Character creation tips?

[e11]

I'm about to start playing this game for the first time, and since I rarely play a long game a second time I want to do the character right. Are there any builds/skills that are a total waste, or any that are a virtual must-have?

For clarification I almost always make melee-types in these kinds of games.

[Huggles the Cat]

Man, this is practicaly a loaded question. You're practicaaly asking us to write you a mini players guide. Almost all skills and spells are useful but some are more situational than others. Some only effect the player but don't effect their pawn (created bodyguard). The only thing that forsure does not work is a passive mage augment (needs to be equiped) called Inflection. It worked in the original game but once the expansion came out, it did the opposite of what it's suppoed to do. It's intended function is to halve damage to the user while they charge a spell. Now it doubles the damage recieved while charging spells.

[Huggles the Cat]

Best advice would be to check out the wiki on the vocation's so you can read up on the different skills and see animations of them. http://dragonsdogma.wikia.com/wiki/Category%3AVocations

It would also be wise to learn about the inclinations that represent your pawn's AI and how to adjust them with elixors or the knowledge chair.

***inclinations http://dragonsdogma.wikia.com/wiki/Pawn_Inclination
***Knowledge chair http://dragonsdogma.wikia.com/wiki/Knowledge_Chair

[Portent of Salamity]

The only thing you can possibly ♥♥♥♥ up is leveling up with the wrong class too much. All other desicions don't have any negative effects. Look up the wikia article on "stat growths" for that if you feel like minmaxing for 200 levels. If you want to pick up and level up with an advanced profession, get to BBI when you are level 10. You get there earlier thn you do to Gran Soren to change professions. Maybe go in and hope you can loot an appropriate weapon for the class as well.

[hectior]

you will never hit a brick wall on skills. level what you want for stats get all to 9 stars(or read up on skill progression and only get the ones you want to what ever class level is needed) though at first dedicate to something. most make sense archer classes for stamina mage classes for magic and magic defence fighter classses for strength and physical defence for there major per level boosts. im sure there are charts out there or something but personally i just did it organically. this game is hard to ♥♥♥ up your character permently though I have seen bad allocation of inclinations and skill loadout.

[Pepe]

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[Huggles the Cat]

Originally posted by Successor:

The only thing you can possibly ♥♥♥♥ up is leveling up with the wrong class too much.

Completely wrong. Even onhard mode your stats don't mater when compared to what equipment you have. The only time stat progression is relevant is when using rusted weapons (before silver and gold forging) or the Iraclise Greatsword.

[TheBoogerMan]

Honestly, just figure out what you like the most; being able to change Vocations is one of the cooler aspects of this game.

Personally, my favorites are Warrior and Strider (and it's variants Ranger and Assassin).

A lot of people say Warrior is to limited, but I like killin' stuff with big, 2-handed weapons (great sword, great axe, etc) in fantasy RPGs, including pen & paper... so I tend use that Vocation the most. And since I played DDDA back on the 360, I'm very proficient with it now (not that it's hard to "master" are anything; it's mostly just getting your timing down).

Strider is cool because you can do a lot; you're very mobile and most of the dagger & bow skills are fun to use. Ranger and Assassin are fun for similar reasons, with Assassin being a neat alternative to Fighter if you like 1-handed swords.

Mystic Archer is pretty cool, but I found Mystic Knight to be kinda boring; I still dip into the Vocation to grab Fortitude though (so as to stack it with Bastion).

I really only go into Fighter for Sinew and Vehemence (I was never one to go "sword & board" in any RPG, not even with tabletop - though in real life it's actually a VERY effective combat style). -sigh- I really wish Vehemence was also a Rank 1 augment like Fortitude (above) so I could "dip it" too.

Mage and Sorcerer... I generally leave those to my Pawn cuz standing around casting spells just ain't my thing. That being said, I personally think Mage is better overall; though Sorcerer has the more powerful spells, it takes FOREVER to cast them unless you mitigate it with the right augment and that quest item thingy (had 'em both once and they helped a little, but not really enough to make much of a difference IMHO).

Cheers!

[Vulgrump]

Read on "pawn inclination", the wiki is good. Pretty much a must in my opinion, otherwise you'll just end up in the "OMG AI SUCKS SO MUCH" camp. Not saying it's good, but being aware of it from the start certainly makes for a better experience. I'd say it's a pretty big part of the game.

You should know that the size of your character matters (a bit), unlike other games. Big is good for fighters, small is good for rogues. The weight/height ratio determines how much stamina you have and how much you can carry. If you plan to only have one go at it, probably a medium build is good. Also, you can change classes (vocations) during the game, so medium is a good compromise. I don't have exact numbers, but they are out there if it matters.

There is a new_game_+ which, they say, is different enough from the main game to make it worth it. I didn't get there, but considering that, don't fret too much over doing the right thing in quests. Do whatever, fix it in NG+. Maybe.

[TheBoogerMan]

Originally posted by Cache Invalidation:

Read on "pawn inclination", the wiki is good. Pretty much a must in my opinion, otherwise you'll just end up in the "OMG AI SUCKS SO MUCH" camp.

Yes, Cache Invalidation is right; your Main Pawn's inclinations are important - especially if you want people to rent and use your Pawn for extended periods of time, thus earning you Rift Crystals.

And the Dragon’s Dogma Wiki is indeed your friend; very useful for figuring out how stuff works (and which Augments are bugged). Google it.