Dragon Age Inquisition - Party, Tactics and Behaviors Guide!

By request, here is a video with some tips and tricks to setting up your party composition, skill tactics, and behaviors for Dragon Age Inquisition!
This video largely discusses the behaviors on how to set up your ranged fighters so they stay as far away from harm as possible. By setting them to Follow themselves, not only do they stay at max range, but this allows you to easily switch party members without having to readjust your behavior settings!
Find out more and see the tests I performed to find the best settings!
Check out the previous guides below!
Masterwork Crafting and Gearing Guide!
• Dragon Age Inquisition...
Artificer Archer Rogue Guide!
• Dragon Age Inquisition...
Pyro-Necromancer with Endless Pets Guide!
• Dragon Age Inquisition...
Tempest Archer Guide!
• Dragon Age Inquisition...
Rift Mage Guide!
• Dragon Age Inquisition...
Champion Warrior Guide!
• Dragon Age Inquisition...
Dual Dagger Assassin Rogue Guide!
• Dragon Age Inquisition...
Two-Hand Templar Warrior Guide!
• Dragon Age Inquisition...
Reaver Warrior Guide!
• Dragon Age Inquisition...
Knight Enchanter - In-Depth Guide!
• Dragon Age Inquisition...
Dual Dagger Stealth Rogue Guide!
• Dragon Age Inquisition...
Two-Hand Warrior Guide
• Dragon Age Inquisition...
Balance Mage Guide
• Dragon Age Inquisition...
Sword and Shield Tank Warrrior Guide
• Dragon Age Inquisition...
Power Shots Archer Rogue Guide
• Dragon Age Inquisition...
Crafting Weapons, Armor and Upgrades!
• Dragon Age Inquisition...
Crafting Material Farming Guide! #1
• Dragon Age Inquisition...
Crafting Material Farming Guide! #2 Exalted Plains
• Dragon Age Inquisition...
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[@ReaperGrimm5594]

I wish they had kept the tactics system of Origins. I could tailor every little detail. Give the healer the priority to keep my tank up, tell my tank to keep people taunted, tell my DPS warrior to go ham, and control my rogue to stab people. All with very simple "If\Then" commands that didn't require complex testing and trial-and-error to figure out. In streamlining and dumbing down the game for more "accessibility," they managed to remove most of the tactical tools from the game and make it harder to issue party commands.

[@FinalShadow17]

ReaperGrimm5594 the ai is pretty good in inquisition. but they probably wanted ppl to play with micro management in mind for the harder difficulties. I'll see a lot of ppl not play as their champion which I like tbh.

[@WSPBane]

Agree this is my biggest disappointment with DAI. I really enjoyed the ability to mess around with tactics and set the AI to do exactly what I want then testing it out.

[@Viper3220]

Blame the frostbite engine and EA's mandate to use it. The tactics in DA2 were phenomenal. I had my ranged DPS set to take out other ranged enemies and my mages to auto stun/cc rogues/mages on sight. I had debuffers only use their debuffs on enemies I was targeting. If my healer was being attacked varric could knock him down with kickback or pinning shot and my other character to use a stun on any enemy that is both knocked down AND was also the target of varric and my tank to attack stunned targets because stunning an enemy reset the enemy's aggro. Now I'm stuck with blackwall using his guard abilities before anyone is in range, and I also get to witness him walk 1/4 of the way towards enemies, turn his back to them, and look at me and use shield wall or block and slash. I get to see Cole circle an enemy trying to get to their flank - 4 or 5 times without attacking and also despite the fact that his FLANK ATTACK ISN'T ON COOLDOWN! Inquisition is a good game but damn does it have big gaping flaws

[@EarFarce4]

@@FinalShadow17 "the ai is pretty good in inquisition" ...i don't think you've actually played the game. They're borderline mental patients.

[@FinalShadow17]

@@EarFarce4 I've played it and on hardest difficulty. They're glitchy, but that doesnt mean their choices of abilities are bad.

[@tomodachitony]

5 years later, I’m still rewatching this hahahaha

[@iv4nGG]

6 years.. watch someone leave a comment 2 years from now bellow me

[@bigred3308]

How about 2months

[@DeeDub02]

@@bigred3308 how about 2 months

[@user-bp4cp3xl7w]

@@iv4nGGthe time already passed bud

[@ArtSio443]

​@@iv4nGGhey hey

[@jaywithbenefits5749]

Watching in 2024 thanks for the great guide ! I’m currently doing a Batman Knights of Steel build on Nightmare mode .

[@the_father_streams]

I have just started playing 2020 with all the dlc and man I love it!!!

[@Ruldogs]

welcome to Dragon Age

[@timmagness7949]

Same boat. Started a couple of weeks ago.

[@stub0794]

I just started a week ago. I’ve had this game since release but had never beaten it.

[@Hatsutei]

I re-downloaded it a couple days ago. So much stuff to do!

[@Hawaiian_Pizza_Enjoyer]

I’m currently replaying the entire series. Glad to see people are still enjoying these games!

[@tyler_tantrum2697]

Who is watching it now? After getting it for free?

[@lordkibagami]

I never could make sense of behaviors, thank you for this!

[@IceDragon1377]

I'm totally going to try this. It's been driving me crazy seeing my ranged characters standing a foot away from the tank. Thanks for posting this man :)

[@ATLAS-cy4xi]

Thankfully whenever I brought sera she would always seem to stay at a safe distance so I never really had trouble with this

[@ronellgreen4745]

I know this is 2 years old but this is really going to help my Dragon Age

[@lendial]

I wish we had advanced tactics like in DAO, there was even a mod to allow more tactics. Something as simple as: They sometimes do it with stealth but that can cause issues of them running around in stealth doing nothing. Hell, you can even specificy exact potion values, how hard would have been to allow you to set the exact amount. 90% of the time im just using the tactical camera to get my archer and mages to simply away from when they draw agro. 4:50 sera going machine gun with a grifon bow!

[@retrotim]

This is my biggest disappointment with the game is the gimped tactics. It could have been such a deep system but Bioware went half-assed with it.

[@wearecatyouarerat2802]

Tim Gould bioware decide that they want to buy game to action game player .they decide to leave rpg gamer now. this is the end of dargon age series.i hope they change title to ' hit dragon and watch beatiful tree in next game . '

[@drdanknugz7003]

wearecat youarerat you sir, clearly failed english

[@wearecatyouarerat2802]

DrDankNugz do u have any opinion about dragon age ? i know u good at english but its not what he ask anymore sir

[@NinjaFlipsTV]

Tim Gould They dumbed it down so they could draw in more players - the ones too lazy to learn combat mechanics or too scared to face a challenge. It's a money thing - the "you can be a killer with no skill too if you just give us $65". What's a shame is it not only cheats the core fan base of this game taking away from the elements of combat that need to be learned, but it gives players much less to discuss and share on the BW forums - like tactics, strategies, builds, etc. this watered down crap cheats everyone.

[@KineticGTR]

Have a Fun, Safe, HAPPY HOLIDAYS!

[@marcstafford3136]

Jeez, just created a new character....Perfect timing! keep em coming! Particularly, a video on Best in Slot gear and 'your; recommended levelling/questing progression.

[@lucafenni4750]

Nice tips, i am going to try that as soon as i can....but i still hope they patch the if-then sentences on the behaviors..they are so poor right now :'(

[@asraiSOA]

WOW, these tips made a world of difference for me. Never played around w/ the behavior setting much... especially following THEMSELVES. This literally made some seemingly impossible fights 'almost' MUCH more manageable. This vid earned you a new sub! Great build videos as well...

[@jedimindtrick75]

Im new to this game in 2022. Just letting you know this video helped me a lot.

[@flyingcatfish]

THANK YOU!!! I have just started playing DA:I and have been frustrated with the tactical system and behaviors. Your video has the been the most helpful so far as in explaining how things work and what to expect. Very much appreciated. Thank you.

[@Xboxfanuk]

One of the most helpful Dragon Age Inquisition combat video I have ever seen! Thanks!

[@dwater007]

I have been looking all over the internet for a tip on this... finally you came through with it. I have already been building my characters through your videos. Your contribution to the Dragon Age community is greatly appreciated I'm sure. From Canada, happy holidays to you and your family!

[@KineticGTR]

Previous video - Artificer Archer Rogue Guide! kzbin.info/www/bejne/hXvci5yPpryAfZY

[@BarredRock]

8 years later still helpful

[@KineticGTR]

Next video - Top 10 Inquisition Perks! Tips and Tricks Guide! kzbin.info/www/bejne/qmbXk4KJrt6rirs

[@Fett2303]

I love the kinect voice commands, I just tell Cassy "Cassandra attack my target" and she runs towards it. Half way there I start my fulldraw with my archer rogue and my mage starts his barrier spell. I then tell Viv to defend Cassy and she starts running to help Cassy in melee Knight Enchanter style. At anytime they get to close I can tell them by voice command to come to me and they come and stand right near me. These commands (such as the "Cassandra heal or everyone heal" commands) make the game SOooooo much easier in fights.

[@ronellgreen4745]

some of us are still playing the game

[@blackout.X]

yup. wonderful game.

[@dn0803]

yup, just bought for the first time!

[@justinred3382]

Just got it a week ago. Great game!!

[@djangomatador9442]

YES SIR

[@ltlsWhatltIs]

I just got full game with all dlc for 10 dollars lol... i am freakin addicted amd started on nightmare bc i love a challenge.

[@ScorpionP2C]

Coming back to this game now and this was still highly helpful, thank you!

[@arthurngjinhao]

Merry Christmas Kinetic. Your advice from this video coupled with my new builds that are also coming out of your build videos as templates made Nightmare mode about 40% more manageable. Please make more tips and tricks videos like this! Thanks for the videos. Happy Holidays!

[@TheSljr1997]

Thank you for the breakdown. Just can’t put this game down for long so the refresher on the mechanics has made it so much easier to return.

[@EpicMars]

This is a great video, maybe a little advanced for me but nonetheless it's very informative. This is the first time im taking a break from FPS games and trying a game like this, so I have no idea what i'm doing. I just rush into the enemy with my sword and shield and click mouse buttons...but i'll learn eventually. Looking for a very basic tutorial lol

[@mennykickens486]

Thank you so much for the behavior tip I had so many issues with the micro management of my ranged members

[@sT4RduZZt]

Nice tips, especially that "Follow -> Him/Herself" thing for the ranged fighters is really useful, thanks a lot. Happy Holidays Kinetic (and everyone else of course^^)!

[@michaelbell5024]

For me it doesn't do it for each individual. I can change who I'm defending or following for 1 character, but I can't do something separate for the other 3 characters. Am I doing it wrong?

[@J1Warrior84]

@@michaelbell5024 did u figure it out? I'm about to start playing. Just bought it today

[@Makiyura]

Awesome, definitely going to use the tips here when I start playing the game. Thank you!

[@josiahz21]

Playing for the first time in 6 years thx for this

[@chrisg8989]

2020 here. Playing DAI again! Been bingeing these videos. So helpful!

[@felixthescholarlytitan4437]

To be honest, I greatly preferred the behavior options used in Dragon age Origins. It was MUCH more in depth and allowed us to know what would happen no matter what situation you find yourself in.

[@Psykrom]

this was very useful, I overlooked the tactics tab completely.

[@chnhsi009]

Thanks for the your advice and time. Happy Holidays !!!

[@demonR1]

Awesome video as always. Appreciate your help making a great game even better. Happy holidays

[@matthalaboo6694]

Here's what I do: All range allies (mages and bow rogues) follow themselves. All melee rogues follow you, which makes them attack whoever you're attacking. If you are playing as a warrior, have warrior allies follow themselves. If you're a ranged class, have warriors follow you, then you can basically direct your melee allies in battle just by shooting at chosen enemies. If you're a melee rogue, have the warriors defend you.

[@blessedthroughmisery]

I came here thanks to your comment on the 'Survival in Thedas' video from the Dragon Age channel. Thanks for the advice. Hopefully some of this will help me during those difficult fights with high-dragons :) Also: your channel seems filled with good videos, so you've earned yourself a new subscriber :D!

[@savigy1301]

Thanks, this helps alleviate a lot of pain that came with the butchered tactics. Man, I hope the next DA game has old school tactics, maybe have an option for a more automated like in DAI.

[@adammiah1857]

This helped SO much! Inquisition is the first Dragon Age game I'm playing and i'm always losing fights not knowing how to fight! Thank you for this!

[@KineticGTR]

Glad I could help :)

[@soundofnellody262]

Finally a useful combat advice video. Thank YOU!

[@sheujade]

2020 and still playing DA. Thanks for sharing the video, it has helped me win a few fights :)

[@geraldtarrant3656]

I've just started playing this game. You've been a big help.

[@joaopedro-un6tb]

Very nice tips. Thanks king

[@MrJsGotTheGoods]

Seriously helpful thanks dude. Keep up the good work

[@1money11]

I had allready found your videos very helpfull but after watching this one....subscribed =)

[@Mr_Nanny]

9 years later- still helpful.

[@jaybone2]

Super informative. Loved the vid!

[@dantedamean]

Awesomely helpful video man. Thanks.

[@hank9112]

Thanks for the video. Really helpful.

[@techtoth1]

Thanks 4 the vid!

[@sweetstar8756]

2024 and I finally got a new computer after 8 months of not having one and been wanting to play this for a very long time I love this game

[@poiuykkpoii840]

I’ve only just picked this game up on the Xbox game pass and I’ve just restarted for my second time, only got to lvl 10 first time round but did a few things wrong etc. These videos have helped even now thank you! Great game! Subbed!

[@jimsoo3930]

Starting in 2024 PC since I never finished my run on my PS4 in 2015. These are helpful.

[@peacetoall30]

Watching your videos have made me want to get back into this game. Got the whole thing for like £10 Digital download. Subscribed!

[@studybug614]

This is amazing. Thank you for your research.

[@ricardomarino3763]

This combat system is amazing in my opinion and the Best of all RPGs available to this day.

[@girltriesgames]

Thanks for this! It's too bad this wasn't more intuitive in the game itself, but thanks for doing the research for us!

[@alexanderfriis1]

Thank you for this video. It was very informative and useful. Especially the part of how to set the behavior of the characters as that has been quite confusing for me. :-)

[@IamDraaky]

Thanks for the tips!

[@junkka83]

this was extremely helpful. thank you

[@Errughor]

this is excellent advice, thank you !

[@MinisterForSillyVids]

Just got the game and am loving it. This video was super helpful :)

[@MinisterForSillyVids]

@Mr.Angry Who are you romancing / planning to romance? I was interested Cullen (o•́ᴗ•̀)o | o(•́ᴗ•̀o) but I played as a male character so RIP. Going to go for Dorian instead I think.

[@FrenziedMadness25]

Great video, sir. Enjoy your holidays with friends and family.

[@TheBrisinger108]

so bloody useful thank you !

[@Heelissrogue]

Nice & clear advice. Ty.

[@TheHunted385]

exactly what I was looking for, thats alot Kinetic!

[@Blueraazor]

Man this just helped me loads. Just started this game

[@Jordonn67]

I'm from the future, 2022, this video helped a lot. Thanks

[@theblantern]

dude thank you soooo much. I am getting hammered and I need to learn how to play...

[@nolgroth]

Interesting. DA:I was a game that I tinkered with years ago. Now that I am playing it, I wondered how I might optimize the AI behavior. I never considered setting a character to follow or defend themselves. Good info.

[@SteveS_1980]

Heya! I died a lot and very easily with my companions as well, we were just squishy. But setting the resources right helped me a lot. By default all of us in the team had high reserve rate. Also I am still experimenting with the "follow" settings but changing the resources and behavior details made my gameplay much more enjoyable. I already forgot to save the game just in case before big fights because now I am not dying. I played only a few hours and still before Skyhold but can't wait to meet with the other companions as now I have only Cass / Varris / Solas. Thank you for the tips, exactly what I needed. Cheers from the future :D Oct 2021

[@menschtx]

Thanks for your insight

[@digitalsignalx]

Great video, however for fight initiation while playing a ranged char - you might want to just use the "Y" key (Attack my target) - not sure what the console equivalent is. That way your party runs forward and the tank will usually initiate. After the fight starts, I press the "L" key to disengage, and normal AI target prioritization takes over.

[@danieldelaney9149]

thanks for the vid man you just got a new sub! :D

[@nathanbarnhart7823]

M

[@ubolec]

Man you are so awesome, you helped me a lot, thank you!!!!!

[@adamdabrowski931]

Good work Lad!

[@high_stakes_ikea7087]

I remember the hype behind this gaming coming out like it was a couple years ago... Can't believe this video is 7+ years old

[@Dillon_J]

very helpful thanks.

[@zitr074]

nice, thanks for this.

[@1ButtonDash]

thanks for this! Kinda wish they had options for like stay ranged or close ranged like DA: Origins had but this will work

[@parallax7789]

Hellos there, kinetic. First, I would like to say thank you for this video. I am actually new at DAI and I was having this same issue. This solved it instantly and made the game a helluva lot more fun and easy. Secondly, I wanted to ask for some advice. What do you think is petter of a Mage when picking skills? Would you rather pick certain schools to specialize in or cherry pick one of everything in order to become more versatile in combat. Thank you and have a nice day.

[@ATLAS-cy4xi]

If I'm a mage I usually cast a barrier first on myself and party before initiating a fight to ensure if they aggro me I don't take damage to my health and my warriors don't take damage on the way from ranged attacks to taunt or attack. I also almost always have fade step unlocked quickly so if I need to I can just get away quickly and in the meantime my warriors can come in to help me. Also, there are other ways to defend yourself from attackers that just won't leave you quick enough and your barrier has depleted, and that's using ice mines with the upgrade that places them in front of you which allows you to freeze up to 3 enemies at once extremely quickly. Winter's grasp also does this, but only freezes one. I think it does more damage with the upgrade though I can't recall. You can have both or one of them, it's your call. Winter's grasp is great for combos though and you can attack and freeze with that spell from any distance which is great. The ice mines you have to think ahead quite a bit since they take some time trigger without the upgrade I mentioned before, but will allow you to cast it from any distance. Then again you want protection from enemies get to close to your squishy mage so ice mines is my favorites and obviously the ice mines are also great with combos so there's that

[@Riouizzy13]

Thank you so much!!

[@Youngimperialist]

Very interesting.

[@martinrobo123]

Thanks for this tip, this will help :-)

[@mikhaeldaoudi795]

Pretty helpful Thank you :)

[@carnalito114]

very helpful man,

[@matthewtaylor8727]

Hey Kinetic great vid. This works really well for my ranged followers except Solas doesn't attack unless i command him to hold, or attack my target. He then swings into action but if that target dies he stops again until i tell him to hold or attack my target. If i forget to do this he will fail to attack for a whole battle. I have ai on and he's set to defend himself. Other characters are ok.

[@HapyyTheCat]

Holy shit. Thank you Sir. Thank you so much.

[@TheRchrishyatt]

Game with dlc available for 5 bucks on Playstation store for ps4. I got it today and just started. Thanks for the video!

[@darklight79797]

Just discovered your channel. Thanks!

[@SincerelyMango]

Ok

[@waelse1]

5 years later and I still rely on your vids. Going to test having my followers follow themselves, having Vivienne plunge into melee combat isn't what I want.

[@lynsmanz384]

Max level and I still barely understand team strategy

[@Sunhawk7ajj]

Happy Holidays Thanks!!!!

[@hero28]

shared to a friend, helped me too, thanks - liked -

[@egumrukcuoglu]

First off all i want to say thank you for these videos. I'm new in this game and i watched your videos. I interested in Rift mage and Stealth Rogue classes but i couldn't make a choise. Whats your favorite class?

[@sledgehammer_44]

can't watch these guides or I'll want to play this game even more.. and I don't have time for that :p Happy Holidays!! :D

[@JDFONSECACOLOMA]

Played mostly post-patch on harder modes on Xbox 1 and didn`t have issues with ranged party members getting too close. Did have minor issues with characters stuck on terrain. Nice vid anyways, bro.

[@newgenart482]

bro thanks for the video i know its been long time. I want to know if setup everything and start to speed the time do I need to press anything during the fights or let them chose what ability to play.

[@Jjrmtv]

well done

[@S0bek]

Very usefull, thanks ;)

[@esosis8528]

nice videos you helped me a lot;)

[@nurby1824]

Come back to this game for another run and the AI always frustrated the hell out of me. Thanks for the tips.