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<onlyinclude>{{CreatureTransformer
 
<onlyinclude>{{CreatureTransformer
|style = {{{style|}}}
+
|style = {{{style|}}}
|name = [[Hivernal]]
+
|name = [[Hivernal]]
|affiliation = [[Dragon]]s
+
|rank = [[Boss]]
  +
|affiliation = [[Dragon]]s
|image = Hivernal Profile.png
 
|px = 270px
+
|icon = High Dragon icon.png
 
|image = Hivernal Profile.png
|location = [[Emprise Du Lion]]
 
  +
|px = 270px
|quests = [[Breeding Grounds]]<br>[[Dragon Hunter]]
 
|appearances = [[Dragon Age: Inquisition]]
+
|location = [[Emprise Du Lion]]
 
|quests = [[Breeding Grounds]]<br>[[Dragon Hunter]]
  +
|appearances = [[Dragon Age: Inquisition]] <br> [[Heroes of Dragon Age]]
 
}}</onlyinclude>
 
}}</onlyinclude>
   
Line 14: Line 16:
 
{{Note|It is recommended to pick up the quest [[Breeding Grounds]] before going after the Hivernal, as the quest cannot be started if one of the 3 dragons involved has been killed before obtaining it.}}
 
{{Note|It is recommended to pick up the quest [[Breeding Grounds]] before going after the Hivernal, as the quest cannot be started if one of the 3 dragons involved has been killed before obtaining it.}}
   
== Strategy ==
+
== Background ==
  +
The Hivernal was once a coveted hunting target, thanks to the thick layers of fat beneath her skin which helped the early human tribes of the Orlesian Highlands to survive the harsh winters. Several Orlesian houses still proudly display stuffed Hivernals as trophies. During the age when hunting the Hivernal was a matter of necessity, a triumphant party would return to a feast, following which meat from the Hivernal would be salted and the hide would be turned into weapons, clothing and potions. The "Hivernal Feast" is stll celebrated in some villages, although few recall its origin.<ref name=WoT2-304>{{cite wot2|304}}</ref>
The dragon's stats are as follows:
 
  +
: Level 18 Boss
 
  +
== Stats ==
: 226288 HP (Nightmare difficulty)
 
 
: Level 19 Boss
 
: 207873 HP (Normal difficulty) /226288 HP (Nightmare difficulty)
 
: 59 Armor
 
: 59 Armor
 
: Greater Cold Resistance
 
: Greater Cold Resistance
Line 24: Line 28:
 
: Immunity: Slowed
 
: Immunity: Slowed
 
: Perceptive
 
: Perceptive
* The Hivernal breathes ice instead of fire, dealing cold damage. The dragon is resistant to cold damage, but vulnerable to fire. Bringing Ice resistance potions is a must on higher difficulties, particularily for your tank. Regeneration potions can also help, as can Antivan Fire grenades. Equip your mage or mages with an fire staff. Dragon-Slaying and fire runes can also help somewhat, but it's not required.
 
* The Battle against the Hivernal is almost identical to the one against the [[Greater Mistral]] in the Emerald Graves. The only difference is that The Hivernal will not generate a guard bar at regular intervals like the Greater Mistral will. The Hivernal is however 2 levels higher.
 
   
  +
== Strategy ==
* The Hivernal will stay on the ground for most of the fight. She will make small "jumps" to cover distance at times. During the battle, at 75%, 50%, and 25% health, she will take off. Shortly after, she will return at high speed, breathing Ice bursts at party members along her path, which will chill (slow) and damage them. Shortly after she will land, knocking any party members there off their feet and doing high damage to them. Spreading your party out when she takes off is a good idea. Abilities like Evade, Fade Step and Combat Roll will be useful to keep your party members out of harms way.
 
 
* The Hivernal breathes ice instead of fire, dealing cold damage. The dragon is resistant to cold damage, but vulnerable to fire. Bringing [[Cold Resistance Tonic|cold resistance tonics]] is a must on higher difficulties, particularly for your tank. [[Regeneration Potion|Regeneration potions]] can also help, especially if they have been upgraded with Lifeward and Proximity Heal, as can [[Antivan Fire]] grenades. Equip your mage or mages with a fire staff. Dragon-slaying and fire runes can also help somewhat, but it's not required.
   
 
* The battle against the Hivernal is almost identical to the one against the [[Greater Mistral]] in the Emerald Graves. The main difference is that the Hivernal will not generate a [[Guard]] bar at regular intervals as the Greater Mistral will; however, the Hivernal is two levels higher and correspondingly tougher.
* All dragons will often attack any party member close to her with melee attacks. She will signify a melee attack by raising the leg closest to the party member she will try to hit, avoid it with Fade Step/Evade/Combat Roll. Getting close to her tail will often make her raise her tail up and to the side in preparation to swipe the whole area behind her. A tail swipe is harder to avoid than an attack with her legs since it will cover a larger area, the best thing to do is to stay away from her tail.
 
   
 
* The Hivernal will stay on the ground for most of the fight. She will make small "jumps" to cover distance at times. During the battle, at 75%, 50%, and 25% health, she will take off. Shortly after, she will return at high speed, breathing ice bursts at party members along her path, which will chill (slow) and damage them. Shortly after she will land, knocking any party members nearby off their feet and doing high damage to them. Spreading your party out and/or keeping the party moving when she takes off is a good idea. Abilities like [[Evade (Inquisition)|Evade]], [[Fade Step]] and [[Combat Roll]] will be useful to keep your party members out of harm's way.
* Every time the dragon lifts its wings high up over her body, she's about to use her "Maelstrom" ability, an ability all or nearly all dragons in the game have. She will flap her's wings 4 times, and every time, she will suck your party closer to her and do high damage to them. The ability has a extremly long range so it's doubtful you can outrun it. There are 3 ways to deal with this ability:
 
# With high enough dps you can just weather it, since you will see this ability no more than a couple of times. Nuke the dragon down, popping potions, although you will burn through them quickly.
 
# You can hide behind obstacles. This can be difficult because of poor Ai pathfinding, AI unwillingness to stand where ordered even when "holding position", dragon constantly moving and destroying obstacles.
 
# Lastly, and the best way, is to get into melee range (inside the maelstrom circle). Inside it you will take no damage. As soon as you see the dragon's wings rise high, use your Evade (Rogues) & Fade Step (mages) to help get them inside the circle as fast as possible. Having your ranged party members stand not to far from the dragon at all times will help prepare for the maelstrom. Your melee companions will already be where they should. When the dragons stops flapping it's wings, get your ranged party members out again quick, so they don't get hit by the dragons melee attacks.
 
* The Hivernal will also use her Ice Blast ability if a party member that is not in melee range has aggro. She will shoot a ball of ice in a straight line which will explode on the ground and leave a cloud of frost for a while. Any party member that walks over this, will take damage and get chilled (slowed). Sometimes she will jump away from the party intentionally to use this attack. Avoid this ability with Fade Step/Evade/Combat Roll.
 
   
* The Hivernal will also use it's Ice Breath ability at times, she will signify this ability by raising her head back and up. She will then spray the ground in front and to the sides of her, trying to seek hitting any party members that are standing close enough. The breath will leave party members chilled as well as doing damage to them. Avoid this ability with Fade Step/Evade/Combat Roll.
+
* All dragons will often attack any party member close to her with melee attacks. She will signify a melee attack by raising the leg closest to the party member she will try to hit. Avoid it with Fade Step/Evade/Combat Roll. Getting close to her tail will often make her raise her tail up and to the side in preparation to swipe the whole area behind her. A tail swipe is harder to avoid than an attack with her legs since it will cover a larger area, so the best thing to do is to stay away from her tail.
  +
 
* Every time the dragon lifts its wings high up over her body, she's about to use her "Maelstrom" ability, an ability common to most dragons in the game. She will flap her wings 4 times, and every time, she will suck your party closer to her and do high damage to them. The ability has an extremely long range so it's doubtful you can outrun it. There are 3 ways to deal with this ability:
  +
 
# With high enough DPS you can just weather it, since you will see this ability no more than a couple of times. Nuke the dragon down, popping potions, although you will burn through them quickly.
 
# You can hide behind obstacles. This can be difficult because of poor AI pathfinding, AI unwillingness to stand where ordered even when "holding position", and the dragon constantly moving and destroying obstacles.
 
# Lastly, and the best way, is to get into melee range (inside the maelstrom circle). Inside it you will take no damage. As soon as you see the dragon's wings rise high, use your Evade (Rogues) & Fade Step (mages) to help get them inside the circle as fast as possible. Having your ranged party members stand not too far from the dragon at all times will help prepare for the maelstrom. Your melee companions will already be where they should. When the dragon stops flapping its wings, get your ranged party members out again quickly, so they don't get hit by the dragon's melee attacks.
  +
 
* The Hivernal will also use her Ice Blast ability if a party member that is not in melee range is generating threat. She will shoot a ball of ice in a straight line which will explode on the ground and leave a cloud of frost. Any party member that walks over this, will take damage and get chilled (slowed). Sometimes she will jump away from the party intentionally to use this attack. Avoid this ability with Fade Step/Evade/Combat Roll.
  +
  +
* The Hivernal will use its Ice Breath ability at random points. She will signify this ability by raising her head back and up. She will then spray the ground in front and to the sides of her, seeking to hit any party members that are standing close enough. The breath will leave party members chilled as well as doing damage to them. Avoid this ability with Fade Step/Evade/Combat Roll.
  +
 
* Focusing your party's damage on the dragon's legs can make the dragon fall to the ground helplessly for a short while when you have damaged all four legs enough. A dragon which has a damaged leg will be bleeding severely from it. It will also show a "pain" animation and jump away if you have damaged a leg enough. Focus your damage on one leg at a time, after you see that leg start to bleed, change to another leg. When the dragon is lying on the ground, it is a very good time to use many of the party's ground-targeted focus abilities, like the Inquisitor's Mark of the Rift or Solas' Firestorm, since you know the dragon will not move for a short while. Typically it will take a very long time to damage the dragon's legs enough for it to fall, often taking almost the whole battle for it to occur.
  +
  +
* Specific to the Hivernal's location in Etienne's Ring is a single character kill strategy for the very patient. Equip a mage with cold resistant armor, guard generation on hit and a fire staff with a [[Dragon-Slaying Rune]]. As one passes the statues before the stairs to enter the ring, hop up on the rocks on the north side and climb up to the top with the mage character. If you switch characters, pathfinding will teleport your first character back, so you only get one. Station the mage where normal shots cannot hit the Hivernal and keep firing. Normal shots will miss, but the triple shot goes around barriers such as the incline of rocks in front of you. This incline also protects the mage from the Hivernal's breath and the pull of the maelstrom ability. When it takes off, it can still be targeted with the staff and the breath attack takes so long to reach the mage, stepping aside is easy. Note that the freezing attack can't really be avoided, but since it does very little or no damage depending on resistances, just wait until the mage unfreezes and continue, as the Hivernal will never come up on the rocks.
  +
  +
== Trespasser ==
  +
* With the addition of the [[Downloadable content (Inquisition)|DLC]] ''[[Trespasser]]'' an achievement has been added for defeating the Hivernal with the trial [[Trials|Rub Some Dirt on It']] switched on. When this trial is active all healing potions only heal 1 health.
   
* Focusing your party's damage on the dragons legs can make the dragon fall to the ground helplessly for a short while when you have damaged all four legs enough. A dragon which has a damaged leg will be bleeding severely from it. It will also show a "pain" animation and jump away if you have damaged a leg enough. Focus your damage on one leg at a time, after you see that leg start to bleed, change to another leg. When the dragon is lying on the ground, it is a very good time to use many of the party's ground-targeted focus abilities, like the Inquisitor's Mark of the Rift or Solas' Firestorm, since you know the dragon will not move for a short while. Typically it will take a very long time to damage the dragons legs enough for it to fall, often taking almost the whole battle for it to occur.
 
 
== Rewards ==
 
== Rewards ==
  +
* 2,929 XP plus 1,324 XP
1324 XP<br>
 
3600 Influence<br>
+
* 3600 influence
5 Power
+
* 5 Power
  +
{{:Superior Grenades Belt|style=iconmini}}<br>
 
  +
== Loot ==
{{:Amulet of Power|style=iconmini}} (''[[Iron Bull]] only'')<br>
 
{{:Staff of the Void|style=iconmini}}<br>
+
* {{:Superior Grenades Belt|style=iconmini}}
{{:Emerald (Inquisition)|style=iconmini}} (2)<br>
+
* {{:Staff of the Void|style=iconmini}}
{{:Masterwork Battlemaster Armor|style=iconmini}}<br>
+
* {{:Emerald (Inquisition)|style=iconmini}} (2)
{{:Pure Dragon Blood|style=iconmini}} (6–9)<br>
+
* {{:Masterwork Battlemaster Armor|style=iconmini}}
{{:Dragon's Tooth|style=iconmini}} (2–3)<br>
+
* {{:Sigil of Deathroot|style=iconmini}} - ''[[Trespasser]]'' required.
{{:Dragon Webbing|style=iconmini}} (14–20)<br>
+
* {{:Dragon Gland|style=iconmini}} (50% chance)
{{:Dragon Scales|style=iconmini}} (18–20)<br>
+
* {{:Pure Dragon Blood|style=iconmini}} (6-10)
{{:Dragon Bone (Inquisition)|style=iconmini}} (14–20)
+
* {{:Dragon's Tooth|style=iconmini}} (2-4)
 
* {{:Dragon Webbing|style=iconmini}} (14-20)
  +
* {{:Dragon Scales|style=iconmini}} (14-20)
  +
* {{:Dragon Bone (Inquisition)|style=iconmini}} (14-20)
  +
  +
== Notes ==
  +
* As of [[Patches (Inquisition)|Patch 5]], the {{:Amulet of Power|style=iconmini}} intended for [[Iron Bull]] can no longer be looted from Hivernal.
  +
* The frost dragon fought in [[Dragon Age: Inquisition multiplayer|Multiplayer]] is based on the Hivernal. Unlike it's campaign counterpart, the Multiplayer dragon can generate guard.
   
 
== Trivia ==
 
== Trivia ==
* "Hivernal" is a french adjective meaning "wintery" or "winterly".
+
* "Hivernal" is a French adjective meaning "wintery" or "winterly".
  +
 
== Gallery ==
 
== Gallery ==
 
<gallery widths="199" captionalign="center">
 
<gallery widths="199" captionalign="center">
Line 63: Line 86:
 
Hivernal.png
 
Hivernal.png
 
</gallery>
 
</gallery>
  +
  +
== References ==
  +
<references/>
  +
  +
== See also ==
  +
* [[Achievements (Inquisition)#Trespasser|Trial of the Tower]] achievement
 
[[Category:Dragon Age: Inquisition creatures]]
 
[[Category:Dragon Age: Inquisition creatures]]
 
[[Category:Dragons]]
 
[[Category:Dragons]]
  +
[[Category:Heroes of Dragon Age creatures]]

Revision as of 20:14, 24 October 2019


The Hivernal is one of the ten high dragons encountered in Dragon Age: Inquisition. It can be found in the east area of Emprise Du Lion. To access the area requires completing the Restore Judicael's Crossing war table scouting operation. It can be found in the first ring across the bridge: Etienne's Ring.

Note: It is recommended to pick up the quest Breeding Grounds before going after the Hivernal, as the quest cannot be started if one of the 3 dragons involved has been killed before obtaining it.

Background

The Hivernal was once a coveted hunting target, thanks to the thick layers of fat beneath her skin which helped the early human tribes of the Orlesian Highlands to survive the harsh winters. Several Orlesian houses still proudly display stuffed Hivernals as trophies. During the age when hunting the Hivernal was a matter of necessity, a triumphant party would return to a feast, following which meat from the Hivernal would be salted and the hide would be turned into weapons, clothing and potions. The "Hivernal Feast" is stll celebrated in some villages, although few recall its origin.[1]

Stats

Level 19 Boss
207873 HP (Normal difficulty) /226288 HP (Nightmare difficulty)
59 Armor
Greater Cold Resistance
Fire Vulnerability
Immunity: All Disabling Effects
Immunity: Slowed
Perceptive

Strategy

  • The Hivernal breathes ice instead of fire, dealing cold damage. The dragon is resistant to cold damage, but vulnerable to fire. Bringing cold resistance tonics is a must on higher difficulties, particularly for your tank. Regeneration potions can also help, especially if they have been upgraded with Lifeward and Proximity Heal, as can Antivan Fire grenades. Equip your mage or mages with a fire staff. Dragon-slaying and fire runes can also help somewhat, but it's not required.
  • The battle against the Hivernal is almost identical to the one against the Greater Mistral in the Emerald Graves. The main difference is that the Hivernal will not generate a Guard bar at regular intervals as the Greater Mistral will; however, the Hivernal is two levels higher and correspondingly tougher.
  • The Hivernal will stay on the ground for most of the fight. She will make small "jumps" to cover distance at times. During the battle, at 75%, 50%, and 25% health, she will take off. Shortly after, she will return at high speed, breathing ice bursts at party members along her path, which will chill (slow) and damage them. Shortly after she will land, knocking any party members nearby off their feet and doing high damage to them. Spreading your party out and/or keeping the party moving when she takes off is a good idea. Abilities like Evade, Fade Step and Combat Roll will be useful to keep your party members out of harm's way.
  • All dragons will often attack any party member close to her with melee attacks. She will signify a melee attack by raising the leg closest to the party member she will try to hit. Avoid it with Fade Step/Evade/Combat Roll. Getting close to her tail will often make her raise her tail up and to the side in preparation to swipe the whole area behind her. A tail swipe is harder to avoid than an attack with her legs since it will cover a larger area, so the best thing to do is to stay away from her tail.
  • Every time the dragon lifts its wings high up over her body, she's about to use her "Maelstrom" ability, an ability common to most dragons in the game. She will flap her wings 4 times, and every time, she will suck your party closer to her and do high damage to them. The ability has an extremely long range so it's doubtful you can outrun it. There are 3 ways to deal with this ability:
  1. With high enough DPS you can just weather it, since you will see this ability no more than a couple of times. Nuke the dragon down, popping potions, although you will burn through them quickly.
  2. You can hide behind obstacles. This can be difficult because of poor AI pathfinding, AI unwillingness to stand where ordered even when "holding position", and the dragon constantly moving and destroying obstacles.
  3. Lastly, and the best way, is to get into melee range (inside the maelstrom circle). Inside it you will take no damage. As soon as you see the dragon's wings rise high, use your Evade (Rogues) & Fade Step (mages) to help get them inside the circle as fast as possible. Having your ranged party members stand not too far from the dragon at all times will help prepare for the maelstrom. Your melee companions will already be where they should. When the dragon stops flapping its wings, get your ranged party members out again quickly, so they don't get hit by the dragon's melee attacks.
  • The Hivernal will also use her Ice Blast ability if a party member that is not in melee range is generating threat. She will shoot a ball of ice in a straight line which will explode on the ground and leave a cloud of frost. Any party member that walks over this, will take damage and get chilled (slowed). Sometimes she will jump away from the party intentionally to use this attack. Avoid this ability with Fade Step/Evade/Combat Roll.
  • The Hivernal will use its Ice Breath ability at random points. She will signify this ability by raising her head back and up. She will then spray the ground in front and to the sides of her, seeking to hit any party members that are standing close enough. The breath will leave party members chilled as well as doing damage to them. Avoid this ability with Fade Step/Evade/Combat Roll.
  • Focusing your party's damage on the dragon's legs can make the dragon fall to the ground helplessly for a short while when you have damaged all four legs enough. A dragon which has a damaged leg will be bleeding severely from it. It will also show a "pain" animation and jump away if you have damaged a leg enough. Focus your damage on one leg at a time, after you see that leg start to bleed, change to another leg. When the dragon is lying on the ground, it is a very good time to use many of the party's ground-targeted focus abilities, like the Inquisitor's Mark of the Rift or Solas' Firestorm, since you know the dragon will not move for a short while. Typically it will take a very long time to damage the dragon's legs enough for it to fall, often taking almost the whole battle for it to occur.
  • Specific to the Hivernal's location in Etienne's Ring is a single character kill strategy for the very patient. Equip a mage with cold resistant armor, guard generation on hit and a fire staff with a Dragon-Slaying Rune. As one passes the statues before the stairs to enter the ring, hop up on the rocks on the north side and climb up to the top with the mage character. If you switch characters, pathfinding will teleport your first character back, so you only get one. Station the mage where normal shots cannot hit the Hivernal and keep firing. Normal shots will miss, but the triple shot goes around barriers such as the incline of rocks in front of you. This incline also protects the mage from the Hivernal's breath and the pull of the maelstrom ability. When it takes off, it can still be targeted with the staff and the breath attack takes so long to reach the mage, stepping aside is easy. Note that the freezing attack can't really be avoided, but since it does very little or no damage depending on resistances, just wait until the mage unfreezes and continue, as the Hivernal will never come up on the rocks.

Trespasser

  • With the addition of the DLC Trespasser an achievement has been added for defeating the Hivernal with the trial Rub Some Dirt on It' switched on. When this trial is active all healing potions only heal 1 health.

Rewards

  • 2,929 XP plus 1,324 XP
  • 3600 influence
  • 5 Power

Loot

Notes

  • As of Patch 5, the Amulet of Power Amulet of Power intended for Iron Bull can no longer be looted from Hivernal.
  • The frost dragon fought in Multiplayer is based on the Hivernal. Unlike it's campaign counterpart, the Multiplayer dragon can generate guard.

Trivia

  • "Hivernal" is a French adjective meaning "wintery" or "winterly".

Gallery

References

See also