Unlike traditional role-playing games where party members can equip any piece of gear found in the world, Dragon Age 2 features a unique system where companions maintain iconic, fixed outfits. To boost their combat capabilities, players must locate specific armor upgrades throughout Kirkwall across three acts. Understanding where to purchase or loot these enhancements ensures your allies scale effectively against increasingly difficult encounters.
How Companion Armor Functions in Dragon Age 2
In Dragon Age 2, a companion's core armor rating automatically scales as Hawke gains levels throughout the campaign. Upgrades do not alter base defense directly, but instead grant specialized stat bonuses, extra rune slots, or elemental resistances. Each companion has four distinct upgrades scattered across the three main acts of the story.
Acquiring these items applies the passive stat upgrades instantly to the character without requiring manual equipment management. Players can check a follower's inventory tab to view which upgrades have been successfully unlocked. This streamlined approach maintains distinct visual identities while providing essential combat progression.
Act 1 Upgrade Locations
During Act 1, players can acquire initial upgrades by visiting vendors throughout Lowtown, Darktown, and the Gallows. For instance, Anders receives the Armor Struts item from Lirene's Fereldan Imports shop in Lowtown. Merchants like the Armor Shop in Lowtown or Robes by Jean Luc in Hightown frequently carry upgrades for other companions as well.
In addition to shopkeeper inventory, certain upgrades are hidden inside loot containers or rewarded during companion quests. Carefully checking merchant catalogs and thoroughly searching quest areas ensures you do not miss early stat enhancements. Completing companion quests in Act 1 often reveals additional upgrade opportunities.
Act 2 Upgrade Locations
Act 2 expands the available upgrades through specialized vendors and key narrative missions. Players searching for upgrades like the Lyrium Weave or Spirit Essence will find them available in specialty shops or looted during key encounters. It is important to inspect every vendor's section, as companion items can appear under general merchandise tabs.
Certain upgrades are tied directly to character-specific quests during this act. For example, searching corpses during major personal quests often yields unique armor enhancements for characters like Aveline or Isabela. Missing these items during quest execution may prevent you from obtaining them later in the game.
Act 3 Upgrade Locations and Visual Changes
By Act 3, the final and most powerful companion armor upgrades become available. High-level merchants sell late-game enhancements like the Sigil of the Mage Underground, while final personal quests contain the remaining lootable pieces. Acquiring all four upgrades maximizes a companion's potential in battle.
Although standard upgrades do not change outfit appearances, certain story events cause permanent cosmetic shifts. Pursuing a romance with characters like Fenris, Isabela, or Merrill unlocks unique alternate outfits in later acts. These visual shifts offer an extra layer of personalization alongside mechanical armor improvements.
