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Dragon Age: The Veilguardkeeps things simple with a series of quests involving releasing champions and defeating them to claim their Champion Essence. This essence can be used on specific tree roots to clear a path, as illustrated in the Gate of Parched Hopes quest, which introduces you to a series of similar missions involving defeating champions.
If you’re up for some old-fashioned search-and-destroy-style adventures, the Gate of Parched Hopes opens a world of opportunities. However, these battles are far from easy unless you spend time over-leveling your character. Luckily, even if you lack levels, careful strategy and exploitation of your foe’s weakness will lead to victory.
Where To Find The Champion In Gate Of Parched Hopes
Your quest brings you to theHossberg Wetlands,where you can enjoy an opening introduction cutscene and conversation, assuming this is your first time visiting.
Progress through the village of Lavendel, passing through it until you see a cave where there’s a largeBlight Boil – a pulsing blob of organic mass that can be destroyedwith any weapon.
Investigatethe remains, which trigger a burning trail along an intestine-like tube that will lead you to the next location in the Blighted Tunnel.
Listen to Rook’s remark indicating there aremore Blight Boils to destroy.
Head down the left path andhit a second Blight Boil,defeating some Darkspawn that appear as you do.
Continuedown the tunnel until you reach athird Blight Boilyou can destroy, theninvestigate.
This brings you to theOld Crossroadsarea and unlocks the corresponding fast-travel point.
Head left to an open area of the swamp where you’ll find a horde ofDarkspawn guarding a Blight Cyst.
Defeat the Darkspawn firstbefore touching the Cyst.
Once the area is cleared, destroy the Blight Cyst, which will releasethe champion: Disciple-in-Ichor.
How To Kill The Disciple-in-Ichor
Thislevel 30 enemyis no joke, boasting theNecrotic ImbuedandExplodingtraits as two of its main forms of damage.
This enemy is weak toFirebut resistsNecroticdamage.
You’ll notice anorange shieldin the form of a second health bar above the champion’s normal HP gauge.
You canremove this shield by attacking directlyand using the explosions of Blight Boils around the arena.
However, you’ll also need toavoidthe champion’sjumping attack and any projectilesit throws at you.
Each of thoseattacksistelegraphed by a red circle on the ground,which serves as your indication to dodge as fast as possible, or you’ll be hit.
Also be aware of theDisciple-in-Ichor’s charge attack,where it will lower its shoulder in preparation beforedashing toward you.
During the fight, moreDarkspawn will appear unlessyou successfullydestroy the Blight Boilson the battlefield before they have the time to spawn.
Once the Darkspawn are cleared out and the champion’s shield is removed, use primer and detonation skills that inflictburning or bleeding,as each condition will provide ticks of damage over time (DoT) that can decimate your foe.
Once you finish enough dodging and attacking cycles, the champion will be defeated,awarding 350 XPand the all-importantChampion’s Essence.
At this point, your quest will update touse the Essence on roots in Elvhenan’s Haven,which you reach by navigating through theHeights of Athimand taking a floating boatfrom Beacon Islandto Elvhenan’s Haven.
Follow your marker to a clearing and defeat a group of Qunari enemies (weak to Necrotic, resist Electric).
Once done,place the Champion’s Essenceat the nearby tree roots.
What Rewards Do You Get From Gate Of Parched Hopes?
Once the roots dissipate, you’llcomplete the Gate of Parched Hopes questand receive the next quest, The Heart of Corruption, in the process.
350 XPand anyrandom material dropsfrom the champion are all you get for completing this segment, but there’s more to come.
