Everybody across the block is speaking about Capcom being on a legendary run in 2026 with their large releases, and whereas that is been objectively true, I have been on a separate journey with their video games myself. I simply wrapped up my second playthrough of Dragon’s Dogma 2 after initially enjoying it on PS5 a few years again, all for a quite simple and gratifying purpose: I am counting down the clock for the Dark Arisen expansion.
Dragon’s Dogma 2’s Darkish Arisen enlargement is simply across the nook, and being an enormous fan of each the unique entry and the sequel, the checklist I’ve ready right this moment goes into in depth element about all of the issues it’s essential do or concentrate on to prepare for the enlargement. So with out additional ado, let’s dive into the nitty-gritty to get you prepped for this new journey, my fellow Arisen brethren.
7
Get a Head Begin for NG+
However Make Certain You Do not Progress Into Unmoored
This one’s apparent, so it goes with out saying an excessive amount of right here; my private suggestion is to revisit the sport correctly earlier than the DLC arrives, like genuinely doing a half-playthrough simply to get your bearings. You may get to entry the DLC instantly after arriving in Vernworth, however actually, in case you’re a type of gamers who hasn’t performed the sport in a really very long time, it can enable you get accustomed to all the things once more by doing a few of the early quests once more, simply so you may get again into the move of the gameplay/fight.
Additionally, the sport is (lastly) getting a Onerous Mode once more, so in case you really feel such as you soften these world bosses simply, prepare for at the least some type of problem or tenacity at every encounter. If you wish to maintain off your playthrough simply so you possibly can apply the Onerous Mode setting to it, that is additionally utterly comprehensible. Both manner, simply do not progress an excessive amount of, as a result of I understand how addicting Dragon’s Dogma might be to a few of the longtime gamers.
6
Degree Up Your Pawn and Their Vocations
The Increased the Higher
This one’s one other apparent inclusion, but in addition one which I do know many could ignore. I strongly advise taking your Pawn and presumably your self to as excessive a degree as you possibly can. The beneficial degree for the Darkish Arisen enlargement in Dragon’s Dogma 2 (from the official reveal streams and detailed info) is degree 40, so I am positive that is not an enormous worth for any of the seasoned gamers. However for any newer gamers who’re lastly trying out the sport, it will serve you properly to get to work earlier than the DLC is out.
Heck, that is partially the explanation why I even suggest tackling the expansion in NG+ so you possibly can correctly get a vanilla playthrough expertise beforehand. Regardless, with out straying removed from the purpose, ensure your Pawn’s Vocations additionally get the identical remedy as yours to be able to guarantee they’ve further augments to spice up their viability in battle as a lot as doable.
5
Discover Sure Areas or Areas
Throw a Port Crystal, Too
Although the sport added numerous everlasting Port Crystals to some key places with later updates, you might wish to take your time to as soon as once more discover some key areas earlier than the DLC launches. This contains going out of your solution to go to the Sacred Arbor once more and possibly inserting a Port Crystal there to warp and get your tools enchanted with Elven upgrades. Even higher, you would additionally go to the southern facet of Battahl and place the Port Crystal exterior Medusa’s cave to farm her at any time when she could respawn (7-14 in-game days).
It is largely a matter of desire or priorities, since you might not even want to do that, however this checklist is principally for returning gamers who might not be conscious of this stuff. So in case you’re nonetheless ready for the DLC in a recent playthrough, attempt to revisit any key areas or areas that you really want, simply so you possibly can clear them off the guidelines and concentrate on the Darkish Arisen content material when it will definitely launches.
4
Inventory Up on Helpful Consumables
You are Going to Want Them
I do know all of us have a tendency to simply hoard and throw most of our consumables within the merchandise field as a result of we’re by no means going to make use of them, however for this DLC, I would strongly advise at the least having fairly a number of of those topped off, whether or not it is your conventional therapeutic potions and even the standing ailment curatives. There might be any scenario which will demand utilizing them that may assist save your Arisen’s life, even in case you have a pawn or two on standby to assist you.
Extra importantly, it does not damage to craft or get your arms on a number of further all-heal elixirs, since having these will imply you possibly can immediately get topped off to full well being and stamina amidst a grueling battle or encounter. Once more, the typical participant in all probability will not want these if they are going with the standard regular mode, however for somebody like me who’s diving in with the Onerous Mode addition, yeah, it is in all probability for the higher to be cautiously ready simply in case.
3
Unlock and Degree Each Vocation You Need to Strive
If there is a specific Vocation you have been that means to strive in Dragon’s Dogma 2, now might be the time to unlock it. The Darkish Arisen DLC goes to offer you plenty of new bosses to fight, in addition to issues to discover (the Misplaced Rites dungeons, to be precise), so you do not wish to leap into the enlargement solely to appreciate that the Vocation you have been eyeing continues to be under-leveled.
Even in case you’ve already settled into a favourite, as I’ve, it is nonetheless value unlocking the others you will have entry to and experimenting with them earlier than Darkish Arisen arrives, particularly since a few unlockable Augments from them can closely profit your fundamental Vocations. It additionally does not damage to maintain quite a lot of Vocations on standby if one does not show helpful.
2
End Vital/Missable Quests
Like These Darned Riddles
That is one other factor that may technically get traced again to your base recreation playthrough, however usually talking, even in case you’re not going for a full playthrough and are leaving it simply earlier than triggering the Unmoored World state, I might nonetheless advise you to finish any necessary quests or interactions earlier than jumping into this large-scale DLC. And sure, that even contains unlocking all your Vocations’ Maister expertise and even finishing any character-related facet quests simply in case you discover them as your favourite.
And if you have not already, finishing all of the Sphinx’s riddles can also be value doing solely due to the rewards she supplies, particularly once you (optionally) take her down for the large chest on the second set of riddles. It additionally helps that these in any other case necessary quests within the recreation can present significant or distinctive rewards, which can simply enable you a bit ultimately when exploring the brand new dungeons of the Darkish Arisen enlargement or simply the Norgan area as an entire.
1
Do not Improve Your Tools
It Finally Will get Energy-Crept
The Darkish Arisen enlargement has a handful of recent weapons and armor that you would be able to get your arms on, and far of what is provided right here simply outclasses your totally min-maxed base weapons and armor—sure, even the Unmoored world ones that you simply get to your hard-earned Wyrmcrystals, at their max enhancements. Not solely is that due to the newly launched Gear Appraisal system, but in addition due to higher-rarity armor coming outfitted with particular expertise that may increase your base Vocation’s present package; it is ridiculously good.
I actually imply it: this is among the most beneficial issues to remember as we get near the DLC’s launch, which is why it is on the prime of the checklist right here. The primary recreation’s Darkish Arisen stuff did just about the identical factor: it made your base recreation gear really feel extremely inferior to the newer ones you discovered by means of your turmoil on Biiterblack Isle.
Clearly, I can not state a lot right here for DD2, however the level is: attempt to get a footing together with your present gear and do not spend too lots of your sources upgrading them as a result of, ultimately, you will get entry to the required supplies and blueprints to craft the brand new gear discovered within the icy chilly mountains of Norgan, particularly in case you’re planning on beginning your journey there ASAP.
- Launched
-
October 9, 2026
- ESRB
-
Mature 17+ / Violence, Blood and Gore, Sexual Themes, Language
