Combat in Dragon's Dogma 2 features the basic and advanced combat mechanics helpful in advancing through the game. In this game, you'll be up against all types of Enemies from large chimeras to hard-to-reach harpies, each with their own strengths to look out for and weaknesses to exploit. In the previous game, the player was greatly aided and informed on how to defeat each enemy with ease with the help of their Pawns. This remains the same with the added capability of using dynamism in being able to interact with the environment to the player's advantage.
Dragon's Dogma 2 Combat Guide
How does Combat Work in DD2?
Dragon's Dogma 2 for the most part retains the first game’s unique Combat system, showcasing the player mounting a flying Griffin as they deal damage to it. In addition to AI giving life to the various characters and monsters, using the REngine also makes for a more advanced physics system, shown in the trailer by being able to interact with a frail bridge mid-fight. An even smoother Combat flow than the sequel can also be appreciated. The new engine also allows for more creative and imaginative approaches to defeating Enemies. The dynamism of the environment allows players to interact with it in creative ways to ultimately defeat the foe in front of them.
Players are able to use the environment during fights, such as destroying a dam to flood an enemy, or dealing damage to a large foe's legs in order to topple it over a gap, which allows the Arisen and his Pawns to use the foe to cross the gap using the foe as a bridge as it tries its best to hang from the cliff.
Players may also throw an exploding barrel to destroy the dam and watch as the water washes an enemy away. This immersive physics bring life to the Pawns, Enemies, as well as the NPCs, giving endless exciting possibilities to players. Players will have to keep in mind their own party's setup and capabilities, the surrounding terrain, and the abilities and weaknesses of the Enemy in front of them.
Stamina and Mounting Enemies in Dragon's Dogma 2
The player's Stamina can be seen as the yellow bar under the green health bar. Dashing depletes the health bar, as well as jumping and attacking using Weapon Skills and Heavy Attacks. When the player is doing nothing or just walking and using Light Attacks, their Stamina will automatically regenerate over time. When the Stamina reaches dangerously low levels, the yellow bar will pulsate to warn the players that it's running out.
A staple mechanic in Dragon's Dogma is being able to grab onto larger Enemies and cling onto them to mount them to dish out damage at point-blank range. Mounting will also cause the Stamina to drop continuously as long as the player continues to cling to the large Enemy. Light attacks will also consume Stamina while mounted and contribute to its depletion. When Stamina gets fully depleted, the player's character will be forced to stop whatever they're doing to try and catch their breath as their Stamina regenerates to a certain amount. This is especially dangerous when fighting more aggressive Enemies as it leaves you vulnerable, and mounting flying Enemies will carry the extra risk of dropping to your death should you mismanage your Stamina.
Taking Advantage of the Environment in Dragon's Dogma 2
It is easy to get lost in regular Combat with Enemies and just try to defeat them, however, some might forget about their surroundings and how helpful it could be to your scenario. Getting to high ground and jumping onto larger Enemies might be easier than climbing onto enemies to fight them. There are 2 main regions in Dragon's Dogma 2 that show just how different their environments are compared to each other. While one has more greenery, forestation, and more hills, the other seems to be hotter, dry like the desert and appears to have more cliffs. Showing just how different these two places are, you should be able to take advantage of whatever these two places can offer when it comes to combat scenarios.
Changes to Pawns in Dragon's Dogma 2
Pawns are a returning feature from the Original Game. These are devoted companions who will serve and fight alongside the Arisen. In the beginning, players will create and customize their Arisen and the Main Pawn. This is the companion who will always be with the Arisen and will be joined by two other Pawns from the network, or found in-game.
Pawns are an important feature that enhances the combat experience in Dragon's Dogma by providing additional information to the enemies that you are up against. Sometimes, if a Pawn has available knowledge about a location, quests, or enemies, they will call out that to the whole party. Pawns have additional features in Dragon's Dogma 2 and learn through their experiences, adventuring with the Arisen, and even with other players-- all of which will be reflected in their behavior.
Aside from that, Pawns also have Specializations which are unique to them. They can have the ability to translate the Elvish language if they are nearby. This is especially useful once you begin exploring the Sacred Arbor, the elf settlement, and complete quests for the Elves there. There are many more specializations and this is just one of them.
Loss Gauge in Dragon's Dogma 2
Loss Gauge refers to the health that is temporarily lost due to the damage sustained by the Arisen and Pawns. The Health Bar is represented by the green line directly on top of the Stamina Bar located at the lower center of the interface. The greyed-out portion indicates the Loss Gauge which limits the Health Points of the Arisen, even if you consume food to recover health. Until your party rests, the Health loss will persist.
Your party can fully recover the missing health bar by resting at an inn or a campsite. This is a feature that was previously introduced in the original Dragon's Dogma that allowed the passing of time to safely rest and avoid creatures of the night. The loss gauge can also represent how long your party has been in combat and will indicate when it is ideal to rest.
Enchanting Weapons in Dragon's Dogma 2
Another staple is the ability to enchant Weapons with elemental attributes. Skills that have this effect were learned by Vocations that use Staves or Archistaves. This mechanic is one of the more reliable ways that players can make their team stronger and grant a significant boost to their damage in real-time as they fight their Enemies. These Skills were generally referred to as elemental Boons, with Elemental Affinity as their stronger versions.
The Exhibition version of the game shows that this mechanic makes a return in this sequel game, as the player's Weapons can be seen endowed with the power of different elements. It is unclear if the spells retain their names in this sequel game, but it seems that the Mage party member is indeed able to enchant the character's Weapons with the power of fire and lightning so far. When the enchantment is active, the Weapons will glow with the color that matches the element chosen. Depending on their Inclinations, Pawns with the right Vocations will cast the appropriate enchantment Skill on the party's Weapons, depending on the elemental weakness of the Enemies they are currently fighting.
Day and Night Cycle in Dragon's Dogma 2
In Dragon's Dogma 2, time is constantly passing and as you journey, the night will fall. The night is shrouded in deep darkness making it hard to travel without a source of light to illuminate your surroundings. You will want to be prepared before the night comes by resting at a campsite or an inn. This will help your party by not only escaping the enemies, but also giving your party the chance to rest and recover.
Beware that enemies also become stronger and more vicious at night. For this reason, some players may choose to fight at this hour for the extra experience or if you are seeking enemies that only come out when it's pitch dark.
Taking Advantage of Pawns in Dragon's Dogma 2
Apart from creating your character in Dragon's Dogma 2, you can also create the main pawn that accompanies you on your journeys. Besides your main pawn, you may also hire 2 more pawns with different sets of skills to make a party of 4 and to benefit you on your fights and journey. When you are on your journey, your pawns accompany you and help you in battles and now in Dragon's Dogma 2, they will suggest places for you to explore to find new things or go on new adventures.
Balancing your party is important to be ready to adapt to different situations and possess a vast array of Skills, that can be used to surpass the diverse challenges proposed in the hostile world of Dragon's Dogma 2.
