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For the specialization in Dragon Age II, see Blood Mage (Dragon Age II).

Specialization
Blood Mage

Type:

Effects:

+2 constitution
+2 spellpower

Description:

Every mage can feel the dark lure of blood magic. Originally learned from demons, these dark rites tap into the power of blood, converting life into mana and giving the mage command over the minds of others. Such power comes with a price, though; a blood mage must sacrifice his/her own health, or the health of allies, to fuel these abilities

Blood Mage is one of the mage specializations in Dragon Age: Origins. A blood mage employs dark rites, originally taught to mortals by demons, in order to access more powerful magic. A blood mage must be willing to sacrifice their own life force or that of others in order to wield this power.

Blood Mage spells Edit

Note: Blood Magic must be active for use of these spells.

Blood Magic

Sustained
Range: Personal
Fatigue: 5%
Cooldown: 10s

For as long as this mode is active, the caster sacrifices health to power spells instead of expending mana, but effects that heal the blood mage are much less effective than normal.

Blood Sacrifice

Activated
Range: Medium
Activation: 0
Cooldown: 15s
Requires: Level 12

The blood mage sucks the life-force from an ally, healing the caster but potentially killing the ally. This healing is not affected by the healing penalty of Blood Magic.

Blood Wound

Activated
Range: Medium
Activation: 40
Cooldown: 20s
Requires: 14

The blood of all hostile targets in the area boils within their veins, inflicting severe damage. Targets stand twitching, unable to move unless they pass a physical resistance check. Creatures without blood are immune.

Blood Control

Activated
Range: Medium
Activation: 40
Cooldown: 40s
Requires: 16

The blood mage forcibly controls the target’s blood, making the target an ally of the caster unless it passes a mental resistance check. If the target resists, it still takes great damage from the manipulation of its blood. Creatures without blood are immune.

Unlocking Edit

Dragon Age: Origins:
During the Arl of Redcliffe quest line, a mage Warden can unlock the specialization if they enter the Fade to confront the Desire Demon. No other class can unlock it (even if Jowan is authorized to send a non-mage Warden), nor can any NPC mage sent in the Warden's stead. At the end of this Fade episode, you'll meet up with the true form of the Desire Demon; if you elect to converse with it, and strike a deal, one of the rewards available is the Blood Mage specialization. (If you do decide to go this route, plot results are the same as if you kill the demon - until the Epilogue, which will reveal a different fate for Connor. (See here for the Desire Demon dialogue tree.)

Note: If you want the specialization but do not want to kill Connor, save before you confront the demon, accept the offer, then once you can, go back to the save then destroy the demon. You will still have the specialization unlocked when you load back.

Dragon Age: Origins - Awakening:

It can be unlocked by purchasing the manual from the bartender at The Crown and Lion tavern in Amaranthine.

Additionally, the Baroness may also teach this specialization to the Warden-Commander during the Shadows of the Blackmarsh quest, if she is persuaded to give another reward in return for the latter's help in dealing with the villagers.
- This is currently bugged for pcxbox360, however there is an unofficial fix for PC users.

Blood Mage restricted/improvement gearEdit

Blood Ring, obtained by winning four unofficial proving matches in Orzammar.

Robes of Avernus, worn by Avernus in the Warden's Keep DLC.

Lifedrinker, found inside an egg in the Wyrmling Lair. (while this item does not have the "Improves blood magic" property, in can only be used by a character with the Blood Mage Specialization).

Blood Promise, found in an armoire during the Freedom for Anders quest in the Awakening expansion

Sash of Forbidden Secrets, appears in inventory after completing The Golems of Amgarrak DLC

Note: Items that "improve blood magic" do so by lowering the health cost to activate abilities while Blood Magic is active by 25% (after fatigue adjustment). This improvement does not stack; therefore wearing two or more of these items at once may be a nice style option, but is no more potent for purposes of the "improvement".

Specialization combinations Edit

Arcane Warrior Edit

A particularly useful solution to a low Mana pool. Constitution is highly recommended with this combination. Blood Wound is an excellent asset for the more offensive Arcane Warrior or a tank drawing threat.

Spirit Healer Edit

While it may seem counterintuitive, Blood Mage actually synergizes quite well with Spirit Healer. For this build, it is recommended that the Blood Mage keep the Cleansing Aura sustainable active at all times. Use Mana to cast spells, and when it gets low, switch to Blood Magic. A healer's biggest concern is running out of mana, but with Blood Magic that won't be a problem. While it is true that Blood Magic greatly decreases the effectiveness of healing spells on the PC, the ability has a short cooldown. Thus, if you don't wish to use Blood Sacrifice, simply switch off Blood Magic and heal yourself. You will be able to switch it on again very shortly.

Battlemage Edit

A potent combination with Blood Mage. A high constitution is highly recommended for this build. The Draining Aura sustainable is extremely powerful, and can greatly enhance survivability when surrounded by enemy mobs; the downside is that it consumes mana rapidly. Thus, an effective tactic can be to activate Draining Aura and Blood Magic. Draining Aura will use mana, while spells will use health. While it is true that Draining Aura will not restore nearly as much health, it will still stave off death for a long time when going toe-to-toe with mobs. With the Stoic passive active, you should be getting mana every time you're damaged, so if health drops too low, simply switch off Blood Magic and let Draining Aura refill your health.

References Edit

Dragon Age: Origins - PRIMA Official Strategy Guide

External links Edit

Blood Magic Guide on Gamefaqs