Dragon's Dogma: Dark Arisen Catch-All

It really is a good coincidence that I need a fighter-type pawn, and you a mage. Hope we can roll at the same pace for a while! But at a certain point I'll make Bertie a sorcerer (he's already tuned to be pretty aggressive) so maybe that won't be as good a fit.
I'll also get him some new clothes, he probably won't look as menacing (and gross) when he doesn't wear see-through rags...

Blind_Evil wrote:

Yeah, I've started the weird rooms.

Spoiler:

Killed the Evil Eye and two black chimeras, lost two of my pawns during the third. Up to 9 Wakestones now. Do you ever get weapons better than the stuff bestowed on whatever class you are when you enter the maw? I think Mystic Knight is my preferred class but I'm stuck with this Ranger gear that is too good to switch up, really. Meh! I suppose I could make my pawn a ranger and give it to her, maybe.

Late game rewards:

Spoiler:

Yes. The reward gear is better than anything sold above ground, but not as good as stuff sold in the Everfall. Also, in case you were wondering about dragon forging (the hidden fourth level of upgrade), while the easiest way to dragon forge gear is beating the dragon itself (which automatically upgrades everything you have equipped), you can upgrade stuff by beating drakes and wryms and wyvryns too. It's a small random chance for any piece of gear you have equipped, made more likely by having it fully upgraded.

Spoiler:

Also, what vendors do you mean? I saw one in the maw, but he just had weird stuff and a set of gold bracers.

Late game vendors:

Spoiler:

Aside from the guy wandering around the entrance to the Everfall, there are two other vendors to be found who have the best gear I've seen in the game. Between the two of them, they sell weapons for every class, and maybe armor too -- I can't quite recall there, since I was mostly thinking in terms of weapons. These weapons do have a very low chance of dropping in the good chests in the Everfall chambers, but it's pretty rare -- I think I found two in hours of farming.

If I recall correctly, you are looking for the chambers of Remorse and Estrangement.

So I know I'm a horrible story-teller at times, but I feel like these sorts of experiences are a major reason to play the game. Plus, it's water-cooler talk.

So I'm leaving Soulflayer Cave's western exit/entrance after completing a parcel retrieval mission there. It's a pretty typical journey down the cliff at first, a Chimera jumped out of the fog from nowhere but no big deal. Made short work of him and dinged 38. Then I find a fortress filled with lady bandits that are nice and peaceful at first because my Arisen is a feminine, and then my pawn, Gadwin, shows up with Etienne and Risto and they shout about men not being allowed. So, I was forced to murder their entire crew in self-defense.

But that's not the interesting stuff. It was passing through that fort and down the narrow cliff that things started getting crazy. Began as a typical ambush, downpour volleying a bunch of bandits standing vigilant and triggering a melee. In the middle of it, however, the shape of a lumbering cyclops suddenly approaches, joining the fray. After some time I suddenly notice Etienne's icon on my radar is a flashing skull. I head that direction and....discover that he fell off the cliff. I panic for a moment, and in that time Gadwin drops to his knees. So I try and revive him and muster everyone to follow me down the path, hurrying to rescue Etienne, but Gadwin drops to his knees once more. I skillfully dodge the blows of the Cyclops, and as I'm reviving Gadwin the damned thing drops off the cliff itself. I kill one of the surviving bandits before running down the cliff side, finally deciding to leap off the edge as a shortcut.

I nearly died, but after a nice drink of Harspud I resume dashing through the trees. So close! I can hear Etienne crying out that he's nearly done for, and then WHAM! f*cking Chimera leaps through the trees out of nowhere! I manage to avoid it, making my way to Etienne whose bar is almost depleted. I'm almost about to fatigue when I finally reach him, bringing him back just in time to help me take on the Chimera.

As I said, I suck at story-telling, but holy CRAP was that an epic experience.

Now then, as for that parcel retrieval quest in Soulflayer Canyon, a quest I got after meeting with the Duke but not from the Duke...

Spoiler:

So I returned to the Castle to give the letter to Fedel, and suddenly a guard comes at me trying to convince me Fedel is up to no good. He instead says I should give it to him so he can give it to...Dhai...Dhi...Diego. Let's just call him Diego for now.

I know I'm giving this game too much credit, but while meeting with Fedel in cover of darkness was rather suspicious, what is even more suspicious is some guard coming to say "Don't do it! Give ME the letter instead!" as a representative of a man not willing to do such a thing himself. So I gave Fedel the letter.

Not expecting anyone to tell me whether I did right or wrong, but just making note to see how things might differ from anyone that chose differently.

Has anyone gotten the The Ever-Turning Wheel achievement yet? I have been looking everywhere but I can't figure out if I have to complete the game on new game+ or if I can just complete it twice on the same profile with different characters. Because honestly I am really bored with NG+.

I never see your pawns, largely because the lot of you aren't in my friends list. We should remedy that.

PS: Redwing, what's your XBL handle?

TheHipGamer wrote:

I never see your pawns, largely because the lot of you aren't in my friends list. We should remedy that.

PS: Redwing, what's your XBL handle?

I'm on PSN, sorry! My handle is Yndigo on PSN for what it's worth.

Edit: Having said that, while I don't own a 360, I do have a Live account for the few PC games that use it, named Rothving on that.

TheHipGamer wrote:

I never see your pawns, largely because the lot of you aren't in my friends list. We should remedy that.

My XBL tag is ianunderhill. I'll add you next time I log in.

You can add me. its IUMogg. I'm still early on so my pawn is a low level (maybe 10?), but I'll use your pawns. I haven't had much time to play this week since I've picked it up, but I hope to dig in this weekend.

I've got a lvl 40 something Strider you guys can use. PSN Gimpy_Butzke.

Gimpy_Butzke wrote:

I've got a lvl 40 something Strider you guys can use. PSN Gimpy_Butzke.

Added. Once I'm done hunting Griffon I'll see about adding you. I didn't realize Etienne and Risto had gotten behind in levels and need to be caught up. I'll probably be swapping out Etienne.

By the way, trying Magick Archer out, and I didn't realize just how under-powered I'd feel going from Max Vocations in Strider to just starting a new class. I really wish you could mix and match powers, as at the moment my bow abilities as an archer went from kick-ass to suck. I'll give it some time, but if they don't improve I'm going to ditch it for possibly Ranger. Or just stick with Strider. Downpour Volley and Five-burst arrow are just...SO USEFUL.

ccesarano wrote:
Gimpy_Butzke wrote:

I've got a lvl 40 something Strider you guys can use. PSN Gimpy_Butzke.

Added. Once I'm done hunting Griffon I'll see about adding you. I didn't realize Etienne and Risto had gotten behind in levels and need to be caught up. I'll probably be swapping out Etienne.

Ack! I'll work on playing this weekend I promise! It's been a busy week! Honest... I ran out of gas. I... I had a flat tire. I didn't have enough money for cab fare. My tux didn't come back from the cleaners. An old friend came in from out of town. Someone stole my car. There was an earthquake. A terrible flood. Locusts! IT WASN'T MY FAULT, I SWEAR TO GOD!

Zembonez wrote:

Has anyone gotten the The Ever-Turning Wheel achievement yet? I have been looking everywhere but I can't figure out if I have to complete the game on new game+ or if I can just complete it twice on the same profile with different characters. Because honestly I am really bored with NG+.

I'd really like to know this too, I'm perfectly happy starting a new game but ng+ doesn't have the same appeal to me.

Looking for the Grimoire, Level 16 strider. Ran into and defeated an Ogre (10 minute battle). 2 mins of journeying later, ran into a Chimera. This guys is much tougher than the Ogre and not sure how to approach, have been wiped out multiple times ( have all 3 pawns, one Fighter, a Mage and another Strider).

Any tips for these beasts!?

MadGav wrote:

Looking for the Grimoire, Level 16 strider. Ran into and defeated an Ogre (10 minute battle). 2 mins of journeying later, ran into a Chimera. This guys is much tougher than the Ogre and not sure how to approach, have been wiped out multiple times ( have all 3 pawns, one Fighter, a Mage and another Strider).

Any tips for these beasts!?

Well, the snake and the goat bits are easier than the lion. What's even easier, though, is refreshing your pawns with ones who might already know how to fight it.

Really, try it. Choose wisely and you may be blown away by how quickly it falls.

Aristophan wrote:
ccesarano wrote:
Gimpy_Butzke wrote:

I've got a lvl 40 something Strider you guys can use. PSN Gimpy_Butzke.

Added. Once I'm done hunting Griffon I'll see about adding you. I didn't realize Etienne and Risto had gotten behind in levels and need to be caught up. I'll probably be swapping out Etienne.

Ack! I'll work on playing this weekend I promise! It's been a busy week! Honest... I ran out of gas. I... I had a flat tire. I didn't have enough money for cab fare. My tux didn't come back from the cleaners. An old friend came in from out of town. Someone stole my car. There was an earthquake. A terrible flood. Locusts! IT WASN'T MY FAULT, I SWEAR TO GOD!

I must confess, there is a strange sort of "I gotta play more so my pawn is higher level for people to use!" thing going, but I'd say don't feel no pressure to do so.

MadGav wrote:

Looking for the Grimoire, Level 16 strider. Ran into and defeated an Ogre (10 minute battle). 2 mins of journeying later, ran into a Chimera. This guys is much tougher than the Ogre and not sure how to approach, have been wiped out multiple times ( have all 3 pawns, one Fighter, a Mage and another Strider).

Any tips for these beasts!?

Depending on where you fight it, the Ogre is certainly easier than the Chimera (unless you're fighting the one in Everfall). Cyclops are, too. Myself, I used Downpour Volley to start quite often, drenching it with oil arrows or poison arrows (the latter never being effective), then I'd hop onto the monster and strike directly at the snake first or the goat head. I think the goat head might be a bigger threat as it does the magics.

MadGav wrote:

Looking for the Grimoire, Level 16 strider. Ran into and defeated an Ogre (10 minute battle). 2 mins of journeying later, ran into a Chimera. This guys is much tougher than the Ogre and not sure how to approach, have been wiped out multiple times ( have all 3 pawns, one Fighter, a Mage and another Strider).

Any tips for these beasts!?

Best way I've ever found over all to kill Chimera's...or any big monster. Is to use a sword as an assassin. Powder Charge and Gouge are fantastic. I don't have any advise otherwise seeing as I played though most of the game as assassin.

So I got to the capital last night and that's where I stopped. I have a few questions:

1. Is this where the game starts to open up? So far it's been a few vague side quests and a bit linear. I'm assuming I'm still in the intro section.

2. Do the quests and navigation get clearer or do you just learn the game's quirks? I feel things haven't been clear. Especially when I got to the capital. I just ran around the city for 15 mins, unsure where to go or what to do.

3. Do i need to keep all the crap i pick up? I have a bag full of nuts and fish and plants. If I store them, can I not access them unless I'm at an inn? Should I sell most of them?

4. I'm i too early to modify weapons and armor? Do I just combine materials with gear? Is it explained what can be upgraded?

thanks all

It becomes clear easily enough. You have Notice Board quests you pick up without any interaction that are like 'Escort X to Y!' that act as sidequests, and anything with the Duke advances the main game story forward. There will be a couple of other side missions for merchants etc. along the way, but by then you'll be more confident about where everything is coming from.

And I always upgraded my weapons and armour whenever I felt like it (concentrating mostly on my pawn, they're the one on show after all) and I never struggled for money. By that same logic, just keep everything stored at the inn. It might come in useful for some crafting later, and you won't be short of moneyregardless.

FWIW I was considering coming here to post about how I think the game only really opens up in the POST-game, but my spoiler tags don't work yet so I can't go in to that for now!

Crhis wrote:

FWIW I was considering coming here to post about how I think the game only really opens up in the POST-game, but my spoiler tags don't work yet so I can't go in to that for now!

I've been trying to figure out how to say something to that effect without sounding like a dick, to no avail. Worrying about anything before that point is really silly in retrospect. Silly isn't really the best word, superfluous might be more apt. If anyone has MMO experience, I compare it to worrying about optimizing your gear at level 15 when you know none of it will matter at the max level.

I'm particularly befuddled by the interest in pawns as showpieces. If your pawn isn't up to snuff when someone downloads them, shame on them for not looking at the details first. She is utility to me first and foremost, if anyone else wants to use her that's totally insignificant to me. She does get a lot of work though, I have 120k RC. Which is why I just buy 5-level higher pawns every 10 levels.

You can only access the stored items at an inn, yes. I'd sell things like nuts and berries myself and deposit most other items into the box. Oddly enough, a lot of my character's weight is coming from all the curatives she has just in case of emergency. I've tried whittling it down and passing some off to my pawn, but it's a bit rough. The armor doesn't quite help either.

I just swapped jobs with my pawn and I have to say I don't really like being a Strider very much.

Most of my frustration is because my pawn doesn't attack enemies as much anymore. As a Strider he would run around jumping all over most enemies, now he just stands there doing nothing and occasionally hitting the giant foes I'm holding onto. I also just recently had a chair conversation where I told him to attack more, but apparently pawns don't do what they are told.

I tried fighting a dragon in post game as a Strider and it just sucked. About 10 minutes into the fight and I had only taken one or two health bars from it. If I were still a Fighter I might have taken it out by that time.

I think one of the nuts restores stamina, if so I recommend not selling them.

Anyone messed around with the Ur-dragon yet? I tried...

Edit: Holy crap! I got super lucky and spawned in when it was super close to dead and got the kill.

zeroKFE: Am I still okay if I turn in the wakestone quest or should I hold off on that til I'm ready?

I think the best foes to tackle as a Strider are ones with obvious weak spots, such as the Cyclops and his eye or the Golem and his glowy bits. Just launch the five-fold arrow (or whichever is like a machine gun burst of arrows) and BAM! Major damage.

I got some new abilities for the Magick Archer. Seeker Arrow is nice, but it does so little damage as to basically just aggro everything around you. The six-missile one is nice, as it launches six arrows at a homed in target, which should make it easier to bust a Cyclops in the eye.

So far I'm enjoying the dagger-abilities for the Magick Archer more than the arrow abilities, truth told.

Thanks for the responses. I was asking about being able mod weapons with ore or whatever. Is that something you can do right away or only certain things? And can u do it just like combining items or is anything else involved?

The blacksmith in Gran Soren upgrades weapons (you need specific items and a fee, the items can be in storage or on you), you can combine items at the inn, under the item management option.

zeroKFE: Am I still okay if I turn in the wakestone quest or should I hold off on that til I'm ready?
Spoiler:

Hold off. Once you turn it in you will very soon be locked out of the post game with no choice but to carry on to the ending (with starting a new game plus as your only option to continue playing).

Bit the bullet and finished it. Really liked the ending, thematically.

Gonna put it to bed for a while, rather than NG+. I think as of now it's either my favorite or second favorite game so far this year, vying with Syndicate for the top spot and definitely ahead of Kingdoms of Amalur: Reckoning.

Blind_Evil wrote:

Bit the bullet and finished it. Really liked the ending, thematically.

Gonna put it to bed for a while, rather than NG+. I think as of now it's either my favorite or second favorite game so far this year, vying with Syndicate for the top spot and definitely ahead of Kingdoms of Amalur: Reckoning.

I'm honestly looking at my Kingdoms of Amalur game and wondering "Why would I need to play that again?" Which partly makes me feel like a jerk, but everything Amalur was doing that I liked, I like it a lot more in Dragon's Dogma.

I don't know if I'll go back to Amalur or not, though part of me feels like I should give it a chance for those that lost their job. Then again, buying the game was that chance.

Ha Thats kind of funny. I was debating weather or not to get Amalur over Dragon's Dogma. Looks like I made the right choice. (not saying that I think Amulur would be a bad game mind you)

ccesarano wrote:

I think the best foes to tackle as a Strider are ones with obvious weak spots, such as the Cyclops and his eye or the Golem and his glowy bits. Just launch the five-fold arrow (or whichever is like a machine gun burst of arrows) and BAM! Major damage.

I got some new abilities for the Magick Archer. Seeker Arrow is nice, but it does so little damage as to basically just aggro everything around you. The six-missile one is nice, as it launches six arrows at a homed in target, which should make it easier to bust a Cyclops in the eye.

So far I'm enjoying the dagger-abilities for the Magick Archer more than the arrow abilities, truth told.

I agree, but what I really like about Magick Archer is the jack of all trades you get with him. You get to shoot some arrows, do a little magic and of course the super handy, dandy dagger attacks. I also found that the skill where you create a little area of swirling darkness which holds enemies is super helpful when you run into a large group of bandits.

The seeker arrows also knocks enemies down (usually in the second volley). I use to help out my pawns when they are being mobbed.