The Catacombs Chest Guide: How To Solve The Stone Puzzle And Claim The Dragon's Brace Belt In Dragon Age: The Veilguard

The Catacombs Chest in Dragon Age: The Veilguard is one of the most sought-after hidden treasures in the early game, particularly for players exploring the bustling hub of Minrathous. As of December 15, 2025, the most current guides confirm that accessing the *main* hidden chests within the Catacombs requires not one, but two separate quests: the initial "Cornered in the Catacombs" side quest, and the later, crucial follow-up, "A Hidden Hoard."

This guide provides the definitive, step-by-step solution for the infamous Catacombs Stone Puzzle and reveals the unique, high-value loot you can acquire, including the powerful Dragon's Brace Belt. It’s essential to understand that some of the deepest secrets of this dungeon are gated behind significant main story progression, ensuring a rewarding return trip to this early-game location.

Dragon Age: The Veilguard Overview and Catacombs Context

Dragon Age: The Veilguard, developed by BioWare and published by Electronic Arts, is the fourth main installment in the critically acclaimed fantasy RPG series. Launched on October 31, 2024, the game immediately immersed players back into the world of Thedas, this time focusing on the ancient elven god Solas and the looming threat to the Veil. The player character, known as Rook, leads a fresh team of companions—the titular Veilguard—to combat this new danger.

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The Dock Town Catacombs are located in the sprawling Tevinter capital of Minrathous. This dungeon serves as the setting for the side quest "Cornered in the Catacombs," a vital mission picked up from an injured Grey Warden. The Catacombs are a maze of ancient tunnels, darkspawn, and forgotten mechanisms, including the challenging Stone Puzzle that blocks the path to the quest's main objective and, more importantly, the hidden treasure.

• Title: Dragon Age: The Veilguard
• Developer: BioWare (a subsidiary of Electronic Arts)
• Publisher: Electronic Arts (EA)
• Initial Release Date: October 31, 2024
• Platform: PC, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S
• Setting: Thedas (primarily Minrathous, Nevarra, Rivain)
• Protagonist: Rook
• Key Quest Location: Dock Town Catacombs
• Associated Quests: "Cornered in the Catacombs," "A Hidden Hoard"

The Catacombs Stone Puzzle Solution: Cornered in the Catacombs

The primary chest in the Catacombs, often the first one players encounter that seems inaccessible, is unlocked by solving a light-and-mirror-style Stone Puzzle. This puzzle is a mandatory step in the "Cornered in the Catacombs" quest to clear the way forward. The goal is to manipulate two large stone blocks to redirect a beam of light, thereby destroying a source of Blight and opening the gate to the main Catacombs area.

The puzzle is located in a large chamber with a central light source and two movable stone barriers. Follow these precise steps for the quick solution:

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1. Locate the First Stone: Find the first large, movable stone block near the light source.
2. Lower the First Stone: Interact with the mechanism to lower this stone. This action is crucial as it allows the light beam to pass through a small gap in the stone, directing it toward the second mechanism.
3. Locate the Second Stone: Move to the second stone block, which is set into the wall further down the chamber.
4. Pull Out the Second Stone: Interact with the mechanism to pull this stone *out* from the wall. This action blocks the light beam that was just directed toward it.
5. Final Alignment: The beam of light should now be redirected to a third, previously blocked path. This final alignment will destroy the Blight source, opening the main path and unlocking the chest in the immediate vicinity.

Once the Blight is destroyed and the path is clear, you can access the main chest. The loot here is typically valuable early-to-mid-game gear, often including the unique armor piece, The Warden's Peer (a powerful piece of Harding Armor), along with valuable crafting materials like a Large Metal Chunk and Imperial Weave.

Unlocking the Secret Chests: The "A Hidden Hoard" Quest

Many players are confused when they return to the Catacombs and notice a separate, heavily-guarded gate or door that remains locked, even after completing "Cornered in the Catacombs." This is because the truly secret, high-reward chests are gated behind a much later-game side quest known as "A Hidden Hoard."

This quest becomes available relatively late in the game, specifically after the major main story event, the Siege of Weisshaupt. Returning to Dock Town after this pivotal moment will allow you to pick up "A Hidden Hoard," which guides you back into the Catacombs to a previously sealed-off section.

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The Loot That Makes It Worth The Wait

The rewards from the "A Hidden Hoard" quest are significantly better than the initial Catacombs Chest, making the return trip mandatory for completionists and power-gamers. The most notable unique item found in this newly accessible area is the Dragon's Brace Belt.

The Dragon's Brace Belt is a powerful piece of unique gear that often grants substantial bonuses to a specific class or build, such as increased critical hit chance, damage resistance, or a boost to a core attribute like Dexterity or Willpower. Securing this item is highly recommended for optimizing your build for the late-game challenges of *The Veilguard*.

Other chests and loot scattered throughout the "A Hidden Hoard" section can contain high-tier crafting schematics, rare valuables, and large amounts of gold, solidifying the Catacombs as a key location for acquiring unique items in Minrathous.

Topical Authority Entities and Key Takeaways

To fully master the Catacombs and ensure you don't miss any of the unique rewards, keep these key entities and gameplay mechanics in mind. Understanding the quest flow is critical to avoid frustration.

• The Catacombs Gate: The large, seemingly permanent gate is tied to the main story progression. It will only open after the Siege of Weisshaupt and the start of the "A Hidden Hoard" quest.
• The Stone Puzzle Mechanism: This is a light-beam redirection puzzle. The solution is always to manipulate the two stones to create an unbroken path for the beam to hit the Blight source.
• Unique Loot: The early chest contains The Warden's Peer (Harding's unique armor), while the later, secret chest from "A Hidden Hoard" contains the Dragon's Brace Belt.
• Companion Focus: The "Cornered in the Catacombs" quest is an excellent opportunity to bring companions like Harding or Bellara to gain approval and unique dialogue related to the Grey Wardens and the history of Thedas.
• Darkspawn Threat: The Catacombs are heavily populated with various types of Darkspawn. Ensure your party composition is ready for close-quarters combat and area-of-effect abilities to deal with the hordes.

In summary, the Catacombs Chest is not a single reward, but a multi-stage treasure hunt. Solve the Stone Puzzle during "Cornered in the Catacombs" for the initial unique loot, and then be patient—the best reward, the Dragon's Brace Belt, awaits your return after the Siege of Weisshaupt in the quest "A Hidden Hoard."