Capcom's Dragon's Dogma 2 offers RPG enthusiasts the freedom to play their way by offering a range of different character classes, or vocations, that cater to a variety of play styles. Regardless of whether players prefer tackling a challenge head-on with a blade in hand, loosing an arrow between the eyes of a foe, or using supernatural abilities to come out on top, DD2 has something for everyone.
For the archery enthusiasts in DD2, the Archer vocation not only enables gamers a player experience that has a very Legolas feel to it, they can also make use of a number of different arrows, each of which have distinct effects on their targets. On top of these unique weapon skills, there is also an extremely rare arrow that will kill any foe instantly. For Archers and bow-wielding players, this guide will direct you on how to get and craft all arrow types inDragon's Dogma 2.
Dragon's Dogma 2: Best Magick Archer Weapon Skills, Ranked
The Magick Archer is one of a couple of 'hidden' Vocations that players can unlock in Dragon's Dogma 2. Here are the best Skills for this Vocation.
How to Get & Use Special Arrows in DD2
For players who have purchased the relevant skills and wish to use any of Dragon's Dogma 2's special arrow types, there is always the option to purchase them from the various vendors spread out throughout Vermund and Battahl. While there is no guarantee that every vendor will have them in stock, particularly as some specialize in particular rare resources, such as Sunstone, you should be able to restock from the majority of them.
In addition to purchasing them from vendors, players also have the option to craft their own special arrows to enable them to restock on the go when supplies are running low. Given that each arrow type has its own unique effect, they each have different crafting requirements. Here are the recipes for each arrow type:
- Tarring Arrow - Withered Branches + Lantern Oil
- Drenching Arrow - Withered Branches + Syrupwort Leaf
- Blighting Arrow - Withered Branches + Asp Toxiscale/Poison Pinion
- Explosive Arrow - Withered Branches + Sunbloom
With this in mind, player's won't be able to use their special arrow types until they have the relevant skills equipped. To learn these skills, players will need to visit a Vocation Guild and purchase the associated weapon skill with Discipline Points. Once purchased, players will be able to equip it to their skill wheel and use the arrows, so long as they have some in their possession.
What Are Tarring Arrows in DD2?
Tarring Arrows are one of the four special arrows that players can equip as weapon skills for their bows, generally on an Archer, Warfarer, or Magick Archer. As the name would suggest, this arrow can inflict a Tarred Debilitation on enemies, something that players will likely be on the receiving end of themselves at some point in their Dragon's Dogma 2 playthrough.
The Tarred Debilitation does not inflict damage on their victims, but it does leave them with a potentially fatal vulnerability. An individual or beast that has been tarred will be covered in oil, meaning any flame-based attacks will cause them to be doused in flames, which can have devastating effects and wear away at health bars almost instantly.
With this in mind, the Tarring Arrow is best combined with a magic-focused vocation user with fire attacks or followed by the Explosive arrow, which can very quickly turn the tide of a battle in the player's favor, even against some of the bigger beasts in the game. Once the Tarring Arrow is fired, simply wait until it explodes and covers the target in oil before unleashing a flame attack. Players can expend these arrows by equipping the Tarring Shot or its evolved form, the Incendiary Shot.
What Are Drenching Arrows in DD2?
Inflicting perhaps the polar opposite effect to the Tarring Arrow, Drenching Arrows serve to inflict the Drenched Debilitation on enemies. While this will make any flame-based attacks ineffective, it will leave the target vulnerable to some other elemental offensive offerings.
Being Drenched means a target won't be able to be Tarred or set on fire, but it will leave them vulnerable to lightning or ice attacks. Lightning attacks on a Drenched individual will slow down and even knock out some targets temporarily, which can leave them open to a flurry of devastating attacks. Similarly, Drenched enemies that succumb to ice-based spells will be temporarily frozen, leaving them just as vulnerable to an all-out assault.
Much like the Tarring Arrow, the Drenching Arrow is best used in cooperation with a Mage or Sorcerer that has either lightning or ice spells in their arsenal. This will be effective on almost all types of enemy, but pay attention to the feedback Pawns give out as they will mention when a particular element is useless against a particular opponent. The Drenching Arrow is used when players buy and equip the Drenching Shot or its enhanced Deluging Shot ability.
What Are Blighting Arrows in DD2?
If players were to only have the resources for one special arrow, the Blighting Arrow is perhaps the best option, as it doesn't require additional support or attacks to be effective. The Blighting Arrow inflicts the Blighted Debilitation on a target, meaning they have been poisoned.
Like the other special arrows in Dragon's Dogma 2, the Blighted Arrow will explode shortly after hitting its target, covering them with a purple poison. The initial impact will cause the most damage and will continue to cause small amounts of pain on the victim, but its best use is when attacks are stacked.
While one arrow may not be super effective, continuing to inflict this Debilitation on a target will eventually cause an ailment called fulminant poison. This is where the Blighted Arrow works best, as it will incur a significant amount of damage if left untreated, likely killing the target. The Blighted Arrow can be used by utilizing the Blighting Shot weapon skill or its upgraded version, the Nocuous Shot.
Dragon's Dogma 2: How to Get (or Farm) Wyrmslife Crystals
Players are going to need a whole lot of Wyrmslife Crystals in Dragon's Dogma 2 to obtain the best gear, so here are the best ways to farm for them.
What Are Explosive Arrows in DD2?
The Explosive Arrow is the last of the standard arrow types for Archer and other bow-wielding vocations, and the most obvious in its applications in Dragon's Dogma 2. As the name suggests, this arrow has a tenancy to explode which, when combined with some of the other arrows available in the game, can lead to some fiery outcomes that will wipe out even the toughest foes, such as Griffins.
Players who use the Explosive Arrow can expect that, after a short period of time has passed, that the arrow will blow up while embedded in its target, causing damage to them. While this can be an effective method of causing mass pain on an enemy, the effects of this arrow can be amplified tenfold if the arrow explodes on an adversary that is already affected by a Tarring Arrow. With the two arrows combined, enemies can be doused in flames and even be knocked over, which can make quick work of some of the larger foes like Trolls and Ogres.
Much like the other basic arrows, players can purchase these at most vendors and can make use of them by buying the skill with Discipline Points at a Vocation Guild and equipping it. Players can expend their Explosive Arrows by using the Exploding Shot or its enhanced version, the Erupting Shot.
How To Get The Unmaking Arrow
The Unmaking Arrow is the stand-out option for archery enthusiasts in Dragon's Dogma 2 and is easily the most powerful weapon in the game. However, it comes at a significant cost that will have players choosing their shot with this arrow very wisely.
Unmaking Arrows are in extremely limited supply in Dragon's Dogma 2, and players won't get another shot at this one-of-a-kind missile once it has been loosed from their bow. The arrow will kill any enemy with a single shot, no matter who or what the target is, but cannot be used again after firing, as the game instantly saves as soon as you shoot it. It is capable of killing literally any foe in the game, even the toughest opponents, like Griffins and Dragons, but the challenge lies in knowing when the right time is to use the arrow.
The Unmaking Arrow can be purchased from the Dragonforge in Battahl for eight Wyrmslife Crystals, which can be acquired by killing dragons and completing some endgame quests. If players want to make more than one use out of this item, however, they can get it duplicated by offering it to the Sphinx as part of the Riddle of Conviction.
Dragon's Dogma 2
- Platform(s)
- PC , PS5 , Xbox Series X , Xbox Series S
- Released
- March 22, 2024
- Developer(s)
- Capcom
- Genre(s)
- Action RPG
