Table of contents

Highlights

  • The Trickster vocation in Dragon's Dogma 2 adds a new element of tactics to combat by allowing players to use the environment to their advantage, such as breaking bridges or creating illusions.
  • Players may have to face AI opponents who also use advanced vocations, including the Trickster class, adding an additional challenge to combat encounters.
  • In order to balance the team, players using the Trickster vocation should prioritize close-quarters combat for their pawns, while relying on mage and sorcerer pawns for support and healing.

With the long-awaited sequel to Dragon's Dogma Dark Arisen on the horizon closer than many fans anticipated, hopes of new vocations were widespread among fans. Given the plethora of vocations within players' disposal the first time around, the consensus among fans was that developers should double down upon their initial attempt. Fortunately, Capcom's recent Dragon's Dogma 2gameplay and story showcase provided fans with a reveal of another new vocation besides the revealed Mystic Spearhead.

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The brand-new Trickster vocation promises a change in direction for players who had anticipated another melee-oriented class. While there is still a huge chance that there are more new vocations present that Capcom is keeping quiet, this one may change the experience of intense combat encounters.

1 Greater Incentive To Use Environment

Capcom Has Included Destructive Environments

Airborne

Just as Capcom has implemented many environmental adjustments and changes to physics, the addition of the Trickster vocation has highlighted this to an even greater extent. Since the entire purpose of this new Vocation is to deceive enemies into going against one another or creating other illusions to keep them off players' backs, the environment matters so much more. With the ability to break bridges that enemies are on, or break open a new path of water from a waterfall, this could go hand-in-hand with the Trickster's skills.

While keeping the enemy focused on the illusion along with the player's pawns, the opportunity to use the environment to the greatest advantage appears to be a pivotal factor in combat in Dragon's Dogma 2. Not only will this potential give players a better chance to defeat tough foes, but it also adds another element of tactics to each encounter, introducing more than just melee-focused builds or magic that is synonymous with a Mage, Sorcerer, Magick Archer, or Mystic Knight. So far, this is looking to be the strongest aspect of this new vocation.

2 AI Usage Against Players

Opponents Can Also Use Advanced Vocations

Trickster in action

If Dragon's Dogma 2 is gearing up to follow in the footsteps of its predecessor, which it looks to be, players will also have to be wary of AI Tricksters. In Dragon's Dogma Dark Arisen, enemies widespread in the base game and the DLC's Bitterblack Isle are also users of advanced vocations that are exclusive to players' characters and not their pawns. This is often present in some of the more tough encounters, with certain enemies requiring the use of magic-based vocations to take them down.

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When facing off against some of these enemies in Dark Arisen, certain skills and spells are used against players and their allies, brainwashing pawns to attack their team. This may very well turn out to be the same circumstance with Dragon's Dogma 2's Trickster vocation if developers allow enemies to also use this class or maintain designs that use the same skills and abilities.

3 More Close Quarters Combat For Pawns

Fighter-Based Pawns Will Be More Important

Trickster skill

As aforementioned, this new vocation is a big advocate for those who prefer to keep away from the frontlines of combat. Controlling the elements and tides of every encounter, the Trickster vocation appears to be solely based on illusion techniques with no melee functionality like the Mage and Sorcerer.

While it is likely most will begin with a fighting vocation at the start of the game before unlocking advanced vocations as such later on, players should keep in mind that their pawns' vocations should be those allocated for close-quarters combat. Ensuring that the team is balanced is incredibly crucial in Dragon's Dogma Dark Arisen, and it will be no surprise to see the same principle applied here in Dragon's Dogma 2.

4 Support For Mage & Sorcerer Pawns

Magic-Based Pawns Will Have More Room To Breathe In Combat

Synced attack

Speaking of the Mage and Sorcerer vocations, at least one of these two tends to be a huge fundamental among players' pawns. For healing, applying elements to weapons, and fending off enemies that require magic attacks, many players will be aware of how important these vocations are. While they are both powerful and useful for turning the tide in combat, casting times can take quite a long while despite the great impact that comes from them.

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With the Trickster vocation now within the mix, players can confidently defend either their Mage or Sorcerer. Utilizing illusions in situations of long casting times will keep enemies distracted. This will also give pawns more time to heal the rest of the party without being stopped by enemies abruptly.

5 Reliance On Pawns/Harder Solo Run

Players Using Trickster May Not Be Able To Invoke Physical Attacks

Traversal

Following up with the extra support for the Mage and Sorcerer, using the Trickster vocation will more than likely force players to rely on allies. While it is still likely possible to solo groups of enemies using illusions, there is no doubt that this will be a challenge with the lack of physical or magic damage.

Players who are looking forward to using this vocation should be aware that the need for a fighting pawn will be more necessary on this occasion. This will all be dependent on the variety of skills the Trickster vocation may have to offer.

dragon's dogma 2
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