I've seen so many posts about how Varric's death is cheap, a poor twist, disrespectful to his character, etc. But I can't disagree harder.
First off, there seems to be an idea in Fandom that characters can only die in ways that matter or are effective in order for a death to be "respectful." And it's such a shallow way of looking at death. I get the idea of Varric dying for "nothing" being upsetting. But that doesn't make the manner of his death "disrespectful" to who he is.
Varric 100% walks into the situation with Solas knowing he could die and deciding that the risk is worth it. He cares about Solas. He has to try to help him. And if he plays with his life, then he's willing to do that. Varric would happily pay that cost for the sake of a friend.
The fact that his death happens in a manner that he chooses and is 100% in line with his character... I don't know how you get more respectful than that. Varric has always been willing to bend over backwards for his friends - secretly paying off the Carta to keep Anders and Merrill safe during DA2, admitting to Inky in DAI that he's a terrible spy master because he has to make sure everyone's families are okay. Varric cares SO MUCH. Of course, he'd willingly give his life trying to sway Solas. It doesn't matter that he wasn't successful in that attempt. What matters is that he tried. He's willing to risk it all and pays the price, and he still tells Rook to try to talk Solas down. Because that's who Varric is.
Varric's death is fucking perfect. I'm sorry.
As far as the "twist" of Varric's death, I agree the twist of "he's been dead the whole time" in and of itself rings hollow. But I don't believe that's why the devs wanted Rook believing Varric is still alive.
The point is that Rook needs Varric. There's so many times that they go to him for advice and support. And there's dialogue options between them that show Rook wasn't ready for the responsibility of leading the team. In the Fade, they tell him they couldn't have done all this without him (to which Varric replies they already did). Even when they believe Varric is in the infirmary, they tell Varric they're only taking over until he gets better. At other talks, they'll mention needing him out in the field. The point of Varric being secretly dead the whole time allows Rook an outlet for voicing their insecurities.
Rook believing Varric is alive also enables them to push forward and lead the team because they believe they're only doing so temporarily. And they aren't dealing with the grief of Varric's passing like Harding is. They think Varric will get back up and take over soon, and that enables them to step up in a way that no one else could have.
Varric's death is 100% true to character
Rook thinking Varric is alive allows them to (1) go to him with their doubts; (2) tackle their fear of being in charge, believing it will only be temporary; and (3) be on task without needing to grieve first.
Rook believing Varric is alive allows a first-time player of Dragon Age to connect with Varric rather than having someone they don't know die at the beginning with no emotional pay out.
I personally think the way Varric's death is handled is hecking brilliant.
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