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

Man that 2 Firedrakes fight... hard even if you have very good (1000+) defenses.

Sometimes they ganged on me exactly like Maneaters in Demon's Souls. I couldn't do shit and was just bounced around. Before killing the first Drake I used 7 Wakestones :/

Then I remembered that Assassins can equip Shields. And so it happens that I had one on me :) #gamechanger. I could block his swipes, tails, smashes etc. The only thing that damaged me (600 points of damage) was the grab & smash move. Still, no Wakestones used for the 2nd Drake, yay.

Also killed all Elder Ogres yesterday. It is insane how powerful a Gold Rarified Cursed Bite is. I am just standing next to them and smashing the [ ] button killing them very quickly.

LVL 142 BTW.
 

Mxrz

Member
Wanted to finish all the quests and things for the Standard Game before moving onto Dark Arisen content, but its been a chore. Still got crap like War bugles, Seeker tokens, Kept Sour ambrosial meat, Crows, etc. to go. Blargh. Its never going to end. I can only manage a few hours a week.

Level 55 or so and Dire wolves are the most dangerous enemy in the game. I can generally plink my way through whatever dragon I run into, but wolf packs just ruin everything.
 

Morrigan Stark

Arrogant Smirk
Wanted to finish all the quests and things for the Standard Game before moving onto Dark Arisen content, but its been a chore. Still got crap like War bugles, Seeker tokens, Kept Sour ambrosial meat, Crows, etc. to go. Blargh. Its never going to end. I can only manage a few hours a week.
Forget about those quests, it's filler BS.

Level 55 or so and Dire wolves are the most dangerous enemy in the game. I can generally plink my way through whatever dragon I run into, but wolf packs just ruin everything.
Fire works well!
 
Wanted to finish all the quests and things for the Standard Game before moving onto Dark Arisen content, but its been a chore. Still got crap like War bugles, Seeker tokens, Kept Sour ambrosial meat, Crows, etc. to go. Blargh. Its never going to end. I can only manage a few hours a week.

On the whole I'd say don't even bother unless you're going for the trophy of 50 Notice Board quests. The experience on most isn't really worth it and I recall a lot of them being tedious escort quests/collect-athons.
 
Someone mentioned before that Daimon 2.0 is very unfair to melee classes. Bullcrap.

I killed him for the 2nd time today as an Assassin (sword+bow) in 20 minutes and here are some tips:

1) get rid of your Pawns immediately. They are worthless in this fight and they can throw you out of your rhytm by deconcentrating you when runnig around.
2) stay near Daimon's feet and whack him there.
3) do not grab his feet for Dire Gouge etc. I never did scale him, not even once.
4) always, ALWAYS run in circles around him when dodging his attacks. ALWAYS have him in the center of the screen as well.
5) his every attack can be dodged:
- lightning bolts: immediately run in very small circles around his feet. When you hear the 3rd bolt you can attack the feet again - the 4th one should always miss you.
- fire rings: immediately run in medium circles around his feet.
- Bolide: whack him at the feet all the time when he is casting the spell. When the meteors are about to hit the ground will shake a bit - this can throw you off balance for 2 seconds - IMMEDIATELY press the left stick and run the fuck away in BIG circles around him. After the 2nd meteor hits you can run back to him and start whacking him again because the 3rd meteor will always miss you.
- Seism: this is the only attack that could hit you in this battle. It is tricky to avoid because of low framerate and lots of stuff on screen obscuring the view. When you see medium sized red rings popping up around run the fuck away (IN CIRCLES!!!) trying to squeeze in between them. It is doable just don't get stuck on the rubble or the throne.
- Immolation: the only attack where you should not run in circles to avoid it :) press the left stick immediately and run away for about 3/4 of screen distance then immediately turn back and run to him. The attack will trigger when you are turning around. You will get the timing right very soon.
- Dragon Swipes: they cannot hit you at all because you are always close to his feet, correct? You don't even have to run around him to hit him in the back - just stay under his feet.
- Blue Magic Roar: get behind him and whack away.
- that Blue Magic Sink that sucks your Pawns in: run the fuck away in a straight line. Stop. Then Lycaean Sight or Pentad Shot to the head. Easy.

You don't have to scale him. You don't have to have Pawns. This battle is very easy when you know what you are doing and are constantly on your feet as a melee character. You can beat him w/o taking any damage - this time he only killed me twice vs ~12 times a few days ago.

I know there are cheaper ways to beat him but I always like to face bosses in RPGs in pure melee fights.

Daimon 2.0 battle reminds me of False King Allant this way. When you know what you are doing and not make any stupid mistakes he cannot hit you.

Daimon 1.0 on the other hand...
 
Hey so despite money being tight, I recently acquired a ton of money on XBL thanks to Gamestop. I've had my eye on this game for quite a while but was curious if it's worth on xbox? Not sure on the differences between ps3 and xbox, but I've heard the ps3 version is the way to go.

Halp.
 
i think they're the same. they both have different technical issues. one has screen tearing and another has frame drops, so i guess just google which issue bothers you less.
 

BouncyFrag

Member
I'm about to get back into this for the new content and was looking for some mage or hybrid mage builds to try out since there are a lot of options. I already went through the original as a ranger with my pawn functioning primarily as a healer. So any magic class recommendations to point me towards bad-ass looking powers/spells/gameplay would be appreciated. I've heard that Dark Arisen has a bit of a difficulty spike and any general tips to help alleviate this would also be appreciated.

Also, is the size of my character important? I'm thinking about being a little guy this time for fun.
 

ZenaxPure

Member
I know there are cheaper ways to beat him but I always like to face bosses in RPGs in pure melee fights.

I'm not sure using the mechanics of the game to beat him is "cheap". The best way to tackle him as a melee class (outside of the pure red classes) is to simply jump on him, climb to either of his heads and spam the crap out of gouge or hundred kisses (depending on your class/weapon). Whole thing is over in less than a minute, even without using periapts.

I mean climbing large enemies is a core mechanic of the melee combat... That's why they give you a skill that can be used while climbing and all.

If anything I'd say the yellow classes can kill him faster than any of the others.
 
I tried fighting Daimon some months back with the Warrior class and I remember him wiping the floor with me. Melee is certainly possible mind you, but I'd never recommend fighting him with the Warrior class as that's just a lesson in tedium. I maintain that nobody in the game is harder than the Living Armor IMO and that includes Daimon and Death. Fighting one usually pisses me off if I'm" not a Magic based class but groups of them is hell on Earth no matter what class I am.

In other news, still grinding down quests and going to DDWikia I found out that I don't even have to re-do quests for the trophy only the ones I missed on my original run (hella convenient) I'm" going to do everything anyway because I love the game (i.e. I stashed a shit load of materials) but still that's awesome in case I get impatient lol. Also for the first time I've started using Immolation and @LVL200 with CP+DPs I'm" in love with that skill now lol, though I did fall from a Griffon in the sky using it...
 
I'm about to get back into this for the new content and was looking for some mage or hybrid mage builds to try out since there are a lot of options. I already went through the original as a ranger with my pawn functioning primarily as a healer. So any magic class recommendations to point me towards bad-ass looking powers/spells/gameplay would be appreciated. I've heard that Dark Arisen has a bit of a difficulty spike and any general tips to help alleviate this would also be appreciated.

Also, is the size of my character important? I'm thinking about being a little guy this time for fun.

If you wanna go pure magic have you and your main pawn go Mage-Sorcerer. Sorcerers can dual cast spells that they both have, so share the big spells like maelstrom, bolide and glicel, then have 3 different spells. Maybe both have the fireball or firewall as well.

I used this tactic with my main pawn and a random pawn. It'll be more effective if you have full control of both Sorcerers abilities and augments.
 
@Triggerhappytel, you promised to write a longer piece about this game when you finish it. I am still waiting!

Myself, I have put DD: DA back into the shelf because there is nothing else for me to do except farming Daimon 2.0 for that 13-piece BBI set. Fantastic game - my 2nd best RPG of previous gen.

I have moved on to Final Fantasy 13-3 and woah is that game *hard* because of time management and the lack of levelling. Also it has the most complex yet powerful ability/ item/ magic system since FF8. Currently trying to kill Noel in Luxerion and he is kicking my ass.
 
Someone told me recently that they found the combat in the Witcher 2 to be far superior to the combat in Dragons Dogma. I haven't played the Witcher 2 but was so impressed with the combat in Dragon's Dogma that I find it very hard to believe. Would anyone else who has played both games care to comment?
 
Someone told me recently that they found the combat in the Witcher 2 to be far superior to the combat in Dragons Dogma. I haven't played the Witcher 2 but was so impressed with the combat in Dragon's Dogma that I find it very hard to believe. Would anyone else who has played both games care to comment?

I don't think it was. It's very fluid but it's a more typical combat system. You can't climb on shit so to me the difference stops right here. Witcher2 had a much more interesting story/characters and stuff though.
 
Someone told me recently that they found the combat in the Witcher 2 to be far superior to the combat in Dragons Dogma. I haven't played the Witcher 2 but was so impressed with the combat in Dragon's Dogma that I find it very hard to believe. Would anyone else who has played both games care to comment?

Not even close.
 

Jon Armdog

Member
Someone told me recently that they found the combat in the Witcher 2 to be far superior to the combat in Dragons Dogma. I haven't played the Witcher 2 but was so impressed with the combat in Dragon's Dogma that I find it very hard to believe. Would anyone else who has played both games care to comment?

Yeah, I've played both too. Dragons Dogma's combat is significantly better. In my opinion, its not even close.
 

Jon Armdog

Member
So, I can't create new threads, but I came across some possible Dragon's Dogma news. It popped up in Google Now on my phone:

http://www.kdramastars.com/articles/34801/20140827/dragons-dogma-2-ps4.htm

I've never heard of kdramastars.com, so maybe they just pulled stuff out of their asses. But, the article claims that a user at "PSN Profiles" has confirmed the sequel and that it may be a PS4 exclusive. The title of the article seems to indicate it may be announced with a teaser at the Tokyo Game Show 2014.

It may be just total speculation and clickbait, but I was definitely glad to hear SOMETHING about Dragon's Dogma.
 
That would be literally the best possible announcement. I can't get myself hyped though, the disappointment would end me. Going to put this as a rumor. Also, I doubt it'd be a PS4 exclusive.
 

Deimo5

Member
So I looked up the thread that omegarevan guy replied in, and that article seems to be based on practically nothing.

I read online that Dragon's Dogma 2 is confirmed to be in the works. Apparently this is old news, but I'm only now seeing it. Is this a good or a bad idea? What did you think of Dragon's Dogma and how could it be improved?

Part of the original post on May 17th in that thread. Just some guy who 'read online' that a sequel is confirmed.
 
Yeah you got to be careful with gaming news, people like to talk out of their asses to stir people up.
___________________________

In other news, on post-game wrecking shit with my assassin midget, with Sinew + Gale Harness dude runs across the entire map in like 20 seconds and watching Dragons trying to swat him off is hilarious. This game makes midgets badass.
 

sublimit

Banned
I just started a new game for my new (almost one year old) PS+ account. It's such a shame that Capcom doesn't allow me to use my old save from my previous PSN account (coincidentally DD was the only game i had a save file backed up on a flash drive before my phat PS3 broke and lost all of my other save files) but it also gives me an opportunity to start completely fresh.My only regret is that i'll not be able to take advantage of the Eternal Ferrystone but in the end who cares.The pure experience of this game was designed without an Eternal Ferrystone in mind anyway.

I've platinumed the game before (and continued playing the game long after that) and it's by far the game from last gen i've beaten the most (i think 4 times.)However i never started a New Game before, i was always loading my previous save file.
I'm now at the prologue area and it all comes back to me.Seriously what an incredible game this was.I really can't get enough of its deep and fluid combat system and the pawn concept was one of the best multiplayer ideas from last gen.

It's been one year and a half since i last played this gem and i really can't wait to get immersed into it once again.And if next week Capcom finally announces Dragon's Dogma 2 in Famitsu i think i'll forgive all the crimes they did last gen.Dragon's Dogma 2 is easily one of my most awaited game sequels ever.
 

garath

Member
Just picked this up on the latest PSN sale for $7. Loaded it up this morning and got through the intro. I'm already feeling it. This is going to be a great game. It's the first game to grace my PS3 in ages lol.

Hopefully I can find the time to dedicate to it.
 
Just picked this up on the latest PSN sale for $7. Loaded it up this morning and got through the intro. I'm already feeling it. This is going to be a great game. It's the first game to grace my PS3 in ages lol.

Hopefully I can find the time to dedicate to it.

Prepare yourself for one of the greatest adventures of last gen.
 
Just picked this up on the latest PSN sale for $7. Loaded it up this morning and got through the intro. I'm already feeling it. This is going to be a great game. It's the first game to grace my PS3 in ages lol.

Hopefully I can find the time to dedicate to it.

It has some flaws but i enjoyed it a lot. Exploration feels so good in this game. Even though its not as large as skyrim nor had great graphics, but the game world was designed very well. Dungeons, castles, forests, roads, camps, ruins.. everything feels like a real fantasy world.

Enjoy the game :)
 

garath

Member
Looked around and didn't get a good answer. Hard or normal? I hear Hard is a little toned down on DA?

I don't mind challenging, but I don't want frustrating. Like, getting one shot and the respawn is 30 minutes rollback lol.
 
Looked around and didn't get a good answer. Hard or normal? I hear Hard is a little toned down on DA?

I don't mind challenging, but I don't want frustrating. Like, getting one shot and the respawn is 30 minutes rollback lol.

Normal. Don't worry there's plenty of challenge in Normal. You will get wrecked in BBI.

Hard is for NG+ when you have all the best equipment. Start NG at hard and you will get one shotted by bandits lol
 

garath

Member
Normal. Don't worry there's plenty of challenge in Normal. You will get wrecked in BBI.

Hard is for NG+ when you have all the best equipment. Start NG at hard and you will get one shotted by bandits lol

Awesome. Thanks for the answer. Can't wait to dig back in. Going to go Assassin I think. I always enjoy the melee glass cannon.
 

ZenaxPure

Member
Enemy patterns or their HP doesn't change, so it doesn't really make it any more challenging. Also you get more money and xp in hard mode, which might make it even easier.

Yep, hard mode in DD is pretty disappointing imo, I don't like it when higher difficulties just increase the numbers. I actually think it takes away from the strategy of the combat since knockdown is really important to a lot of classes. In BBI on hard mode it is basically impossible to knock down some enemies. Pretty lame.
 

Morrigan Stark

Arrogant Smirk
Looked around and didn't get a good answer. Hard or normal? I hear Hard is a little toned down on DA?

I don't mind challenging, but I don't want frustrating. Like, getting one shot and the respawn is 30 minutes rollback lol.
I wouldn't recommend Hard, having played both. Hard is more annoying than challenging, to be honest.
 

cj_iwakura

Member
Just started this from PS+. I like the atmosphere and basics of combat, apart from the WRPG trappings of questing and stuff. I vastly prefer the Souls approach.

Also, is there seriously no roll? Horrifying.


I went Mage(always do), hopefully I won't regret it.
 
Just started this from PS+. I like the atmosphere and basics of combat, apart from the WRPG trappings of questing and stuff. I vastly prefer the Souls approach.

Also, is there seriously no roll? Horrifying.


I went Mage(always do), hopefully I won't regret it.

Roll is not used as a basic mean of evading . But roll exist , you just need to run & jump
But don't worry there are plenty of mean to evade an attack in this game
 

Morrigan Stark

Arrogant Smirk
Just started this from PS+. I like the atmosphere and basics of combat, apart from the WRPG trappings of questing and stuff. I vastly prefer the Souls approach.

Also, is there seriously no roll? Horrifying.
Yeah, I prefer Souls too, but stick with it, it's really fun. And yes there is a roll (r1 + X IIRC), but it's for the yellow vocations only, unfortunately. It's a core skill you unlock for Daggers & Bows, the actual buttons should be written under the skill description.

Mages don't have the roll which does suck, but they can levitate, which is pretty cool, and the spells get really fun especially as a sorcerer.
 

cj_iwakura

Member
I'm seeing the appeal of this game, but I think it's more the overall experience than strictly the gameplay. I love my main pawn's personality already.

Is the Witchwood accessible from the first outdoor area? The only door there seems way out of reach.
 

squadr0n

Member
Super LTTP on this one. I was looking for an open world RPG that I haven't played yet to hold me over till I get swomped with all the new releases this holiday and realized I completely missed this game. All I've heard is great things and can't wait to dive in.

Before I get started is there anything I need to know? Any advantages to starting one way or the other? Also what are some of the really good weapons I should look for first? And how about the DLC, any of that worth purchasing?

I'll be updating with impressions as I go along. Really wish there was an actual online mode to this game.
 
Super LTTP on this one. I was looking for an open world RPG that I haven't played yet to hold me over till I get swomped with all the new releases this holiday and realized I completely missed this game. All I've heard is great things and can't wait to dive in.

Before I get started is there anything I need to know? Any advantages to starting one way or the other? Also what are some of the really good weapons I should look for first? And how about the DLC, any of that worth purchasing?

I'll be updating with impressions as I go along. Really wish there was an actual online mode to this game.
The main piece of advice I'd give you is to backtrack a bit after each quest you complete. In the early stages (especially, but not exclusively) the quests seem to be pushing you away from the place you started at, but if you don't head back there regularly you can miss out on some excellent quests.

Also, at one point you'll have the option of returning an item, or pocketing it and pretending you never found it. It's totally up to you, but I'd advise you pocket it. Once you make a choice there there's no going back.

One final thing: to upgrade shop vendors you can give them idols of various makes. Be warned: whatever one you give them is FINAL, you can't offer them a better one later. So do plenty of research before giving any vendor an idol, or you'll end up unable to buy some good stuff. This is less of a problem now that Dark Arisen is out, but was a major pain in the vanilla game prior to that and still worth avoiding if possible.
 
Question for anybody with the digital version on PS3.

I've been noticing some weird stuttering/audio skips during battles, more than I remembered my old disc version of DD having in the past. Google is telling me this is fairly commonplace, apparently. Also lots of replies about doing the Restore File System feature via the PS3 safe-boot.

Any anecdotes/success stories from fellow members here?


Just an update for posterity's sake, using option 3 in the PS3's safe boot menu (Rebuild Database) seems to have improved general performance, if only somewhat. Of course there are the usual stutters in the overworld - to be expected - but I've noticed NPCs in Gran Soren popping in a little sooner, as well as noticeably less stuttering during battle.

Of course, your mileage may vary depending on PS3 model and hard drive type, but I hope this helps future inquires.
 

Benhur

Member
I'm thinking about getting this for 360 but I don't have a Gold membership. Will I miss out on the pawn sharing aspect? I think that used to be the case but I'm not sure now since I believe Microsoft made changes to 360 gold accounts (such as being able to use Netflix w/o gold). Thanks!

EDIT: After some minimal research it looks like I do NOT need a Gold account for this to happen, so looks like I'm good!
 
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