Best Knight Enchanter builds Guide - Dragon Age: Inquisition (DAI)

In this post, I will go through Dragon Age Inquisition Knight Enchanter builds. It is one of the most exciting classes that the game can offer. It can be both a mage, a tank, a melee DPS, or support. Your call.

With the abilities and equipment listed below, you will be able to create overpowered Knight Enchanters, able to take bosses or groups of enemies alone.

I can definitely compare this class to the Arcane Warrior builds from Dragon Age Origins. Moreover, these builds easily work on Nightmare.

Abilities Level 1-10

Just as you reach Haven, you will need to respecialize skills. Reason being, that some of your spells are subpar and they can be put into better ones.

Order	Skill	Description
1	Flashpoint	The best mage passive ability throughout the game. After a critical hit, your next spell does not have a cooldown period
2	Energy Barrage + Energy Storm	Shoots projectiles that deal with your weapon’s elemental damage. As there will be many projectiles one of them should land a critical hit activating Flashpoint. You can also take any upgrade
3	Static Cage + Static Charge	Once you get the upgrade, combo this with Energy Barrage. Each projectile will deal an additional 50% weapon damage
4	Barrier	A good spell to have at the beginning of the game. Increases survivability of the party

If you have any skill points left choose the ones that fit your playstyle the most.

At levels 10-12, you should reach New Haven. Once there, do a Specialization quest to obtain the Knight-Enchanter class. Respecialize skills again. Now you are ready to fully commit to Knight Enchanter.

Knight Enchanter - Wizard Mage build

This build variation for Knight Enchanter concentrates on having many elemental spells and keeping a distance from the enemy.

Of course, due to Fade Shield, you can soak a decent amount of damage and fight enemies up close. but we mainly use the barrier to pump up Knight Enchanter's spell damage.

Abilities - detailed explanation

Once you get Knight Enchanter specialization remember to respecialize skills. The abilities are listed in order of how they should be taken. So once you have a free skill point invest in the next ability.

Order	Skill	Description
1	Spirit Blade	Needed to progress further in the tree. As you will avoid melee range, this ability should only be used on rare occasions
2	Combat Clarity	Additional MP regeneration in case enemies are close
3	Fade Shield	A very good passive ability that will synergize well with Chaotic Focus. Moreover, increases your survivability as you gain a barrier per hit.
4	Knight-Protector	Reduces barrier decay, and will synergize well with Chaotic Focus later on
5	Immolate	Casts instantly and deals moderate damage
6	Flashpoint	After a critical hit, the next spell does not have a cooldown
7	Energy Barrage + Energy Bombardment	Your main spell, because it launches many projectiles, one of it should trigger Flashpoint. Moreover, the element is based on your staff
8	Pyromancer	Buffs Flashfire, but we take it as a progression passive
9	Fire Mine + Searing Glyph	Extremely good spell. We use Searing Glyph upgrade so that Chaotic Focus would be activated
10	Clean Burn	Reduces cooldowns when using a spell by 1 second.
11	Chaotic Focus	The cornerstone passive ability of this build. Use it with other fire spells, to increase their damage by draining your barrier.
12	Winter's Grasp	Fairly expensive ability to use. However, allows you to use cold spells, allowing you to deal higher damage to Cold weak enemies
13	Winter Stillness	You will need every possible way to increase your mana regeneration due to the many spells that you will be using
14	Chain Lightning	A great ability to hit multiple enemies, that can be switched to Lightning Bolt
15	Conductive Current	Deal more damage with your spells the less mana you have.

Once you have these spells under your belt there are a few options to prioritize.

More Cold spells

Order	Skill	Description
16	Ice Mine	Although it does not deal damage, you can still use it to protect yourself if enemies are close to you.
17	Ice Armor	Progression ability, unfortunately not as useful as some others.
18	Blizzard + Winter Winds	I prefer Blizzard with Winter Winds upgrade. This will allow you to be more agile.

Rejuvenating Barrier

Order	Skill	Description
1	Barrier	It is a useful ability to generate a barrier for your party members on demand
2	Peaceful Aura	Enemies will attack you less.
3	Dispel	Although we take this ability for progression it is still useful. It can one-shot Rift spawning locations, making fewer enemies to spawn.
4	Rejuvenating Barrier	Because you will be using some costly spells, having increased mana regeneration, will be beneficial for this build all the time

Strength of Spirits

A similar approach to the previous option. However, now you will increase the size of the barrier to increase spell damage with Chaotic Focus.

Order	Skill	Description
1	Barrier	It is a useful ability to generate a barrier for your party members on demand
2	Guardian Spirit	Useful passive ability, when you are close to dying.
3	Mind Blast	We are taking this for progression
4	Strength of Spirits	Increases your barrier capacity by 50%. This will result in larger bonus damage with Chaotic Focus

In the end, you should be able to get most of these abilities by the end of the game. However, it is up to you to decide what type of playstyle you want to emphasize.

Abilities - short version

Here are the abilities that I had at level 21. The detailed version can be found in the next section.

Winter tree

The idea is to have at least one ice spell in this tree against enemies weak to cold.

Spirit Tree

The last abilities of the tree provides great synergy with the barrier, that you will constantly have on you.

Storm Tree

The crux of the build is Energy Barrage. Any other abilities that you take for this build are complementary.

Inferno Tree

Provides one of the strongest abilities in the game: Fire Mine

Knight-Enchanter Tree

Knight-Protector passive ability will allow you to constantly generate barriers and maximize your damage with Chaotic Focus.

Main Stats to prioritize

These are the stats that I recommend prioritize:

• Critical chance - reach 35% if you have Ring of Doubt, otherwise 45%+. After that concentrate on other stats
• Critical damage - invest in it once you have a high critical chance. It will drastically increase your damage.
• Cunning (alternative to Magic) - use this stat to increase your critical chance
• Dexterity (alternative to Magic)- invest in this attribute so that your critical damage would be higher. Only worthwhile if you have a 50%+ critical chance.
• Magic - increases the damage for mages.
• Willpower - increases the damage that you deal
• Armor - I recommend having a decent amount of armor until level 10 when you unlock Knight Enchanter abilities.

Equipment

This section covers recommended gear that you should use.

Note: some of the items are not the "best". However, their better versions are only available in Trespasser DLC, which is close to the end of the game. Due to this, they will be useful for a few hours at maximum

I list the gear in obtainable and craftable sections. This way the player can decide the best option available at hand. Generally, crafted items can allow you to maximize the build and in most cases are better.

Weapons - obtainable

Here are some great staves that you can obtain for the Knight Enchanter build

Priority	Item	Description
1	Hakkon's Wisdom	Gives +100% critical damage. Extremely strong staff if you have Ring of Doubt equipped
2	Isana's Song	This staff can be obtained in The Descent DLC. Provides +41 to magic. In terms of pure damage, it has no equals. It also has a 10% chance to cast Chain Lightning.
3	Earnest Reprisal	The staff gives a large bonus to critical damage. Use it together with Ring of Doubt for maximum damage
4	Staff of the Void	Gives a small boost of 6% to critical chance and bonus magic

Weapons - craftable

This is a list of craftable staves that you can make to maximize the builds' damage

Priority	Item	Description
1	Encore Schematic	One of the best staves in the game as it gives offensive buffs for all party members
2	Staff of Corruption Schematic	Although this is Tier 4, I would still go for Wrath of Lovias Schematic which provides better slots for the end game.
3	Wrath of Lovias Schematic	The stave gives leather slots for increased critical chance or critical damage

Armors - obtainable

Here is a recommended list of obtainable armors that you can wear.

Priority	Item	Description
1	The Skin That Stalks	Obtainable only in the Trespasser DLC. Boosts Critical Damage, Critical Chance, and Attack.
2	Vestments of the Pure	Similar to the craftable version. So choose the one that you prefer. Gives 45 points to willpower
3	Masterwork Battlemage Armor	Reduces the cost of the abilities and spells.
4	Robes of the High Keeper	If you are an elf this armor is also a good option

Armors - craftable

This section covers a list of schematics to craft armors

Priority	Item	Description
1	Superior Battlemage Armor Schematic	Best craftable Armor. This version has one Cloth and a leather utility slot. Quite powerful and can be bought in Hissing Wastes. Moreover, you can add Arms and Legs upgrades to have an even larger boost to damage
2	Superb Antaam-saar Schematic	For this armor, you will need Spoils of the Qunari DLC pack. However, the schematic gives 3 Utility slots to increase offensive stats
3	Vestments of the Pure Schematic	The armor is not as powerful as the options above. However, it can be a good alternative if you think that the second option does not have enough armor

Helmets - obtainable

Priority	Item	Description
1	Stone Stalker Mask	Gives a large boost to offensive stats and also increases armor
2	Helm of the Drasca	Provides bonuses to dexterity resulting in +8% increased critical damage. Gives a higher armor rating than Winter Palace masks
3	Ambassador's Mask	This mask provides a large boost to critical damage
4	Mask of the Grand Duchess	Gives a large bonus to critical chance

Helmets - craftable

Priority	Item	Description
1	Superior Skirmisher Hat Schematic	Great slots for increasing critical stats
2	Battlemage Cowl Schematic	Gives a Cloth Utility slot to increase magic related stats
3	Skirmisher Hat Schematic	Can be obtained earlier in the game with a leather utility slot.

Amulets

Try to find and obtain amulets that have higher priority. They are better for this build

Priority	Item	Description
1	Andraste’s Sacrifice	The best amulet for a mage. Gives higher mana regeneration and decreases ability cooldown. However, you will constantly taunt enemies, so it can be risky without a good Tank.
2	Amulet of the Mage	A cheap amulet that can be bought in Black Emporium. Definitely recommend it when you have 3k gold
3	Superb Amulet of Dexterity	Boosts dexterity, which increases your critical damage
4	Superb Amulet of Cunning	Equip this amulet if you do not have Ring of Doubt. This way you can increase the critical chance of naturally
5	Superb Amulet of Willpower	Boosts willpower which increases your damage

Belts

Try to find and obtain belts that have higher priority. They are better for this build

Priority	Item	Description
1	The Bind That Guides	Great belt, unfortunately, available only in the late game during Trespasser DLC.
2	Master Belt of Focus	More Focus results in more often Mark of the Rift for the Inquisitor
3	Superior Belt of Focus	A weaker version of the above belt.
4	Superb Belt of Staggering	The belt will give a higher chance to temporarily stun enemies with normal attacks

Rings

Try to find and obtain rings that have higher priority. They are better for this build

Priority	Item	Description
1	Ring of Doubt	Probably the best ring for a mage. Guarantees a critical hit after attacking from stealth
2	The Hand That Cuts	Only obtainable in Trespasser DLC. However, provides large offensive bonuses
3	Ring of Slicing	Expensive ring bought in Black Emporium. Boosts your critical damage and critical rate.
4	Superb Ring of Critical Damage	Boosts critical damage by 20%, equip it Knight Enchanter either has Ring of Doubt equipped or 50%+ critical chance
5	Superb Ring of Critical Chance	Boosts critical chance by 10%, use it if Knight Enchanter has less than 50% critical chance

Tactics

Here are the tactics that I use:

1. Cast Chain Lightning/Lightning Bolt to set up a barrier

2. Use Energy Barrage

3. Now depending on the situation, I would do this:

   1. If the tank is surrounded by enemies cast Fire Mine near him, which will activate after 3 seconds. You need to have enemies in place for it to work well (if you did not take Flaming Array)

   2. Cast Fire Mine near yourself if enemies start running toward you

   3. Otherwise, use Immolate

4. Cast Winter’s Grasp if enemies are weak to Cold

5. Repeat from the start

I also change staves based on the enemies I fight. So if an enemy is weak to Fire take out Fire staff, so that Energy Barrage would to Fire damage. I really recommend having a few of these items

Knight Enchanter - Greatsword Mage (OP build)

I think this build is the one that made Knight Enchanters especially powerful. The staple weapon of it is Blade of Tidarion. It has a special mechanic allowing you to double the amount of Energy Barrage projectiles.

However, this is just part of its charm. You can spam Spirit Blade and constantly regenerate the barrier.

Still, that is not all. You will have Fire Mine Array to triple your AOE damage near you.

... and you will have Ring of Doubt to double your initial damage, due to critical hits

So let's get into this build as it is probably the most exciting one and can be compared to Arcane Warrior builds from Dragon Age Origins.

Abilities - detailed explanation

Order	Skill	Description
1	Spirit Blade	You will use this ability often as you will constantly be close to the enemies. I suggest using whenever Energy Barrage of Fire Mine is on cooldown.
2	Combat Clarity	Additional MP regeneration in case enemies are close
3	Fade Shield	An extremely strong skill that allows the Knight Enchanter to generate barrier on hit
4	Knight-Protector	Reduces barrier decay
5	Immolate	Casts instantly and deals moderate damage
6	Flashpoint	After a critical hit, the next spell does not have a cooldown
7	Energy Barrage + Energy Bombardment	Your main spell, because it launches many projectiles, one of it should trigger Flashpoint. Moreover, the element is based on your staff
8	Pyromancer	Buffs Flashfire, but we take it as a progression passive
9	Fire Mine + Flaming Array	The strongest spell in the game now will spawn three times. This will result in instant activation and more damage
10	Clean Burn	Reduces cooldowns when using a spell by 1 second.
11	Conductive Current	Boosts damage 5% for every 10% mana that is missing
12	Static Charge	Even though we take it for progression to reach Static Cage, this skill still has good passive effects.
13	Static Cage + Lightning Cage	Combo this spell with Energy Barrage, to deal additional lightning damage to enemies.
14	Fade Step + Energizing Step	Use this spell to recharge MP fast during combat. Spam it often!
15	Fade Cloak + Decloaking Blast	This spell will deal 1000% Weapon damage as Spirit Damage if you reappear inside an enemy. Moreover, you can instantly get up from knockback when using this skill

Beyond this point, any other abilities are just icing on the cake. To be honest you are now an unstoppable melee mage with a Two-Handed sword. It does not get any cooler than this.

Stats and Attributes

• Critical Rate - your aim is to have around 35% if you have Ring of Doubt, otherwise put at least 45%. This will easily activate Flashpoint

• Critical Damage - once you have Ring of Doubt I suggest investing in this attribute. It will contribute the most to your overall damage.

• Attack - increases overall damage a bit worse than critical damage boost

• Willpower - increases your Attack indirectly but the bonus is lower than pure direct Attack increase

• Magic - increases your Attack indirectly but the bonus is lower than pure direct Attack increase

Best Gear and Equipment

This section is extremely important. The pillar of this build is having crafted Blade of Tidarion. Not only that but you need to put an elemental rune (the best one that you can get). This rune's element should differ from the weapons element.

Why do all this?

Blade of Tidarion is a special weapon when you use it with Energy Barrage. This spell will activate two times when you have a different element rune. So in total, you will release 24 projectiles - 12 with the base element and 12 with the Rune element.

This all results in instant barrier regeneration. Due to this, you can easily tank many of the game's enemies.

Weapons - craftable

This is a list of craftable staves that you can make to maximize the builds' damage

Priority	Item	Description
1	Blade of Tidarion Schematic	At higher levels, Blade of Tidarion will not cut it and Knight Enchanter will need one with better slots. So it is important that you get the schematic

Weapons - obtainable

Here are some great staves that you can obtain for the Knight Enchanter build

Priority	Item	Description
1	Blade of Tidarion	Obtained in Crestwood after you activate all Astrariums. Get it as soon as you can.

Before accessing the Blade of Tidarion, feel free to use any of the decent staves that you find.

Masterwork crafting

These are important abilities that you can use special materials to greatly improve equipment. Look for a Masterwork slot in the items when crafting.

Masterwork skill	Description	Materials
Hidden Blades	Works well with Energy Barrage due to multiple hits. Greatly improves overall DPS	Fade-Touched Ring Velvet Fade-Touched Velveteen Fade-Touched Plush Fustian Velvet
Guard on Hit	I do not prefer it, but it is a great defensive option allowing to soak more damage for the Knight Enchanter.	Fade-Touched Obsidian Fade-Touched Silverite

General Items

• Sigil of the Great Bear - this is mandatory for a mage. It will double the total mana pool and not weaken mana regeneration due to it being percentage-based.

Armors - obtainable

Here is a recommended list of obtainable armors that you can wear.

Priority	Item	Description
1	The Skin That Stalks	Obtainable only in the Trespasser DLC. Boosts Critical Damage, Critical Chance, and Attack.
2	Vestments of the Pure	Similar to the craftable version. So choose the one that you prefer. Gives 45 points to willpower
3	Masterwork Battlemage Armor	Reduces the cost of the abilities and spells.
4	Robes of the High Keeper	If you are an elf this armor is also a good option

Armors - craftable

This section covers a list of schematics to craft armors

Priority	Item	Description
1	Superb Antaam-saar Schematic	For this armor, you will need Spoils of the Qunari DLC pack. Has low defense, but gives 12 leather slots for critical stat improvements. I
2	Superior Battlemage Armor Schematic	This version has one Cloth and a leather utility slot. Quite powerful and can be bought in Hissing Wastes. Moreover, you can add Arms and Legs upgrades to have an even larger boost to damage
3	Vestments of the Pure Schematic	Unfortunately, does not come with upgrade slots and gives only cloth utility slots

Helmets - obtainable

Priority	Item	Description
1	Stone Stalker Mask	Gives a large boost to offensive stats and also increases armor
2	Helm of the Drasca	Provides bonuses bonus dexterity resulting in +8% increased critical damage. Although the bonus is lower gives a higher armor rating than Winter Palace masks
3	Ambassador's Mask	This mask provides a large boost to critical damage. use it together with Ring of Doubt
4	Mask of the Grand Duchess	Gives a large bonus to critical chance. Great if you have a low critical chance or no Ring of Doubt

Helmets - craftable

Priority	Item	Description
1	Superior Skirmisher Hat Schematic	Great slots for increasing critical stats. Probably the best helmet option once you have access to tier 3 or 4 crafting materials
2	Battlemage Cowl Schematic	Gives a Cloth Utility slot to increase magic related stats
3	Skirmisher Hat Schematic	Can be obtained earlier in the game with a leather utility slot.

Amulets

Try to find and obtain amulets that have higher priority. They are better for this build

Priority	Item	Description
1	Andraste’s Sacrifice	The best amulet for a mage. Gives higher mana regeneration and decreases ability cooldown. Although it constantly taunts enemies, this is not a problem for Knight Enchanter
2	Superb Amulet of Dexterity	Boosts dexterity, which increases your critical damage
3	Superb Amulet of Cunning	Equip this amulet if you do not have Ring of Doubt. This way you can increase the critical chance naturally
4	Superb Amulet of Willpower	Boosts willpower which increases your damage

Belts

Try to find and obtain belts that have higher priority. They are better for this build

Priority	Item	Description
1	The Bind That Guides	Great belt, unfortunately, available only in the late game. Boosts Attack by 10% further increasing Knight Enchanter damage
2	Master Belt of Focus or Superior Belt of Focus	More Focus results in more often Mark of the Rift if you are the Inquisitor
3	Superb Belt of Health	The belt can be obtained in Emerald Greaves. It gives +200 health.
4	Belt of Life	Similar to the above belt provides a large increase in HP.

Rings

Try to find and obtain rings that have higher priority. They are better for this build

Priority	Item	Description
1	Ring of Doubt	Probably the best ring for a Knight Enchanter. Guarantees a critical hit after attacking from stealth
2	The Hand That Cuts	Only obtainable in Trespasser DLC. However, provides bonuses with other set items equipped at the same time
3	Superb Ring of Critical Damage	Boosts critical damage. Use it together with Ring of Doubt to maximize Knight Enchanter build damage.
4	Ring of Slicing	Expensive ring bought in Black Emporium. Boosts your critical damage and critical rate.
5	Superb Ring of Critical Chance	Boosts critical chance, good if you have a low critical chance in the mid-game to active Clean Burn.

Tactics and tips

Please check the top video for a showcase on how the build can be used, the main idea is to use Energy Barrage + Spirit Blade + Fade Step. All the other abilities are complementary

• Fire Mine - allows dealing fast burst damage to enemies nearby
• Static Cage - buffs your normal + energy barrage attacks dealing additional DPS.
• Spirit Blade - use it during cooldowns to build up charges to increase spell damage and sustain the barrier
• Fade Cloak - use it when you get knocked down. Knight Enchanter will stand up instantly allowing to continue barrier generation

Conclusion

Thank you for reading this detailed build guide on Dragon Age Inquisition Knight Enchanter builds. I definitely recommend trying out this class as it is extremely enjoyable.

Feel free to leave any feedback or improvements that you can suggest in the comments