Actually, my question is, do the Rift Mages lose their specialization since the Rifts are now closed?
No, Rift Magic is a specialization that allows mage to take their mastery of the Fade to the next level , allowing them to use powerful offensive spells or dragging and throwing their opponents across the field like rag dolls.
It is not a specialization that is completely dependent on the Rifts that exists in the world. Furthermore, if you look at the descriptions for the spells, you will see that they have a lot to do with manipulating the Veil and the Fade, not the Rifts.
- Veilstrike - You recreate your own fist from the essence of the Fade and smash nearby foes to the ground.
- Stonefist - You summon a boulder from the Fade and smash it into your target, sending them flying.
- Pull of the Abyss - You create a tiny rift that pulls enemies toward a central point.
Note that the spells are about pulling matter directly from the Fade or creating a Rift by yourself, instead of relying on existing Rifts.
- Restorative Veil - You pull stray magic from around weakened enemies to regain mana based on the damage you do to them.
- Encircling Veil - You use stray magic around weakened enemies to increase the power of status effects on them.
- Smothering Veil - Weakened enemies have the damage they inflict reduced even further.
- Twisting Veil - You catch stray magic around weakened enemies and use it to increase the damage of your own attacks.
If you look at the passives, they are all about using stray magic and relying on Weakness, which is a side effect of using Fade matter.
To clarify, Rift Mage is simply called that because the specialization is inspired by the many Rifts that opened up due to the Breach but the core of Rift Magic is the power that came directly from the Fade through the Rifts.
From "Power Bleeds: Harness the Flow." Your Trainer's words make one passage stand out:
There are no tomes dedicated to this manipulation. There has been no time for academics, only the practical—and not in a manner that mitigates risk. Power in a raw form has found an outlet, both visible and in ways that only we of arcane proclivity can sense. The risk is great.
An account:
From this page forward, these are the notes of Thelric. They began as the work of my mentor Julion, and I will continue in the research she began, as she cannot, because she is dead. The rift we were examining did not react well to her last investigation. We believed ourselves prepared for demonic manifestation. We were not prepared for how the energies we expected would be encountered. Well-versed in the forces that magic can produce, my senior was surprised by an alteration, a deviance. That which previously had to be coaxed is now a flood that must be staunched. The same amount in different intensity, quick to expose fault in the way it is accessed. She drew too much, expecting resistance. There was none, and her form suffered the brunt. Tread carefully in studies of new matters, for I cannot unsee the end of her.
Scattered symbols and sketches follow.
Put simply, Rift Mages use the raw power of the Fade. The magic itself is strong and powerful because it uses the pure essence of the Fade instead of conventional magic which relies on warping and twisting the Veil as well as bits and pieces of the Fade. I would even make the argument that Rift Magic is the closest experience of pre-Veil magic a mage can have. To quote Cole who has this to say if your Inquisitor choose to be a Rift Mage:-
You’re different. It shines on you, shimmering, sharp. you made magic from the rifts.
You use the fade itself. you make it charged but not changed, channeled enchantments. it’s strong and pure. and loud. you ripple like water when the stone is dropped.
Solas is the same but quieter. the Fade is his friend. he doesn’t need to look to know where it goes.
Vivienne is crisp and cool. the Fade dances, darts, lashed and leashed.
Dorian pulls at pieces, pushing them to bodies. i like him better when it’s just fire.
Yes. It's different, but familiar. It reminds me of me."
Rift Magic is strong, pure and loud. Cole is from the Fade and Rift Mage is pure Fade magic. Solas is the same and since Solas is an Ancient Elf from the pre-Veil days who uses this form of magic. Rift Mage also reminds Cole of himself and Cole is a spirit. All this lend credence to the fact that Rift Magic = Pre-Veil Magic.
However, the loss of your Inquisitor's hand and the Mark might force the Inquisitor to relearn or take a new approach towards Rift Magic if they chose to specialize as one. Remember that Solas mentions that the mark acts like a catalyst, allowing you to learn Rift Magic faster. Also note that Your Trainer does not possess the Mark and the students she could potentially teach do not possess the Mark as well.
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