War Beasts, Mounts, and Living Siege Engines
War Beasts, Mounts, and Living Siege Engines
One area where Dragon Age could evolve dramatically is in the variety and depth of mounts and war beasts. Dragon Age: Inquisition introduced horses, harts, dracolisks, and exotic mounts, but they were largely cosmetic and functioned similarly.
A future Dragon Age could transform mounts into a major progression system.
Not Just Mounts -Partners in War
Instead of being transportation, every beast should fill a battlefield role.
War Stags
Inspired by harts and halla.
Specializations
- Heavy armored tank stag
- Spirit-touched stag
- Frost-antler stag
- Dalish war stag
- Fadebound spectral stag
Abilities
- Charge through enemy lines
- Taunt nearby enemies
- Antler impale attacks
- Party morale bonuses
Dracolisks
Many Dragon Age fans loved dracolisks because they felt like miniature dragons.
Specializations
- Fire Dracolisk
- Venom Dracolisk
- Armored Siege Dracolisk
- Fade-corrupted Dracolisk
- Dragonblood Dracolisk
Abilities
- Tail sweeps
- Fear roars
- Short-range flame attacks
- Wall climbing
- Dragon hunting bonuses
Brontos
The dwarven favorite.
Brontos should become the tanks of Thedas.
Upgrade Paths
- Ironhide Bronto
- Deep Roads Bronto
- Lyrium-Infused Bronto
- Golem-Plated Bronto
Uses
- Break gates
- Pull siege equipment
- Carry heavy supplies
- Smash darkspawn formations
Dragon Tamers
A new faction could specialize in raising dangerous beasts.
Tamed Creatures
- Young dragons
- Dracolisks
- Wyverns
- Deep Roads predators
- Rare griffons
Different tamers would specialize in:
- Military beasts
- Scout beasts
- Flying mounts
- Hunting companions
Golem Mounts
Imagine dwarves finally advancing golem technology.
Types
Iron Golem Rider
- Nearly indestructible
- Slow
- Siege specialist
Lyrium Golem
- Magical resistance
- Rune slots
- Spell reflection
Titan-Touched Golem
- Endgame legendary mount
- Earth-shaping abilities
- Can create defensive walls
Flying Mounts
Dragon Age has always flirted with the idea of aerial warfare.
Griffons
The obvious choice.
The return of the Griffon should allow:
- Aerial scouting
- Dive attacks
- Messenger missions
- Companion transport
Young Dragons
Not world-ending dragons.
Young dragons could serve as:
- Endgame rewards
- Legendary companions
- Specialized combat mounts
Beast Armor System
Every mount should have equipment slots.
Head
- Horn guards
- Dragon masks
- Spirit crowns
Body
- Heavy plate
- Leather barding
- Rune armor
Legs
- Reinforced greaves
- Speed shoes
- Fadewalk enchantments
Utility
- Supply packs
- Banner mounts
- Alchemical dispensers
Enchantments
A true Dragon Age mount system should allow magical customization.
Elemental
- Fire resistance
- Frost resistance
- Lightning resistance
Combat
- Increased charge damage
- Knockdown chance
- Fear aura
Utility
- Faster travel
- Reduced stamina use
- Resource detection
Legendary
- Fade Phase
- Dragon Blood
- Titan's Strength
- Spirit Bond
Living Siege Beasts
The most powerful war beasts shouldn't simply be mounts.
They should be strategic assets.
Siege Mammoths
- Destroy fortifications
- Carry archers
- Mobile command platforms
Deep Roads Crawlers
- Tunnel beneath enemy positions
- Ambush attacks
Colossal Brontos
- Used by dwarven armies
- Carry ballistae and trebuchets
Dragon-Touched Behemoths
- Rare world bosses
- Can be tamed through lengthy questlines
Beast Bond System
The longer you use a mount, the stronger your relationship becomes.
Bond Levels
Level 1 — Trained
- Basic riding
Level 2 — Companion
- Minor combat abilities
Level 3 — Trusted Partner
- New attacks unlocked
Level 4 — Battle Bonded
- Unique abilities
Level 5 — Legendary Bond
- Special quests
- Exclusive upgrades
- Unique story moments
Imagine a Dragon Age where your mount isn't just transportation but becomes as memorable as companions like Mabari Hound, Shale, or Assan. A legendary war beast that fights beside you, grows with you, and becomes part of your story would add an entirely new layer to Thedas.
War Beasts & Mounts Expanded — Building an Army of Legends
If Dragon Age truly embraces large-scale warfare again, mounts and war beasts should become one of the deepest progression systems in the game. Not every hero should ride the same horse. A Grey Warden, a Tevinter Magister, a Qunari commander, and a Dalish hunter should all have access to completely different beasts, philosophies, and upgrade paths.
Faction-Specific War Beasts
Grey Warden Beasts
The Grey Wardens have fought Darkspawn for centuries.
Their mounts should reflect that.
Blight Hounds
Descendants of war dogs bred specifically to hunt Darkspawn.
Traits
- Detect Darkspawn underground
- Immune to fear
- Increased damage against corrupted creatures
Special Variants
- Silver Blight Hound
- Ashen Blight Hound
- Ancient Warden Hound
Deep Roads Brontos
Massive beasts capable of surviving underground campaigns.
Roles
- Tank
- Supply Carrier
- Mobile Fortress
Dalish War Beasts
The Dalish should have the strongest bond system.
Great Halla
Far larger than normal halla.
Abilities
- Fade sensitivity
- Stealth bonuses
- Nature magic enhancement
Sylvan Guardians
Living tree creatures raised from seedlings.
These are not mounts.
These are living companions.
Classes
- Defender Sylvan
- Healer Sylvan
- Ancient Sylvan
Qunari War Beasts
The Qunari should possess some of the most terrifying creatures in Thedas.
Ironhorn Chargers
Massive horned beasts covered in armor.
Purpose
- Break shield walls
- Destroy gates
- Battlefield shock troops
Sea Drakes
Large reptilian creatures raised near coastal territories.
Uses
- Amphibious warfare
- Naval boarding
- Coastal patrols
Tevinter Arcane Beasts
Nobody should have stranger creatures than Tevinter.
Arcane Manticores
Created through magical experimentation.
Abilities
- Poison attacks
- Flight bursts
- Spell disruption
Runebound Constructs
Artificial magical creatures.
Imagine a mix between a golem and an enchanted beast.
Customization
- Lyrium cores
- Spell matrices
- Combat personalities
Giant Mounts
Giant Spiders
Before anyone says "absolutely not"...
Dragon Age already has giant spiders.
Some factions should be crazy enough to ride them.
Web Riders
Advantages
- Wall climbing
- Cave traversal
- Ambush attacks
Giant Bears
Avvar culture would be perfect for this.
Frost Bears
Abilities
- Ice resistance
- Knockdown attacks
- Protection aura
War Mammoths
If modern Dragon Age can render dragons, it can render mammoths.
Battlefield Roles
- Mobile siege towers
- Infantry transport
- Living battering rams
Dragon Age Needs Monster Hunters
Not every beast should be tame.
Some should require legendary quests.
Legendary Targets
The Ash Drake
A volcanic drake that has killed armies.
The Moon Halla
A mythical creature believed to be blessed by ancient elven gods.
The Iron Bronto
A creature whose skin resembles metal.
The Deep Titan Worm
A massive underground monster.
Defeating these creatures unlocks:
- Armor sets
- Crafting materials
- Mount skins
- Companion abilities
Mount Classes
Instead of all mounts being identical, each should belong to a class.
Scout
Fastest movement.
Examples:
- Wolves
- Halla
- Stags
War
Combat-focused.
Examples:
- Brontos
- Bears
- Dracolisks
Siege
Slow but devastating.
Examples:
- Mammoths
- Giant Golems
- Ironhorn Chargers
Arcane
Magic-oriented.
Examples:
- Spirit Stags
- Rune Constructs
- Fade Beasts
Flying
Extremely rare.
Examples:
- Griffons
- Sky Drakes
- Giant Falcons
Beast Breeding Program
Imagine having a stronghold where you can breed and improve creatures.
Traits Passed Down
- Strength
- Speed
- Intelligence
- Loyalty
- Aggression
- Magical Affinity
Rare combinations create unique offspring.
Examples:
Fire Halla
- Resistant to flames
- Glowing antlers
Titan Bronto
- Stone-like skin
- Earthquake charge
Spirit Wolf
- Can briefly enter the Fade
Ultimate Endgame Mount
Every Dragon Age game needs a legendary reward.
The Last Griffon King
A massive ancient griffon descended from the original griffons of the Grey Wardens.
Unlocking it would require:
- Restoring lost Warden records
- Finding griffon bloodlines
- Defeating legendary dragons
- Completing a major Grey Warden questline
Once unlocked, it isn't merely transportation.
It becomes a companion, a war asset, and a symbol recognized across Thedas.
When NPCs see it land, they know a hero has arrived.
Not because the game tells them.
Because creatures like that become legends long before the player ever finds them.
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