In Dragon Age: The Veilguard, the “Gate of Deep Sorrows” quest is a notable side mission with a series of challenges, requiring players to navigate Blight-filled regions, disrupt enemy rituals, and face off against a formidable boss. This quest is part of the broader “Gate” series in Dragon Age, where you must confront powerful foes residing within Blight Cysts. Here’s a detailed guide to help you unlock and complete this quest, along with strategies for dealing with the boss encounter.
1. Locate the Gate of Deep Sorrows
To find the Gate of Deep Sorrows, you’ll start by heading to Treviso Canals. Fast-travel to the Crow’s Road Rooftops beacon; from there, follow the marker towards an open courtyard where Venatori cultists are engaged in a ritual. This courtyard is marked by a pulsing Blight Cyst, a significant clue indicating that you’re in the right spot. Be prepared for combat here, as you’ll need to eliminate the Venatori guarding the area to progress.
The Venatori enemies in this location are particularly vulnerable to Cold attacks but have resistance to Fire. Adjust your party’s abilities and weapons accordingly to clear them efficiently. Once you defeat these cultists, you’ll be able to approach the Blight Cyst, which plays a key role in accessing the Gate of Deep Sorrows.
2. Activate the Blight Cyst
After taking down the Venatori, turn your attention to the Blight Cyst. Interacting with it will release a formidable foe: Desmal, Bloodbound to Elgar’nan. This boss is a level 25 monster, a champion imbued with both Physical and Necrotic damage, making it a tough adversary. Desmal’s skills can inflict severe harm, with wide-reaching attacks and earth-splitting combos that spawn dangerous red spikes.
To succeed in this part of the mission, it’s crucial to stay on the move and avoid getting hit by Desmal’s ground attacks. Dodging is key—especially since the spikes can deal heavy damage if you’re caught in them. While keeping your distance is helpful, be mindful of Desmal’s range and timing; most of his melee and ground attacks have a noticeable delay, allowing you to predict and evade them.
3. Fighting Desmal: Tips and Tactics
Desmal’s resilience makes the fight a drawn-out battle, but there are ways to effectively weaken him. Start by targeting his vulnerabilities: he’s particularly susceptible to Fire attacks, though he resists Necrotic attacks. Incorporating stagger attacks in your approach can help, as staggering briefly opens him up to follow-up attacks that inflict significant damage.
Throughout the battle, keep an eye on additional Blight Boils that spawn around the area. These act as distractions by releasing minor enemies if left unchecked, which can complicate the fight. Destroying these Blight Boils when they appear will prevent further spawns, allowing you to focus on Desmal without added interference.
Detonation combinations can also prove effective against Desmal, as they enhance your damage output in the moments when he’s staggered. With this approach, the battle may be long, but it becomes manageable by targeting Desmal’s weaknesses and focusing on staying out of his attack range.
4. Rewards and Completing the Quest
Defeating Desmal, Bloodbound to Elgar’nan, marks the conclusion of the Gate of Deep Sorrows quest, and you’ll receive valuable rewards for your efforts. Upon victory, you’ll collect Champion Essence from Desmal’s remains, which must be returned to the Converged City to complete the mission. Rewards include experience points, Etheric Remnants, Grey Warden Strength points, and some gold—enhancing both your party’s strength and resources for upcoming battles.
Additional Tips
- Team Composition: Include at least one character capable of Fire-based attacks to exploit Desmal’s vulnerability. Characters with high mobility are also useful for dodging his spikes.
- Preparation: Before heading to Treviso Canals, make sure your inventory includes health potions and items to boost Cold resistance, as these will support your party during the Venatori fight.
- Mobility and Positioning: Keep characters spread out to reduce the likelihood of multiple party members being hit simultaneously by ground attacks.
Completing the Gate of Deep Sorrows is a challenging endeavor in Dragon Age: The Veilguard, demanding preparation, tactical maneuvering, and awareness of your enemy’s weaknesses.
