The Iron Bull from BioWare’s Dragon Age is an unusual addition to the Inquisitor’s team, but not an unwelcome one. Tons of players loved his boisterous attitude, free sexuality, and unconventional outlook on life having come from the Qunari homeland.
In fact, he’s sparked discussion about what a female Qunari companion in the next Dragon Age installment could – or should – be like. An unusual companion attracted lots of unusual attention online until he and his nonchalant personality became a staple of Dragon Age memes. These 10 are utter chef’s kiss emojis.
10 The Dragon Obsession
After recruiting him, the Inquisitor quickly learns that the Iron Bull is fascinated by dragons, and desperate to fight them. The first dragon that the player usually comes across is the Ferelden Frostback, in the Hinterlands.
It’s your typical fire-breathing monstrosity that has laid waste to an entire corner of this region. The player has typically just begun playing when they see it since the Hinterlands is their first explorable map, so Iron Bull’s enthusiasm is terrifying (if not just blatantly misplaced).
9 The Dragon Obsession… Again
The Iron Bull’s dragon obsession is so passionate that it might warrant its own list. He’s understood to be a sexual character among fans, so the crossover in this meme is understandable. If the player romances him, they have open conversations about things like safewords in-game.
Even if the player doesn’t fall for Iron Bull, he makes open comments about sex and BDSM if he’s in their party. There are also hints that he and Dorian pick up a fling, in that case, which provides plenty of other opportunities for banter. The joke is that, if he is so obsessed with dragons since Qunari are rumored to be descended from them, his interest is…a bit on the odd side.
8 One Risk Too Many
The Bull’s Chargers are the Iron Bull’s team of mercenaries that work alongside him. If the Inquisitor recruits Bull, they get to add the Chargers’ strength to their army, as well. Krem is the Iron Bull’s right-hand man and a trusted ally even though he isn’t a party member.
The Chargers have seen Iron Bull through every crazy plan and every questionable decision. He’s known for risky moves and they usually work out since he’s a skilled fighter and an expert at on-the-spot improvisation. But they should also be taken with a grain of salt. No one knows that better than Krem.
7 The Chargers vs. The Qunari
As part of The Iron Bull’s personal quests, he is forced to make a hard choice. The Inquisitor accompanies Iron Bull and his crew, the Chargers, on a job for the Qunari. But when the Chargers are in danger, Bull has to decide whether he will follow orders and leave the Chargers to die, or disobey his Qunari superiors and save them.
Or, rather, the player gets to “advise him” and make the call. By now, fans had gotten a chance to fall in love with the Chargers crew - especially Krem, the Iron Bull’s lefthand man - and most couldn’t bear to leave them to die.
6 No One Says It WON’T Work
As fans know, Iron Bull isn’t shy about discussing typically taboo subjects or any part of his body. Cassandra, on the other hand, is a bit precious with how she views nudity and intimacy. The two, for her, are pretty inextricably linked, so this kind of interaction is definitely something that could happen on a recon mission that goes sideways.
Of course, Bull is only joking, but Cassandra never quite knows how to take any joke. It’s part of her charm, right? Bull and Varric would have a field day with the Seeker’s prim and proper approach to naked bodies.
5 The Babies (aka Chargers)
When The Iron Bull first joins the Inquisition, the Chargers are presented as a military asset which they undoubtedly are. Among their ranks is a Dalish mage, a Dwarven sapper, and a healer nicknamed “Stitches.”
However, after a few drinking sessions in the Tavern and getting a chance to chat with Krem outside of the cutscenes, players had a hard time not forming an emotional bond with the gang. This wasn’t in the Iron Bull’s contract, but we’re not complaining. Better relations with the Qunari sounds like a problem for Empress Celene/Briala/Gaspard and Anora/Alistair/the Hero of Ferelden, doesn’t it?
4 Gary Golden
Gary Golden was a character from Vampire: The Masquerade - Bloodlines. The game came out in 2004, but retains incredible fan reviews; it’s rated 9 out of 10 on Steam and at 97% on Humble Bundle. Just like The Iron Bull, Gary refers to the player character as “boss.”
He’s meant to be a Hollywood bigshot who eventually joins a Vampire clan which explains his flamboyant and often sarcastic way of speaking. Another character known for associations with “Boss” characters is Snake from the Metal Gear series. Come to think of it, he and Bull might get along famously.
3 The Iron Bull Is As Fed Up With Solas As We Are
When the Inquisitor reunites with their companions in Dragon Age: Inquisition’s Trespasser DLC, they are forced to take on Solas and his spies in an attempt to unravel his plans. The Iron Bull, though willing to help the player, has had enough of fighting mages to last him a lifetime.
The only upside is that, during the adventure, they get to take on a Dragon - even if it’s a horrifying poison dragon. Of course, this is all assuming that Iron Bull doesn’t betray the Inquisitor because he’s still in the pocket of the Qunari leaders.
2 Warriors > Dragons
The combat system in Dragon Age: Inquisition is the deepest, most complex one of all three of the games regardless of whether it’s your favourite. Fighting requires the player to take advantage of each class’s strengths, and protect all of their weaknesses.
This can all be done as they get more familiar with the system and narrow down a consistent party from all the companions available. If the Inquisitor is a rogue or a mage, picking a warrior to play to their strengths is essential - especially for taking down tough bosses, like the high dragons.
1 Justice For Short People
The player can see height differences between Dragon Age’s races more prominently in Inquisition than in other games. An Elven Inquisitor standing beside Iron Bull is practically laughable for their slightness while Dwarves may only come up to his knees. He isn’t dismissive due to the player’s size - Bull’s been through enough battles to know that a well-place mage or a sneaky rogue can change the course of a battle - but it does make a few scenes more comical.
The one depicted in the meme above is when Bull tells the player to wail on him with a wooden stick if he accompanied the player on the mission Here Lies The Abyss. Players have to keep from laughing while a little Elf barely even engages his abs.
NEXT: Dragon Age Inquisition: 10 Things To Do After You Beat The Game
