Dragons Dogma Dork Arisen

It’s probably also worth noting that the control schemes differ quite a bit depending on which class you’re playing as. Archers hold a button to aim for example, but for a Fighter the same button might be used to hold your shield up to block…

I always tended to think of L1 acting like a Shift key - standard face button functions (jump, basic attacks) without it pressed, but hold L1 and it changes the face buttons to operate your special moves.

I imagine that would be pretty awful on a keyboard though - but it works quite intuitively on a controller.

How's it coming along Quad?

I'm thinking I might just finish it up now. I'm exploring just for the sake of it to uncover the map and I've lost all enthusiasm. I think I've seen enough to just crack on and finish it.

I can’t judge. I downloaded RDR2 to try to complete my save (or possibly start again). Also started playing tunic. Then I saw FM2024 was on game catalogue so downloaded and started playing that over the weekend.

My problem is it’s get to the evening and I’m too bloody tired to play anything that involves any effort or investment on my part

This game. It's like flypaper.

I decide that it's time to conquer Bitterblack Isle, I fight my way down through the fodder, get unlucky and trigger a necrophage whilst also dealing with a cockatrice. In terms of levels, I haven't really bothered clearing the main campaign so I make the call to retreat. I lose two pawns to petrification.

Recovering from this setback, I load up on anti-petrification items and return. The goblins nearby the cocktrice have respawned though, they're easily underestimated and I pay for not kiting them out and eliminating them like I did the first time. One throws an item completely blinding me in the middle of fighting the cockatrice.

I return with secret softeners and eyedroppers, not liking the extra weight I'm getting loaded down with.

Eventually we reach two main avenues of progress blocked by a colossal gorecyclops and a colossal beholder type enemy. I chicken out on the gorecyclops, I dimly remember how this fight goes. Maybe later.

In principle, I know how to beat the beholder. I end up burning through the party's curative items long before the fight is over. It's hard to avoid getting hit with various debilitations all at once which this enemy is an absolute master at inflicting, it's more of a Final Fantasy marlboro than a beholder.

Considering trekking down there again absolutely encumbered with various curatives I decide on the alternative.

I've been equipping a full armour set, it's well above average so I've not been considering the various individual pieces of gear in my inventory that might possibly match the full set but also help with the most inconvenient debilitations.

Hours and hours pass, visiting various shops, upgrading various pieces of gear. Grinding for drops to upgrade gear. I've got a wolf hat with 100% protection against blindness! Finally. But what about torpor? Silencing? The rest?

Yet more time passes. I need at least one pawn with protection against silencing, blindness and torpor. Actually they need it more than me, they have practically no sense of self preservation.

Another day. More gear grinding still no progress with Bitterblack Isle. Maybe the gorecylops is actually a pushover? But then I'll need to switch my gear again. Flypaper.

Hours pass.

I switched back to the main quest for a bit in the hopes of picking up more gear along the way currently I'm about level 50, I have some higher level pawns though. The hires are a ranger and a mage who generally heals. The main pawn is a sorcerer, I'm a mystic knight.

I've been switching vocation pretty regularly, just trying different ones out. I have some discipline points saved up, so I could switch since my lineup is currently a bit magic heavy, not much use against an enemy that can inflict silence very easily.

Mystic knight is pretty good if you sacrifice a bit of weight to carrying a backup weapon since your capabilities change depending on what you equip. With a staff I'm bumping up the party magic firepower, with a blunt or edged weapon I can also take an attacking role, even tank hits and defend with the shield.

The weight is the issue though, I really feel the difference in movement and combat I'm not sure the pay off is worth it for the versatility.

The 'Beholder' is no more.

What a great battle. Hard fought right to the end, Capcom really know how to do a boss encounter. They do spectacle, they do satisfying fights that allow for various tactics, this battle did both.

Why, oh why are two d-pad directions assigned to requesting help but there's no command to tell my pawns to pick stuff up?

A chest containing blast arrows, no good for me but my ranger can use them. Okay. Anytime now. Pick up the arrows. I'm waiting. They're right there. Right under your nose. Arrows. Pick. Up. The. Bloody. Arrows.

Fine, we'll do it your way. I'll pick up the bloody arrows then give them to you. Is that okay?

Then we walk off and suddenly I hear 'What's that?' That looks interesting!' And my pawns are fighting over who gets to pick up a rock. Sometimes it feels like I'm stewarding a special needs group.

The beholder took me a bloody while too. Great fight though as you say. Took a lot of working out and a fair few attempts.

Same.for the Bishop and I think I know what you mean about the next area regular monsters being a lot tougher.

And yes, just pick up the fucking arrows ffs! Haha I share your pain. I've found sometimes if you move around a bit, showing the pawns you're 'not interested' in the items they sometimes pick them up. But not always, the twats!

This is just a perfect review.

Also me at 2 years.

I remember him saying he was going on holiday so most likely reducing forum time which is always a good thing.

Noticed it was the 1 and 3 thread...

It's definitely wunty mark 1