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Dragon's Dogma: Dark Arisen |OT| deep down darkness

T

Triggerhappytel

Member
Jimnymebob said:
Really?
I'm level 41 and have just finished the Wyrm Hunt quests for Ser Maximillian along with a few newer sidequests. So the game gets easier from here until
post game?
Click to expand...

The game doesn't get easier, but you've hit the ceiling, and while you continue to level up it will effectively become easier. I'd say once you've explored the whole map and started to get a bit bored, just power through the main quests to the end. The post-game content is really awesome. Bitterblack Isle is great too, if you have Dark Arisen.
 
D

Dual Blade

Member
Jon Armdog said:
I'm sorry to say, but that's about the point (or even a little earlier) where the game starts to become too easy. My recommendation is that it's about time to finish off the main game quest line, and get to what lies beyond (slight spoiler:
Post game dungeon, Bitterback Isle, and Hard Mode
).

I really wish there was some sort of autoleveling of enemies. Maybe not a straight up match, but some sort of curve. Like you, I spent a lot of time exploring and probably could have for much longer.
Click to expand...

Should I just power through the main story and start again on hard mode before I play the rest and BBI? Would that be wiser for the platinum trophy?

StoppedInTracks said:
Go fight the Drake near the Shadowfort and report back.
Click to expand...

Tried him a couple levels ago and I had to run. I was doing an escort quest unfortunately. Doubt I can best it now. I know ill fight one to two tough guys but before it was always a challenge and I had to stock up on healing items. Now I'm overstocked and I barely get to use them!
 
T

Triggerhappytel

Member
Dual Blade said:
Should I just power through the main story and start again on hard mode before I play the rest and BBI? Would that be wiser for the platinum trophy?



Tried him a couple levels ago and I had to run. I was doing an escort quest unfortunately. Doubt I can best it now. I know ill fight one to two tough guys but before it was always a challenge and I had to stock up on healing items. Now I'm overstocked and I barely get to use them!
Click to expand...

You don't need to visit Bitterblack in order to get the Platty at all, but the content is really fun and challenging for experienced players. I don't think you need to complete hard mode either, as I seem to recall that was patched in later. I'd recommend finishing the game, spending a bit of time with the post dragon content (Everfall, Bitterblack) and then gauging how you feel. Lots of stronger enemies pop up around Gransys post dragon (multiple Drakes, gorechimera, a Wyvern in the Bluemoon tower as I recall), and there's one very tough optional enemy in the Everfall post dragon who I think has a trophy attached.

Also bear in mind that you should finish side quests (not Notice Board quests) before going on to the final battle. This is probably the trickiest trophy as a lot of them have conditions for failure. If you don't want to finish them all now then save them for your next playthrough.
 
T

Tiops

Member
Triggerhappytel said:
Just fought my first Cursed Dragon. I was hanging onto its chest whacking away with a strength buff and hundred kisses for minutes, and I took done half of its first health bar. Feel a bit out of my depth.
Click to expand...
What level are you? I'm doing BBI right now and was thinking about fighting a CD to dragonforge my equipment, but I don't know if I'm ready.

I'm at level 90.
 
M

Morrigan Stark

Arrogant Smirk
Tiops said:
What level are you? I'm doing BBI right now and was thinking about fighting a CD to dragonforge my equipment, but I don't know if I'm ready.

I'm at level 90.
Click to expand...
Level should be OK, gear might not be. It makes a huge difference. The first time I encountered a Cursed Dragon, I was barely scratching it with my end-game (Everfall etc.) dragonforged daggers or sword even when wailing on its heart, and had to retreat. With BBI level 2 gear, however, I was doing decent damage. So if you get a BBI weapon, purify that ASAP.
 
T

Tenchi Ryu

Banned
I'm level 173...at this stage in the game, I'm just wealing my ass off and farming Daimon and Death for those last 30 levels...seem to get about 2 levels each time off of them.
 
J

Jimnymebob

Member
Triggerhappytel said:
The game doesn't get easier, but you've hit the ceiling, and while you continue to level up it will effectively become easier. I'd say once you've explored the whole map and started to get a bit bored, just power through the main quests to the end. The post-game content is really awesome. Bitterblack Isle is great too, if you have Dark Arisen.
Click to expand...

Yeah, I'm level 46 and finally a Mystic Knight now. I've been keeping the Dragon's Dogma wiki sidequest list at hand, so I know I pretty much have a few sidequests, two missions, a sidequest, two missions, a sidequest, two missions before I'm done. I've still not explored the area between Bloodwater Beach and the rest camp near the Shadow Fort, the water pathways outside of Gran Soren, or that broken tower you can see to the north east of Gran Soren.
I know Madeline's final quest is coming up soon; can I leave it until I'm ready to do the final two missions?
I'm looking forward to BBI though. I'm alright to finish the main quest then do BBI, right?
 
P

Psycho_Mantis

Banned
Morrigan Targaryen said:
Level should be OK, gear might not be. It makes a huge difference. The first time I encountered a Cursed Dragon, I was barely scratching it with my end-game (Everfall etc.) dragonforged daggers or sword even when wailing on its heart, and had to retreat. With BBI level 2 gear, however, I was doing decent damage. So if you get a BBI weapon, purify that ASAP.
Click to expand...

High Level sorcerers destroy them iirc.

All I remember is me doing poor damage despite having the best warrior weapon and then this pawn casting meteor and absolutely destroying its health bar.
 
T

Tenchi Ryu

Banned
Not really sure since for the most part, I always keep them at my level at the highest. But I think when its significant level comparison like 10+ levels higher, you start to notice a very hard exp restriction.
 
S

Supermanisdead

Member
Bitterblack Isle is hard as fuck, even at level 120. I got to the
room with 2 gorecyclops and tons of sorcerers casting maelstrom. It's crazy. I get destroyed no matter how I try to handle them.

Eventually, I just ran out of the room and then Death showed up and I got soaked and my pawns disappeared. I was in the blackness trying to relight my lantern and then I just gave up and lift-stoned out of there.
 
M

Morrigan Stark

Arrogant Smirk
Supermanisdead said:
Bitterblack Isle is hard as fuck, even at level 120. I got to the
room with 2 gorecyclops and tons of sorcerers casting maelstrom. It's crazy. I get destroyed no matter how I try to handle them.

Eventually, I just ran out of the room and then Death showed up and I got soaked and my pawns disappeared. I was in the blackness trying to relight my lantern and then I just gave up and lift-stoned out of there.
Click to expand...

Tips for that section:
Bring ranged attacks. Magic archer is ideal, but ranger or strider works too. From up on the balcony, snipe at the sorcerers before going down there. You can also lure the Garms up stairs and fight them there (Ricochet Bolt will fuck them up really bad).

Without ranged attacks, you'd need to rush the sorcerers and kill them ASAP before they can cast Maelstrom. And since you're likely to be interrupted by Garms and other monsters, it's pretty difficult. And if your pawns are dumb and aggro the gorecyclops, then, welp. And if Death shows up... double welp.

First time I reached that place I just speed ran past them all because I kept dying. Sometimes the pawns will survive til you reach the end door, sometimes not, but after this room is a Riftstone to re-hire them, IIRC. Good luck!
 
S

Supermanisdead

Member
Thanks

I just rushed the mages and then lured the flying things into a corner and shot them. My idiot pawns woke up one of the gorecyclops tho, so I just fled...

Right into the skeleton warriors who one-shotted me. Omg.
 
J

Jimnymebob

Member
Gozer the Gozerian said:
I'm finally getting around to this game after picking it up on a Christmas XBL sale, any tips/things to know for someone going into DD for the first time?
Click to expand...

I'll bullet point to make it easier to read. If you've already started then some of these tips will be redundant:
  • Don't be afraid to try out all the classes.
  • Getting 6 Discipline points in the Fighter class gives you an augment that increases your carrying capacity.
  • Certain abilities transfer between classes, i.e. the Mystic Knight can use some of the Mage's spells.
  • All augments can be used by all classes.
  • If you have more than one Sorcerer, they can dual/triple/quad cast spells to increase damage and reduce charge time for them.
  • You don't need to keep Rook around with you. He becomes redundant once you hit his level basically.
  • You don't need to win the boss fight during the prologue, so don't worry.
  • While you can use Pawns to assist you that are higher levelled than you are, you need to pay Rift Crystals to get them. Rift Crystals are hard to come by, and it's not worth it.
  • However, if you have friends or other Gaffers added that have the game you can use their main Pawn for free, no matter their level. This'll probably take out all the challenge though depending on the level of their Pawn.
  • Make sure you have a lantern and spare oil on you at all times. Give your Pawns lanterns too. Nighttime is dangerous.
  • This link gives you a list of all the side quests, along with when you should complete them. It contains some spoilers, mostly mission names, but it's useful in making sure you don't miss anything out, as failing to do some side quests can completely lock characters and services out of the game.
  • Your income will be very slow to start off with. Once you start the main missions that you get in the capital you'll start earning a lot more money.
  • Don't worry if your Pawn's die/become forfeit. The only penalty is that you'll be a Pawn or 3 short until you can get back to a Rift Stone/re-hire them/hire new ones.
  • If you have Dark Arisen there is a purple icon on the map in the starting village. That's the Dark Arisen exclusive content, and should only be attempted when you're a much higher level.
  • Avoid using weapons in the capital city, as there's a chance, if not a guarantee, that you'll be thrown in jail.
  • You need to use items to fast travel, and aside from a few locations you'll need to place another item down to make a waypoint. Aside from far reaching locations it'll be cheaper to walk everywhere.
  • Save often. If you see a strong monster in the distance, save the game. It's up to you then if you want to challenge it or retreat. Save when you beat it too.
  • There's an area in some hills close to the starting town that has some pretty tough enemies that you're required to go through to complete an early side quest. This is probably one of the most dangerous areas you'll have to pass through.

I've not finished the game yet, but these are the things I've picked up on during my playthrough.
 
T

Triggerhappytel

Member
Ugh, you made my one tip look very pathetic by comparison!

Just to add a few now I've got a bit more time:

  • Make your pawn look good, that way they're more likely to be hired. You're rewarded with Rift Crystals, which are used to hire other pawns or in purifying items when you get to Bitterblack Isle. Save them for Bitterblack.
  • It's a good idea to get in the habit of upgrading pawns regularly, so they're always at the same level as you. You can search for pawns by level at any Rift Gate.
  • The Dragon's Dogma wiki is really invaluable. I'd say explore the environment yourself, but if you get stuck on a particular enemy or trying to find a item, for example, then take a look for some advice.
  • If you find any Portcrystals, they are used as fast-travel points, and with Dark Arisen you get an Infinite Ferrystone which is the other item needed to fast travel. Portcrystals can be put down and then picked back up to use elsewhere, and I would recommend laying them down at the far reaches of the map to save on travel time.
  • It's a good idea to use your pawns as packhorses to carry lots of items, but bear in mind that if the two additional pawns die and aren't revived in time they'll be returned to the rift, and your items will go back to storage.
  • Speaking of which, storage is accessed from inns or rest camps. Get into the habit of dropping off extra items every time you rest.
  • It costs 50 gold to rest in Cassardis and 500 gold to rest at the capital, Gran Soren. If you're out and about and need to rest, it's a good idea to Ferrystone over to Cassardis and rest there.
  • Don't worry about chasing Achievements first time through. Most of them will come in the course of play, and then you can focus on Achievement requirements during New Game +.
 
M

Morrigan Stark

Arrogant Smirk
I personally refuse to hire a female pawn who isn't dressed appropriately for battle. And I tend to hire male pawns because they're so rare, though I wish people put as much care into making a good looking male pawn as they do for females. So making your pawn a hawt chick can backfire...! Well, it probably won't. :(
 
T

Triggerhappytel

Member
Morrigan Targaryen said:
I personally refuse to hire a female pawn who isn't dressed appropriately for battle. And I tend to hire male pawns because they're so rare, though I wish people put as much care into making a good looking male pawn as they do for females. So making your pawn a hawt chick can backfire...! Well, it probably won't. :(
Click to expand...

My pawn is like a Mediterranean Wolverine. He's tall, dark skinned, has a big old mane of hair and massive sideburns down to his chin. Male pawns are definitely rarer than female, and I also instantly dismiss female pawns who show up in the Rift who are dressed in their underwear.
 
S

Supermanisdead

Member
Morrigan Targaryen said:
I personally refuse to hire a female pawn who isn't dressed appropriately for battle. And I tend to hire male pawns because they're so rare, though I wish people put as much care into making a good looking male pawn as they do for females. So making your pawn a hawt chick can backfire...! Well, it probably won't. :(
Click to expand...

Tell me about it. It's so hard to find a decent ranger pawn who isn't a 5 foot tall girl in a thong
 
M

Morrigan Stark

Arrogant Smirk
Get my pawn! Male strider wearing gold-forged BBI gear. :) Might be OP depending on how far you are though. PSN is MorriganStark. I also have a high-level sorcerer on my alt PSN, ArrogantSmirk (yes, it's an anagram hahaha).
 
J

Jimnymebob

Member
Morrigan Targaryen said:
I personally refuse to hire a female pawn who isn't dressed appropriately for battle. And I tend to hire male pawns because they're so rare, though I wish people put as much care into making a good looking male pawn as they do for females. So making your pawn a hawt chick can backfire...! Well, it probably won't. :(
Click to expand...

I'm sad to admit I've got a female pawn, and she's currently wearing the red corset, the crowned hood, and I think she has the leather bandings but the blue denim version of them. At this point I'm just accessorising with whatever helps me get less dead and isn't dear. My Arisen, who I designed to look similar to the Yellow Wizard from Gauntlet Legends, spent the first 30 hours running round in a blue longkilt :lol.

I'm digging the lupine veil I have for my Arisen now though. Is there a black version available by any chance?
 
T

Triggerhappytel

Member
Someone more experienced than me might refute this, but generally speaking I'd say don't bother buying equipment, as I've never found it makes a particularly big difference. You find and earn armour regularly enough throughout the game that I personally never really thought it worthwhile buying it (unless there's a massive difference in stats, of course). Go with what looks good and doesn't weigh too much, and upgrade it at Caxton's Armoury if you can.
 
S

Supermanisdead

Member
Morrigan Targaryen said:
Get my pawn! Male strider wearing gold-forged BBI gear. :) Might be OP depending on how far you are though. PSN is MorriganStark. I also have a high-level sorcerer on my alt PSN, ArrogantSmirk (yes, it's an anagram hahaha).
Click to expand...

Ah thanks, I think I will do this. Just got destroyed in BBI again.........

Just sent you a request, my psn is Supermanizdead
 
J

Jimnymebob

Member
Just took on my first Drake as a Mystic Knight and absolutely destroyed it.
I've got:
  • Sinew
  • Bastion
  • Adamance
  • Clout
  • Articulacy
  • Acuity

As my equipped Augments. Is this an alright setup? I've been having fun using it, but I'm not sure if Prescience would be a more useful option than Adamance. How easier does Prescience make perfect blocking? I've been able to do it reliably without it, but if it makes it significantly simpler then I may try it, if it's just a bit easier then I'll leave it.
 
S

StoppedInTracks

Member
To the person whining about game getting too easy: beat the game.

I just did (awesome "final" boss fight) and damn is Gransys even more dangerous now than ever:

- packs of Undead Lords (!!!) + Undead Mages roaming around
- a fucking dragon with the weakpoint on his back in front of Gran Soren gate. He was harder than the "last" boss for me! With one spell(?) or roar(?) he killed all my Pawns and brought me into the red. Luckily I managed to revive them, I don't really know why I didn't die there. Very intenste battle with no ballistas to help you in sight :(
- Gargoyles that turn your pawns into stone. How do you counter that BTW? I tried grabbing the solid stone statue but I could not. Is there any "needle" item like in Final Fantasy that cures Stone?

You are not safe anymore. Any random pack of Hellhounds + the Undead can kill your "high-level" 70 level party, untill you buy a better equipment that is. It would seem I will need millions of gold to purchase all this stuff because quality items cost $300k on average.

Everfall is a scary place. And LOL Beholders. Dragon's Dogma is the best "D&D" game ever.

------------------------------------

Only three RPG series get Dragons right:

- Baldur's Gate
- Souls games
- Dragon's Dogma
 
T

Tenchi Ryu

Banned
Hard Mode is nice because for the most part, if you can kill something in Normal mode, you can in hard mode as well. The only thing you have to worry about is how much damage enemies do to you. One shot kills are much more common. Even on high 150+ levels, getting surrounded strong enemies can off you in about 5 hits.
 
T

Triggerhappytel

Member
StoppedInTracks said:
- Gargoyles that turn your pawns into stone. How do you counter that BTW? I tried grabbing the solid stone statue but I could not. Is there any "needle" item like in Final Fantasy that cures Stone?
Click to expand...

I take it you mean being Petrified? There are at least two items which cure it, the only one I know off the top of my head being Cockatrice Liquor. I think Panacea cures every debilitation, and there's a high-level spell which cures it too.

I saw a Wyvern flying around near Conquest Trail (near Windbluff Tower) but I couldn't get it to land. I think I'm gonna head back into the Everfall and try to take out some of the tough enemies and level up a bit more before returning to Bitterblack.
 
A

Augemitbutter

Member
Dresden said:
Hard Mode, bros. Not the most well balanced thing in the world, but it returns a sense of danger to the gameworld.
Click to expand...

it does. not a perfect solution, but good enough. i think you even get more gold drops that way.

i just remembered how capcom patched in easy mode, when everybody was crying for hard mode. lol.



also i'd like them to find a better solution for healing items in DD2. i spend way too much time healing myself in menus. that was a real timesink.
 
T

Tenchi Ryu

Banned
Augemitbutter said:
also i'd like them to find a better solution for healing items in DD2. i spend way too much time healing myself in menus. that was a real timesink.
Click to expand...

Bonus Enhancements helps greatly, specifically BBI gear. Certain pieces armor give benefits that can heal your health, cure ailments or heal your pawns. It only heals about 2-3 HP per second, but it really adds up when spending 2-3 mins just walking on foot.

http://dragonsdogma.wikia.com/wiki/Bonus_Enhancements

There is also a staff for mages that allows them to self-revive with no help needed from you called the Legion's might. Its not the strongest staff, but just being able to revive pawns alone makes it very valuable.

http://dragonsdogma.wikia.com/wiki/Legion's_Might
 
S

StoppedInTracks

Member
I've seen some random Pawns having very high level spells that are not attainable for me like Grand Levin (Levin --> High Levin --> Grand Levin).

Are those spells worth it? What I mean is the damage increase over High version of the spell worth the increased casting time?
 
S

Supermanisdead

Member
HELP needed! I need to level up as sorcerer and level my pawn as warrior, but I suck big time and I need some level 200 pawns to tear shit up, while I work to unlock good skills.

Anyone with a level 200 pawn that can easily kill guys in Bitterblack Isle, please post your PSN here or add mine: Supermanizdead


StoppedInTracks said:
I've seen some random Pawns having very high level spells that are not attainable for me like Grand Levin (Levin --> High Levin --> Grand Levin).

Are those spells worth it? What I mean is the damage increase over High version of the spell worth the increased casting time?
Click to expand...

You get those from items in Bitterblack Isle. They are definitely worth it. So strong!
 
T

Triggerhappytel

Member
Supermanisdead said:
HELP needed! I need to level up as sorcerer and level my pawn as warrior, but I suck big time and I need some level 200 pawns to tear shit up, while I work to unlock good skills.

Anyone with a level 200 pawn that can easily kill guys in Bitterblack Isle, please post your PSN here or add mine: Supermanizdead




You get those from items in Bitterblack Isle. They are definitely worth it. So strong!
Click to expand...

I take it you already know that there's an experience penalty for hiring pawns at a higher lever than you?
 
M

Morrigan Stark

Arrogant Smirk
Playing as a sorcerer can be fun, but for some particular enemies it can be quite frustrating. It's a bit ridiculous how much more adapted to just about every situation the yellow classes are, hah.
 
Jon Armdog

Jon Armdog

Member
Supermanisdead said:
HELP needed! I need to level up as sorcerer and level my pawn as warrior, but I suck big time and I need some level 200 pawns to tear shit up, while I work to unlock good skills.

Anyone with a level 200 pawn that can easily kill guys in Bitterblack Isle, please post your PSN here or add mine: Supermanizdead
Click to expand...

You're welcome to use mine - I rarely play Dogma anymore (or the PS even), but I can log into PSN to add you. I've got a level 200 Ranger, PSN tag is Armdal. I can't remember what state I left the pawn in, but she should have mostly high tier gear.
 
Hung Wei Lo

Hung Wei Lo

Member
Supermanisdead said:
HELP needed! I need to level up as sorcerer and level my pawn as warrior, but I suck big time and I need some level 200 pawns to tear shit up, while I work to unlock good skills.

Anyone with a level 200 pawn that can easily kill guys in Bitterblack Isle, please post your PSN here or add mine: Supermanizdead




You get those from items in Bitterblack Isle. They are definitely worth it. So strong!
Click to expand...

You can add me too - PSN - Kinezo ..my pawn was left off running around in her underoo's, so let me know what you want her to be, and I'll gear her up - she's not lvl 200, but is high enough to help
 
T

Triggerhappytel

Member
I love this game so much. I found a way up onto the battlements around Gran Soren earlier (never done that before) and there are loads of different levels and treasure chests and hidden caches of money, and I just love that after 80 hours I'm still finding new stuff. I'm now concentrating on completing 50 notice board quests, then I'll probably spend some more time in the Everfall and then once I can beat the Ur Dragon I'll return to Bitterblack.
 
S

StoppedInTracks

Member
Seriously, this is like the only RPG around that makes me want to kill the same fodder Goblins/ Wolves after 90 hours. It is just so much fun. With every weapon upgrade + LVL up you get a solid sensation that you are stronger. I can now one hit kill the bandits near Witchwood and the Bandit Ruins! Incredible. Generic Saurians die in 3 hits! And I remember having trouble with Saurians.

Yesterday, I've accidently beaten the game (Seneschal) and now am locked in NG+, ehh. I really hate the mechanism in games that gives you no real "Load Game" option like here and in Demon's Souls. Once it is saved it is fucking saved and you better stop crying. Oh well I hope getting back to Everfall will now take me max 8 hours.

Luckily I manged to kill the Archhydra, Liches, Wyrms, Wyverns etc. in Everfall before that. It was a fantastic little dungeon.

<3 Saurian Sages <3
 
T

Triggerhappytel

Member
StoppedInTracks said:
Yesterday, I've accidently beaten the game (Seneschal) and now am locked in NG+, ehh. I really hate the mechanism in games that gives you no real "Load Game" option like here and in Demon's Souls. Once it is saved it is fucking saved and you better stop crying. Oh well I hope getting back to Everfall will now take me max 8 hours.

Luckily I manged to kill the Archhydra, Liches, Wyrms, Wyverns etc. in Everfall before that. It was a fantastic little dungeon.

<3 Saurian Sages <3
Click to expand...

Have you been to Bitterblack yet? If so, does its progress get reset once you begin NG+? I'm thinking of finishing the main quest and starting over (mainly aiming for Trophies at the moment), but if possible I'd rather not lose the progress I've made so far.
 
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