If you’re deep into Dragon Age: Inquisition and want to turbocharge your progress toward unlocking Inquisition perks, this method involving Ferris the Representative is still one of the most efficient tricks out there. It’s been making the rounds among players who’ve already invested 50+ hours and just want to streamline the grind—and yes, we’re talking about the now-infamous Ferris book loop. Here’s how to make it work step-by-step and what to expect.

Step 1: Rebuild Skyhold and Unlock Ferris

The trick begins at Skyhold, which becomes your base of operations after Haven is destroyed. Once you get there, you’ll have access to the War Council and a series of critical operations. To unlock Ferris, the book-selling vendor, you need to:

1. Progress the main story until Skyhold is accessible.
2. Travel to the Exalted Plains and capture one of the keeps.
3. Completing this triggers a War Table operation called “Power for a Price.”

Only after you finish this operation will Ferris appear in Skyhold. If you’ve been bouncing between Val Royeaux and other regions trying to figure out why Ferris isn’t showing up—this is the missing piece.

Step 2: The Book Buying/Selling Loop

Once Ferris is in place, approach his stall and check his inventory. You’ll find a selection of books, each of which grants a bit of influence when purchased. The core of the exploit is this:

• Buy as many books as you can afford (in the example, it was five).
• Sell them back immediately—but don’t leave the vendor menu.
• Then buy them again, and repeat.

Each cycle nets you the influence as if you were purchasing the book for the first time. This stacks up incredibly fast. Crucially, if you exit the vendor menu, the exploit is cut off for that specific book. You’d need to switch to a different one if you want to continue. So make sure you stay in the interface the entire time.

The Results: Influence Level 20 and Beyond

Using this exploit, you can hit Influence Level 20 in minutes. One run-through granted the “Peerless” achievement, plus +70 Power. That’s an enormous payoff for what amounts to clicking buy and sell a few dozen times. Once you cap out at Level 20, you’ve unlocked all the influence you can get from this method.

Choosing Your Inquisition Perks Wisely

Once you’re maxed, it’s time to spend those hard-earned perks. The player here had one clear goal: unlock Deft Hands, Fine Tools, which lets all Rogues in your party open Masterwork locks. If you’ve been constantly running into chests or doors you can’t open, this perk is a must-have.

After that, it’s worth reviewing all available perks and planning out which ones offer the best support for your build and playstyle. From XP boosts to merchant discounts and additional inventory slots, there’s a lot to consider. And since you only get one shot at spending your perk points, take a moment to decide.

Is This a Cheat or Just Smart Use of Game Mechanics?

Some players might call this an exploit. Others will call it efficient gaming. Regardless of the label, it’s part of the game as it exists. No mods, no commands—just an unpatched interaction that savvy players can take advantage of. If you’re hundreds of quests deep and looking to reduce the tedium, there’s no shame in using the tools available.

Final Words

The Ferris influence method isn’t new—but sometimes, it’s not well explained. This breakdown aims to give you a clearer understanding of how to do it right the first time, without fumbling around Skyhold or missing the opportunity. Whether you’re here to speed things up or just want that one pesky perk, this is one of the cleanest and fastest ways to max out your influence.

Use it, enjoy it, and don’t apologize for playing your way. You’ve earned that shortcut.