Bitterblack Isle: Do it now or later?

[nekii]

I killed the dragon already and are currently doing the everfall stuff, I'm around level 50. Should I visit Bitterblack Isle now or wait till NG+? I'm on normal difficulty btw.

[andy]

That depends on your vocation and gear. For example sorcerer with good archistaff can complete pre-Daimon BBI at 50 lvl if you know where enemies like eliminators, silver / golden knights or corrupted pawns are located and cast High Maelstrom there before entering room.

My advice for first BBI run - get weapon with high knockdown / stagger, buy some conqueror's or demon's periarts, some throwblasts and save more often.

[nekii]

Originalmente postado por andy:

That depends on your vocation and gear. For example sorcerer with good archistaff can complete pre-Daimon BBI at 50 lvl if you know where enemies like eliminators, silver / golden knights or corrupted pawns are located and cast High Maelstrom there before entering room.

My advice for first BBI run - get weapon with high knockdown / stagger, buy some conqueror's or demon's periarts, some throwblasts and save more often.

I have max rank strider and assassin, currently playing with ranger. My main pawn is max rank fighter. I do have a lot of conqueror's and demon's periarts in storage as i never used them. One question, how long does it takes to finish BBI?

[Kon-Vara]

Ranger+Fighter ... lets see. Well, be sure to bring some magical damage with Ice, Lightning, physical components (Bolide) and maybe get a Rusted Longbow Dragonforged (Maker's Finger vs the Corrupted Dragon in the Pilgrim's Gauntlet), then you can inflict torpor on almost anything (sans Living Armor). Shouldn't take too long. If you got a good Longbow to inflict damage with, Bosses shouldn't be too hard (Dragonforged Rusted Bow's dmg is not mediocre, but doesn't excel. your daggers could help). Also buy some Conqueror's Peritaphs (4 at a time for 4-5 encounters), also some Blast arrows (50 for a bow with low Stagger) to kill death in the fortress of resemblance at the start (fire quickly, as he can only be killed, while he hovers above the abyss). Shouldn't take long. Wether or not, you're doing some sidequests, like the Macabre Sculptures or some specific enemies.

[nekii]

Originalmente postado por Zsynrael:

Ranger+Fighter ... lets see. Well, be sure to bring some magical damage with Ice, Lightning, physical components (Bolide) and maybe get a Rusted Longbow Dragonforged (Maker's Finger vs the Corrupted Dragon in the Pilgrim's Gauntlet), then you can inflict torpor on almost anything (sans Living Armor). Shouldn't take too long. If you got a good Longbow to inflict damage with, Bosses shouldn't be too hard (Dragonforged Rusted Bow's dmg is not mediocre, but doesn't excel. your daggers could help). Also buy some Conqueror's Peritaphs (4 at a time for 4-5 encounters), also some Blast arrows (50 for a bow with low Stagger) to kill death in the fortress of resemblance at the start (fire quickly, as he can only be killed, while he hovers above the abyss). Shouldn't take long. Wether or not, you're doing some sidequests, like the Macabre Sculptures or some specific enemies.

I don't have a dragonforged longbow though. I used assassin when fighting the dragon, but i assume the overall strategy should still be similar?

[Karathrax]

"...but i assume the overall strategy should still be similar?"

It is, but you'll be facing more enemies, with stronger, more varied attacks and stronger, more varied weaknesses. Your gear becomes more significant, because those enemies also have higher defense thresholds which, if not breached, guarantee you'll get your face kicked in.

Getting your face kicked in is the only way this game tells you if you're underleveled, under-equipped or unprepared-- aside from pawn and loading screen advice: "There's no shame in fleeing, Arisen. Tis survival."

[Huggles the Cat]

Do it now. You're at the inteneded starting level and point of main story progression (although some elements of the story in BBI may be more difficulty to understand if you havn't seen the endings for the main game).

[Jork]

Yeah, start Bitterblack now. It's actually a really fun expansion and odds are you'll get some awesome loot along the way, along with the special augments from the novelty caches

Originalmente postado por Le Désir de Vivre:

Bitterblack Isle takes an hour - two at most, and that's if you explore every area and kill all enemies.

This isn't true at all, took me 5 hours my first time completing it. I was level 60 when I started it.

If you already know what you're doing and know how the dungeon is mapped out beforehand, then I'm sure 1-2 hours is feasible. Newcomers go in blind though, so...

Originalmente postado por Le Désir de Vivre:

Originalmente postado por Jorkfriend:

Yeah, start Bitterblack now. It's actually a really fun expansion and odds are you'll get some awesome loot along the way, along with the special augments from the novelty caches

This isn't true at all, took me 5 hours my first time completing it. I was level 60 when I started it.

If you already know what you're doing and know how the dungeon is mapped out beforehand, then I'm sure 1-2 hours is feasible. Newcomers go in blind though, so...

It took me literally less than 2 hours when if first came out years ago. Fresh start, no OP equipment, no nothing, and it was only 2 hours.

If it took you 5 hours, I'm guessing you used lifestones to travel back to the start without any shortcuts unlocked.

Then I guarantee you didn't explore every nook and kill every monster like you say.

I did unlock every shortcut as they became available. I took my time exploring everything.

[Kon-Vara]

Originalmente postado por αєdєиcσlє:

Originalmente postado por Zsynrael:

[...] maybe get a Rusted Longbow Dragonforged (Maker's Finger vs the Corrupted Dragon in the Pilgrim's Gauntlet) [...]

I don't have a dragonforged longbow though. I used assassin when fighting the dragon, but i assume the overall strategy should still be similar?

I mean, get a Rusted Longbow (Reynard, if he's still in the game, upgrade to 3 Stars, you get the components from the Black Cat Guy), get the Maker's Finger (Fournival, if he's still around), get to the Pilgrim's Gautlet (when you pick up the Void Key), Corrupted Dragon appears, you kill it with a Maker's Finger and get a 75% to get it upgraded. Corrupted Dragons have a high chance. I wouldn't recommend killing him regularly at Lvl 50.

Also you will spend some time with Boss 1 before, so I think 2 hours could be a bit short. Killing everything will take some time, but gives good experience.

Also, I'm currently waiting for Ur-Dragon 308 to die, I think I have enough after 12 encounters to try for myself, but he is easy to kill once in grace and Dragonforges everything.

[nekii]

Thanks for the tips guys, I will just go in and see how i fare. If anything goes wrong i can always ferrystone back to better prepare myself i guess.

[Monte]

Originalmente postado por αєdєиcσlє:

Thanks for the tips guys, I will just go in and see how i fare. If anything goes wrong i can always ferrystone back to better prepare myself i guess.

Ferrystones are blocked when in the dungeon area.

[nekii]

Originalmente postado por Captain Dingus:

Originalmente postado por αєdєиcσlє:

Thanks for the tips guys, I will just go in and see how i fare. If anything goes wrong i can always ferrystone back to better prepare myself i guess.

Ferrystones are blocked when in the dungeon area.

Really? Thanks for the tip.

[Kon-Vara]

Originalmente postado por Le Désir de Vivre:

Originalmente postado por αєdєиcσlє:

Really? Thanks for the tip.

You'll have to use lifestones, which will bring you back to the start of Bitterblack Isle where Olra is. From there you can use ferrystones, IIRC.

Yup. You got 3 for free in your bank and can buy up to 8 at a time from Barroch. Also in "Warrior's Respite" and "Arisen's Refuge" there's one for free on the resting bench. Just keep in mind that you don't have to beat the high score with 2 hours, take your time, you're not on a challenge or something. If you don't figure out the mechanics immediately that can prolong your visit at an enemy considerably. First time, I didn't even think about peritaphs, blast arrows or something like that. I was pretty slow. :D