Dragon Age: Inquisition includes an awesome group of companions that travel around and save the world with The Inquisitor. One of the more popular ones is The Iron Bull.
The Qunari spy is incredibly useful in a fight. Yet, the reason that players like him so much is his personality more than his combat prowess. He's so charming, and his boisterous attitude is a constant source of entertainment throughout the game. Despite only featuring in one title, a lot of information has been revealed about Iron Bull through optional in-game conversations, The World Of Thedas Volume 2, and developer interviews. Here is a collection of the most interesting details.
10 The Origins Of Bull's Chargers
Despite his size and combat abilities, it's rare to see Iron Bull fighting alone. If he's not battling alongside The Inquisitor, he's usually backed up by his mercenary band, Bull's Chargers.
Bull started the company after growing tired of working for an inexperienced and tactically inept leader in his previous mercenary band. As he left his old group, he offered anyone there a place in the soon-to-be Bull's Chargers. His former leader wasn't too happy about it, but the large Qunari swiftly put an end to the protest by force.
9 He Was Going To Be A Race-Specific Romance
Iron Bull is romanceable by every version of The Inquisitor. But that wasn't always going to be the case. As explained during Bioware's Gaymer panel in 2014, the size differential between Iron Bull and other races initially created problems. The script even included an explanation as to why Bull couldn't be with certain Inquisitors.
In the end, the Cinematic Designer and the animation team came to the rescue and fixed those issues. Thankfully they did, otherwise many would've missed out on one of the best romances in the game.
8 How To Increase His Approval Rating
Dragon Age: Inquisition doesn't have a black and white morality system. In its place is an approval rating mechanic, where players' decisions affect how they're viewed by their companions.
For Iron Bull, there are a few ways to get his approval rating up. For instance, constricting the mages at Redcliffe Castle, allying with the Grey Wardens, and killing high dragons with him in the party, all make him like The Inquisitor more. Getting his approval rating up is the only way of pursuing a romance with the big Qunari.
7 He Can Betray The Inquisitor
During Iron Bull's personal quest, The Inquisitor has to convince the Qunari spy to either sacrifice his Chargers or let his own race down.
This decision has a significant impact on the Trespasser DLC. If Bull keeps the Chargers alive, then he sticks by the Inquisition. But if he sacrifices his team, then he also betrays The Inquisitor and helps his fellow Ben-Hassrath. His treachery forces players to kill their former companion.
6 His Assassination Scene Isn't Motion Captured
In the scenario where Iron Bull chooses his Chargers over the Ben-Hassrath, there's an attempt on his life. Two assassins disguised as members of the Inquisition ambush him at Skyhold, and he takes them both down.
Some players might notice that the sequence looks a little different from most action-orientated moments in the game. This is because there was no motion capture budget for the scene. Cinematic Designer, John Epler, has revealed that they had to piece together the whole thing by using animations from the in-game engine.
5 How He Lost His Eye
Upon meeting Iron Bull on the Storm Coast, players immediately notice that he's sporting an eyepatch. Krem - Bull's second in command - tells the story behind the missing eye in an optional conversation.
He recounts how the incident occurred while the Qunari spy was trying to save him from an attack. During the tussle, Bull put himself in harm's way and lost an eye as a result. Incredibly, he didn't even know Krem at the time; he just saw someone in trouble and lent a hand.
4 Why He Isn't A Qunari Soldier
Iron Bull is a huge fearsome fighter, so it's surprising that he is a spy, not a soldier. The in-universe reason for this is explained in The World Of Thedas Volume 2.
Qunari children are raised by Tamassrans, who help turn them into useful members of society. The one looking after Iron Bull realized that he didn't have the makings of a soldier because of his lack of obedience. So, she recommended that he join the Ben-Hassrath instead.
3 His Names And The Meaning Behind Them
Qunari names are more akin to titles that describe an individual. Thus, they can go by several names throughout their life.
As a child, Iron Bull was known as Ashkaari, which means "one who thinks." Later in life, he was given the name Hissrad, meaning, "one who creates illusions" because of his adept ability to lie. Finally, once he became a mercenary, he was able to name himself, so he went with The Iron Bull.
2 He Can Enter A Relationship With Dorian
One of the most subtle romances in the game is the one between Iron Bull and Dorian. It only occurs if The Inquisitor maintains a strictly platonic relationship with both characters. But even then, it can still be difficult to trigger.
All players can do is have both of them in their party and hope they mention hooking up. If they do, then it's possible (if The Inquisitor is their friend) to ask them about their relationship back at Skyhold. Once together, their romantic entanglement continues into the Trespasser DLC.
1 His Sexuality
As Iron Bull is romanceable by both males and females, many assume that the character is bisexual.
However, the writer of Iron Bull, Patrick Weekes, has clarified that the Qunari spy is actually pansexual. So, he's not only attracted to men and women but people of all different genders. As it's hard to find a pansexual character in any piece of media, it's a nice bit of representation on Bioware's part.