Talents (Dragon Age II)

Talents are unique selectable abilities that warriors and rogues can use. Mages do not use talents and have access to spells instead. Talents have special animations that distinguish them from standard attacks.

You can reassign your talents by using the Maker's Sigh, purchasable in the Black Emporium in Kirkwall

Types of talents

Activated

Diamond icons represent active talents that have an instant effect: the character executes a special attack or action (e.g. bashing your shield into the opponent, sending them flying).

Unless otherwise noted, all activated talents use a fixed amount of stamina.

Passive

Circle icons represent passive abilities that add a permanent bonus, change in game mechanics, or upgrade to an existing ability (e.g. adding a chance of stun to all two-handed attacks).

Sustained

Hexagons icons are sustained abilities that can be turned on and off. The character gains some bonuses or some game mechanics will change (e.g. using your shield to increase your cover vs. missiles).

Rogue

Archery

Bursting Arrow Effect Type: Activated Size: 5m sphere Activation: 30 Cooldown: 20s Requires: Level 3 This arrow explodes on impact showering the area in shrapnel and flame. Bursting Arrow Activated

Pinning Shot Effect Type: Activated Activation: 20 Cooldown: 20s Requires: Level 2 The archer looses an arrow that immobilizes a target for a short time. Pinning Shot Activated

Archer's Lance Effect Type: Activated Activation: 40 Cooldown: 30s Requires: Pinning Shot Bursting Arrow Level 7 3 points in Archery This arrow carries such force that it tears through every enemy along its deadly path. Archer's Lance Activated

Hail of Arrows Effect Type: Activated Size: 10m Activation: 30 Cooldown: 30s Requires: Bursting Arrow Level 5 2 points in Archery The archer unleashes an entire quiver into the air. For a short time after, the missiles rain down on enemy ranks. Hail of Arrows Activated

Dual Weapon

Lacerate Effect Type: Sustained Upkeep: 10% Cooldown: 10s Requires: Level 5 Backstab 2 points in Dual Weapon While this mode is active, the rogue's deadly blades have a chance to inflict bleeding wounds that continue to cause damage for a short time. Lacerate Sustained	Explosive Strike Effect Type: Activated Range: Personal Activation: 15 Cooldown: 25s Requires: Level 4 Unforgiving Chain The rogue completes the combo built up by Unforgiving Chain. Every basic melee attack that the rogue completed immediately prior to using Explosive Strike increases the damage inflicted by breaking the chain. Explosive Strike Activated	Unforgiving Chain Effect Type: Passive Requires: Level 3 For a short time, every basic melee attack the rogue executes in rapid succession increases the chance to score a critical hit. Activating any other talent cancels the effect, but Explosive Strike can exploit the chain for extra damage. Unforgiving Chain Passive	Backstab Effect Type: Activated Activation: 20 Cooldown: 15s Requires: Level 2 The lightning-quick rogue vanishes in a smoke screen and reappears behind the enemy with a fierce strike to the back. Backstab Activated
Twin Fangs Effect Type: Activated Activation: 30 Cooldown: 30s Requires: Level 6 Explosive Strike Backstab 4 points in Dual Weapon The rogue slashes at a target with both weapons, dealing an automatic critical hit with each blade. Twin Fangs Activated

Sabotage

Miasmic Flask Effect Type: Activated Range: 5m sphere Activation: 15 Cooldown: 20s The rogue lobs an explosive flask into a group of enemies, briefly stunning them. Miasmic Flask Activated

Rush Effect Type: Activated Range: Personal Activation: 15 Cooldown: 15s Requires: Level 3 The rogue rushes forward, attempting to knock down the target and all nearby enemies. Rush Activated

Confusion Effect Type: Activated Range: 4m Activation: 30 Cooldown: 30s Requires: Level 5 Miasmic Flask 2 points in Sabotage The rogue tricks nearby enemies, causing some to fight among themselves for a short time. Confusion Activated

Fatiguing Fog Effect Type: Activated Range: 6m Activation: 20 Cooldown: 20s Requires: Level 7 Rush Miasmic Flask 3 points in Sabotage The rogue envelops enemies in a dense fog that slows them to a near crawl. Fatiguing Fog Activated

Scoundrel

Armistice Effect Type: Activated Range: 10m Activation: 20 Cooldown: 20s Requires: Level 4 The rogue distracts all enemies surrounding a single party member, drawing them away from that ally and redirecting them toward whichever ally each considers the second-greatest threat on the battlefield. Armistice Activated	Back-to-Back Effect Type: Activated Activation: 15 Cooldown: 30s Requires: Level 3 The rogue stealths and moves to a targeted ally's side, appearing an instant later, ready to render aid. Back-to-Back Activated	Blindside Effect Type: Passive Requires: Level 5 The rogue becomes capable of more potent attacks when engaging distracted opponents. Any target not actively engaging the rogue suffers increased damage from any of the rogue's attacks. Blindside Passive	Twist the Knife Effect Type: Passive Requires: Level 5 Blindside 2 points in Scoundrel The rogue is more concerned with victory than ensuring a fair fight. Against any stunned enemy, the rogue now inflicts automatic critical hits. Twist the Knife Passive
Goad Effect Type: Activated Range: 6m Activation: 20 Cooldown: 20s Requires: Level 6 Armistice The rogue incites all enemies in an area into attacking a chosen ally instead of their current targets. Besides simply directing foes to cluster around a particularly hardy party member, this effect complements spells or talents that provide bonuses based on the number of enemies surrounding a companion, like Bravery, Grave Robber, Savvy, or Wrath of the Elvhen. Goad Activated	Follow-Through Effect Type: Upgrade Requires: Level 7 Back-to-Back 2 points in Scoundrel The rogue thrives on continued momentum in combat, dashing from one attack to the next. The rogue now regains more stamina than normal from every basic attack. Follow-Through Passive	Brand Effect Type: Activated Activation: 20 Cooldown: 30s Requires: Level 6 Back-to-Back Rogues are collaborators and conspirators by nature, not solo powerhouses. After the rogue selects an enemy for allies to destroy, any warriors or mages in the party become much more likely to land critical hits against the unfortunate designee. Brand Activated

Specialist

Speed Effect Type: Sustained Upkeep: 20% Cooldown: 5s Requires: Level 4 While this mode is active, the rogue attacks with much greater speed. (This mode cannot be used at the same time as Precision or Power.) Speed Sustained

Precision Effect Type: Sustained Upkeep: 15% Cooldown: 5s Requires: Level 3 While this mode is active, the rogue focuses on accuracy in order to gain bonuses to critical hits and attack. (This mode cannot be used at the same time as Speed or Power.) Precision Sustained

Power Effect Type: Sustained Upkeep: 20% Cooldown: 5s Requires: Level 5 While this mode is active, the rogue throws more force into each shot or strike, hoping to stun enemies. Given the speed of the rogue's attack, the chance to stun is significant. (This mode cannot be used at the same time as Precision or Speed.) Power Sustained

Harmony Effect Type: Passive Requires: Level 6 Speed Precision Power 3 points in Specialist While in any of the Power, Precision, or Speed modes, the rogue gains an additional bonus from the other two. Harmony Passive

Subterfuge

Evade Effect Type: Activated Range: 5m Activation: 15 Cooldown: 10s The rogue leaps backward. Enemies within melee range will often seek an easier target instead. Evade Activated	Stealth Effect Type: Activated Activation: 20 Cooldown: 30s Requires: Level 3 The rogue fades from view, stalking the battlefield. Enemies immediately cease attacking the stealthed rogue, although any action beyond movement will break the cover. Stealth Activated	Ambush Effect Type: Passive Requires: Level 4 Stealth 2 points in Subterfuge The rogue executes an automatic critical hit if striking from stealth. This ability also combines with other talents, such as Hail of Arrows or Backstab. Ambush Passive	Subtlety Effect Type: Passive Requires: Level 6 Evade 2 points in Subterfuge The rogue is adept at the art of subtlety and distraction, generating significantly less threat from all attacks and abilities. As a result, enemies are far less likely to turn on the rogue. Subtlety Passive
Chameleon's Breath Effect Type: Activated Range: 5m Activation: 20 Cooldown: 30s Requires: Level 4 Evade The rogue tosses a flask that shatters in a haze of smoke, obscuring nearby allies for a short time, which means that enemy attacks are much more likely to miss them. Chameleon's Breath Activated

Class Specializations Talents

Assassin Talents

Mark of Death Effect Type: Activated Activation: 25 Cooldown: 40s Requires: Level 7 The assassin marks a target, revealing weaknesses that allies can exploit. Attacks from any ally against a marked target inflict extra damage. Mark of Death Activated	Bloodlust Effect Type: Passive Requires: Level 8 Drawing energy from the kill, the assassin regains stamina upon killing an enemy. Bloodlust Passive	Pinpoint Strikes Effect Type: Activated Activation: 30 Cooldown: 40s Requires: Level 9 Mark of Death Bloodlust For a short time, the assassin exploits enemy weaknesses with deadly accuracy, scoring a critical hit with every blow. Pinpoint Strikes Activated	Devious Harm Effect Type: Passive Requires: Level 12 Pinpoint Strikes 4 points in Assassin The more cunning the assassin, the more damage critical hits inflict. Devious Harm Passive
Assassinate Effect Type: Activated Activation: 40 Cooldown: 50s Requires: Level 10 Pinpoint Strikes Assassinate kills weak enemies outright, while survivors suffer a massive critical hit. Assassinate Activated

Duelist Talents

Throw the Gauntlet Effect Type: Activated Activation: 25 Cooldown: 25s Requires: Level 8 The duelist issues an irresistible challenge to a single foe. The enemy immediately abandons its other opponents to engage the rogue. Throw the Gauntlet Activated	Sure Strikes Effect Type: Passive Requires: Level 10 2 points in Duelist The experienced duelist has survived many a combat and is more likely to hit foes. Sure Strikes Passive	Parry Effect Type: Sustained Upkeep: 20% Cooldown: 5s Requires: Level 7 While in this mode, the duelist's defenses are strengthened. Against an opponent that has picked up the gauntlet, the duelist's defenses are nigh impenetrable. Parry Sustained	Evasive Maneuvers Effect Type: Passive Requires: Level 10 3 points in Duelist After years of extensive training, the duelist has become keenly aware of incoming attacks. Evasive Maneuvers Passive
Vendetta Effect Type: Activated Activation: 40 Cooldown: 40s Requires: Level 11 2 points in Duelist Every duelist, even an archer, knows that the most memorable fights happen at close quarters... and that the first strike is the most crucial. To gain that advantage, the rogue vanishes behind a cloud of smoke, then strikes the enemy viciously from behind. This ability can be used from across the battlefield, for few rogues are as capable of moving under stealth as a duelist. Vendetta Activated

Shadow Talents

Pinpoint Precision Effect Type: Passive Requires: Level 7 The shadow is adept at finding the enemy's weak spots. Consequently, critical hits inflict more damage. Pinpoint Precision Passive	Inconspicuous Effect Type: Activated Range: 20m Activation: 30 Cooldown: 30s Requires: Level 8 For a short time, the shadow assumes a misleading stance that attracts little attention, creating room to strike fast and hard without being swarmed by enemies. Upon activating this talent, the shadow also sheds the threat accumulated from previous attacks. Inconspicuous Activated	Disorienting Criticals Effect Type: Passive Requires: Level 9 Pinpoint Precision While obscured, the shadow gains a considerable bonus to critical damage. In addition, any critical hits the shadow lands while obscured automatically DISORIENT enemies, leaving them vulnerable to further harm from a warrior or mage. Disorienting Criticals Passive	Predator Effect Type: Passive Requires: Level 13 Disorienting Criticals 5 points in Shadow Shadows are particularly deadly when they manage to flank their foes. Whenever the shadow strikes an enemy from behind, whether with a basic attack or using a talent, the attack now always results in a critical hit. Predator Passive
Decoy Effect Type: Activated Activation: 40 Cooldown: 45s Requires: Level 10 Pinpoint Precision Inconspicuous 2 points in Shadow The shadow is a master of misdirection, creating a personal decoy that keeps enemies occupied for a short time while the rogue escapes in stealth. Decoy Activated	Shadow Veil Effect Type: Passive Requires: Level 11 Disorienting Criticals Decoy 3 points in Shadow The shadow becomes obscured when entering stealth. This effect persists for a short time after dropping out of stealth, making enemy attacks more likely to miss the rogue. Shadow Veil Passive

Warrior

Battlemaster

Rally Effect Type: Activated Activation: 15 Cooldown: 30s Requires: Level 4 The warrior rallies fellow combatants, briefly boosting other party members' mana or stamina regeneration rates and lending them the benefits of Might, Control, Turn the Blade, or Elemental Aegis if the warrior currently has one of those sustained modes active. Rally Activated	Bolster Effect Type: Activated Range: Personal Cooldown: None Requires: Level 3 Steeling for battle, the warrior takes a deep breath to regain some stamina. Bolster Activated	Second Wind Effect Type: Activated Range: Personal Cooldown: 60s Requires: Level 8 Bolster Long years of training grant access to deep reserves of vigor, instantly restoring the warrior's stamina. Second Wind Activated	Battle Synergy Effect Type: Sustained Range: 10m Upkeep: 30% Cooldown: 10s Requires: Level 5 Rally While this mode is active, the warrior and other party members within range fight as a cohesive unit that is deadlier than the sum of its parts. (This mode cannot be used at the same time as Bravery.) Battle Synergy Sustained
Deep Reserves Effect Type: Passive Requires: Level 6 Bolster The warrior's extensive combat experience grants great fortitude in battle. Deep Reserves Passive

Defender

Stonewall Effect Type: Activated Activation: 20 Cooldown: 15s The warrior braces for impact, shrugging off damage for a brief moment and pushing back against any foe who attacks. Stonewall Activated	Elemental Aegis Effect Type: Sustained Upkeep: 15% Cooldown: 5s Requires: Level 3 The secret to warding off the elements is to rely on your armor, keeping it between you and the blast. The warrior has learned this lesson well, and can anticipate magical attacks. (This mode cannot be used at the same time as Turn the Blade.) Elemental Aegis Sustained	Turn the Blade Effect Type: Sustained Upkeep: 20% Cooldown: 5s Requires: Level 3 While many warriors choose to endure their foes' hits, some prefer to deflect the damage instead. (This mode cannot be used at the same time as Elemental Aegis.) Turn the Blade Sustained	Resilience Effect Type: Passive Requires: Level 5 Turn the Blade Elemental Aegis Warriors trained in resilience have learned not to flinch from wounds, making it almost impossible to break their attacks, push them backwards, or distract them with elemental effects like mild immolation. The warrior will only be interrupted by attacks that deal so much force as to knock the warrior completely down or that cause lengthy elemental effects. Resilience Passive
Adamant Effect Type: Passive Requires: Level 8 Stonewall Turn the Blade 3 points in Defender The warrior's deep knowledge of the defensive arts grants a permanent resilience against damage of all type. Adamant Passive	Resolute Effect Type: Passive Requires: Level 8 Elemental Aegis 4 points in Defender The warrior has faced more mages in battle than most denizens of Thedas even see in a lifetime. This experience has built a mental fortitude that any templar would envy. Resolute Passive

Two-Handed

Mighty Blow Effect Type: Activated Activation: 20 Cooldown: 20s Requires: Level 2 The warrior leaps into the air, crashing down on foes with tremendous force. Mighty Blow Activated	Giant's Reach Effect Type: Passive Requires: Level 3 1 point in Two-Handed The warrior's two-handed attacks rip through the air with such power that each generates a shockwave past the point of impact, effectively extending the weapon's reach. This affects basic attacks, Whirlwind, Mighty Blow and Scythe. Giant's Reach Passive	Whirlwind Effect Type: Activated Range: Personal Size: 6m Activation: 30 Cooldown: 30s Requires: Level 7 Mighty Blow Giant's Reach 3 points in Two-Handed The warrior cuts through foes, hitting all targets within melee range with a single sweeping arc. Whirlwind Activated	Sunder Effect Type: Passive Requires: Level 4 1 point in Two-Handed The warrior's strikes carry such weight that critical hits gain a chance to STAGGER the victim. Sunder Passive
Scythe Effect Type: Activated Range: Unknown Activation: 30 Cooldown: 20s Requires: Level 5 Mighty Blow 2 points in Two-Handed The warrior charges through enemy lines, felling combatants in the way. Scythe Activated

Vanguard

Control Effect Type: Sustained Upkeep: 15% Cooldown: 5s Requires: Level 3 The warrior fights with discipline, not anger, making every swing count. (This mode cannot be used at the same time as Might.) Control Sustained	Might Effect Type: Sustained Upkeep: 20% Cooldown: 5s Requires: Level 3 The warrior focuses on heavy swings that cleave through foes. (This mode cannot be used at the same time as Control.) Might Sustained	Assail Effect Type: Activated Activation: 20 Cooldown: 30s Requires: Level 5 Might 3 point in Vanguard For a short time, the warrior throws more weight into each swing, significantly increasing the force of any attack, as well as boosting the damage output. Assail Activated	Cleave Effect Type: Activated Activation: 30 Cooldown: 25s Requires: Level 6 Control Might 2 points in Vanguard For a short time, the warrior's damage output increases tremendously. Cleave Activated
Destroyer Effect Type: Passive Requires: Level 7 Control 3 points in Vanguard The warrior is now an elite combatant, so experienced in battle that enemies suffer more pain when fighting the warrior than they would when fighting anyone else. Destroyer Passive	Massacre Effect Type: Passive Requires: Level 12 Cleave 4 points in Vanguard The warrior culls the weak. In most cases, when an enemy falls below a certain health threshold, the next hit is fatal. Massacre Passive

Warmonger

Pommel Strike Effect Type: Activated Activation: 10 Cooldown: 15s Instead of leading with the fatal attack an enemy expects, the warrior strikes out with a weapon's blunt end to stun the opponent. Pommel Strike Activated

Taunt Effect Type: Activated Range: Personal Size: 10m Activation: 30 Cooldown: 20s Requires: Level 3 A mocking cry catches the attention of nearby foes, causing them to immediately abandon attacks on other allies to concentrate on the warrior instead. Taunt Activated

Bravery Effect Type: Sustained Range: 10m Upkeep: 30% Cooldown: 10s Requires: Level 6 Taunt The warrior's unwavering courage grants bonuses that increase proportionally to the number of enemies the warrior is engaging. This mode cannot be used at the same time as Battle Synergy. Bravery Sustained

Tremor Effect Type: Activated Range: Personal Size: 6m Activation: 30 Cooldown: 20s Requires: Pommel Strike Push a warrior and prepare to be pushed back. Nearby enemies are knocked back as the warrior slams a weapon into the ground. Tremor Activated

Weapon and Shield

Shield Defense Effect Type: Sustained Upkeep: 15% Cooldown: 5s Requires: Level 3 The warrior assumes a defensive stance, reducing damage taken from the front. However, the warrior inflicts less damage against enemies and sacrifices the ability to make closing attacks. Shield Defense Sustained	Shield Bash Effect Type: Activated Activation: 10 Cooldown: 15s Requires: Level 2 The warrior's shield arcs out, striking foes like a battering ram. Shield Bash Activated	Assault Effect Type: Activated Activation: 20 Cooldown: 20s Requires: Level 5 Shield Bash The warrior spins into a vicious assault that inflicts significant damage and often throws enemies back. Assault Activated	Scatter Effect Type: Activated Range: Personal Size: 6m (180° front) Activation: 30 Cooldown: 25s Requires: Level 6 Shield Bash Shield Defense 2 points in Weapon and Shield The warrior clears a forward arc, throwing enemies back. Scatter Activated
Safeguard Effect Type: Passive Requires: Level 7 Perception Scatter 4 points in Weapon and Shield While a shield is equipped, the warrior shrugs off the extra damage from critical hits. Safeguard Passive	Perception Effect Type: Passive Requires: Level 4 Shield Defense The warrior maintains constant awareness of the battlefield. So long as the warrior has a shield equipped, enemies receive no bonus for attacking from behind. Perception Passive

Class Specializations Talents

Berserker Talents

Berserk Effect Type: Sustained Activation: -4 stamina per hit Cooldown: 10s Requires: Level 7 The berserker flies into a rage, landing powerful blows for as long as this mode is active. Berserk Sustained

Adrenaline Effect Type: Activated Activation: 20 Cooldown: 2s Requires: Level 8 Berserk For a short time, the berserker taps into deep reserves of energy to make each strike more powerful. If the berserker activates Adrenaline multiple times, its effects are additive. (Berserk must be active) Adrenaline Activated

Barrage Effect Type: Activated Activation: 20 Cooldown: 30s Requires: Level 9 Berserk For a short time, the berserker trades protection for speed, lashing out with rapid blows but take more damage from enemy attacks. (Berserk must be active) Barrage Activated

Death Blow Effect Type: Passive Requires: Level 15 Adrenaline Barrage 5 points in Berserker Each time the berserker fells an enemy, the thrill of victory restores a larger than normal portion of the berserker's stamina. Death Blow Passive

Reaver Talents

Blood Frenzy Effect Type: Passive Requires: Level 7 The reaver knows no pain, but is no stranger to vengeance. For every wound the Reaver sustains, attack damage increases. Blood Frenzy Passive	Devour Effect Type: Activated Activation: 20 Cooldown: 120s Requires: Level 8 The Reaver tears into an enemy, consuming its life force to heal the Reaver. Devour Activated	Sacrificial Frenzy Effect Type: Activated Cooldown: 25s Requires: Level 7 Blood Frenzy 2 points in Reaver The reaver sacrifices health to increase the effect of Blood Frenzy. For a short time, every wound the reaver sustains further increases attack damage. Sacrificial Frenzy Activated	Aura of Pain Effect Type: Sustained Range: 6m Upkeep: 10% Cooldown: 5s Requires: Level 10 Blood Frenzy Devour 2 points in Reaver Radiating an aura of psychic pain, the reaver takes constant spirit damage while this mode is active, as do all enemies nearby. Aura of Pain Sustained
Fervor Effect Type: Passive Requires: Level 13 Sacrificial Frenzy Aura of Pain 4 points in Reaver The death of a foe quickens the reaver's actions for a short time. Fervor Passive

Templar Talents

Holy Smite Effect Type: Activated Size: 8m Activation: 35 Cooldown: 25s Requires: Level 7 The templar strikes out with condemning fire, inflicting spirit damage on nearby enemies. Holy Smite Activated	Cleanse Effect Type: Activated Size: 6m Activation: 20 Cooldown: 30s Requires: Level 8 The templar purges the area of hostile magic, removing hostile magical effects from the party and disabling sustained magical abilities from enemies across an area of the battlefield. Cleanse Activated	Righteous Strike Effect Type: Passive Requires: Level 10 Holy Smite Cleanse 2 points in Templar The templar's weapon is instilled with righteous energy. Each strike has a chance to prevent the enemy from activating abilities for a short time. Righteous Strike Passive	Silence Effect Type: Activated Activation: 25 Cooldown: 45s Requires: Level 12 Cleanse 2 points in Templar The templar surrounds a foe in negative energy, preventing the enemy from activating abilities for a short time. Silence Activated
Annulment Effect Type: Passive Requires: Level 15 Silence Righteous Strike 4 points in Templar The lyrium infusing the templar's blood protects the templar from the Fade's influence. The templar gains resistance to all forms of hostile magic. Annulment Passive

External links

• All Dragon Age 2 rogue talents and specializations with their description in one large image
• All Dragon Age 2 warrior talents and specializations with their description in one large image
• All Dragon Age 2 Demo Abilities (Video)