How difficult can the DLC be if I don't use Scadutree fragment?

[Clockwork]

I consider myself to be a casual player. I haven't finished Mountaintops of the giant nor have I reached Farum Azula yet, but I finished Miquella's Haligtree. My rune level is 127 and I haven't used any summon yet. 60 Vigor.

I barely started the DLC area. I have yet to reach any major boss, but so far the random bosses (the furnace near the beginning, the guy with the big sword, master Yoda, the ghostflame dragon) seemed doable enough.

How much of a difficulty spike should I expect as I advance if I don't use any fragment, when compared to the base game?

[VisMth]

pretty hard. i have 16 and they buff my ar by like 600

[Sham!]

you'd need a very well optimized build since you'll lack dmg for bigger bosses and a lot of patience since you'll probably get shotted by just about anything
personally wouldnt

[Professor Oak]

You'll turn into a glass cannon while dealing ticklish damage

[orange]

very hard but possible to beat most bosses i think u have kinda no chance against radahn though to be honest

[Kyutaru]

Originally posted by Clockwork:

How much of a difficulty spike should I expect as I advance if I don't use any fragment, when compared to the base game?

In short, you will take double the damage and deal out half the damage.

The fragments will buff your damage by x2 and your damage taken to about x0.5 of normal.

[Clockwork]

Well it sounds like I'm quickly going to use all 20 fragments when I find them, then.

[Dam Stark]

You shouldn't skip them. It's part of leveling up. Also I'd get SL to around 150 first.

[AdamWe]

I did a run with no Scadu blessings at RL125 (60 vig). All in all it was a fun run, but only if you have a high tolerance to frustration.

The first few areas (up to Rellana) of the DLC felt really good and were a good challenge.
However, from Messmer onwards most bosses and stronger enemies will two or even one shot you or murder you with a tiny combo if you let them.
So I ended up ignoring most standard enemies.

But this isn't as bad as it sounds, as the damage you dish out is still in the range of usable.
If you like to have very deadly dances with bosses where a single mistake might spell defeat, this is the run for you.

[Funpire]

Collect them. Hoard them. See how far you get. Apply as needed.

[Toast]

It will be like Mike Tyson fighting an infant.

[Illaoi Bot]

i have 6 fragments and i have just beaten the hippo and dealt good dmg i think i will be fine with 7-8 for mesmer and 10 for the endboss

[Clockwork]

Originally posted by AdamWe:

However, from Messmer onwards most bosses and stronger enemies will two or even one shot you or murder you with a tiny combo if you let them.

It doesn't sound so different from Death Rite Bird in base game, to be honest.

[Laokon]

Watch ongbal on youtube, hes already doing it lvl 1 no hit
https://www.youtube.com/@_ONGBAL/videos

[Clockwork]

Originally posted by Laokon:

Watch ongbal on youtube, hes already doing it lvl 1 no hit

That wasn't my question though.

[AdamWe]

Originally posted by Clockwork:

Originally posted by AdamWe:

However, from Messmer onwards most bosses and stronger enemies will two or even one shot you or murder you with a tiny combo if you let them.

It doesn't sound so different from Death Rite Bird in base game, to be honest.

Pretty much. xD
However, keep in mind that DLC bosses have like double the HP of the base game bosses. So you have to persevere that much longer. This can be a good or bad thing, depending on how much you like the individual bosses.