:
- Head to Treviso first if you’re looking to build out your roster of allies and help the Antivan Crows (first). You’ll meet a new ally and recruit a new rogue to your cause (after a very challenging boss fight).
- Head to Dock Town first if you’re looking to meet the Shadow Dragons first, and to get a little more experience to build up your current character(s) before you tackle a harder fight.
Heading to Treviso is the safer and easier option. Yes, Treviso’s “Sea of Blood” involves several fights and a challenging boss fight at the end, but, in our experience, it was generally easier than Dock Town’s “The Smuggled Relic Case.” And the assassin you recruit during “Sea of Blood” is a powerful companion.
Lucanis joins the party after Treviso
After completing the quest in Treviso, you will recruit Lucanis Dellamorte, a skilled Antivan Crow and expert assassin known as the “Mage Slayer,” who joins your party after you free him from prison during the Sea of Blood main quest. Having Lucanis on your team provides significant advantages in combat, especially against mages, and his presence makes subsequent quests, such as those in Dock Town, easier to manage. His abilities and bond-building opportunities through dialogue and quest participation make him a valuable companion to have early on after Treviso.
That assassin is Lucanis, the Demon of Vyrantium. He’s a human rogue and part of the Antivan Crowsfaction. He’s a good melee character, and has five skills:
- Abominate deals necrotic damage and is both extra effective against Barriers and applies Knocked Down
- Adrenaline Rush grants you Enhanced Damage
- Eviscerate deals a huge amount of necrotic damage (even more if the enemy is below half health) and detonates Overwhelmed
- Soothing Potion is a healing ability
- Debilitate is another necrotic damage ability that deals a lot of Stagger and applies Sundered
Lucanis is also a package deal with the demon Spite who lives in his head. Spite grants him (and you) the ability to summon spectral platforms from the Fade.
Why is Treviso considered the safer and easier first choice in Dragon Age Veilguard
Treviso is considered the safer and easier first choice in Dragon Age: The Veilguard because its questline, while involving challenging fights and a tough boss, is generally less difficult than the alternative in Dock Town. Choosing Treviso allows you to recruit Lucanis, a powerful rogue companion, early on, which can make subsequent encounters more manageable. Additionally, Treviso’s storyline is more straightforward and ties into expanding your group of allies, making it a smoother introduction to the game’s challenges.
In contrast, Dock Town offers tougher fights and is more closely connected to the main storyline and resistance efforts, which can be more demanding for players starting out. Thus, Treviso’s combination of a slightly easier combat experience and the early addition of a strong companion makes it the preferred initial destination for many players.
What makes Treviso less fortified and more accessible than Minrathous in the lore
Treviso is considered less fortified and more accessible than Minrathous in Dragon Age: The Veilguard lore because it is a merchant city already under occupation without an army or city guards to defend it. In contrast, Minrathous is the capital of the Tevinter Empire, equipped with thousands of high-powered mages, city guards, Templars, and a sky fortress-the Archon’s Palace-capable of defending the city, including with powerful magical defenses like laser beams. This disparity makes Treviso more vulnerable and less prepared for a dragon attack, while Minrathous is better equipped to withstand such threats.
Furthermore, Treviso’s canals and infrastructure are more exposed and less militarized, contributing to its susceptibility and making it a more accessible target. The city’s occupation and lack of defense forces mean it suffers more immediate and visible damage during the conflict, whereas Minrathous, despite eventual turmoil, maintains stronger defenses and a more fortified position.
