The Dragon Age series has risen in popularity to become one of the most well-known and highly-regarded fantasy RPGs of all time. Developed by BioWare, the series immerses players in a rich and complex world filled with political intrigue, magical creatures, and memorable characters. One of the defining features of the series is its deep and engaging combat system, which allows players to customize their characters with a wide range of skills and abilities.

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The games feature its fair share of warriors who excel in either dishing out massive damage or serving as tanks to protect flimsier characters. The former type of warrior tends to rely on heavy weapons and offensive skills to quickly dispatch foes, while the latter focuses on resilience, using their armor and defensive abilities to soak up damage and draw enemies' attention away from allies. Players should try and always keep a warrior in their party for a more balanced approach during combat.

10 Shale – Dragon Age: Origins

Shale in Dragon Age Origins

Shale is a character that can be recruited as a part of The Stone Prisoner DLC. As is the case with most characters added after the game is released, Shale does feel like an afterthought at times, which can be quite disappointing for fans who like having a golem in their party.

However, in terms of pure strength, there aren't many party members who are as strong as Shale. This golem hits like a truck, with its high vitality ensuring that it can serve as the first line of defense while ranged attackers and magic users pepper enemies with attacks.

9 Blackwall – Dragon Age: Inquisition

Game art of Blackwall in the rain in Dragon Age: Inquisition

There are many party members in Dragon Age: Inquisition who are all pretty interesting and notable in their own right. Unfortunately, Blackwall isn't one of them, even if he's a pretty decent if unremarkable tank that players can bring with them into combat.

His background as a Grey Warden is decent enough, but there are moments when players feel that his character is pretty undercooked. The worst part is that Inquisition has some really likable and well-written party members, making Blackwall feel more like a missed opportunity than anything else.

8 Aveline Vallen – Dragon Age 2

Aveline Vallen (Dragon Age 2)

Aveline is one of the best tanks in Dragon Age 2 who can help out other party members time and time again. It helps that her character is pretty solid too, even if she may not be the most unique companion on this list.

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After losing her husband to the threat of the darkspawn, Aveline decides to follow Hawke in a bid to make a difference against these imposing foes. She more than pulls her weight in the party and is one of the first companions players recruit in the game.

7 Sten – Dragon Age: Origins

Sten staring at the player in Dragon Age: Origins

A Qunari without horns, Sten has faced his fair share of tragedy in life. While there's no denying that a lot of his problems were his own doing, it's still hard to not feel a twinge of sympathy for a character who didn't exactly get the luckiest hand in life.

As a warrior, he doesn't have any specialization per se, but that won't matter when players see just how much damage Sten inflicts with each blow. He's a warrior who focuses on pure strength and is a blast to team up with in Dragon Age: Origins.

6 Oghren – Dragon Age: Origins

A close up of Oghren from Dragon Age: Origins

A dwarven berserker with a love for all things alcoholic, most people would assume that Oghren is nothing more than the cliched dwarf character everyone is familiar with. However, as players uncover more of his backstory, they'll learn more about his character and how much of a tragic figure he really is.

Oghren loved a low-born woman but was forced into marrying a noble, with the marriage crumbling soon after and Oghren turning to alcohol as a way to soothe his nerves. Eventually, he was shunned by his family, and this powerful warrior ended up losing his way...until he met the player-character, that is.

5 Cassandra Pentaghast – Dragon Age: Inquisition

Cassandra's default card.

At a glance, Cassandra seems like a stuck-up Seeker who doesn't really stray from the path of the Chantry, which is just as boring as it sounds. However, players who give her character a chance will realize that she's more vulnerable than what she lets on.

As a templar, she's especially effective against demons and can use her strength to great effect against these abominations. Despite a poor first impression, Cassandra slowly wins over player hearts and becomes one of the best companions in Dragon Age: Inquisition.

4 Fenris – Dragon Age 2

Fenris in Dragon Age 2

Dragon Age 2 may have its fair share of detractors, but there's no denying that the writing in this title is still top-notch when BioWare brings its A-game. No other character personifies this better than Fenris, who is one of the most entertaining characters in the series.

This two-handed warrior can dish out a ton of pain, with his unique specialization making him stronger as his camaraderie with Hawke and the rest of the group grows. Players will love piecing his story together while bringing him into combat to cleave enemies into smithereens.

3 Loghain Mac Tir – Dragon Age: Origins

Loghain charging with sword.

Loghain is a character who was too righteous for his own good, assuming drastic measures to secure the safety of Ferelden against the darkspawn. Suffice it to say, this leads to him becoming an antagonist that players must defeat in a bid to unite everyone against the Blight.

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After the events of the Landsmeet, Loghain can be spared and recruited, although this will come at the cost of another companion leaving the party for good. Given how many times Loghain has erred, killing him isn't the worst option...although it's not exactly a humane choice either.

2 Iron Bull – Dragon Age: Inquisition

Dragon Age: Inquisition Iron Bull promotional art

The Iron Bull is a Qunari who absolutely reeks of charisma, making him a joy to interact with every single time. It helps that he's an absolute brute in battle who can tear through enemies without a care in the world.

The leader of the Bull's Chargers is far from a one-dimensional character, with players loving this character as they interact with him and slowly uncover his backstory. Even his romance is quite endearing, starting out on a casual note before both he and the Inquisitor develop feelings for each other and become more serious.

1 Alistair – Dragon Age: Origins

Alistair in Dragon Age

Alistair is one of the most memorable characters in Dragon Age: Origins. He is a romantic who serves the chantry as a templar, with his skills in combat being quite amazing indeed and making him one of the best companions in the game.

While he seems devout and somewhat sheltered, players who get to peel back the layers of his personality realize just how sensitive and emotional he really is. This is the biggest reason why Alistair is considered by many to be the best romance in the game.

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