Mhairi

Mhairi is a new recruit to the Wardens. She joins you just outside the keep and is as surprised as you to find it under attack. She is determined and eager to prove herself, and her warrior talents will prove helpful in the battle to retake Vigil's Keep from the darkspawn. Unfortunately, becoming a Grey Warden is not as easy as wielding a sword and repeating an oath. After the "Assault on Vigil's Keep" quest completes, Mhairi perishes in the Joining ritual and another shining spirit is sacrificed to the cause.

Mhairi at a Glance

Starting Attributes

Class

Warrior

Tank : Unless you are a tank yourself, Mhairi and her Weapon and Shield talents will help keep the darkspawn off of you. Let her soak up damage while you hit the enemy back hard.

Starting Talents

Champion : War Cry, Rally, Motivate, Superiority

Warrior : Powerful, Threaten, Bravery

Weapon and Shield : Shield Bash, Shield Pummel, Overpower, Shield Block, Shield Cover, Shield Tactics, Shield Mastery, Shield Defense, Shield Balance, Shield Wall, Shield Expertise.

Location

Vigil's Keep

Unlock Condition

You begin with Mhairi when you first arrive at Vigil's Keep at the beginning of the game.

Combat Advice

It's just you and Mhairi at the beginning of your story as you approach Vigil's Keep. If you're a warrior yourself and specced to Sword and Shield, plunge into the fray and let Mhairi serve as extra damage. If you aren't a tank, allow Mhairi to take the lead and grab threat from approaching darkspawn. Give her a few seconds to hammer at a foe, then break out your offense. A mage can sit back and pick off targets with damage spells (being careful not to catch Mhairi in any AoE attacks), while melee warriors and rogues can sneak in from the side or rear to devastate the enemy.

For the most part Mhairi is the party's early damage shield, sucking up as many hits as possible, and should think defense first. Trigger Shield Bash and Shield Pummel when you want to keep foes off balance, especially if they break free to harass other party members. When the fight is under control, Mhairi can add a little extra offense herself with Overpower on the main enemy combatant.

Even when your second warrior, Oghren, joins up with you later in the keep, Mhairi should remain the tank. Oghren's talent lies in DPS, and though he can tank in a pinch by dealing large amounts of damage to keep the enemy's attention, Mhairi's talents more naturally fit into defensive tactics. She's a reliable rock, even when the darkspawn tide swells and threatens to sweep you all away.

Equipment

Mhairi is a warrior and a champion; she can wear any kind of armor and fights with a sword and shield. Save good drops for later companions, unless you need to load her up temporarily to clear out Vigil's Keep.

Gifts

Because Mhairi doesn't survive long, she has no specific gifts associated with her. Don't waste any gifts on her, even though she's a loyal companion during your run through Vigil's Keep. It's much better to save any gifts you may find for future companions.

Dialogue Choices

Mhairi introduces the player to the keep, and later voices the shock the player must feel at finding the keep under siege by the darkspawn, even after the Blight is finished.

Crisis Moment

It's a rather big one, as Mhairi involuntarily leaves the party when she fails the Joining. All other potential companions you meet are safe from the perils of the Joining. Alas, poor Mhairi didn't have the right genes for the job.