Why Dragon Age Should Bring Back Cole

Few companions in Dragon Age history left an impression quite like Cole.

He was not a king, a legendary warrior, a powerful mage, or a world-changing politician. Instead, Cole was something far rarer. He was a living embodiment of compassion in a world filled with pain, war, betrayal, and loss.

As Dragon Age continues to evolve, there are many characters fans would love to see return. Yet among all of them, Cole may be one of the easiest and most believable characters to bring back.

Why Cole Was Special

Dragon Age has always been filled with memorable companions, but Cole stood apart from nearly everyone else.

While most companions focused on battles, politics, revenge, duty, or survival, Cole focused on people.

He saw suffering that others ignored.

He understood pain that others could not see.

He constantly reminded players that behind every war, every conflict, and every political struggle were ordinary people carrying invisible wounds.

Cole wasn't just a companion. He was a unique perspective on the world of Thedas.

The Perfect Character for a Changing World

One of the biggest themes of modern Dragon Age is the relationship between spirits, the Fade, and the physical world.

No character represents that theme better than Cole.

Depending on player choices in Dragon Age: Inquisition, Cole could become more human or embrace his spirit nature more fully. This actually makes him one of the most flexible characters BioWare has ever created.

Whether human, spirit, or something in between, there are numerous believable ways for him to return.

The Human Path

If Cole embraced humanity, years later he could be wandering Thedas helping those in need.

Imagine hearing rumors throughout the game about a mysterious traveler who appears whenever tragedy strikes.

A village devastated by war suddenly finds comfort.

A grieving mother receives help from a stranger.

A traumatized veteran finally finds peace.

The player eventually discovers that the mysterious figure is Cole.

Not a hero seeking glory.

Not a champion seeking power.

Simply a man trying to make the world a little better.

That feels perfectly in character.

The Spirit Path

If Cole embraced his spirit nature, his return could be even more fascinating.

As the Veil weakens and spirits become more active throughout Thedas, stories begin spreading about an entity that appears wherever suffering is greatest.

Some call him a spirit.

Others call him a saint.

Some fear he is a demon.

The truth is that Cole has become something greater than before.

He has become a true manifestation of Compassion itself.

In a world increasingly threatened by fear, hatred, and conflict, Cole could serve as a powerful counterbalance.

A Story About Forgotten People

One of the most compelling possibilities would involve Cole's connection to forgotten people.

Throughout his story, Cole always seemed drawn to those overlooked by society.

Imagine a questline where entire communities begin disappearing from memory.

People forget friends.

Families forget loved ones.

Historical records change overnight.

Only Cole notices what is happening.

The player and Cole uncover an ancient force feeding upon memories themselves.

Not only would this create an intriguing mystery, but it would also reinforce the themes that made Cole such a memorable character in the first place.

Bringing Back Cole Without Fan Service

One mistake many franchises make is bringing back popular characters simply because fans remember them.

Cole deserves better than that.

His return should serve the story.

The current direction of Dragon Age, with its focus on the Fade, spirits, and the consequences of magical upheaval, creates a natural reason for him to return.

He would not feel forced into the narrative.

He would feel like a missing piece of it.

More Than a Companion

Perhaps the most interesting possibility is allowing Cole to grow beyond being a companion.

What if he became a mentor?

What if he founded an organization dedicated to helping victims of war and magical trauma?

What if he became a bridge between spirits and mortals?

Cole's greatest strength was never combat.

His strength was understanding people.

Years later, that understanding could make him one of the most influential figures in Thedas.

Final Thoughts

Dragon Age has introduced many beloved characters over the years, but few are as unique as Cole.

He represented empathy in a world often defined by violence.

He represented hope in a world filled with despair.

Most importantly, he represented one of the core ideas that makes Dragon Age special: that understanding someone is often more powerful than defeating them.

If BioWare ever chooses to bring Cole back, they should do so not because fans miss him, but because the themes he represents are still relevant to the future of Dragon Age.

And in a world that desperately needs compassion, there may be no better time for Cole to return.

Why Dragon Age Should Bring Back Cole: The Character With Stories Still Left to Tell

The world of Thedas is filled with legendary heroes, powerful mages, ancient gods, dragons, kings, queens, and warriors whose names become part of history.

Cole was never one of those people.

That is exactly why he mattered.

While others fought for power, survival, revenge, duty, or glory, Cole fought against suffering itself.

He listened when nobody else would.

He noticed people everyone else ignored.

He understood pain that could not be seen.

Years after Dragon Age: Inquisition, there is still enormous storytelling potential in a character like Cole. In many ways, his story may be more relevant now than ever before.

Cole Could Show How Thedas Has Changed

Most returning characters would show us political changes.

Cole could show us emotional changes.

When kingdoms fall, wars begin, and ancient powers awaken, games often focus on rulers, armies, and heroes.

Cole focuses on ordinary people.

Imagine traveling through Thedas and seeing the consequences of major events through Cole's eyes.

He notices:

• The veteran who cannot sleep after war.
• The child who lost her family.
• The mage terrified of his own abilities.
• The templar struggling with guilt.
• The spirit trying desperately not to become a demon.

These are stories that often exist in the background.

Cole brings them into the spotlight.

Cole and the New Fade

The Fade has always been one of the most mysterious parts of Dragon Age.

Most people fear it.

Many mages barely understand it.

Even spirits themselves are often misunderstood.

Cole sits directly between those worlds.

That makes him uniquely valuable.

Imagine a storyline where the barriers between the Fade and reality have changed permanently.

Spirits are appearing more frequently.

Some are peaceful.

Some are dangerous.

Some are confused.

Cole becomes one of the few individuals capable of helping both sides understand one another.

Instead of solving every problem with swords and magic, players would encounter situations requiring empathy and understanding.

That feels perfectly aligned with Cole's character.

Cole Could Become a Legendary Figure

One fascinating possibility is that Cole has unknowingly become a myth.

Many years have passed.

Stories have spread.

Nobody remembers him clearly.

They only remember fragments.

A pale young man.

A voice in the darkness.

A stranger who appears when people are suffering.

A figure who disappears before anyone can thank him.

Different cultures throughout Thedas begin telling stories about him.

The elves believe he is an ancient spirit.

The dwarves think he is a wandering protector.

Some humans believe he is a saint.

Others think he is merely a legend.

The player spends much of the game hearing stories before finally discovering the truth.

The legend is real.

It has always been Cole.

The Return of Compassion

One of Dragon Age's recurring themes is that powerful emotions shape reality.

Spirits embody emotions.

Demons emerge when those emotions become twisted.

If Fear can create horrors and Pride can create monsters, why shouldn't Compassion become something powerful too?

Cole could evolve beyond what he was in Inquisition.

Not into a god.

Not into a superhero.

But into a force that actively protects people from becoming consumed by despair.

Imagine entire regions where hatred, fear, and suffering are creating dangerous spiritual disturbances.

Cole becomes one of the few beings capable of restoring balance.

His greatest weapon remains what it always was.

Understanding.

Cole and the Forgotten Heroes

Dragon Age has always celebrated heroes.

Cole could celebrate everyone else.

A powerful questline could revolve around forgotten people throughout history.

Lost Grey Wardens.

Unknown mages.

Unrecognized soldiers.

Sacrifices nobody remembers.

As reality becomes unstable, memories begin disappearing.

Entire pieces of history are being erased.

Cole alone recognizes what is happening.

He remembers those who have been forgotten.

The player joins him in preserving their stories before they vanish forever.

This would not only create a compelling narrative but also serve as a tribute to the countless unsung heroes that make up Thedas.

Cole and Other Returning Characters

Cole's return becomes even more interesting when paired with other beloved characters.

Cole and Shale

Shale sees the worst in most situations.

Cole sees the best.

Their interactions would be hilarious, emotional, and surprisingly profound.

Cole and Dorian

Dorian approaches problems through intelligence and logic.

Cole approaches them through empathy.

Together they could solve mysteries neither could handle alone.

Cole and Sandal

Few pairings would intrigue fans more.

Sandal has always been surrounded by mystery.

Cole senses things others cannot.

The conversations between these two could reveal secrets fans have wondered about for years.

Cole and the Grey Wardens

The Grey Wardens carry tremendous emotional burdens.

Loss.

Duty.

Sacrifice.

Death.

Cole would naturally be drawn toward them.

He could provide some of the most emotional Grey Warden stories the series has ever seen.

A Companion Who Doesn't Need Combat

One challenge with bringing back old characters is finding a reason for them to join the player.

Cole is different.

He doesn't necessarily need to be a combat companion.

He could function as:

• A guide.
• A mentor.
• A quest giver.
• A spiritual advisor.
• A recurring ally.

Sometimes he appears unexpectedly.

Sometimes he disappears without explanation.

Players never quite know when they will encounter him again.

That unpredictability would remain true to who he is.

The Best Version of Cole's Return

The strongest version of Cole's return would not make him the center of the story.

It would make him the heart of it.

While heroes battle gods and kingdoms clash over power, Cole would continue doing what he has always done:

Helping people.

Listening.

Healing.

Reminding everyone that beneath every epic conflict are ordinary individuals trying to survive.

Dragon Age has always been at its best when it balances grand fantasy with deeply personal stories.

Few characters embody that balance better than Cole.

That is why his story should not be over.

Not yet.

There are still too many people in Thedas who need someone willing to listen.