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Unlike Dragon Age: Origins and Dragon Age 2, Dragon Age: Inquisition does not show the scale of a companion's approval. With nine companions in total that have these hidden scales, there is a lot going on behind the scenes when the player makes a choice.

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For players who trophy/achievement hunt Trespasser content, approval gets far more important in the "Trial of Lovers" challenge. The challenge makes players have a Fair-Weather Friends status, which means all negative approval is doubled. To complete the achievement, you must get to the Halamshiral Ball with all companions.

While approval scales are hidden, becoming friends with all the companions can be easy as long as you know about them and their complex perspectives.

Updated on August 18, 2021, by Allison Stalberg: Dragon Age: Inquisition is a favorite of many Dragon Age fans, as it combines the strengths of both Origins and Dragon Age 2. Among the inner circle of characters, there are faces both familiar and new. Like in the previous games, every companion has unique opinions that living in Thedas has shaped. Two companions may approve and disapprove of the same decision a player makes. Disapproval from companions in Inquisition is not forgiving like the rivalry system in Dragon Age 2, so it is good to know how to avoid it when possible.

How Approval Works

  • The scale ranges from - 75 to 125 points.
  • Slightly approves and slightly disapproves only result in one point added or subtracted.
  • Approves and disapproves result in five points added or subtracted.
  • Greatly approves and greatly disapproves can make a big difference, adding or subtracting 25 points.
  • Most companions start at zero points when recruited. Dorian is the exception, as his approval depends on whether the player completed "In Hushed Whispers" or "Champions of the Just."
  • Unlike the previous games, there is no gift-giving system in Inquisition.

Cassandra

Cassandra in Haven with Inquisitor.
  • Character: Cassandra Pentaghast (full name is Cassandra Allegra Portia Calogera Filomena Pentaghast), Seeker, Hero of Oralis, Right Hand of the Divine, warrior, and love interest for male Inquisitors.
  • How & When You First Meet: Cassandra is the first warrior companion of the Inquisitor. She immediately is part of the party at the start of the game.

Cassandra is with the Inquisitor right at the beginning and to the end, even if she has high disapproval of their choices. She values duty and action, and she is a devout believer in the Maker.

If her disapproval gets high enough, the player can get a cutscene of her drunk and angry at the Inquisitor. But if her approval gets high after that, she will apologize for that whole scene.

Tips To Get Cassandra's Approval

  • Make pro-Templar choices and ally with them.
  • Express belief in the Maker.
  • Help those in need.
  • Have her in the party for every target killed in the quest "Unfinished Business."
  • Exile the Grey Wardens in "Here Lies The Abyss."
  • Complete the quest "Promise of Destruction."

How To Avoid Disapproval

  • If her approval is at negative 30 or lower, she will get drunk. To avoid further disapproval in the cutscene say "You're angry with me?" and then say "I'm doing my best."
  • When she fights with Varric, focus more on working together than picking sides (if you want both their approval).
  • If you are pro-mage and/or anti-Chantry, try to avoid those topics with her.

Varric

Varric in Skyhod.
  • Character: Varric Tethras, Head of House Tethras, surface dwarf, and rogue artificer.
  • How & When You First Meet: Varric is met along with Solas in the game prologue, after the Inquisitor forms a party with Cassandra.

Varric is easy to get approval from, especially for players who are already familiar with him from Dragon Age 2. As usual, Varric loves a protagonist that is worth telling stories about. In fact, he seems far more into selflessness than in the earlier game. He will no longer approve of a silver tongue if it means committing a selfish act, nor is he into boasting.

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Since the Inquisition exists to help people, Varric is easy to please through slowly gaining small amounts of approval. There are only three instances wherein the player can get a "Greatly Approves" from Varric.

Tips To Get Varric's Approval

  • Be humble.
  • Commit selfless deeds.
  • Save every townsperson during the quest "In Your Heart Shall Burn."
  • Make Cole more human.
  • In the quest "Here Lies the Abyss," Varric will greatly approve if the Warden character is sacrificed and the Wardens ally with the Inquisition.

How To Avoid Disapproval

  • Do not side with Cassandra when she fights Varric.
  • If Hawke is sacrificed in "Here Lies the Abyss", he will greatly disapprove of the Wardens Allying with the Inquisition and will instead greatly approve of their exile.
  • Do not act disinterested in conversations.

Solas

Solas in fight stance.
  • Character: Solas, apostate hedge mage, elf, and romance option for female elf Inquisitor.
  • How & When You First Meet: Solas is first encountered with Varric in the prologue of the game and joins the party with Varric.

Solas is a man with many secrets, but he is actually pretty easy to please. He loves an Inquisitor that asks him questions while showcasing intelligence and thoughtfulness.

If he disapproves enough, he won't leave the Inquisition, but he will certainly let the Inquisitor know his thoughts.

Tips To Get Solas's Approval

  • Either ally with the mages or conscript the Templars to the Inquisition.
  • Exile the Grey Wardens.
  • Always ask questions and show curiosity.
  • Make Cole more of a spirit.
  • Publicly expose Duchess Florianne in "Wicked Eyes and Wicked Hearts" (requires high court approval).
  • Do every ritual in "What Pride has Wrought" and also let Morrigan drink from the Well of Sorrows.
  • In "All New, Faded for Her," help Solas destroy the summoning circle and allow him to kill the mages.

How To Avoid Disapproval

  • If the Grey Wardens join the Inquisition, tell Solas "We need them." Any other option gets disapproval. The same is true for the Templars.
  • Never cut a conversation short with "This conversation is over."
  • If you take up the Necromancer specialization, tell him it's because "I wanted to learn." Any other option gets disapproval.

Iron Bull

Iron Bull at the Storm Coast smirking
  • Character: The Iron Bull, known as Hissrad by Qunari, leader of the Bull's Chargers, Ben-Hassrath, and romance option for male or female Inquisitor.
  • How & When You First Meet: After dealing with the Chantry in Val Royeaux, a mercenary of Bull's will tell the Herald that Bull is interested in being hired by the Inquisition. He can then be found and recruited on the Storm Coast with his chargers.

The Iron Bull is the second Qunari companion players get in the series, though he is not very similar to Sten in terms of what he approves of. Such differences include loving to drink, be jovial, and being a romance option for the Inquisitor.

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The man loves battles, especially when it comes to killing Venatori and dragons.

Note: Players who want Iron Bull to survive past Trespasser content must not sacrifice the Chargers. While he will act like he is fine with it, it will make him betray the Inquisitor down the road.

Tips To Gain Iron Bull's Approval

  • Kill dragons with him in the party.
  • In "Hushed Whispers," conscript the mages.
  • In "Champions of the Just," invite the Templars as allies.
  • Make Gaspard emperor in "Wicked Eyes and Wicked Hearts."
  • Fight groups of Venatori with him in the party.
  • Arm and exile Chief Movran the Under (the man who threw goats at Skyhold) to Tevinter.

How To Avoid Disapproval

  • Do not accept the rebel mages as allies in Redcliffe Castle.
  • Do not exile the Wardens.
  • Do not let Morrigan drink from the Well of Sorrows.
  • Do not disband the Templar Order at Therinfal Redoubt.

Sera

Inquisitor with Sera in her room.
  • Character: Sera, elven archer, tempest rogue, part of the Red Jennys, and possible romance for a female Inquisitor.
  • How & When You First Meet: In Val Royeaux, an arrow will shoot with a message which starts the quest "A Friend of Red Jenny." The Inquisitor must follow the clues to eventually meet Sera. She offers to join the Inquisition upon first meeting.

Sera is a character with pretty strong opinions that she makes known the moment she is recruited. She is not comfortable with magic, does not relate to "elfy things," and will even comment on (as well as approve or disapprove) of the Inquisitor's race upon first meeting them — with Qunari as a favorite and elves as the least favorite.

Despite seeming unthoughtful at first though, Sera is acutely aware of classism (as long as it doesn't involve mages or Dalish matters) and approves of shaking down the corrupt status quo for the benefit of the "little guys."

Tips To Gain Sera's Approval

  • Conscript mages in "In Hushed Whispers" or disband the Templars in "Champions of the Just."
  • Pardon Thom Rainer.
  • In "Here Lies the Abyss," allow the Grey Wardens to ally with the Inquisition.
  • During Judgement, execute Magister Livius Erimond, Mayor Gregory Dedrick, and Knight-Captain Denam.
  • Agree with Sera that Dalish gods are all lies after "What Pride Had Wrought."

How To Avoid Disapproval

  • If romanced, do not end the relationship.
  • Do not speak highly of the Dalish around her.
  • Do not make anti-Chantry belief comments around her.

Dorian

Dorian standing in the library at Skyhold
  • Character: Dorian Pavus, human Altus mage of the Tevinter Imperium, necromancer, and possible romance for male Inquisitors.
  • How & When You First Meet: There are two ways to meet Dorian. If you meet with the mages in Redcliffe, Dorian will introduce himself. When the Inquisitor confronts Alexius, Dorian will join the Inquisition. Alternatively, if the Inquisitor pursues the templars to seal the Breach then Dorian will appear in Haven to warn the Inquisition of the upcoming attack by Corypheus.

Dorian is a fan favorite of the series, so many players strive to be liked by him. This is easy if the Inquisitor is pro-mage, but not impossible if they are pro-Templar either.

Outside of magic, Dorian loves wit, flirting (by both male and female Inquisitors, despite only romancing male ones), and kindness to others.

Tips To Gain Dorian's Approval

  • Choose the quest, "In Hushed Whispers."
  • Let Morrigan drink from the Well of Sorrows.
  • Invite the Grey Wardens to join the Inquisition.
  • In "Wicked Eyes and Wicked Hearts," either allow Celene to be killed or reunite her and Briala.
  • Publicly expose Duchess Florianne in "Wicked Eyes and Wicked Hearts" (requires high court approval).
  • Be kind, especially to mages.
  • Flirt with him.

How To Avoid Disapproval

  • Do not choose Gaspard as the next emperor of Orlais.
  • Do not drink from the Well of Sorrows (especially if in a romance with Dorian).
  • Do not make Erimond and/or Alexius tranquil at judgment.
  • Do not exile the Grey Wardens.
  • Do not conscript the mages at Redcliffe Castle.
  • Do not disband or ally with the Templars in Therinfal Redbout.

Cole

Cole's face.
  • Character: Cole, spirit of compassion, and rogue assassin.
  • How & When You First Meet: Similiar to Dorian, but opposite. If you do the Templar quest then Cole joins the Inquisition during that quest. If you do the mage's questline instead, then it will be Cole to comes to Haven to warn of Corypheus' attack instead of Dorian.

Cole is a spirit of compassion, and that makes him the more predictable companion in terms of what he approves of. He loves helping people, but that means he can also approve of killing those that cause pain and strife.

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For those that did not read the Dragon Age book, Asunder, Cole can be more of an unknown. It's important to know that Cole took the form and name of a boy who died while imprisoned, and due to that he often hates it when the Inquisitor imprisons others.

Tips to Gain Cole's Approval

  • Exile the Grey Wardens.
  • Either ally with the mages in "In Hushed Whispers" or disband the Templars in "Champions of the Just."
  • In "Wicked Eyes and Wicked Hearts," convince Briala, Celene, and Gaspard to have a truce.
  • Help people through sidequests with Cole in the party while in the Hinterlands and Exalted Plains.
  • Complete the quest "Subjected to His Will."

How To Avoid Disapproval

  • Do not support Gaspard at the Winter Palace.
  • Do not refuse an alliance with Abelas.
  • Do not let the Grey Wardens join the Inquisition.
  • Do not ally with the templars or conscript the mages.
  • Do not imprison anyone during judgment.

Vivienne

Vivienne's face.
  • Character: Vivienne, First Enchanter of Montesimmard, Enchanter to the Imperial Court of Orlais, Knight-Enchanter, and human mage.
  • How & When You First Meet: After the Inquisitor first goes to Val Royeaux, Vivienne will send an invitation to a party. At the party, she is first met and will ask to join in Inquisition. She must be recruited before starting Wicked Eyes and Wicked Hearts.

Vivienne is a companion that has a complex view of the mage and Templar conflict. While she does not want mages to be free, she is not exactly pro-Templar.

In terms of what she loves, Vivienne values anyone who can play the Grand Game of Oralis. This means being polite while not being exactly genuine, keeping up the appearance of confidence, seeing the hidden agendas of others, and cultivating political advantages.

Tips To Gain Vivienne's Approval

  • Conscript mages in "In Hushed Whispers."
  • Drink from the Well of Sorrows in "What Pride Has Wrought."
  • Give her the heart of a snowy wyvern when she asks for one.
  • Tell her she'd make a good divine.
  • Be pro-Circle.
  • Play the political Grand Game, especially during "Wicked Eyes and Wicked Hearts."
  • Be polite and care about appearances.

How To Avoid Disapproval

  • Do not allow Morrigan to drink from the Well of Sorrows.
  • Do not support Briala or Gaspard in the Winter Palace.
  • Do not disband the templars.
  • Do not ally with the mages.
  • Avoid supporting the freedom of mages or changing the Chantry with her.

Blackwall

Blackwall in the Hinterlands.
  • Character: Blackwall, human Free Marcher, Grey Warden, champion warrior, and romance option for female Inquisitor.
  • How & When You First Meet: Leliana will mention a Grey Warden in the Hinterlands, and the Inquisitor can go seek him out and meet Blackwall. He offers to join the Inquisition. He must be recruited before meeting the Warden and Hawke in the Western Approach.

Blackwall loves everything Grey Warden and is honorable. Like many other companions, he enjoys helping others and striving to protect the vulnerable.

While there are a lot of chances to get slight approval or regular approval from him, there are only three quests where the player and be awarded great approval from Blackwall.

Tips To Gain Blackwall's Approval

  • Invite the Grey Wardens to join the Inquisition.
  • With him in the party, collect all the Warden artifacts for the quest "Memories of the Grey."
  • When judging him, either pardon him or give him to the Wardens after Inquisition ends.
  • Have him in the party whenever killing groups of Darkspawn.

How To Avoid Disapproval

  • Do not allow Empress Celene to be assassinated.
  • Do not support Briala at the Winter Palace.
  • Do not exile the Grey Wardens.
  • Do not force the mages or templars to serve the inquisition.

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