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[Triggerhappytel]

That's a good point: could some of you more seasoned adventurers add me please, if you don't mind? If people have pawns who would be useful I'd really appreciate the help.

I'm playing on PS3 and my ID is Telminator-2

 

[Fou-Lu]

Finally got around to finishing the main storyline, haven't even touched the Dark Arisen content yet. Stuff got real weird near the end there. Was definitely interesting, would've been more interesting if I'd actually felt anything for any of the characters besides my pawn.

 

[zerokoolpsx]

That's a good point: could some of you more seasoned adventurers add me please, if you don't mind? If people have pawns who would be useful I'd really appreciate the help.

I'm playing on PS3 and my ID is Telminator-2

Added you. Just be aware about the severe exp penalty for hiring higher level pawns.

 

[Triggerhappytel]

Added you. Just be aware about the severe exp penalty for hiring higher level pawns.

Thank you to everyone who sent a friend request, and thanks zero for the messages with tips and so on, much appreciated.

I've started the Everfall and done the first level with the Evil Eye, just diving back in to tackle some more now. Is there a way to leave if I didn't have the Eternal Ferrystone? Or someone with whom to save or send items to storage?

 

[Morfeo]

Ok, I followed your advice and got the game on the PS3. Looking forward to play it in a months time or so!

 

[ZenaxPure]

I've started the Everfall and done the first level with the Evil Eye, just diving back in to tackle some more now. Is there a way to leave if I didn't have the Eternal Ferrystone? Or someone with whom to save or send items to storage?

The very top part of everfall (where you meet the NPC and get the quest) there is a door that leads back to the pawn building. The one that gets you into everfall in the first place actually (from the quest when you first arrive in Gran Soren).

 

[Triggerhappytel]

I'm really enjoying the Everfall. Why can't all post-game content be this good?! I've only cleared about three chambers but I'm making steady progress. Also spent some time running around Gransys fighting the new, tougher enemies, which is most pleasing. Today I've taken down two Drakes, a Wyrm, a gryphon and about three gorechimera. Only chamber which bested me so far was one with two cockatrices in, and I only had two anti-petrifying potions on my team, so the bastards kept me on my toes.

 

[TheBryanJZX90]

The Everfall has some really fun challenging fights, but please don't kill yourself trying to get rare loot. Literally. The accepted method is to look up which treasure chests have a chance to drop the item you want, then repeatedly open the chest, see what's inside, and then kill yourself before picking the item up if it's not what you want. Not fun and takes a looong time to get anything good. Hopefully you have Dark Arisen, which has even better gear that is much more fun to get.

 

[Triggerhappytel]

Thanks for the tip, although I'm not really here for loot. I'm here to kill beasties in the face. I'll probably just try to beat everything once and then move on to Bitterblack.

 

[Triggerhappytel]

EDIT - never mind; I think I've found the answer to my own query.

 

[Triggerhappytel]

Right, so I've just reached this big old bastard the Ur Dragon. I've read the Wiki a bit for information, and am I right in understanding that it flies off after 8 minutes regardless of how much damage you've done, and next time when I return it'll have the same health? Or does some of that health regenerate? Can I exit the room and come straight back, or do I need to wait a day? The Wiki says it respawns after a day, but I'm not clear whether that's when it dies or just flies off. I'm playing offline.

 

[ZenaxPure]

IIRC you do need to wait a day, typically I'd just ferry out and sleep at the inn. His HP will be exactly where you left it if you fight him offline.

 

[Triggerhappytel]

IIRC you do need to wait a day, typically I'd just ferry out and sleep at the inn. His HP will be exactly where you left it if you fight him offline.

Thanks, I've stayed at the inn for two mornings and sorted out my equipment; gonna head back and try again.

 

[Triggerhappytel]

Argh, this is such a frustrating, tedious battle. The game's camera is not designed to climb all over huge, constantly moving foes like this. Having fucking two dozen weak spots or however many it is just takes the piss. It doesn't help that the frame rate keeps crapping itself and having a heart attack.

 

[Triggerhappytel]

Giving it a rest for tonight. I can't see the final two 'hearts' on its wings, but I've been hammering it for 40 goddamn minutes now. Every time I try your get on its back the camera decides to swing low and show me the action from under the dragon's belly, and I've sat on its head swinging away with Hundred Kisses, liquid vim (stamina freeze) and a strength increase, and clearly it can't be damaged unless attacking a weak point directly.

 

[Triggerhappytel]

I don't understand how I'm supposed to destroy the weak spots on its wings. Nothing I do is damaging it, I can't climb to its wings and none of the ranged attacks I have are touching the fucker. This is really tarring my opinion of the game; why make an enemy that certain classes are unable to defeat?!

 

[AgentOtaku]

Just for clarification:

You don't need to have a COMPLETED Main quest save when importing into Dark Arisen to unlock the Eternal Ferrystone right? Any save game will do?

thanks

 

[Triggerhappytel]

Just for clarification:

You don't need to have a COMPLETED Main quest save when importing into Dark Arisen to unlock the Eternal Ferrystone right? Any save game will do?

thanks

No. I was about half way through the main story when I stopped playing as I knew Dark Arisen was coming out. When I started playing again, I had the Eternal Ferrystone in my inventory.

---

Anyway, I started Bitterblack Isle earlier tonight. Really like it; extremely claustrophobic and creepy atmosphere which is a nice change from the main game. Very eerie and isolated - I keep getting original Tomb Raider deja vu from the layout and feel of the location, as well as all the hidden loot scattered around. Excellent stuff so far.

 

[AgentOtaku]

No. I was about half way through the main story when I stopped playing as I knew Dark Arisen was coming out. When I started playing again, I had the Eternal Ferrystone in my inventory.

---

Anyway, I started Bitterblack Isle earlier tonight. Really like it; extremely claustrophobic and creepy atmosphere which is a nice change from the main game. Very eerie and isolated - I keep getting original Tomb Raider deja vu from the layout and feel of the location, as well as all the hidden loot scattered around. Excellent stuff so far.

Thanks man!

 

[Triggerhappytel]

Enjoying Bitterblack, but it's kicking my arse. I can't even convincingly beat one of the giant Evil Eye bastards because they spend so much time invincible. I found my first condemned Gorecyclops last night, but again it's so powerful I was barely able to scratch it. Not delved too deep into the depths yet, as I kept losing pawns and then getting overburdened.

I think my pawns are both about level 65 now. I've been playing offline ever since first fighting the Ur Dragon. What is the experience boost for having fewer pawns in your party? I'm thinking of trying with a group of three - although I do like having two mage pawns for healing (and item storage), they're getting killed far too easily in Bitterblack and are becoming a bit of a burden.

 

[Coconut]

Enjoying Bitterblack, but it's kicking my arse. I can't even convincingly beat one of the giant Evil Eye bastards because they spend so much time invincible. I found my first condemned Gorecyclops last night, but again it's so powerful I was barely able to scratch it. Not delved too deep into the depths yet, as I kept losing pawns and then getting overburdened.

I think my pawns are both about level 65 now. I've been playing offline ever since first fighting the Ur Dragon. What is the experience boost for having fewer pawns in your party? I'm thinking of trying with a group of three - although I do like having two mage pawns for healing (and item storage), they're getting killed far too easily in Bitterblack and are becoming a bit of a burden.

Papirats tons of them is the trick.

 

[Triggerhappytel]

Papirats tons of them is the trick.

Which periapt? I have tons of them in my inventory, but I've not used any of them yet.

 

[ZenaxPure]

Which periapt? I have tons of them in my inventory, but I've not used any of them yet.

Just depends on your class, the ones that increase your damage (magic or physical) are invaluable in BBI. Until you are max level and have basically the best gear I'd recommend using them on tough bosses to make the fights shorter. They also stack up to 4 times iirc which is what makes them so strong.

 

[Jimnymebob]

Does the whole group spellcasting thing with Sorcerers work with pawns, or do you need to cast a spell alongside them to make it work?
I'm about to move on from Sorcerer to Warrior for my Arisen on my way to build up his strength and gain some of the Warrior's vocation abilities before I turn him into a Mystic Knight, and I'm not sure whether I want my final party to be:
Arisen= Mystic Knight
Main Pawn= Sorcerer
Pawn 1= Warrior
Pawn 2= Ranger

or

Arisen= Mystic Knight
Main Pawn= Sorcerer
Pawn 1= Sorcerer
Pawn 2= Ranger

Are the pawns smart enough to use group spellcasting, or are they likely to be stupid and cast different spells all the time?

I'm not that far into the game, and it's my first playthrough. I'm currently doing the 2nd Wyrm Hunt quest that takes you through the Ancient Quarry.

 

[Coconut]

Which periapt? I have tons of them in my inventory, but I've not used any of them yet.

Depends on your class I recommend going to the DD wiki and reading up on them.

 

[Triggerhappytel]

Loving Bitterblack so far. Managed to find the Void Key and head deeper into the labyrinth. Fought the Gazer last night, but I couldn't beat it and I didn't have any Wakestones on me. I've maxxed out the Magick Archer now and shifted over to the Assassin, and then I'll try my hand at Mystic Knight after that.

Does the whole group spellcasting thing with Sorcerers work with pawns, or do you need to cast a spell alongside them to make it work?
I'm about to move on from Sorcerer to Warrior for my Arisen on my way to build up his strength and gain some of the Warrior's vocation abilities before I turn him into a Mystic Knight, and I'm not sure whether I want my final party to be:
Arisen= Mystic Knight
Main Pawn= Sorcerer
Pawn 1= Warrior
Pawn 2= Ranger

or

Arisen= Mystic Knight
Main Pawn= Sorcerer
Pawn 1= Sorcerer
Pawn 2= Ranger

Are the pawns smart enough to use group spellcasting, or are they likely to be stupid and cast different spells all the time?

I'm not that far into the game, and it's my first playthrough. I'm currently doing the 2nd Wyrm Hunt quest that takes you through the Ancient Quarry.

I've had my Arisen as a Ranger > Strider > Magick Archer > Ranger throughout the game, with my pawn Esculas as a Fighter > Warrior (I want him to be a tank). I've tended to have two sorcerers as the other two pawns to handle spellcasting and healing. They're not always great at it as their spells are very easily interrupted, and because of their lower health they get themselves killed a lot.

 

[Jimnymebob]

I've had my Arisen as a Ranger > Strider > Magick Archer > Ranger throughout the game, with my pawn Esculas as a Fighter > Warrior (I want him to be a tank). I've tended to have two sorcerers as the other two pawns to handle spellcasting and healing. They're not always great at it as their spells are very easily interrupted, and because of their lower health they get themselves killed a lot.

Yeah, two Sorcerers is sound like the best option. I'll be tanking a lot as a Mystic Knight anyway, and my main pawn is fairly reliable when it comes to casting magic. I'll just need to make sure my main pawn and the pawn I hire share similar spells then.

I'm not looking forward to changing to using physical based classes though; it's going to feel so weird after using magic based ones for the last 35 hours.

 

[Triggerhappytel]

Yeah, two Sorcerers is sound like the best option. I'll be tanking a lot as a Mystic Knight anyway, and my main pawn is fairly reliable when it comes to casting magic. I'll just need to make sure my main pawn and the pawn I hire share similar spells then.

I'm not looking forward to changing to using physical based classes though; it's going to feel so weird after using magic based ones for the last 35 hours.

I know what you mean. I changed to a sword for a short while, but didn't like the slower pace, so I went back to my old reliable daggers. Also got very used to Magick Archer arrows locking on, and know I'm a pretty bad shot as an Assassin.

Is there a stats screen where I can see how much I've played?

 

[Step]

I haven't played for a long time but I believe it was in Start > History > R1 until you find the correct tab.

 

[Triggerhappytel]

You're right; that's how you get there. Holy shit; I've been playing for nearly 80 hours! I'm genuinely shocked at that - I thought it would be about half that. Not played a single game this much since Demon's Souls in 2010.

 

[Triggerhappytel]

Got my first Eliminator in Bitterblack, and holy shit did it take me frigging ages to bring it down. I think I need to get a good staff and learn some spells, because my pawns were just not up to the task. Not only that, but after I beat the bastard an Elder Ogre spawned and we went though the same thing again but even more elongated! I ended up letting it kill me and then running straight out of the area next time around. Ended up in some room with dozens of what seemed to be men, but they were damn tough and I left it there.

A question; if I decide to go on and face the Senescal and finish the game, can I still access Bitterblack straight away? And assuming I haven't finished it, can I pick up where I left off? Can you place Portcystals in Bitterblack; like say far down so I can jump straight there?

 

[Step]

I remember the first time I faced an eliminator, it was on that tower with a bunch of bridges, I don't know how but he ended up trowing all of my pawns through those small windows haha I was so confuse how the hell he managed to do that.

After you defeat the Senescal everything gets reset, I think the shortcuts you unlock in bbs get locked again too but I'm not 100% sure, you can't place portcrystals inside bbs and if you want to go to the isle again after starting a new cycle you'll have to progress like 2-3 main missions (going to the camp the first time?) so Olra spawns again at the pier.

 

[StoppedInTracks]

Started playing this again recently after leaving my 70 hours save rot for 6 months. Holy shit this game STILL surprises me after 80 hours of content:

1) I was doing a standard Escort mission to The Greatwall. It was nighttime but fuck it - I know the road to The Wall like the back of my mind. So I am climbing up near the Female Thieves Hideout, total blackness around me, Pawns are fighting some Wolves. But I notice some kind of enemy that is different because his healthbar barely moves after my attacks. DAMN! It was some kind of Undead! I have never faced them before (in 80 hours). It seems it was a Fell Lord(?) because he dropped a Fell Lord's Skull.

2) another time I was going up North East to the Duke's Manse. There is this path that goes around the Hillfigure Knoll where Snow Harpies gather. So I run full speed into them and start the fight. My main vocation at the moment is an Assassin with a Bow so I zoom in and start shooting them on ground. You know the battles in Dragon's Dogma they are fucking awesome and they make you feel "in the zone", every time. So I am "in the zone" sniping Harpies while my mind analyzes that something is not right because there is a different kind of music playing. I shrugged and paid no attention to it - maybe I forgot that the music chan.............. FUCKING BLAM!

A motherfucking Griffon landed RIGHT ON TOP ME flattening me into the ground! It was incredible being automatically switched out of the zoomed in mode to see this beatiful beast roaring left and right. I forgot they patrol this area!

God damn this game.................. I love it so much. So much that I *never* teleport around and always move on foot even back and forth between The Witchwood and The Greatwall.

 

[Triggerhappytel]

Started playing this again recently after leaving my 70 hours save rot for 6 months. Holy shit this game STILL surprises me after 80 hours of content:

1) I was doing a standard Escort mission to The Greatwall. It was nighttime but fuck it - I know the road to The Wall like the back of my mind. So I am climbing up near the Female Thieves Hideout, total blackness around me, Pawns are fighting some Wolves. But I notice some kind of enemy that is different because his healthbar barely moves after my attacks. DAMN! It was some kind of Undead! I have never faced them before (in 80 hours). It seems it was a Fell Lord(?) because he dropped a Fell Lord's Skull.

Yeah, I've fought some Undead Lord around there at night before, and the sonofabitch wiped out my whole team on his own. Admittedly this was a long time ago, but I've never found another since. I love how dark it gets at night, and how all these powerful enemies come out.

 

[Jimnymebob]

I know what you mean. I changed to a sword for a short while, but didn't like the slower pace, so I went back to my old reliable daggers. Also got very used to Magick Archer arrows locking on, and know I'm a pretty bad shot as an Assassin.

Is there a stats screen where I can see how much I've played?

Nevermind, turns out smacking things with a 5ft slab of solid steel is surprisingly fun and satisfying after spending the past 30 odd hours standing at a distance and shooting fireballs and lightning bolts at things haha.

Just fought my first Golem; a Sorcerer pawn that I hired was going nuts against it with High Maelstrom and High Glicel.

 

[StoppedInTracks]

I'm not looking forward to changing to using physical based classes though; it's going to feel so weird after using magic based ones for the last 35 hours.

I thought the same when I switched my vocation to Warrior. I was not looking to it - I was so used to Sorcerers/ Kratos-like types with dual wielding daggers.

But... it was very fun. The point with Warriors is that they pack so much punch and are almost unstaggerable like fucking tanks. I went head on with the Bandits near Witchwood - something I do not do very often because they are a killer bunch - and just *wrecked* them with those slow, heavy swings. It was almost poetic. Same with Undead Warriors in Bluemoon Tower. I just stood there in the center swinging left and right, unstoppable.

I kinda miss it now with being Assassin.

 

[Jimnymebob]

I thought the same when I switched my vocation to Warrior. I was not looking to it - I was so used to Sorcerers/ Kratos-like types with dual wielding daggers.

But... it was very fun. The point with Warriors is that they pack so much punch and are almost unstaggerable like fucking tanks. I went head on with the Bandits near Witchwood - something I do not do very often because they are a killer bunch - and just *wrecked* them with those slow, heavy swings. It was almost poetic. Same with Undead Warriors in Bluemoon Tower. I just stood there in the center swinging left and right, unstoppable.

I kinda miss it now with being Assassin.

Yeah, those bandits on the way to the Witchwood were always a pain to fight as a mage or sorcerer, but when I went there before I destroyed them. The warrior pawns I've had didn't really do much, but it seems effective with me using it.

I still enjoy playing the magic classes more so far, but I'll be damned if I've not been having fun as a warrior.

 

[Dual Blade]

Trying this game out with the dual shock 4. Feels great having a bow draw and fire with the triggers. Not that I minded the L1/R1 setup for firing but the extends handle grips help on long sessions with my monstrous hands.

Also this game is awesome.

 

[Augemitbutter]

Started playing this again recently after leaving my 70 hours save rot for 6 months. Holy shit this game STILL surprises me after 80 hours of content:

1) I was doing a standard Escort mission to The Greatwall. It was nighttime but fuck it - I know the road to The Wall like the back of my mind. So I am climbing up near the Female Thieves Hideout, total blackness around me, Pawns are fighting some Wolves. But I notice some kind of enemy that is different because his healthbar barely moves after my attacks. DAMN! It was some kind of Undead! I have never faced them before (in 80 hours). It seems it was a Fell Lord(?) because he dropped a Fell Lord's Skull.

lol, i remember getting jumped by one in my first chimera fight. i think i've fought them all for 30 min and lost at the end at 5%.

 

[Jimnymebob]

lol, i remember getting jumped by one in my first chimera fight. i think i've fought them all for 30 min and lost at the end at 5%.

I fought the Skeleton Lord on the path to the female bandits castle twice. First time it wrecked me, second time I think I managed to beat it. I'll have to have a look but I'm 99% sure I managed to kill it.

Spoiler

The Chimera got me though...

 

[Triggerhappytel]

Found the first shortcut on Bitterblack last night. I was so damn grateful as I needed to get back topside but didn't want to forfeit the progress I'd made! Found a few Bitterblack Weapons Level 2, but not really got anything useful so far. I did get an Elite Lantern which was pretty awesome though.

 

[Tiops]

I'm level 78 now, I'm defeating the offline Ur Dragon pretty easily with my Assassin without pawns. Am I ready for BBI?

 

[Triggerhappytel]

I'm level 78 now, I'm defeating the offline Ur Dragon pretty easily with my Assassin without pawns. Am I ready for BBI?

Definitely. I moved to Bitterblack around level 64, and it's provided a solid challenge without being too tough. The boss enemies there are probably about 50% harder than anything in Gransys proper, except perhaps the Ur-Dragon and that one room in the Everfall which is sometimes really challenging if you get an unfortunate spawn.

Out of interest, how did you get the final two hearts on the Ur-Dragon's wings? Was there a special ability you used or something? I fought the bastard for ages, but didn't have any spells or abilities to damage its final two weak points, so I left the Ur-Dragon and went to Bitterblack instead. I'm currently an Assassin and working on unlocking all the abilities.

 

[Tiops]

Definitely. I moved to Bitterblack around level 64, and it's provided a solid challenge without being too tough. The boss enemies there are probably about 50% harder than anything in Gransys proper, except perhaps the Ur-Dragon and that one room in the Everfall which is sometimes really challenging if you get an unfortunate spawn.

Out of interest, how did you get the final two hearts on the Ur-Dragon's wings? Was there a special ability you used or something? I fought the bastard for ages, but didn't have any spells or abilities to damage its final two weak points, so I left the Ur-Dragon and went to Bitterblack instead. I'm currently an Assassin and working on unlocking all the abilities.

I'll give it a try today then, thanks!

I use a bow to destroy those hearts. Use some strength buffing items and just shoot them with Fivefold Flurry.

 

[Jimnymebob]

Just took out the Metal Golem in the Witchwood.

It one shot me the first time, which was brutal, but the second time I took it out after spending over 5 minutes waiting for my Ranger pawn to shoot down that amulet on the tree branch up in the air.

 

[Triggerhappytel]

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.

 

[Dual Blade]

I am level 37, only played as Fighter then Assassin, and I just finished the Watergod Alter quest.

Feeling kinda overleveled lol.

I enjoy wandering around and trying to complete everything in my first playthrough, but am I wasting time or should I power through the main quest?

 

[Jon Armdog]

I am level 37, only played as Fighter then Assassin, and I just finished the Watergod Alter quest.

Feeling kinda overleveled lol.

I enjoy wandering around and trying to complete everything in my first playthrough, but am I wasting time or should I power through the main quest?

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:

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.

 

[Jimnymebob]

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:

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.

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

Spoiler

post game?

 

[StoppedInTracks]

I am level 37, only played as Fighter then Assassin, and I just finished the Watergod Alter quest.

Feeling kinda overleveled lol.

I enjoy wandering around and trying to complete everything in my first playthrough, but am I wasting time or should I power through the main quest?

Go fight the Drake near the Shadowfort and report back.