May 31, 2026

Dragon Age Needs More Creatures Like Brontos

One of the most overlooked opportunities in Dragon Age is the lack of domesticated and semi-domesticated creatures that serve practical roles in society. The world has dragons, darkspawn, giant spiders, demons, wyverns, and countless dangerous beasts, yet very few creatures are actually integrated into daily life, warfare, exploration, and companionship.

The Bronto is one of the best examples of a creature that feels authentic to Thedas. It isn't just a monster. It is livestock, transportation, a source of food, and a symbol of dwarven culture. Dragon Age needs far more creatures like that.

Why Brontos Work

Bronto are memorable because they serve multiple purposes:

Mounts
Pack animals
War beasts
Agricultural workers
Sources of leather, meat, and bone
Cultural symbols for dwarves

They make the world feel alive rather than existing solely as enemies to kill.

Imagine if every major culture in Thedas had creatures that filled similar roles.

New War and Companion Creatures

Stonehorns

Massive armored relatives of Brontos bred by dwarven kingdoms.

Roles

Siege breakers
Living battering rams
Mobile supply carriers
Defensive wall units

Special Ability

Stonehorns can charge enemy formations and scatter darkspawn ranks.

Companion Variant

A smaller Stonehorn could accompany the player, carrying inventory and helping in combat.

Ember Hounds

Large canine creatures bred by dwarves and humans near volcanic regions.

Roles

Tracking darkspawn
Detecting demons
Guarding caravans

Special Ability

Can smell taint corruption long before humans detect it.

Companion Uses

Scout ahead
Find hidden treasures
Detect ambushes

Think of them as Dragon Age's equivalent of highly trained military dogs.

Deepstalk Chargers

A domesticated version of the dangerous Deepstalkers found underground.

Roles

Cave exploration
Tunnel scouting
Messenger animals

Special Ability

Can navigate total darkness.

These would be especially useful for Grey Warden expeditions into the Deep Roads.

Ironback Rams

Huge mountain rams used by Avvar warriors.

Roles

Mountain transportation
Combat mounts
Cliff-climbing support

Special Ability

Can reach locations horses cannot.

Companion Benefit

Could help players access hidden mountain routes and secret ruins.

Sylvan Guardians

Massive forest beasts allied with Dalish clans.

Roles

Forest defenders
Nature guardians
Living siege weapons

Appearance

Part stag, part bear, part spirit.

Special Ability

Can summon roots and vines to hinder enemies.

Sunscale Lizards

Desert creatures used by Rivaini traders.

Roles

Long-distance transportation
Caravan protection
Desert survival

Special Ability

Store water internally and help parties survive harsh climates.

Grey Warden War Beasts

The Grey Wardens should have their own unique creature programs.

Taint Hounds

Not corrupted creatures.

Specially bred animals resistant to the taint.

Abilities

Detect darkspawn tunnels
Sense approaching Blights
Track Archdemon activity

Warden Brontos

Armored Brontos trained for battle.

Battlefield Roles

Carry ballistae
Move wounded soldiers
Break darkspawn lines

During a Blight, these creatures would become legends.

Companion Systems

Imagine if Dragon Age allowed creature companions similar to companions in RPGs.

Companion Commands

Guard
Scout
Carry supplies
Track enemies
Rescue wounded allies
Hold positions

Different creatures would specialize in different tasks.

The Dream Feature: Creature Bonds

Instead of simple pets, players could develop relationships with creatures.

Examples:

Rescue a wounded Stonehorn calf.
Raise an Ember Hound from a pup.
Earn the trust of a Sylvan Guardian.
Hatch a rare Deep Roads creature.

As the creature grows, it unlocks:

New abilities
New armor
New combat roles
Story interactions

Eventually the creature becomes as beloved as companions like Shale, Mabari War Hound, or Sandal Feddic.

Final Thoughts

Dragon Age has always excelled when its creatures are more than monsters. Brontos, Mabari, and even golems helped make Thedas feel like a real world with cultures, economies, and histories.

A future Dragon Age game should dramatically expand the idea of war beasts, working animals, mounts, companions, and helper creatures. Whether it is a Stonehorn crashing through darkspawn ranks, an Ember Hound tracking demons, or a bonded Bronto carrying supplies across the Deep Roads, these creatures would add depth, strategy, immersion, and emotional connections that the series has barely begun to explore.

Dragon Age Needs More Mounts Than Just Horses

One of the biggest missed opportunities in Dragon Age is that most mounts feel like cosmetic transportation. Thedas is filled with unique cultures, environments, and creatures, yet most people travel on horses with only a handful of alternatives.

A richer mount system would make exploration, combat, faction identity, and role-playing far more interesting.

Dwarven Mounts

Stoneback Bronto

Bronto remains the iconic dwarven mount.

Uses

Heavy cavalry
Cargo transport
Deep Roads expeditions
Mobile fortifications

Variants

Tunnel Bronto
War Bronto
Merchant Bronto
Royal Bronto

Some could wear elaborate armor engraved with dwarven runes and house banners.

Ironclaw Tunnel Lizard

Large reptilian creatures bred to navigate the Deep Roads.

Strengths

Exceptional night vision
Climbs steep underground surfaces
Resistant to cave hazards

Perfect for scouting dangerous tunnels.

Dalish Mounts

Great Harts

Massive enchanted deer.

Abilities

Silent movement
Forest camouflage
Exceptional speed

Elite Dalish hunters and keepers would ride them.

Spirit Elk

Rare mounts blessed by forest spirits.

Abilities

Sense magical disturbances
Detect demons
Travel safely through ancient forests

These creatures would be considered sacred.

Thornbacks

Massive forest boars.

Uses

Shock cavalry
Forest warfare
Defensive charges

A charging Thornback could send darkspawn flying.

Grey Warden Mounts

Warden Drakes

Smaller dragon relatives raised by specialized Wardens.

Abilities

Resistance to taint
Exceptional endurance
Intimidation effects

Not true dragons but terrifying enough.

Deep Road Chargers

Creatures specifically bred for long underground campaigns.

Features

Carry massive loads
Operate in darkness
Survive harsh conditions

Perfect for long expeditions beneath Thedas.

Qunari Mounts

The Qunari should have some of the most intimidating mounts in the setting.

Ironhide Behemoths

Massive rhino-like creatures.

Uses

Siege warfare
Heavy cavalry
Supply movement

Imagine entire Qunari formations advancing behind armored behemoths.

Sea Striders

Large amphibious creatures.

Features

Swim between islands
Coastal patrols
Naval landings

Perfect for the seafaring strength of the Qunari.

Avvar Mounts

Frosthorn Rams

Huge mountain rams.

Abilities

Scale cliffs
Traverse snowstorms
Charge enemies

Their mobility in mountain terrain would be unmatched.

Ice Bears

Rare companion mounts reserved for legendary warriors.

Features

Incredible strength
Harsh climate resistance
Fear-inducing presence

Entire songs would be written about warriors riding Ice Bears.

Rivaini Mounts

Sunscale Runners

Fast desert lizards.

Strengths

High endurance
Low water requirements
Excellent heat resistance

Ideal for long trade routes.

Sand Stalkers

Massive feline mounts.

Uses

Reconnaissance
Ambush tactics
Hunting dangerous prey

Antivan Mounts

Shadow Cats

Elegant predator mounts favored by nobles and assassins.

Abilities

Silent movement
Enhanced stealth
Exceptional agility

Perfect for spies and elite agents.

Exotic Legendary Mounts

Crystal Golem Walker

Created by dwarven smiths and lyrium engineers.

Features

Mechanical movement
Extreme durability
Can carry siege weapons

A distant cousin to Shale in concept.

Fade Stag

A mysterious creature tied to the Fade.

Abilities

Teleport short distances
Detect spirits
Travel through magical barriers

Only the most gifted mages could bond with one.

Storm Drake

A rare draconic mount.

Features

Gliding flight
Lightning resistance
Exceptional speed

Not a full dragon, but close enough to inspire legends.

Mount Progression System

Mounts should not simply be collectibles.

Each mount could have:

Loyalty

Increases through use
Unlocks special abilities

Equipment

Armor
Saddlebags
Banners
Lanterns
Crafting kits

Training Trees

War Training

Charge attacks
Battlefield support

Scout Training

Tracking
Stealth

Survival Training

Resource gathering
Hazard resistance

Companion Training

Defend player
Rescue player
Carry additional supplies

Dream Feature: Mounts as Characters

The best mounts would have personalities.

Imagine:

A stubborn Bronto that refuses to retreat.
A mischievous Shadow Cat that steals food.
A loyal Frosthorn Ram that protects companions.
A Spirit Elk that reacts to nearby demons.

Players could name them, bond with them, customize them, and even receive unique quests tied to their mount.

Just as players became attached to the Mabari War Hound, future Dragon Age games could make mounts feel like true companions rather than transportation. That would make every journey across Thedas feel more personal and memorable.

Dragon Age: Mounting and Riding Golems

One of the most dwarven things imaginable in Dragon Age would be riding golems into battle.

The idea sounds outrageous at first, but when you look at dwarven history, lyrium engineering, and the existence of powerful golems like Shale, it actually fits surprisingly well within the setting.

Why Would Dwarves Ride Golems?

Dwarves have always faced unique challenges.

Limited cavalry underground
Narrow tunnels
Constant darkspawn attacks
Harsh Deep Roads terrain

Horses are impractical in many underground environments.

Golems solve many of those problems.

They do not tire.

They do not panic.

They do not require food.

They can fight while transporting soldiers.

For elite dwarven forces, a rideable golem could become the equivalent of a tank.

Types of Rideable Golems

Siege Golems

Massive walking fortresses.

Features

Four to six dwarf crew members
Ballista platforms
Shield walls
Battering ram arms

Battlefield Role

Break darkspawn formations and destroy fortifications.

Imagine dozens of dwarves riding atop a giant stone construct smashing through a horde.

Deep Roads Crawlers

Built specifically for underground travel.

Features

Spider-like construction
Ability to climb walls
Traverse collapsed tunnels
Carry supplies

Uses

Exploration
Rescue operations
Military scouting

These could access areas unreachable by traditional mounts.

Bronto-Golems

Inspired by living Brontos.

Features

Stone body
Heavy armor
Cargo platforms
Multiple rider positions

These would essentially be living armored personnel carriers.

Guardian Golems

Smaller and faster than traditional golems.

Features

One rider
Agile movement
Combat support

Think of them as the motorcycle equivalent of dwarven engineering.

The Shale Pattern

After the events involving Shale, some dwarven researchers might become fascinated by recreating aspects of her mobility.

Not creating another Shale, but studying:

Balance systems
Independent movement
Combat adaptability

This research could lead to a new generation of rideable golems.

Golem Cavalry

Traditional cavalry charges are terrifying.

Now imagine stone cavalry.

Stonebreaker Riders

Elite dwarven warriors mounted on medium-sized combat golems.

Equipment

War hammers
Spears
Crossbows

Battlefield Function

Shock assaults
Defensive breakthroughs
Anti-ogre operations

Darkspawn would learn to fear the sound of stone feet approaching.

Surface Variants

Not every golem would remain underground.

Forest Golems

Built by dwarves working with elves.

Features

Stone and living wood
Camouflage
Environmental adaptation

Frost Golems

Used in mountainous regions.

Features

Ice-resistant materials
Snow traversal
Avalanche protection

Popular among the Avvar.

Desert Golems

Rare creations for extreme climates.

Features

Sand-resistant joints
Water storage compartments
Long-range transport

Companion Golems

Not all golems need to be gigantic.

Scout Golems

Small personal mounts.

Uses

Carry gear
Protect camps
Assist in combat

They could become beloved companions similar to the Mabari.

Ancient Paragon Technology

The best explanation for rideable golems may lie in lost dwarven history.

Perhaps an ancient Paragon discovered:

Advanced lyrium control
Autonomous movement systems
Golem command networks

Entire cities may once have fielded armies of mounted golems before the knowledge was lost.

Recovering those secrets could become a major questline.

The Iron Legion

A new dwarven faction could emerge around this concept.

The Iron Legion

An order dedicated to restoring ancient golem technology.

Units

Golem Riders
Siege Engineers
Lyrium Smiths
Deep Roads Explorers

Headquarters

A rediscovered underground fortress filled with dormant golem armies.

Story Arc

The player must decide:

Restore the golems.
Restrict their use.
Destroy the technology before it repeats past mistakes.

Legendary Mount: Titan Walker

The ultimate rideable construct.

Description

A colossal golem partially powered by dormant Titan energy.

Features

Multiple crew stations
Siege weapon platforms
Mobile fortress functions
Deep Roads excavation tools

Entire darkspawn armies would alter their routes to avoid confronting one.

A Dragon Age Twist

The most interesting version would not be a machine.

It would be a golem that can think.

A descendant of the experiments that created beings like Shale.

Imagine traveling with a sarcastic, opinionated golem mount that constantly comments on your decisions:

"You wish to charge the dragon? Again? I carried smarter people before becoming a mount."

Over time, the relationship would evolve from rider and mount into genuine friendship, making the golem feel less like equipment and more like another companion in the party.