When BioWare commemorated its annual N7 Day celebration by adding a special armor set to the newly releasedDragon Age: The Veilguard, it may have simultaneously revealed more about the next upcomingMass Effectgame. Following BioWare’s announcement in 2020 that a newMass Effectgame was in development, fans have paid close attention to the seventh of November every year since, or “N7 Day,” for news about the upcoming sequel, especially when 2023’s N7 Day saw the release of its second teaser trailer. But with BioWare focusing on its recent launch ofDragon Age: The Veilguard, the developer attempted to manage fans' expectations with a quieter N7 Day for 2024.
However, though the special “Command Armor” set added toDA: The Veilguardmight seem purely commemorative, it appears to double down on pastMass Effect 4teasers with its names, designs, and descriptions, and could potentially reveal details about the upcoming game. While the Command Armor set includes several nods toMass Effect’s fan-favorite Commander Shepard, these specific references seem to tease stronger ties between the original trilogy and the upcoming game. With hints ranging from the identity of the mystery N7 figure to the potential return of Commander Shepard,BioWare’s news forDA: The Veilguard’s N7 Daymight not be as limited as it seems.
Breaking Down Dragon Age: The Veilguard’s N7 Day Command Armor
DA: The Veilguard’sMass Effectarmor setcomes in three parts listed below alongside their in-game descriptions, with each item inspired by characters, designs, and events from across the series.
Command Helmet
Helm
The mark of leadership. An accentuated stripe the color of blood serves as a reminder of the lost.
Paragon of Leadership
Casual Wear
A modern, practical fit makes this the perfect armor for operatives trusted with command.
Specter of Battles Past
Armor
Formal enough to face a war council while still functional on the battlefield.
Mass Effectfans will likely be able to spot the obvious references to Commander Shepard and the original trilogy, such as Shepard’s relationship with the Council as the first human Spectre and their leadership during the Reaper War. But while this commemorative armor overlooks other series games likeMass Effect: Andromeda, there are conspicuous references to recentMass Effectdesigns with the likes of the Specter of Battles Past that should be explored.
How Specter of Battles Past Potentially Reveals More About Mass Effect 4
While the Command Helmet isn’t a perfect replica of Shepard’s N7 helmet thanks to its smaller, off-center red stripe, the two helmets do appear similar enough to not raise suspicions. However, the same can’t be said for the Specter of Battles Past’s stylized black-and-red trench coat, as this isn’t an outfit worn by or associated with Shepard. Instead, this armor design appears to reference a still-unknown figure wearing a helmet and N7 trench coat during 2023’s N7 Day teasers, a character who fans theorize is Shepard back from the dead forMass Effect 4despite the canon ofMass Effect 3’s ending.
Though there has already been unofficialspeculation surroundingMass Effect’s N7 Day teasers,DA: The Veilguard’s Command Armor set seemingly strengthens these theories by linking its references to Shepard to the mystery figure’s design through the Specter of Battles Past. As the name might potentially imply,DA: The Veilguardmight have inadvertently confirmed that Shepard will be returning inMass Effect 4, especially when the complete armor set came with another in-game note from Harding seen below.
I guess this chest got lost in the Fade, and someone shepherded it to our doorstep. Is it just me, or does the armor look somehow familiar - like something an old friend would wear?
- Harding
In addition to otherDA: The VeilguardEaster eggs, such as Bellara’s Garrus-like calibrations dialogue and Harding’s unusual “shepherded” word choice, it seems that BioWare may have quietly revealed more than it seemed regardingMass Effect 4- though it is possible this is just a general tribute to an iconic character from the original trilogy.
