Yes — once crafted and equipped, Mercy’s Crest allows the Inquisitor to enter the Hessarian camp safely during Dragon Age: Inquisition’s Storm Coast questline.
What do I do with Mercy’s crest?
Craft and equip Mercy’s Crest during the Cleaning House side quest on the Storm Coast.
You’ll find the note to make this amulet while clearing Hessarian outposts. Once it’s on your Inquisitor, the camp’s threat level drops to zero. That means you can wander right into the Hessarian main camp without starting a fight. Now, you don’t have to craft it to finish the quest, but doing so unlocks extra dialogue and lore you’d otherwise miss.
How do I challenge the Hessarian camp?
Approach the camp directly and select the “Challenge” option in dialogue when ready to attack.
Here’s the thing: the camp only becomes attackable once you hit the right level and story beat in Cleaning House. Don’t rush in unprepared—Hessarians hit hard. Pick the “Challenge” option and you’ll trigger a set-piece fight against the camp’s leader plus his guards. Honestly, this is the best way to test your build before the big fights later on.
What happens if I don’t craft Mercy’s Crest?
You can still complete Cleaning House, but you’ll miss camp-specific dialogue and lore.
Without the amulet, the main camp stays hostile. You’ll still clear outposts and advance the quest, but you won’t get the extra conversations or background details tied to the Hessarian camp itself. In most cases, that’s fine if you’re just rushing through the main story.
Can I avoid fighting the Hessarian camp entirely?
Yes — you can sneak past or stealth the camp without triggering combat.
If you’re low on health or gear, stealth works fine. Move carefully, use the environment for cover, and avoid detection. You won’t get the challenge fight or its rewards, but you’ll still progress the quest. That said, the camp’s loot and experience are worth the risk for most players.
What’s the best strategy for the Hessarian camp fight?
Focus the camp leader first, then mop up the guards.
Start with the strongest Hessarian—usually the one with the highest armor rating. Once he’s down, his guards become easier to handle. Bring crowd-control abilities and keep your tank in front. Most players underestimate how tough these enemies are, so don’t go in with half-healed tanks.
Do I need special gear for the Hessarian camp?
No special gear is required, but strong upgrades help.
You won’t need anything fancy, but better weapons and armor make the fight smoother. Look for anything that boosts stamina or armor. If you’re struggling, check the nearby outposts for loot before tackling the camp.
How many Hessarians are in the main camp?
Around 8–10 Hessarians guard the main camp.
You’ll face the camp leader plus 7–9 regular soldiers. Their numbers and positioning change slightly depending on how you approach, but it’s always a small but tough group.
Can I bring companions to the Hessarian camp fight?
Yes — you can bring two active companions into the fight.
Your party limit still applies, so pick two fighters you trust. Tank companions like Blackwall or Cassandra work well, while healers like Vivienne keep everyone alive. Just don’t bring too many spellcasters—they tend to draw aggro.
What rewards do I get for defeating the Hessarian camp?
You earn gold, crafting materials, and sometimes rare gear.
Expect gold, a few lyrium ingots, and occasionally a rare weapon or armor piece. The exact loot varies, but it’s always better than skipping the fight. If you’re lucky, you might even grab a Hessarian insignia for your war table.
Is the Hessarian camp fight mandatory?
No — you can finish Cleaning House without fighting it.
You can sneak past, avoid the challenge dialogue, or even clear the area without engaging the main camp. The quest still wraps up normally. That said, skipping it means missing out on loot and experience.
Can I return to the Hessarian camp later?
The camp remains accessible after the quest ends.
Once Cleaning House finishes, the camp stays in place. You can revisit it anytime to farm loot or test new builds. Just remember, the enemies scale with your level, so it gets easier over time.
What’s the Hessarian camp’s role in the story?
The camp serves as a key location for the Cleaning House quest and lore expansion.
The camp isn’t just filler—it ties into the larger conflict with the Magisters and the Chantry. Exploring it gives you extra context about the Hessarians’ goals and the Inquisition’s enemies. If you’re into the story, it’s worth the detour.
Are Hessarian camps always hostile?
Yes — all Hessarian camps start hostile until you lower their threat level.
Every outpost and main camp begins as a combat zone. You’ll need Mercy’s Crest to turn them neutral, or you’ll fight your way through. There’s no peaceful way to enter without the amulet.
Can I use spells or abilities to weaken the Hessarians before fighting?
Yes — crowd-control and debuffs work before the fight starts.
If you’re feeling clever, you can weaken enemies with area-of-effect spells or poisons before engaging. Just don’t overcommit—Hessarians hit back hard once the fight begins. A well-placed arrow or spell can soften them up, though.
What’s the easiest way to clear Hessarian outposts?
Use stealth and burst damage to pick off enemies one by one.
Outposts are smaller, so stealth works best. Move silently, pick off archers first, then focus on the toughest enemies. Bring a rogue or a character with high stealth for the easiest clear. If you’re spotted, fall back and try again.
Does the Hessarian camp respawn enemies?
No — the main camp does not respawn after defeat.
Once you clear the camp, it stays empty. You can farm it for loot, but the enemies won’t come back. Outposts, on the other hand, respawn after a few days in game time.
Maya Patel is a software specialist and former UX designer who believes technology should just work. She's been writing step-by-step guides since the iPhone 4, and she still gets genuinely excited when she finds a keyboard shortcut that saves three seconds.