An updated hypothesis on how Short List works based on some structured testing this night.

It appears to be really simple:

• Each merchant appears to roll a random Short List item amongst those he is eligible for each time you enter the zone. Either that or some fiendish list of permutations is used.
• I didn't perform enough tests to determine whether the choice between Short List items uses an equidistribution or not.
• In-game time and the system clock do not appear to be a factor at all.

Tests performed that support the hypothesis:

• Using fast travel back and forth between Emprise du Lion Keep's T3 weapons' merchant and Val Royeaux's two rooms right at the entrance, whose merchants have multiple-item shortlists, checking the merchants on each visit, I noticed how I'd get different permutations in Val Royeaux's shops each visit though sometimes some of the merchants had the same item as on last visit, and how the T3 weapons' vendor usually had a different weapon. It is not clear whether all items were equally likely or not. I saw the Staff of the Void frequently, but the number of tests was so low (eleven) that nothing can be concluded one way or the other from that. There were five merchants present in the two rooms in this test series.
• Using fast travel back and forth between Western Approach's Keep merchant and Crestwood's Keep merchant I noticed that they usually got a new Short List item chosen when I visited (but not always). Nine visits in this test series.

This isn't enough data to conclude that this is how the game works, but in lieu of counterexamples I'll use this as my working hypothesis.

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Didn't see this posted.

Masterwork Battlemage Armor is available from the second floor Val Royeaux vendor at 35530 gold with the rare inventory perk. Blue color. Looks just like Battlemage Armor. (No schematic for sale)

Stats are:
Unique Light Armor
197 Armor Rating

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35k? Are you serious?
Based on the stats it looks like an average T3 Mage Armor. One could easily craft something equal or better with the Schematics bought in the Hissing Wastes for 8k.

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Here's a screenshot of the superior battlemage coat. It definitely can drop in Cradle of Sulevin. Anyone mind posting the Dalish Keeper Robes schematic?

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What to do:

1) Have "The Short List" Perk.

2) Go to Skyhold. Save Game. 

3) Close Game. Change the time (+1 hour) on your clock.

4) Load Game. Check Skyhold Merchants. Save Game. Load the save again.

5) Go to Emprise, check merchant.

6) Go to Hissing Wastes Merchant. If he has ANY masterwork schematic then buy it. If not, go back to Skyhold. Save game.

And now repeat from 3 onwards until you get it. Phew! Thanks everyone!

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Thanks for the reply yes the short list is working because I see the little star over top of the item. All he has sold is the Masterwork Prowler armor, or Masterwork Battlemage coat when I use dashboard method. Those are the only two items he has sold since monday. Now I think I might of mad a mistake in buying up all the schematics and leaving none their maybe that screwed things up. But I swear on my Last playthrough I went to the BE and he sold Superior Battlmaster & Battlemage armors after level 23

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The Battlemage Coat Arms Schematic is available as Random Loot. See: https://dragonage.fandom.com/wiki/Battlemage_Coat_Arms_Schematic . The Superior Battlemage Armor Schematic (arguably best Armor Schematic for a Mage) is available from the Canyon Merchant, if you have the Short List Perk. It appears randomly. See: https://dragonage.fandom.com/wiki/Superior_Battlemage_Armor_Schematic . Ideally you would want to use the Battlemage Armor Arms schematic and Battlemage Armor Legs schematic to craft the Arms and Legs to go with the Armor.

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