Strap on your Healing Imbued armor and get ready for a hike because the Jaws of Hakkon are stirring up trouble in the latest Dragon Age Inquisition expansion pack Jaws of Hakkon. The DLC takes us on a journey to a new area called the Frostback Basin. The area will cost 8 power to unlock, but if you are playing with a completed Inquisition game that shouldn’t be a problem. Be sure that you are playing with a high level Inquisitor, my recommendation is at least a level 25 because this expansion is a beast.
You first encounter the Avvar in the quest “Lost Souls” in the Fallow Mire. The minor scrape with the may have left a sour taste in your mouth but the new area gives you an in depth look into their culture. The codex entries and interactions with the Stone Bear Tribe make for a compelling narrative on their religion and rituals. It also brings a new mini-game that tests how many people you can knock out before you get knocked out yourself. Be prepared for a lot more hiking than you are used to, The Frostback Basin is not only wide but high as well, hosting switchbacks and treacherous ridges. Be careful while exploring the area as there are more than a few sheer drop offs that look deceptively safe. This area introduces tree house camps (which can seem hard to find first) that feature lifts to get you to the ground level of the basin while still being able to easily access the top most levels of the basin right from the heart of your camps. When going to the base level be sure to watch out for all manners of creepy crawlers.
As always the area comes with a new Dragon to fight who is a foe to be reckoned with. It also brings a new ability you can get as you follow Ameridan’s trail to an island just off the coast, the Aegis of the Rift. This ability is useful and powerful and finding it gives you a little glimpse into the history of your position as Inquisitor. Also included is two new crafting materials with some pretty decent stats. As well as some nice Avvar style additions you can bring to the keep. Be sure to read all the notes you find as they give some historical and cultural information as well as a little bit of the humor we’ve grown to love from Dragon Age, my favourite being a series of notes between our beloved team back home, Cullen, Leliana, and Josephine. A few Easter eggs can be found throughout the area, my favourite being found in the upper levels of an old Tevinter Fortress.
Jaws of Hakkon was released for PC and Xbox One on March 24th, and is now available on PlayStation 4!