If there’s one thingDragon Ageknows how to do, it’s tell a good story. Throughout its four main installments, epic tales of ragtag teams overcoming impossible odds have thrilled and delighted, leaving many wanting more adventures. Luckily, on top of brilliant games, there are some equally fun DLCs released for the first three titles in the series to keep the escapades of the team going for a little longer.
From the very beginning of the franchise,Dragon Agehas provided its fans with a plethora of extra content, from full story expansions to equipment and cosmetic items. The most recent addition to the series will not have any DLC, althoughDragon Age: The Veilguarddid offer cool armoras a pre-order bonus, as well as a freeMass Effect-themed update.Only DLCs that feature story elements will be included here; however, there were some excellent smaller add-ons available, such asOrigins’Feastday Gifts,Inquisition’s Avvar and Qunari mounts and decorations, and the famousBlack Emporium.
14The Darkspawn Chronicles - Dragon Age: Origins
A Look Into A Dark Alternative Timeline
The Darkspawn Chroniclesis a clever but somewhat niche DLC forDragon Age: Originsthat takes place in an alternative timeline to the rest of the series. In the DLC,the Warden died at Ostagar and the plot is seen from the perspective of the Darkspawnas they attack Denerim at the end of the game. Following the orders of the Archdemon is fun, as is rampaging through Ferelden’s capital, but it’s hard not to feel a little guilty killing so many beloved characters. That said, this entertaining DLC is definitely worth playing at least once.
13The Golems Of Amgarrak - Dragon Age: Origins
A Dark Story Filled With Dwarven Lore
The Golems of Amgarrakis set after the events ofOriginsand can be played before or afterAwakenings. The plot sees the Warden-Commander asked for their help by Jerrik Dace to find Amgarrak Thaig and the golem research that was done there.
Dace’s expedition is funded by House Tethras and is the first mention of Varric’s family inDragon Age.
Of course,things don’t go to plan and the research must be destroyedwhen it’s revealed that the bodies of casteless dwarves were being used to create them rather than stone or metal.Golemsis a bleak but interesting DLC that gained a well-earned reputation for its difficult boss fight against the Harvester.
12Leliana’s Song - Dragon Age: Origins
A Look at Who Leliana Was Before The Game
From a sequel DLC to a prequel inLeliana’s Song, which looked at the life of the Orlesian bard before she became a Chantry sister and joined forces with Alistair and the Warden. The DLC takes place in Denerim and follows Leliana’s final mission with her mentor Marjolaine and provides context for the encounter with her duringOrigins.After being betrayed, Leliana finds an unlikely ally in Revered Mother Dorothea, who will later go on to be the next Divine, and discovers a new purpose in life. Overall, it’s a nice prequel story that provides insight into Leliana.
11The Exiled Prince - Dragon Age 2
A New Companion & Quests Throughout The Game
The Exiled Princewas a day-one DLC forDragon Age 2and received a mixed reception from the fanbase.The DLC provides a new companion and potential love interestin the form of Sebastian Vael, the third child of Starkhaven’s ruling family and the only surviving member of a recent massacre.
Why Dragon Age 2 Is Still The Best Game In The Series
The smaller stakes of Dragon Age 2 help it stand out among fantasy RPGs. Showcasing politics and urban adventure make the fantasy world feel real.
Sebastian has quests in each act for Hawke to help him uncover what really happened to his family and links in well with the main plot. Sebastian is an underrated and underutilizedDragon Age 2companion who is often misread as preachy or boring.
10The Stone Prisoner - Dragon Age: Origins
A New Companions & Dwarven Lore
Just likeThe Exiled Prince,The Stone Prisoneradded in a new party companion forOrigins, this time a grumpy stone golem named Shale. Shale as a companion is worth the DLC alone, adding tons of new banter and fantastic one-liners with her unique view of the world. However, for fans of dwarven lore,The Stone Prisoneris a brilliant source of information,adding to the story of the First Blight and the fall of the dwarven thaigs. Shale also adds extra content during the party’s trip into the Deep Roads and their interactions with Paragon Caridin.
9Return To Ostagar - Dragon Age: Origins
Brief But Heartbreaking To Gain Closure
Return to Ostagardoes exactly as it describes and returns the Warden, Alistair, and the rest of the party to where their story began at the ruins of Ostagar, adding context to the overall story. This heartbreaking add-onprovides much-needed closure and context for Loghain’s actions, as well as extra information about King Cailan’s wider political agenda. While there are some decent pieces of gear to be found among the ruins, such as Cailan’s Armor and Maric’s Blade, it is the battle with the ogre that killed Cailan and Duncan that feels the most satisfying.
8Mark Of The Assassin - Dragon Age 2
Fun But Sidelining Hawke Doesn’t Pay Off
Mark of the Assassinis an odd DLC, brimming with story but somehow disconnected from the main plot ofDA2. At any point, Hawke can “remember” the time they joined Tallis on an adventure in Orlais, and travel to some beautiful locations outside of Kirkwall. The plot is a simple one involving a heist and delivers a decent amount of Qunari lore. However, as the main goal of the DLC is to serve as a tie-in for the web seriesDragon Age: Redemption,Hawke is left acting as a sidekick as Tallis takes center stage as the main character.
7Jaws Of Hakkon - Dragon Age: Inquisition
Fascinating Insight Into Avvar Culture
Jaws of Hakkonwas the first DLC forInquisitionand set an excellent standard as the Inquisitor searches for clues regarding the last Inquisitor, Ameridan. Ameridan is found frozen in time, attempting to stop an invasion by an Avvar tribe and their god Hakkon.
How to Start the Jaws of Hakkon DLC in Dragon Age: Inquisition
A small guide explaining how to start the Jaws of Hakkon DLC in Dragon Age: Inquisition. It involves completing a specific war table operation.
Jaws of Hakkondoes a great job at fleshing outthe Avvar culturefrom their traditions to their relationship with spirits. Although the plot feels a little too separate from the main story ofInquisition, the DLC has a beautiful area to explore and plenty of quests to keep busy.
6Warden’s Keep - Dragon Age: Origins
A Must-Play For Any Grey Warden Fans
During the story ofOrigins, it is often repeated that the Wardens don’t have a good reputation in Ferelden, which can be a little confusing considering the faction is presented in the game as the only ones who can stop the Blight. However, this is all explained in the brilliantWarden’s KeepDLC, whichdives into the actions of Ferelden’s last Warden Commander and her rebellionagainst the throne.
Warden’s Keepalso unlocks a Party Storage Chest after the completion of the DLC story. The chest can be found at Soldier’s Peak and frees up much-needed inventory space.
In a great old-fashioned dungeon crawl, the party must unlock the secrets of the Keep, Soldier’s Peak, and battle a demon-possessed corpse to reclaim it.
5Awakenings - Dragon Age: Origins
Sets Up Characters & Concepts For Later Games
Awakeningsis the expansion forOriginsand acts as a stepping stone between the events of the first game and what follows inDA2. The plot ofAwakeningssees the new Warden Commander of Ferelden attempting to rebuild the Order’s presence when they encounter a strange, talking Darkspawn.
ForAwakenings,there is a choice to import the Warden character fromOriginsor play as an Orlesian Warden. Each Warden will be treated differently due to their backgrounds or past heroics.
While the story ofAwakeningsis a great extra adventure for the Warden,the DLC really serves to introduce the idea of the Darkspawn Tevinter priests, which would be expanded on later in the franchise, and the characters of Anders and Justice, who play crucial roles inDA2.
