Entering the vast and complex world of Dragon’s Dogma 2 can be overwhelming, especially since the game provides minimal guidance on its mechanics. To ensure a smoother experience, this guide compiles essential strategies, covering questing, pawn management, inventory handling, combat fundamentals, and more. Whether you’re just starting out as an Arisen or looking to refine your approach, these tips will help you succeed.

Mastering Quests: Understanding the System

Unlike many RPGs, Dragon’s Dogma 2 does not explicitly mark all quests or provide direct guidance on their objectives. Instead, it relies on player intuition and exploration. Here’s how to navigate the system efficiently:

• Identify Timed Quests: Look for an hourglass symbol in the quest log or NPCs mentioning urgent situations (e.g., missing persons). Complete these quests immediately, as delays can lead to failed objectives or undesirable outcomes.
• Use Your Pawns for Guidance: If a pawn has knowledge of a quest, an icon will appear next to it in your quest log. You can use the Go command to have them lead you to the next step.
• Summon Higher-Level Pawns: Experienced pawns have often completed quests and can provide hints or direct you to solutions.
• Consult Oracles in Cities: These NPCs offer directional hints for a small fee, guiding you toward the next objective.
• Stumble Upon Solutions: If stuck, try progressing another quest or returning later—sometimes, progression triggers naturally over time.
• Engage with NPCs: Talk to various townspeople; some will spontaneously offer quests, while others may provide valuable clues.

Saving and Reloading: How to Prevent Unwanted Outcomes

Dragon’s Dogma 2 features two types of saves:

1. Autosave & Manual Save – These occur frequently but may trap you in difficult situations.
2. Inn Save – Achieved by resting at an inn for 2,000 gold, this creates a separate save file. If you fail a quest or enter an unwinnable fight, you can reload from this point without losing too much progress.

Resting at Camps vs. Inns

• Camping restores missing health and allows cooking, which grants useful buffs for tougher battles.
• Inns restore max health and allow you to rewind progress.
• Resting at camps does not overwrite your inn save.

Pawn System: Assembling the Best Party

Your pawns play a crucial role in combat, questing, and exploration. While solo play is an option, having a full party is highly recommended.

Ideal Party Composition

• Always include a Mage – They provide healing, buffs, and status cleanses.
• Consider a Fighter with a Shield – Helps tank enemy attacks, reducing pressure on you.
• Archers excel at dealing with flying enemies – Though other vocations offer airborne combat techniques.
• Thieves and melee DPS vocations can be powerful – But their AI limitations may make them less effective as pawns.

Pawn Inclinations and Specializations

• Inclinations determine behavior:
  • Cautious pawns prioritize survival.
  • Straightforward pawns charge recklessly into battle.
  • Ensure inclinations match the pawn’s role; for instance, Mages should not be aggressive.
• Specializations offer passive benefits:
  • Forager highlights rare materials on the map.
  • Logistician optimizes inventory weight automatically.
  • Look for pawns with useful specializations to complement your needs.

Pro Tip: Mages with Levitate can reach inaccessible chests. If a pawn suggests grabbing something from above, use the Go command to let them retrieve it.

Inventory and Weight Management

Weight significantly affects stamina consumption and mobility. To prevent over-encumbrance:

• Distribute Items Evenly: Spread loot across your pawns to stay under the “average” weight threshold.
• Use Large Pawns as Mules: Bigger characters can carry more without penalties.
• Store Unnecessary Items: Instead of carrying everything, deposit materials in storage at inns.
• Combine Items to Reduce Weight: Many materials weigh less when combined, and Logistician pawns can automate this process.
• Seek Golden Trove Beetles: Found on trees, these collectibles increase your carry weight permanently.
• Equip Carry Weight Boosting Gear: The Ring of Accrual increases your limit by 10kg, easing early-game weight struggles.

Gear Upgrades and Exploration

• Shop for New Gear in Cities: Always check merchants for better equipment.
• Caves Contain Rare Loot: Explore dungeons for hidden weapons, armor, and upgrade materials.
• Upgrade Gear at Blacksmiths:
  • First upgrades cost only gold – always do these.
  • Later upgrades require monster materials, so store resources instead of selling them.
  • Different blacksmiths offer specialized upgrade paths. For example, Vermund provides balanced improvements, but other cities may have better options for specific vocations.

Combat Mastery: Key Fundamentals

Combat in Dragon’s Dogma 2 is fluid and skill-based, emphasizing stamina management, camera control, and pawn coordination.

Stamina Management

• Basic and Heavy Attacks – Cost no stamina and should be used frequently.
• Skills Consume Stamina – Use them wisely to avoid running out.
• Mages and Sorcerers Also Use Stamina – Casting spells drains their reserves, requiring careful usage.
• Replenish Stamina in Combat – Walking, standing still, or consuming stamina-restoring items can help.

Camera Control and Targeting

• There is no auto-lock – You must manually aim melee and ranged attacks.
• Melee attacks require proper positioning – Enemies won’t be auto-tracked.
• Archers benefit from distance – Allow pawns to engage enemies while you attack from afar.
• Climb Large Enemies for Targeted Damage – This is effective for taking down colossal foes quickly.

Pawn Commanding for Tactical Advantage

• Wait (D-pad Left): Keeps pawns in place – useful for setting up ambushes.
• Go (D-pad Up): Sends pawns into combat, allowing them to engage freely.
• Help (D-pad Right): Commands pawns to heal, assist, or revive you.
• To Me (D-pad Down): Calls pawns back to your side – useful for ranged characters needing protection.

Final Thoughts and Additional Tips

• Wake Stones Are Rare but Valuable: Use them sparingly to revive yourself or key NPCs.
• Experiment with Elemental Weaknesses: Griffins, for example, are weak to fire – exploiting weaknesses drastically increases damage output.
• Affinity System Matters: Giving gifts to NPCs increases their affinity, unlocking special interactions.
• Pay Attention to Timed Quests: Some quests expire over time, so prioritize these when they appear.
• Use the Environment in Combat: Push enemies off cliffs, use explosive barrels, or destroy bridges to gain the upper hand.

By mastering these mechanics and strategies, you’ll ensure a smooth and rewarding journey through Dragon’s Dogma 2. Whether tackling challenging encounters, managing your party effectively, or optimizing inventory and exploration, these tips will set you on the path to becoming a formidable Arisen. Happy adventuring!