Capcom Dragon's Dogma: Dark Arisen

[Dhaze]

Yup, just toss'em.

 

[Anonona]

First time playing this game. Can you play without pawns? I find them really fucking annoying.

Not only you can, there is an augments that allows you to become stronger when going alone (https://dragonsdogma.fandom.com/wiki/Autonomy). Just toss your pawn off a cliff and level Assassin till you get it.

 

[Seari]

Are there any story elements tied to the pawns, quests or whatever?

 

[mediocrepoet]

Are there any story elements tied to the pawns, quests or whatever?

Eh. Sorta. Basically they get introduced and you learn what they are and how they support you. Looking to Dragon's Dogma for story elements beyond the EXTREMELY basic is kind of a non-starter though.

 

[Zeriel]

Are there any story elements tied to the pawns, quests or whatever?

Eh. Sorta. Basically they get introduced and you learn what they are and how they support you. Looking to Dragon's Dogma for story elements beyond the EXTREMELY basic is kind of a non-starter though.

I don't agree with that. The main story and even some of the side quests are pretty involved and interesting.

 

[mediocrepoet]

Zeriel: To each their own. I think you're the first person I've ever seen praising any story elements of DD though.

 

[Dhaze]

About the story and sidequests, something's been gnawing at the back of my mind for years.

Spoiler

Was anyone else completely blindsided by the pseudo-romantic element in Arousing Suspicion, the quest in which Aelinore, through her handmaiden, asks that you come meet her at night? Or was it just me?

Because I blundered into that story bit thinking Aelinore was about to reveal some secret about the Duke (who seemed extremely shady). Then Aelinore, with me in her chambers, said, "You must think me a shameless harlot," and I remember gawking at my screen while waving my hands nervously as if to make it go away, all the while muttering, "Oh no. No no no no no no no... what is this?" as I slowly realised what was happening.

Apparently I was now embroiled in a torrid affair with the Duchess—after having previously talked to her for about two seconds.

I mean, I laughed afterwards, so ridiculous and blunt it all was. But the whole thing came completely out of left field.

 

[mediocrepoet]

About the story and sidequests, something's been gnawing at the back of my mind for years.

Spoiler

Was anyone else completely blindsided by the pseudo-romantic element in Arousing Suspicion, the quest in which Aelinore, through her handmaiden, asks that you come meet her at night? Or was it just me?

Because I blundered into that story bit thinking Aelinore was about to reveal some secret about the Duke (who seemed extremely shady). Then Aelinore, with me in her chambers, said, "You must think me a shameless harlot," and I remember gawking at my screen while waving my hands nervously as if to make it go away, all the while muttering, "Oh no. No no no no no no no... what is this?" as I slowly realised what was happening.

Apparently I was now embroiled in a torrid affair with the Duchess—after having previously talked to her for about two seconds.

I mean, I laughed afterwards, so ridiculous and blunt it all was. But the whole thing came completely out of left field.

Yes and no. The dialogue with her handmaiden for the invitation makes it fairly clear that it's improper, etc. But it still came out of nowhere.

I'd say that that is basically reflective of DD's story as a whole: a patchwork of stuff that got stitched together to release a game that was only ~60% complete. It's a testament to its quality that the game was awesome despite this.

 

[Zeriel]

About the story and sidequests, something's been gnawing at the back of my mind for years.

Spoiler

Was anyone else completely blindsided by the pseudo-romantic element in Arousing Suspicion, the quest in which Aelinore, through her handmaiden, asks that you come meet her at night? Or was it just me?

Because I blundered into that story bit thinking Aelinore was about to reveal some secret about the Duke (who seemed extremely shady). Then Aelinore, with me in her chambers, said, "You must think me a shameless harlot," and I remember gawking at my screen while waving my hands nervously as if to make it go away, all the while muttering, "Oh no. No no no no no no no... what is this?" as I slowly realised what was happening.

Apparently I was now embroiled in a torrid affair with the Duchess—after having previously talked to her for about two seconds.

I mean, I laughed afterwards, so ridiculous and blunt it all was. But the whole thing came completely out of left field.

It's been a while but I thought it's sort of implied it's a trap. They want to get rid of you, a scandal is as good an excuse as any.

 

[Dhaze]

Sure, improper (as in 'not going through the proper channels') and an evident trap, but I was absolutely certain it had all to do with some manner of political intrigue, not sexy-pants stuff.

"That's the sort of place this is, Arisen; lots of sexy people not doing much dragon-hunting, and having affairs."

It's a testament to its quality that the game was awesome despite this.

Goes to show how good gameplay can trump bad storytelling.

 

[Ghulgothas]

Got it up and running. Noticed that it logs me as in Offline Mode every time I boot it up so I'm going to assume all that online pawn-trading is sadly a thing of the past. Will look into whatever funky means for offline pawn customization there is. I want my perfect party of dudes.

Spent around 20 minutes tweaking my little paper-doll Arisen, and another 20 on his faithful pawn. The fact that the sequel is being made on the RE engine makes me wonder just how much more obsessive fetishistic rich all the cosmetic tweaking will be.

I was both happy and disappointed to see that most of the Wizarding Garb is some flavor of fabric sunrobe that wouldn't look out-of-place in a Greek-themed day spa, not a single broad-brimmed hat in sight.

Think I've settled on the Warrior as my class of choice, tailored my dude to be the tall, imposing Cimmerian type. Ranger was close, but this feels like the kind of game where most of the action is in the melee.

 

[Dhaze]

Don't be afraid to change it up once in a while, to try a different class and stick with it for a couple of hours. Ranger especially, as not a single game in existence can rival Dragon's Dogma when it comes to archery.

 

[mediocrepoet]

Got it up and running. Noticed that it logs me as in Offline Mode every time I boot it up so I'm going to assume all that online pawn-trading is sadly a thing of the past. Will look into whatever funky means for offline pawn customization there is. I want my perfect party of dudes.

Spent around 20 minutes tweaking my little paper-doll Arisen, and another 20 on his faithful pawn. The fact that the sequel is being made on the RE engine makes me wonder just how much more obsessive fetishistic rich all the cosmetic tweaking will be.

I was both happy and disappointed to see that most of the Wizarding Garb is some flavor of fabric sunrobe that wouldn't look out-of-place in a Greek-themed day spa, not a single broad-brimmed hat in sight.

Think I've settled on the Warrior as my class of choice, tailored my dude to be the tall, imposing Cimmerian type. Ranger was close, but this feels like the kind of game where most of the action is in the melee.

Many people appreciate all the classes as offering something somewhat different. But melee isn't a bad way to go by any stretch.

 

[Anonona]

Got it up and running. Noticed that it logs me as in Offline Mode every time I boot it up so I'm going to assume all that online pawn-trading is sadly a thing of the past. Will look into whatever funky means for offline pawn customization there is. I want my perfect party of dudes.

As far as I'm aware, the online function still works

https://steamcommunity.com/app/367500/discussions/0/5161702717245910314/

Haven't tested myself since last I played like a year ago, but I will start a new playthrough soon to celebrate DD2 announcement, so I will confirm if indeed the online still works.

 

[Alphard]

Got it up and running. Noticed that it logs me as in Offline Mode every time I boot it up so I'm going to assume all that online pawn-trading is sadly a thing of the past. Will look into whatever funky means for offline pawn customization there is. I want my perfect party of dudes.

Spent around 20 minutes tweaking my little paper-doll Arisen, and another 20 on his faithful pawn. The fact that the sequel is being made on the RE engine makes me wonder just how much more obsessive fetishistic rich all the cosmetic tweaking will be.

I was both happy and disappointed to see that most of the Wizarding Garb is some flavor of fabric sunrobe that wouldn't look out-of-place in a Greek-themed day spa, not a single broad-brimmed hat in sight.

Think I've settled on the Warrior as my class of choice, tailored my dude to be the tall, imposing Cimmerian type. Ranger was close, but this feels like the kind of game where most of the action is in the melee.

it's either the fact the you have offline mode in the settings, or sonething about your internet firewall. i'm running it on Steam Deck and works flawlessy , even online

 

[mediocrepoet]

In honour of yesterday's announcement and people's imminent replays:

 

[Zed Duke of Banville]

I was both happy and disappointed to see that most of the Wizarding Garb is some flavor of fabric sunrobe that wouldn't look out-of-place in a Greek-themed day spa, not a single broad-brimmed hat in sight.

The only broad-brimmed hat is the Adept's Hat, which can only be obtained in the Bitterblack Isle expansion dungeon, at a point by which you'll be more than powerful enough to complete the base game.

 

[The Decline]

I started a new playthrough and inspired by the Gor movies my pawn is a midget strider named Smidgen.

 

[Alphard]

Ok , after using TWO inclination potions, and making my pawn having challenger as primary , after 2 hours of of gameplay i suddenly find the game hard again, almost like i am missing a party member...
i look around and see my pawn casually moving back and forth while a horde of skeleton mages and warrior is butchering us. after burning through all healing items, i look at her inclination and i see she's RETURNED TO FUCKING GUARDIAN. I think the bitch is brain damaged

 

[Delterius]

pawns have a third hidden inclination and you want to make sure that one isn't guardian by drinking 3+ potions of behavior modification. otherwise they might revert to it the second you ask them to come closer.

 

[Alphard]

pawns have a third hidden inclination and you want to make sure that one isn't guardian by drinking 3+ potions of behavior modification. otherwise they might revert to it the second you ask them to come closer.

so di i have to drink 3 or more potions now that she is guardian, or after that i already changed it?

 

[Delterius]

pawns have a third hidden inclination and you want to make sure that one isn't guardian by drinking 3+ potions of behavior modification. otherwise they might revert to it the second you ask them to come closer.

so di i have to drink 3 or more potions now that she is guardian, or after that i already changed it?

speaking from memory here but you just drink potions in the reverse order of priority. first drink a potion of a theoretical third inclination you can stomach, then your preferred 2nd and then 1st.

 

[Carceri]

Ok , after using TWO inclination potions, and making my pawn having challenger as primary , after 2 hours of of gameplay i suddenly find the game hard again, almost like i am missing a party member...
i look around and see my pawn casually moving back and forth while a horde of skeleton mages and warrior is butchering us. after burning through all healing items, i look at her inclination and i see she's RETURNED TO FUCKING GUARDIAN. I think the bitch is brain damaged

Stop using the Help command in combat so much and the Guardian inclination won't climb to the top.

Edit: 2-3 inclination elixirs is not enough to push undesired inclination to low enough values. For best results you should use at least something like 7-7-7 for 3rd-2nd-1st inclinations. To set a 4th inclination as a buffer is not a bad idea either.

 

[Alphard]

Ok , after using TWO inclination potions, and making my pawn having challenger as primary , after 2 hours of of gameplay i suddenly find the game hard again, almost like i am missing a party member...
i look around and see my pawn casually moving back and forth while a horde of skeleton mages and warrior is butchering us. after burning through all healing items, i look at her inclination and i see she's RETURNED TO FUCKING GUARDIAN. I think the bitch is brain damaged

Stop using the Help command in combat so much and the Guardian inclination won't climb to the top.

Edit: 2-3 inclination elixirs is not enough to push undesired inclination to low enough values. For best results you should use at least something like 7-7-7 for 3rd-2nd-1st inclinations. To set a 4th inclination as a buffer is not a bad idea either.

i'll finish the game agaib before having enough rift crystals for that. even more so because no obe seem to rent my pawn online

 

[Carceri]

Pro tip: you can duplicate any inclination elixir at Black Cat in Gran Soren.