In Qunlat, “Katari” translates to “One who brings death.” The Katari is a Tal-Vashoth mercenary is leaves the Qun in search for his own path. The journey of the sell sword lead him to the Inquisition. The Katari title is both his position and name.
Where we’re going, we don’t need shields. Dragon Age Inquisition's Katari uses the biggest and highest DPS weapon in your arsenal. Sure, sure, he wears heavy armor but that is for his own protection. While he does have Challenge – the Katari lacks shield and health regen abilities. Main tanking Routine can easy happen but without serious barrier support he will suffer in higher difficulties as the tank.
Let’s look at said abilities:
Onslaught:
Tier 1:
Breaking Bull – run through foes, 150% damage, 10% guard, 8 sec cooldown, 5 sta per sec
- -Gore and Trample – after use, next ability cost no stamina for 6 secs
Tier 2:
Mighty Blow – 200% damage, 200% bonus, 16 sec cooldown, 50 sta
- -Easy Target 15 sta, 300% damage bonus
Clear a Path – hitting multiple targets at once grants 10% stamina, +3 Str
Pommel Strike – 300% damage, 3 sec stun, 20 sec cooldown, 35 sta
- -Lighting Jab – -4 sec cooldown, 1 more sec stun
Tier 3:
Grisly Mutilation – killing foes has a 20% fear chance in 10 meters, +3 Str
Warrior’s Resolve – 10% stamina restored for every 10% HP lost, +3 Con
Relentless – +4 Cun, +3 Str, +2 Con
Tier 4:
Coup de Grace – 30% damage vs stunned or knocked down, +3 Str
Flow of Battle – Crits reduce cooldowns by 1 sec, +3 Str
Shield-Breaker – 20% Armor Reduction, 6 secs,Str +3
Tier 5:
Whirlwind – 70% damage per hit, 24 sec cooldown, 10 sta
- -Rising Wind – 15% bonus per rotation
Opportunist – 14% crit chance from behind, +3 Cun
Earthshaking Strike – 2 hits, 150% damage, 12 meters, 20 sec cooldown, 50 sta
- -Shattered Ground – 8 sec duration, 20% damage per sec, Burning duration 8 sec
Teri 6:
Scenting Blood – 10 meters range if foe is under 35% for a 50% speed increase, 10% crit, +3 Con
Fervor – foe death round you grants 30% damage bonus for 5 secs at 10 meters, +3 Cun
Piercing Blows – 25% armor penetration, +3 Str
Tier 7:
Blood Frenzy – 5% damage bonus per 10% missing HP, +3 Str
Tactics:
Tier 1:
Block and Slash – you ready to deflect an attack 150% damage, 10 sta, 5 sta per sec
- -Flawless Defense – 50% bonus damage, 155 guard
Tier 2:
Grappling Chain – hook foe and pull at you 100% damage, 12 sec cooldown, 20 sta
- -Give Them the Boot – 200% damage, stun for 3 secs
Adamant – 20% armor bonus, +3 Con
Combat Roll – roll out of danger, 2 sec cooldown, 20 sta
- -Roll With It – can roll out of most disabling conditions
Tier 3:
Bear Mauls the Wolves – can’t be flanked, +3 Con
It’s Cost You – attacker s take 15% damage back, +3 Str
Resilience – attacks have a 5% stun chance for 2 secs, +3 Con
Tier 4:
Hamstring – attacks from behind reduce speed by 50% for 2 secs, +3 Str
Deep Reserves – under 50% sta you gain sta 50% faster, +3 Str
Crippling Blows – crits reduce damage by 15% for 10 secs, stacks, +3 Str
Tier 5:
Biggest Threat – 25% threat increase, +3 con
To the Death – 15 meters, enemy does 5% more damage per sec, enemy takes 5% more damage per sec, 32 sec cooldown, 35 sta
- -En Garde – 25% guard amount
Guard-Smasher – 100% bonus vs guard, +3 Str
Challenge – Duration 8 secs, Guard amount 10%, Cooldown reduction 16 secs, Cost 20 sta
- -Throw the Gauntlet 15 Sta per sec
Cutting Words – 20% bonus damage on taunted target, +3 Str
Tier 6:
War Horn – 8 meters, 7.5 secs of fear, 24 sec cooldown, 35 sta
- -Break Their Spirit – 20% Armor Reduction, 1,200% vs. guard
Real quick, if you do want to be a tank or off-tank, you’re going to want to take Challenge, Biggest Threat, Grappling Chain (Scorpion), Adamant, and learn to utilize Block and Slash. Like I said earlier though, the Katari is about hitting hard and breaking skulls.
How you DPS is really up to you. Of all the 12 multiplayer classes, the Katari feels like the most playstyle dependent. This translates into which abilities are the ones you want to smash your foes with. Most Katari I see go the Whirlwind approach and just spin-to-win through the majority of foes. While this does a sick amount of damage with a powerful two-hander, be weary of picking up unwanted aggro. Archers will be your enemy since you can’t block arrows and can’t life-leach at all. If you let that damage build up, you’re done for.
The Katari abilities do come with a fair share of movement increasing scenarios and fear. Use this to get around, take out primary targets, get out, and CC when you’re getting pounded. If you’re an attack first, ask questions second type player – The Katari may just be perfect for you. Bessst of luck!
