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Dragon's Dogma: Dark Arisen for Nintendo Switch |OT| Wolves Hunt On The Go, Arisen!
- Thread starter vestan
- Start date
I cannot count the number of times I ripped off a Cyclops' two tusks, proceeded to finish the battle, and looked in vain for the rugged tusks that should have been laying about the battlefield. I now just run between its legs as soon as a horn drops, then dodge out of the way once he starts to recover.
At least it was a lesson well learned before I start fighting more serious foes, like dragons.
At least it was a lesson well learned before I start fighting more serious foes, like dragons.
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I had no idea about the loot despawning. That sucks - I'd hate to feel pressure to loot mid fight.
The rest of your items I can agree that they'd be nice improvements, but seeing as I haven't played the other versions I don't have any point of reference for things like server access time. I also just assumed the aiming was tough because I'm shit at dual analog
IIRC from a little over a year ago, Bitterblack Isle v.2 is a pretty big step up in difficulty over the vanilla state of the island. Pretty much every single room, encounter, and chest has been remixed to be more difficult and more rewarding, and Awakened Daimon is significantly more difficult than the first fight. That said, the best loot in the game pretty much only exists in the remixed island, and while I certainly wouldn't recommend tackling Awakened Daimon at level 60, you might find the remixed island to be a better and faster way to gear and level up than just running through the vanilla island again and again.
Worst case scenario, if BBI v.2 proves too difficult, you can farm some offline Ur-Dragon kills for a decent amount of XP.
No, I think they just copy-pasted the dual analog mechanics from the other versions without taking into account the Joy-Con's differences in dead zones and sensitivity. The aiming definitely feels off, and I've platinumed the PS3 and PS4 versions without struggling to line up my shots like I am in this version. I'm adjusting, but something's definitely not right. In the other versions, I could ramp up the camera sensitivity somewhat from default and not have an issue. Here, I've had to dial it back down to the default, and I'm considering moving it one notch slower, even though I already dislike how slow the camera movement is when not aiming my bow.
Worst case scenario, if BBI v.2 proves too difficult, you can farm some offline Ur-Dragon kills for a decent amount of XP.
No, I think they just copy-pasted the dual analog mechanics from the other versions without taking into account the Joy-Con's differences in dead zones and sensitivity. The aiming definitely feels off, and I've platinumed the PS3 and PS4 versions without struggling to line up my shots like I am in this version. I'm adjusting, but something's definitely not right. In the other versions, I could ramp up the camera sensitivity somewhat from default and not have an issue. Here, I've had to dial it back down to the default, and I'm considering moving it one notch slower, even though I already dislike how slow the camera movement is when not aiming my bow.
Since it's a new page, here are some control and gameplay tips that might not be obvious (and one's exclusive to the Switch version):
1) Minus pulls up your Inventory. Double-tapping Minus takes you straight to the Equipment menu.
2) Plus opens up the main menu. Double-tapping Plus takes you straight to the map.
3) New to the Switch version, tapping the mini-map in the lower-left-hand corner of the screen (handheld) takes you straight to the map too!
4) Hit Plus to pull up the main menu, then tap Minus to go directly to the Save Game prompt.
5) Don't forget that you can map (most) consumables to the four d-pad quick access buttons, which are then used by holding down L+R and the relevant d-pad button. I highly recommend mapping at least your lantern to one of these. "I've been soaked in water!"
6) Don't forget that the game maintains two saves. The save you initiate yourself (which you should do periodically), and a "checkpoint" save created whenever you pick up a quest, clear certain quests, or rest for the night (or day). Loading a game will default to the most recent save, but if you feel like you screwed something up recently and haven't triggered a new checkpoint save, you have the option to reload from your last checkpoint. Do note that if you choose to do so, you'll lose any progress made since that checkpoint.
7) Rest periodically at an Inn or encampment that offers Inn-like services. This is how you upload your current Pawn's level, gear, knowledge, and condition to the game's servers. If folks have rented out your Pawn and finished with him/her, this is also how you receive your rewards (rift crystals, quest/monster/location knowledge, and perhaps gifts from those that hired out your Pawn).
8) Give your Pawn a lantern and pickax. If you plan on keeping hirelings for a while, give a set of each to them too. Don't worry about oil. They don't need it.
9) Hirelings won't keep ANYTHING you give them while adventuring. If they die or get dismissed, anything (of yours) that they were carrying get dumped straight into your storage. This includes your lanterns and pickaxes. The only thing they take with them is a gift, if you choose to give them one when formally releasing them.
1) Minus pulls up your Inventory. Double-tapping Minus takes you straight to the Equipment menu.
2) Plus opens up the main menu. Double-tapping Plus takes you straight to the map.
3) New to the Switch version, tapping the mini-map in the lower-left-hand corner of the screen (handheld) takes you straight to the map too!
4) Hit Plus to pull up the main menu, then tap Minus to go directly to the Save Game prompt.
5) Don't forget that you can map (most) consumables to the four d-pad quick access buttons, which are then used by holding down L+R and the relevant d-pad button. I highly recommend mapping at least your lantern to one of these. "I've been soaked in water!"
6) Don't forget that the game maintains two saves. The save you initiate yourself (which you should do periodically), and a "checkpoint" save created whenever you pick up a quest, clear certain quests, or rest for the night (or day). Loading a game will default to the most recent save, but if you feel like you screwed something up recently and haven't triggered a new checkpoint save, you have the option to reload from your last checkpoint. Do note that if you choose to do so, you'll lose any progress made since that checkpoint.
7) Rest periodically at an Inn or encampment that offers Inn-like services. This is how you upload your current Pawn's level, gear, knowledge, and condition to the game's servers. If folks have rented out your Pawn and finished with him/her, this is also how you receive your rewards (rift crystals, quest/monster/location knowledge, and perhaps gifts from those that hired out your Pawn).
8) Give your Pawn a lantern and pickax. If you plan on keeping hirelings for a while, give a set of each to them too. Don't worry about oil. They don't need it.
9) Hirelings won't keep ANYTHING you give them while adventuring. If they die or get dismissed, anything (of yours) that they were carrying get dumped straight into your storage. This includes your lanterns and pickaxes. The only thing they take with them is a gift, if you choose to give them one when formally releasing them.
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Most side quests are missable, since the campaign is riddled with pseudo-points of no return.
Hit up this link for details:
https://dragonsdogma.fandom.com/wiki/Quests
Unless you drill down, it only spoils names of quests.
Edit - Hell, one's missable if you explore too much and kill a certain enemy that will never respawn. Let me put it this way. If you find your way to a bandit encampment off to one of the map's extreme edges, one that seems to be keeping a pet Cyclops... well, let me just say, don't kill that Cyclops. Doing so before tackling a certain side quest that involves that Cyclops will lock you out of the quest until NG+.
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hmm. well screw it then. Just gonna do what i can when i can and deal with the ones i miss in NG+
Really? I've **always** killed that cyclops through exploring.
Ty for this info. I've already found some good stuff so I'm glad I'm in version 2. Does it increase yet again to a version 3 and beyond with each subsequent run through,?
Naw. One makeover after the first run and that is that. Certain areas do have different sets of enemies that may spawn on different visits, but that is just a basic function and has nothing to do with the number of clears.
Right on.
I remember the original games endgame being fun enough in the everfall and ur dragon fighting. But that's chump change compared to this beast of an endgame. From the super random drops to the importance of rift crystals and even increasing gear further beyond the dragon forged. It's pretty wild and there's so much to keep me playing.
Welp, I guess it's no Gold Idol for me in this playthrough!
I forgot to do the escort quest before meeting the Duke, so I was going through the trial. I gave them all the evidence, innocence was guaranteed!
Or not :( I forgot there was still a chance it could fail.
That's the first time it's ever happened to me.
Oh well. Silver and bronze it'll be then!
I forgot to do the escort quest before meeting the Duke, so I was going through the trial. I gave them all the evidence, innocence was guaranteed!
Or not :( I forgot there was still a chance it could fail.
That's the first time it's ever happened to me.
Oh well. Silver and bronze it'll be then!
Added myself to the pawn spread sheet since I ended up playing non-stop all week and am probably going to go the distance with the game. I started out with him as sort of a joke but now he's a force to be reckoned with. Even have some rank 3 end game gear equipped.
Dragons Dogma is so damn good. I really hope we get a sequel someday.
Dragons Dogma is so damn good. I really hope we get a sequel someday.
Cool! I'll send her back eventually lol. Haven't had much time to play the last few days. She really has been a great addition to my team.
Most of the Era pawns out level me by a lot at this point, but I always look to see if there's any I can bring along.
So... do you guys recommend me playing this? Never even tried it.
Is it a 9 plus game or just a good blueprint for a second game?
Is it a 9 plus game or just a good blueprint for a second game?
Fourth time I've bought DD and so far put more hours in than the three previous times put together. Switch seems the perfect platform.
Could use a few good pawns to play with so I'll add my details to the spreadsheet. Friend Code: SW-7485-7022-8520
It depends on what you really care about in games. Do you need a good story, good characters, deep lore? Then you probably won't like this.
Do you favor really responsive, engaging and rewarding gameplay? Do you like going through dungeons, fighting giant bosses and finding great loot? Then you'll probably like this.
I'll never agree that DD doesn't have a good story and lore. It is just hampered by the way they try to, and fail, to tell the story. The story makes weird leaps and bounds and certain supposedly dramatic events simply fail to portray both their scale and purpose, but in a kind of failed Souls-like way, there is plenty of shit going on that you can figure out when you connect the dots and talk to everyone and read everything. There are multiple layers of intrigue going on in Gransys' political scene, including the supposedly multi-national anti-Dragon alliance meant to combat the threat of the Dragon. The Dragon itself is far more than just a fiery lizard wrecking up shit. The Duke is haunted by his past something fierce, Mercedes is taking to drink due to everyone seeing her as just playing at being a soldier, the Church is clearly far more knowledgeable about the Dragon than it lets out etc.
Then there is BBI building up on everything that is revealed when you complete everything the vanilla game had to offer.
Then there is BBI building up on everything that is revealed when you complete everything the vanilla game had to offer.
My main issue with the story is how incredibly disjointed it can be.
"Oh shit I'm caught in the Duchess's chamber, I'm never gonna be allowed to work for the Duke again! Oh nevermind I'll just break out of the dungeon and walk though the front door and nobody seems to care. "
Or-
"Oh damn there's a traitor in the Capitol working for Salvation! I guess I'll just let him go after he apparently incited a small rebellion that nobody ever made any mention of"
Or-
"Oh shit the Duke keeps sleep-strangling his wife because he's a douchebag that sacrificed his beloved to become Duke. I better rescue his wife, not before banging her though!"
The story can be kinda interesting if you look back on it and read the wikis but the way it's presented in the game can range from laughable to just straight incomprehensible.
Hmm that might be a decent way to describe the post-game and DLC actually. But the rest of the game isn't all that similar to Diablo 3.
Not quite, it doesn't really become a looting ARPG until you reach the DLC which was designed for postgame. In the normal game loot-tables are fixed as are enemy levels depending on area so it's not really like Diablo in that sense.
It's hard to peg this game into any one hole really, as others have mentioned.
Nah, the combat isn't like Monster Hunter.
DD's is very much its own thing and is the best in an ARPG.
Added myself to the pawn spread sheet since I ended up playing non-stop all week and am probably going to go the distance with the game. I started out with him as sort of a joke but now he's a force to be reckoned with. Even have some rank 3 end game gear equipped.
Dragons Dogma is so damn good. I really hope we get a sequel someday.
BTW, you added your Pawn ID to the spread sheet. I think you meant to add your Switch Friend Code, which is a completely different thing (and is numbers only). Would you please revise it? It's found on your profile page in the main OS. Thanks!
I feel like the MH comparisons really come from there being giant monsters that present really unique and varied fights. The actual combat system is nothing like MH, I think it's more about the enemies.
The Arousing Suspicions quest is SO weird.
This is all made worse by the silent protagonist thing. God I hate silent protagonists.
First, for some reason the duchess is in love with you and you go to her chambers. Huh, okay? Then, you see the Duke strangling his wife for no reason while the Arisen just... watches? Then he is caught and sent to the dungeon. The duchess frees you and the Arisen just let himself out, passing in front of the guard, who doesn't really care about you escaping (I laughed out loud at this part).
And then the Duke just keeps giving you quests like nothing happened. Wtf?
And then the Duke just keeps giving you quests like nothing happened. Wtf?
This is all made worse by the silent protagonist thing. God I hate silent protagonists.
I THINK that's meant to establish that he's less than sane, but the way the game is written, the story meanders from weird to incomprehensible.
And as I think I mentioned before, it finally ends (too soon) only when it starts to actually go in interesting directions.
I'm not sure what the writing team was thinking of, but perhaps it was like two people while everyone else focused on the gameplay.
And as I think I mentioned before, it finally ends (too soon) only when it starts to actually go in interesting directions.
I'm not sure what the writing team was thinking of, but perhaps it was like two people while everyone else focused on the gameplay.
Oh, I totally agree on this. There are major issues with the presentation and narrative. So many things are half baked and/or disjointed.
This being one of the prime examples. How the whole episode is basically just never mentioned again.
Once you beat the dragon it's made pretty clear what the Duke's issue is.
He's incredibly old and senile and filled with guilt from when he sacrificed his beloved (Lenore) when he met the dragon. So seeing his new wife causes his guilt to take over and make him delusional and angry at himself. And he takes that out on her.
It could have been a lot more compelling if they actually went into that backstory or even his wedding to the Duchess. But like most of the story in this game this was very half baked.
It could have been a lot more compelling if they actually went into that backstory or even his wedding to the Duchess. But like most of the story in this game this was very half baked.
Pretty sure Soulfayer Canyon can't help you on that (it's a faaaaaraway "dungeon"). Also unless I'm mistaken the Quarry must be unlocked from the capital's side.
Oh, I know. I didn't really want to spoil anything, so I kept things as vague as possible.
But that doesn't change the fact that plot's writing is frickin' awful, IMO.
Yeah, last night, I finished exploring the entire area up to and including the Waycastle (even completing the Watergod's Altar dungeon early), then proceeded to explore the entire southwest. Before finally calling it for the night, I entered the back entrance of the Ancient Quarry and saved. In a bit, I will attempt to clear it in reverse. They definitely let you IN. I can't remember if you can exit via the primary entrance into central Gransys. I thought so, but could be wrong. Now that I've refreshed my mental map of Gransys, I have recalled that Soulflayer Canyon links central and NW (I think) Gransys.
Well, shouldn't take too long to see if I can clear out the Quarry!
FWIW, in my game, Mercedes is still waiting for me at the Waycastle for our trip to Gran Soren. I'm approaching level 40, and have a decent amount of BBI L.1 gear. So I've kind of strayed JUST A TAD from the critical path. lol
Edit: Just busted through the Ancient Quarry and into central Gransys without Mercedes. So yeah, MOST of the open world is available to you pretty much from the get-go. I was even able to unlock all of the doors and shortcuts while going through the Quarry in reverse. Cleared out the trio of Ogres, some undead, the bandits. There's a quest for this later. I think I SHOULD be able to auto-complete it once it opens up.
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Pretty sure the bolded is limited to a few major story quests. As a rule of thumb, checkpoints are mainly limited to inn saves, rift stone saves, and buying at the rift shop. Most quests won't trigger one.
Just busted through the Ancient Quarry and into central Gransys without Mercedes. So yeah, MOST of the open world is available to you pretty much from the get-go. I was even able to unlock all of the doors and shortcuts while going through the Quarry in reverse. Cleared out the trio of Ogres, some undead, the bandits. There's a quest for this later. I think I SHOULD be able to auto-complete it once it opens up.
Good to know. Thanks!
Good to know. Thanks!
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Just bought this game on a whim, due to glowing impressions from this site. I don't typically play Western-style games like this pretty much ever, so it's taking a while for me to adjust. I've just killed the hydra (I think?) after creating my main pawn. Thoughts:
- Never realized how much I needed fleshed-out party members. These generic guys aren't doing it for me.
- I'm starting as a strider. I don't think I've gotten the hang of combat. I keep trying to push a non-existent lock-on button. Hopefully I get better as the game progresses, because I'm not doing too well.
- When and how often can I modify myself and my pawn? I wanted to make some Fire Emblem characters. I tried to create a warrior Titania, but "tit" was censored. Settled on mage Micaiah.
The game isn't clicking with me yet, but hopefully this changes as I progress.
- Never realized how much I needed fleshed-out party members. These generic guys aren't doing it for me.
- I'm starting as a strider. I don't think I've gotten the hang of combat. I keep trying to push a non-existent lock-on button. Hopefully I get better as the game progresses, because I'm not doing too well.
- When and how often can I modify myself and my pawn? I wanted to make some Fire Emblem characters. I tried to create a warrior Titania, but "tit" was censored. Settled on mage Micaiah.
The game isn't clicking with me yet, but hopefully this changes as I progress.
- No general lock on, but when using melee attacks, your character will soft lock on the nearest enemy target. Certain spells and attack skills do have tracking abilities, though.
- If you mean change your Vocation (job class), you'll have free access to the system after you both level up 10 times. Until then, you're stuck with your initial choice. If you mean edit your Arisen or Pawn via the character creator, you'll have to wait some time before you can do that. You'll eventually find a unique vendor that only accepts Rift Crystals as currency, instead of the usual Gold. RCs are earned by hiring out your Pawn to other players (we have a Google Sheet for that!), as rewards for vanilla quests, and as regular loot in the expansion area, Bitterblack Isle. This vendor's inventory upgrades over time, first with one-time character edits for around 10K RCs, and eventually with an unlimited character edit option for a lot more. Not 100% sure when they unlock. The first MAY unlock as soon as you get to BBI, which you can access from the Cassardis pier at night.
I'll have to get my FC on the spreadsheet at some point, apparently people like my Ranger pawn because every time I sleep at an in 3 or 4 people have rented her out and one even sent a full wakestone as a reward which seems awfully generous.
The very next quest he gives you is "Reward and Responsibility," where
The very next quest he gives you is "Reward and Responsibility," where
he pretty much tacitly banishes you. I forget the exact wording, but the wiki literally says "another task which this time involves the Arisen going a long way away for an extended period of time. However, circumstances beyond the Duke's control intervene"
Been trying to kill birds for days with no luck just so i can complete that ruffled feathers quest. Problem is i am a fighter so i can never get close enough to slash em. Then i remembered i had rocks and knives stored at the Inn. Quest complete! i love this game lol
I stand corrected then.
How'd you do that? Isn't the first door you encounter locked by one of the weight platforms (which you can't access from this side)? Or is there some hidden passage I don't recall?
Oh, the RC vendor is in the encampment where you met Ser Mercedes and fought off the Hydra. He'll eventually appear inside the tent where the Rift Stone is, just beyond the dude behind the counter that lets you rest, manage your inventory, and learn skills. He's not there from the start of the game, but I'm pretty sure he started showing up after I returned from Bitterblack Isle for the first time. BBI is a post-game location that's extremely difficult and absolutely not meant for starting characters, but it's not a bad idea to go there once anyway to speak to the lady at the hub, maybe pick up some quests from the job board behind her, and unlock the location as a fast travel spot for when you open up the fast travel mechanic. She's also the only person outside of Gran Soren (the capital city) that lets you change Vocation, so if you're in a hurry to change classes once you finish with your first 10 levels, and haven't made it to the capital city yet, she's your best bet for that.
Game's awesome, yeah. Lots of tools at your disposal so TONS of ways of tackling different encounters. For quests like that, a short stint as a Strider will work wonders as well. Hell, I think the Strider has some pretty great passive Augments you may want anyway. Do keep an eye out on those Augments. The best ones are scattered across all Vocations, and unlike most other skills, once learned, ANY VOCATION can equip 'em.
I'm preeetty sure there are quite a few quests between those two. Arousing Suspicion is right after the initial audience with the duke while the quest you mention is when the story enters the set of tracks toward the finale. Right?
Honestly, the banishment is about the Duke wanting to get rid of you since he figures you might actually meet and fight with the Dragon, which would reveal his dirty secret.
The Ancient Quarry is littered with side paths that circle around into the main branches and caverns. IIRC, there are two pressure plates, one barred door you unlock by shattering the wooden beam, and one locked door (key behind one of the pressure plate doors). You can do all of this from southern entrance to the Ancient Quarry, completely unlocking every door, cavern, and tunnel, before exiting from the north (main) entrance, gaining early access to central Gransys. I'm almost 100% sure that the guards will NOT let you into Gran Soren until you show up with Ser Mercedes and the Hydra head, however. But in the meantime, I'll be exploring and looting and filling in all the blank spaces of the map. And making a beeline for Hillfigure Knoll for that first portable port crystal!
