Should I Play Inquisition Before Veilguard?

When It Makes Sense

• Good fit: You enjoy a chronological narrative experience and want to see how the game’s world and mechanics evolve from Inquisition to Veilguard, making the story progression feel natural.
• Good fit: You have limited playtime and prefer to complete smaller expansions first; Inquisition is often shorter than Veilguard, allowing you to finish a complete arc before tackling a larger, more complex installment.

When You Should Avoid It

• Warning sign: You are new to the game series and rely on the most recent balance adjustments; starting with Veilguard could give you a smoother difficulty curve and access to refined mechanics.
• Warning sign: You are primarily interested in end‑game content and high‑level loot; Veilguard frequently introduces more powerful gear and challenges that may not be as rewarding if accessed later.

Pros and Cons

Pros

• Playing Inquisition first preserves the intended story reveal, preventing spoilers that could diminish later plot twists in Veilguard.
• The earlier expansion often has a lower difficulty ceiling, which can serve as a gentle tutorial for new players before they face the tougher encounters in Veilguard.

Cons

• You may miss out on quality‑of‑life improvements, UI tweaks, and balance patches introduced in Veilguard that could make earlier content feel dated or more frustrating.
• If you skip straight to Veilguard later, you might need to replay Inquisition to catch up on story references, effectively doubling the time spent on content you already own.

Decision Checklist

• Do I prefer experiencing the narrative in the order it was released, even if that means encountering older mechanics?
• Am I comfortable potentially re‑playing content or dealing with less polished gameplay in Inquisition?
• Do I have a clear time budget that aligns with the shorter length of Inquisition versus the longer, more demanding Veilguard?

Alternatives to Consider

If you are unsure about a strict order, consider a hybrid approach: start Inquisition to get a feel for the story, then pause and evaluate whether you want to continue directly to Veilguard or finish any side content first. Another option is to wait for a comprehensive patch that unifies the experience across expansions, ensuring consistent difficulty and feature sets.

Final Recommendation

For players who value narrative continuity and have limited time, beginning with Inquisition before moving to Veilguard is a sensible path. Conversely, newcomers seeking the most refined gameplay should consider starting with Veilguard or at least waiting for the latest patches. As with any gaming decision, weigh your personal preferences, schedule, and tolerance for older mechanics before committing.