Bears are wild animals common to the forests of Thedas. They are rarely seen during the day and don't attack travellers, unless provoked. Enraged bears are remarkably dangerous and can strike massive blows, capable of knocking a person off their feet.[1] Some rangers are known to summon bears to fight on their side.
Background[]
Normally, bears are so shy and so inactive during the day that most people never encounter one at all. However, should a bear be provoked, they are remarkably dangerous. The normally placid-seeming creatures become enraged, and can strike massive blows with their paws.[1]
Elven Pantheon[]
"No beast is more beloved by Dirthamen than the bear. When the world was new, Dirthamen gave one secret to each creature to keep. The foxes traded their secrets to Andruil for wings. The hares shouted theirs to the treetops. The birds sold theirs for gold and silver. Only the bears kept Dirthamen's gift, deep within their dens, they slept the months away in the company of their secrets and nothing else. When Dirthamen discovered what had been done with his gifts, he snatched the wings from the foxes, silenced the voices of the hares, and turned the birds into paupers. but the bears he honored for their steadfastness."
Involvement[]
A summoned black bear
Dragon Age: Origins[]
Bears are encountered mainly in the forested areas of Ferelden. Black bears are the most common type of bears. They can be summoned by a Ranger and Shapeshifters can transform into them. The Ranger's bear levels up with the character and thus makes for a great tanking ally, with high health and damage output. While the same applies to the bear form, its use prevents spellcasting and thus it should only be used as a last resort.
Great bears are far larger and more powerful than black bears. A Master Ranger can summon a great bear, marginally increasing its power and allowing for it to use overwhelm.
Dragon Age: Inquisition[]
Bears can be found throughout Ferelden and Orlais. Large bears appear in the Hinterlands only during the side quest Bergrit's Claws. The great bear, a bigger and powerful bear, is less common than a regular bear, but can still be found in great numbers across the Dales of Orlais. An even larger and more powerful version of the great bear, named Old Scarred Paw, appears with its cubs during the side quest A Bear to Cross.
Notable bears[]
- Chauncey - a miniature "large bear" found at the Black Emporium
- Old Scarred Paw - a unique great bear found in the Emerald Graves
- Storvacker - a great bear that became Stone-Bear Hold's "Hold-Beast"
Quests[]
Dragon Age: Origins[]
When Bears Attack (black bears)
Dragon Age: Inquisition[]
- Bergrit's Claws (large bears)
- A Well-Stocked Camp (great bears)
- A Bear to Cross (Old Scarred Paw)
Locations[]
Dragon Age: Origins[]
- Lothering (black bears)
- The Fade (black bears)
- East Brecilian Forest (great bears)
- West Brecilian Forest (great bears)
- Battlefield (great bears)
Dragon Age: Awakening[]
- Forest Path (black bears and great bears)
Dragon Age: Inquisition[]
- Emerald Graves (great bears)
- Emprise du Lion (great bears)
- Fallow Mire (a single bear at Granite Point)
- Hinterlands (bears and large bears)
- Storm Coast (bears)
Abilities & Skills[]
Notable loot[]
- Bear Claws
- Bear Hide
- Fade-Touched Bear Hide (Max Stamina)
- Fade-Touched Bear Hide (Stamina)
- Great Bear Claws
- Great Bear Hide
- Great Bear Teeth
- Fade-Touched Great Bear Hide (Max Stamina)
- Fade-Touched Great Bear Hide (Stamina)
Variations[]
Codex entries[]
Note texts[]
Bugs[]
- (Origins) When summoned, the great bear will often get stuck in normal-sized doorways. This is noticeable, for example, during the Warden's Keep DLC.
See also[]
Gallery[]
