The Arcane Warrior is a Mage of unconventional means, forsaking the obvious power of direct magical attacks in favor of becoming an elite combatant with conventional weapons.

When becoming an Arcane Warrior, you gain the following benefits:
+1 Dexterity
+5 Attack

As an Arcane Warrior you gain access to the following abilities (purchased like spells)
More detailed information about each ability can be found on their individual pages.

Combat Magic	Description	While this mode is active, the arcane warrior channels magic inward, limiting the ability to cast spells in order to gain an attack bonus and use the magic attribute to determine combat damage. Aura of Might and Fade Shroud improve the effects.
Type	Sustained	Cooldown	10s	Requirements	none
Activation	-	Upkeep	50	Fatigue	50
Range	Personal	Target Type
Aura of Might	Description	The arcane warrior's prowess with Combat Magic grows, granting additional bonuses to attack, defense, and damage while in that mode.
Type	Passive	Cooldown	-	Requirements	Level 12
Activation	-	Upkeep	-	Fatigue	-
Range	Personal	Target Type
Shimmering Shield	Description	The arcane warrior is surrounded by a shimmering shield of energy that blocks most damage and grants large bonuses to armor and all resistances. When active, however, the Shimmering Shield consumes mana rapidly.
Type	Sustained	Cooldown	30s	Requirements	Level 14
Activation	-	Upkeep	40	Fatigue	5
Range	Personal	Target Type
Fade Shroud	Description	The arcane warrior now only partly exists in the physical realm while Combat Magic is active. Spanning the gap between the real world and the Fade grants a bonus to mana regeneration and a chance to avoid attacks.
Type	Passive	Cooldown	-	Requirements	Level 16
Activation	-	Upkeep	-	Fatigue	-
Range	Personal	Target Type

Specializations in Dragon Age: Origins are not available from the start of the game. In addition to having a free Specialization Point, the character must have found a trainer willing to teach him the specialization before a point can be spent on training it.

Specialization unlocks are persistent between games, meaning that once unlocked in your player profile, your characters can learn a specialization without having to find the trainer first. They can also be unlocked even if the player character does not have the right class to actually learn them.

Spoilers below this point

The Arcane Warrior specialization is taught by The Presence in the Brecilian Ruins.

Spoilers above this point