Any% Speedrun Guide v1.0
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Any% Speedrun Guide v1.0
Updated 6 years ago by glasnonck

[center][big][big]Dragon's Dogma: Dark Arisen[/big] Any% Guide v1.0[/big][/center]

Spoiler Warning: As the speedrun completes the entire game, the text in this guide may contain spoilers on aspects of the game's plot.

This route defeats the Dragon and the Seneschal from a New Game as fast as possible. Timing begins upon gaining control of Savan during the prologue and ends after the final use of the Godsbane in the Seneschal's Chamber. In addition to Real Time, the leaderboard compares the In Game Time displayed during the post-game credits cutscene (starts showing a closed book).

[section=Route Overview] This is a brief outline of the route for the Any% run. The point of the overview is to highlight which main quests are completed if there is a choice of quests. In addition, major strategies used during these quests will also be mentioned.

Stage 1

  • Time begins upon gaining control of Savan.
  • Complete the Prologue quest, "The End at the Beginning." [quote=The End at the Beginning]Take enough damage from the Goblins, Harpies, and fire so the Chimera can kill you in one hit.[/quote]
  • Create the Arisen with a weight above 109 kg and the Mage vocation.
  • Complete the escort quest, "Off With Its Head." [quote=Off With Its Head]Use Anodyne to heal and kicks to speed up the Ox. Kill enough enemies along the way to reach level 6, at least.[/quote]

Stages 2 and 3

  • Complete the quest "Lure of the Abyss." [quote=Lure of the Abyss]Jump down the everfall in 4 jumps using the small ledges between each large jump. Heal using Harspud and Greenwarish after taking damage. Use the Eternal Ferrystone to leave the Everfall after triggering the cutscene.[/quote]
  • Complete the following two quests for Ser Maximilian: "The Cypher" and "Seeking Salvation."
  • Visit the Duke to complete "Come to Court."

Stage 4

  • Complete "Griffin's Bane" as normal.
  • Complete "Trials and Tribulations" so Fournival is found innocent.

Stage 5

  • Complete "Pride Before a Fall" and "The Wyrmking's Ring" as normal.
  • Complete "Honor and Treachery" by killing the Cockatrice while near the passage gate.
  • Complete "Reward and Responsibility." [quote=Reward and Responsibility]Carry the Duke down to the first floor. Use a Skeleton Key to escape from Jail and return to the Duke.[/quote]

Stage 6

  • Complete "Deny Salvation" as normal.
  • Complete "The Final Battle." [quote=The Final Battle]Lure the Gorechimera into pressing the four pressure plates. Kill the Dragon using the Maker's Finger.[/quote]

Post-Game

  • Avoid completing A Warm Welcome by jumping behind the guard posted at the Pawn Guild.
  • During the first stages of the Seneschal fight, run far enough away from him to skip some of his dialog.
  • Time ends when the Godsbane is plunged into the Arisen's chest.

[section=Detailed Route] This section will describe the actions taken during the Any% run.

[center][big][big]Stage 1[/big][/big][/center] [big]The End at the Beginning[/big] Start a New Game in Offline mode (Options -> Gameplay -> Connectivity -> Offline). Time starts upon gaining control of Savan. Run past all enemies until reaching the gated off room. Jump from the raised pillar to take damage upon landing. Use the two explosive barrels on the two Goblin groups. Kill any remaining Goblins. Stand on the fire until around 240 HP. Kill harpies as you wait. When you reach 240 HP, stand by the gate and wait for the cutscene. After the cutscene, run ahead to the Grand Hall. Get killed by the Chimera.

[big]Call of the Arisen[/big] Create the Arisen with over 109 kg. Base body 8 for both Male and Female satisfy this requirement. Run forward to get killed by the Dragon's fire breath. Choose the Mage vocation. Leave the house, skipping the two cutscenes along the way. Run to and shop at Aestella's Apothecary:

SHOPPING: Aestella's Apothecary SELL: [small][small]<from storage>[/small][/small]

  • Tiara of Enlightenment
  • Ruminator's Monocle
  • Jester's Cap BUY:
  • 7x Interventive
  • 7x Throwblast End: ~301,990 gold

Leave the Cassardis.

Run down the road a bit to encounter a few goblins harassing a peddler. Use a throwblast to kill all three goblins at once. Continue to the Encampment. Use Scrag of Beast to restore stamina along the way. Go to the Command Headquarters and interact with the Rift Stone. Climb up the scaffolding to the left, and jump over the palisade. Head out through the gate in front of you. Run up to the Cyclops and use one or two throwblasts to kill it.

[big]A Rude Awakening[/big] Head back inside the Encampment. Interact with the Rift Stone. Create your Pawn: mash ENTER through everything except vocation - choose Mage. Leave the Command Headquarters. Re-enter the Encampment through the gate just past Ser Berne. Talk to Mercedes just past the Command Headquarters. Attack the rightmost Hydra head until it moves to destroy the tower. Pick up the Harspud Sauce and Liquid Vim on the left shelf of the Command Headquarters. Use basic attacks on the rightmost Hydra head until it pops off.

[big]Off With Its Head[/big] [center]http://i.imgur.com/eCybInP.png [small]Possible paths to take from the Encampment to the beginning of the escort quest.[/small][/center] Leave the Encampment. Run to the meeting point up the mountain; generally North. Follow either the red or blue path in the map above.

  • Along the way, use any remaining Scrag of Beast and Interventive to restore your stamina. Escort the cart to Gran Soren. [quote=Ox Escort]When possible, kick the ox to make it move faster. Use Anodyne to heal the ox and keep it above 60% health. Use Ingle to attack some of the harpies, wolves, and goblins that attack the ox. By the end of the escort, you should be at level 6.[/quote] When you get close to the mid-point gate, go ahead and open it.
  • Use the explosive barrels to kill the nearby goblins. Finish them off with Ingle. Once through the gate, press on ignoring the enemies. Run ahead to Gran Soren once the Ox is on the flat part of the bridge.

[center][big][big]Stages 2 and 3[/big][/big][/center] [big]Lure of the Abyss[/big] Skip the cutscenes and dialogue upon entering Gran Soren. Go to the Inn and withdraw the Eternal Ferrystone from storage. Go towards the Pawn Guild. Make a stop at the Craftsman's House to learn about Wakestones. Enter the Pawn Guild and talk to Barnaby twice. Enter the Everfall. Jump down the Everfall using the small ledges. [quote=Everfall Descent]Grab the Harspud Sauce on the first small ledge. After the first two large falls, use a Harspud Sauce. After the third large fall, use 3 Greenwarish.[/quote] Grab the Wakestone at the bottom of the Everfall. Grab the Portcrystal. Interact with the central plate. Change the Priority Quest to "Lure of the Abyss." Ferry to Gran Soren.

[big]Shopping Spree #1[/big] Talk to Barnaby inside the Pawn Guild. Go to Camella's Apothecary and Caxton's Armory to shop.

SHOPPING: Camella's Apothecary BUY:

  • 18x Potent Greenwarish
  • 104x Large Mushroom End: ~297,602 gold

SHOPPING: Caxton's Armory BUY:

  • 1x Stilettos
  • 1x Reinforced Longbow End: ~275,752 gold

Go to the Inn. Change your vocation to Ranger. Change your equipment:

  • Stilettos and Reinforced Longbow
  • (female only) Set of Queen's Clothing
  • Daggerist's and Staff-Bearer's Rings Learn new skills:
  • (Arisen) Biting Wind
  • (Pawn) Fire Boon Equip new skills:
  • (Pawn) Fire Boon replaces Anodyne
  • (Arisen) Biting Wind in slot 2 Head to the top of the castle through the Passage Gate. Talk to Fournival along the way to shop.

SHOPPING: Fournival BUY:

  • 20x Conqueror's Periapt
  • 2x Angel's Periapt
  • 1x Wakestone Shard End: ~228,752 gold

Talk to Ser Maximilian twice to receive the two quests "The Cypher" and "Investigate a cult." Ferry to Gran Soren

[big]The Cypher[/big] [center]http://i.imgur.com/L38w9lG.png [small]Path taken from Gran Soren to Hillfigure Knoll. The blue star indicates to place a portcrystal next to Windbluff Tower.[/small][/center] Use a Wakestone on the Craftsman’s Son. Leave Gran Soren next to the field. Run N(NE) towards Windbluff Tower. To travel quickly, spam Shearing Wind and eat Large Mushrooms to restore your stamina. Set down a Portcrystal right outside Windbluff Tower. Continue running (Shearing Wind) North towards Hillfigure Knoll. Talk to the Dragonforged. Grab the Bronze Idol to the left of the Dragonforged. Grab the Portcrystal at the end of the secondary passageway. Leave Hillfigure Knoll.

[big]Seeking Salvation[/big] [center]http://i.imgur.com/9X2796i.png [small]Path taken from Hillfigure Knoll to the Catacombs.[/small][/center] Run SW to the Catacombs. Generally follow the cliff edge. Place a Portcrystal right outside the entrance. Run past all of the enemies inside. [center]http://i.imgur.com/Ip0rB9j.png [small]Path taken through the Catacombs. Blue squares indiate switches that must be used along the way. The blue star indicates a small fall mentioned later. The up and down arrows indicate climbing up or jumping down between map levels.[/small][/center] Jump down the scaffolding to the lower level to avoid hard fall. [center]http://i.imgur.com/QyF5sGF.png [small]Screenshot of this location. This location is marked on the map with a blue star.[/small][/center] Continue running deeper inside. Overhear the Salvation meeting. Jump down from your perch. Use a throwblast on the trio of undead straight ahead. Use 4 Conqueror's Periapt. Kill the remaining undead. Chase down the Salvation member. Kill him after skipping cutscenes. Ferry to Gran Soren.

[big]Come to Court[/big] Take the Passage Gate to the top of the Castle. Jump across to loot the chest at the top of the Passage Gate. Talk to Ser Maximilian three times and choose (3) "Hear the duke’s directive." Have an audience with the Duke in his Demesne. Head back to the Demesne's gate through the door to the left.

[center][big][big]Stage 4[/big][/big][/center] [big]Shopping Spree #2[/big] Go back to the Duke's Audience Chamber. Talk to Aldous twice to collect both missions. Ferry to Gran Soren. Go to Caxton’s Armory, accept his quest, and stop talking to him. Talk to Caxton again and offer him the Bronze Idol. Go to the Inn. Learn and Equip the new skill Sixfold Arrow, replacing Dire Arrow. Go to Camellia’s Apothecary and buy until you have these item totals:

SHOPPING: Camella's Apothecary BUY:

  • 20x Potent Greenwarish (in total)
  • 110x Large Mushroom (in total)
  • 78x Blast Arrow (in total) End: ~225,702 gold

Head out the front gate of Gran Soren.

[big]Griffin's Bane[/big] [center]http://i.imgur.com/rt9Iwiq.png [small]Path taken from Gran Soren to the Griffin.[/small][/center] Talk to Ser Georg at the end of the bridge. Run to the West until you reach a path heading into the mountain. Continue running South, then West down the path. Take the first path to the South. Kill a Goblin on the way, and carry it to the meeting point. Pick up the Goblin again and throw it into the bait area. Stand next to the nearby large rock. Use 4 Conqueror's. Equip Blast Arrows. Prepare Sixfold Arrow as the Griffin approaches. Kill the Griffin once it lands. Wait until the Griffin stops moving. Ferry to Windbluff Tower.

[big]Trial and Tribulations[/big] Change the Priority quest to "Trial and Tribulations." Run inside Windbluff Tower. Talk to Ser Daerio near the tents on the left. Head up the stairs and talk to Ser Castor. Ferry to Gran Soren. Run to the Duke's Demesne through the Passage Gate. Talk to Aldous twice. Ferry to Gran Soren. Run to the Inn. Sleep until morning 5 times. Run outside of the Inn.

[center][big][big]Stage 5[/big][/big][/center] [big]The Wyrmking's Ring (Part 1)[/big] [center]http://i.imgur.com/1irLnJ5.png [small]Path taken from Gran Soren to the Ancient Quarry.[/small][/center] Report back to Aldous and talk with him 3 times to collect the next 2 missions. Go to the front of the Demesne and talk to Mercedes. Ferry to Gran Soren. Exit Gran Soren at the gate by the field. Head West then South West along the broken wall. Continue SW then WSW to the Ancient Quarry. Use 4 Conqueror's Periapt. Shoot two Blast Arrows into the group gathered ahead of you. Ferry to Windbluff Tower.

[big]Pride Before a Fall[/big] Run inside Windbluff Tower and up the stairs. Follow Mercedes. Try to leave during the duel. You can also choose to kill Julien, but it's likely slower. Try to leave after the duel.

[big]The Wyrmking's Ring (Part 2)[/big] [center]http://i.imgur.com/OFWq6q8.png [small]Path taken from Windbluff Tower to Bluemoon Tower.[/small][/center] Leave the arena, head to the right, then take a left at the fork. Go through the tunnel and jump off the right side of the wall. Once on the ground, head North until you get on the hillside. From there, run North East. Once you reach the road running East, follow it. Take the right fork. Once the road forks again, continue running NE into the mountain crevice. Head right when you reach the valley. Continue Shearing Wind to fight against the wind. Follow the path as it leads South and East. Enter the Bluemoon Tower. Climb to the top of the tower. Use 2 Conqueror's Periapt. Kill Salomet with two Blast Arrows (or a shot of Sixfold Arrow). Loot the gold and two chests behind Salomet. Grab the ring. Ferry to Gran Soren.

[big]Shopping Spree #3[/big] Head to the top of the Castle through the Passage Gate. Find Fournival and shop.

SHOPPING: Fournival SELL:

  • Ancient Slate
  • All Unused Weapons
  • All Unused Armor (Head, Torso, Legs, Cape) BUY:
  • 20x Conqueror’s Periapt (in total)
  • 4x Angel’s Periapt (in total)
  • 1 Maker’s Finger End: ~76,765 gold

Enter the Duke’s Demesne. Head to the Audience Chamber. Talk to Aldous and hand over the ring. Ferry to Gran Soren. Run to Camellia’s Apothecary and shop.

SHOPPING: Camella's Apothecary BUY:

  • 26x Potent Greenwarish (in total)
  • 85x Large Mushroom (in total)
  • 81x Blast Arrow (in total) End: ~92,365 gold

Leave Gran Soren through the front gate.

[big]Honor and Treachery[/big] [center]http://i.imgur.com/hYM8abD.png [small]Path taken from Gran Soren to the Mountain Waycastle.[/small][/center] Run to the West until you reach a path heading into the mountain. Continue running South, then West down the path. Take the second path South. Continue down the main path. Jump up the two ledges and head to the left. Run across the bridge on the left. Ferry to Gran Soren. Run up the hill to the Passage Gate. Use 4 Conqueror's Periapt. Use Sixfold Arrow to kill the Cockatrice through the gap in the buildings below. Head to the Passage Gate and talk to the guard.

[big]Reward and Responsibility[/big] Talk to Aldous. Go upstairs and talk to the Duke. Follow him outside until he reaches the corner. Grab him and jump down. Throw him towards the nearby door. A guard will send you to jail. Use the skeleton key you obtained earlier to open the cell door. Run past the posted guard. Run up the stairs and down the right hallway. Open the door to the Treasury and talk to the Duke. Start to run out of the Treasury. Re-equip your items:

  • Stilettos and Reinforced Longbow
  • Set of Queen’s Clothing
  • Both rings Ferry to Gran Soren.

[center][big][big]Stage 6[/big][/big][/center] [big]Deny Salvation[/big] [center]http://i.imgur.com/xKdOpkl.png [small]Path taken from the Catacombs to the Greatwall.[/small][/center] Go to Camellia’s Apothecary and restock up to the following number of items:

SHOPPING: Camella's Apothecary BUY:

  • 72x Large Mushroom (in total)
  • 4x Panacea (in total)
  • 66x Blast Arrow (in total) End: ~117,915 gold

Ferry to the Catacombs. Travel to the West and follow the mountainside, keeping it to your right. Continue following the road up into the mountain once that mountain breaks away. Upon reaching the gate past the Cyclops ambush, go around the left side. Climb up the wall past the tents and jump off, sliding down the cliff. Run North to a road that runs East. Follow the cliff that is on your right until you reach the poisoned pool. Run past the pool, keeping it on your right. Then climb up the hill to the North. Enter the Greatwall Encampment straight ahead of you.

[center]http://i.imgur.com/QmVtOD9.png [small]Path taken through the Greatwall Encampment.[/small][/center] You start at point A. Run forward and continue past the two cyclops. Run ahead and go down the small corridor to the right. Take a left and run past the mages on the stairs at point B. Take a left at the top of the stairs and you’ll encounter a Chimera at point C. Use 4 Conqueror's Periapt and equip the Blast Arrows. Use Sixfold Arrow to kill the Chimera. Continue straight ahead and go upstairs at point D. Once outside you’ll encounter 2 Lich at point E. Use Sixfold Arrow to kill both.

[big]The Final Battle[/big] You will regain control at point F. Head inside the large gate in front of you and go through the gate at the end of the path at point G. Run past everything along the same path as from the Prologue. Upon reaching the Grand Hall, stand on the far left switch. Use 2 or 4 Angel’s Periapt. Stand on each pressure plate in sequence to lure the Gorechimera into pressing them. Continue through the gate once it is open. Approach the Dragon. Equip the Maker’s Finger. Kill the Dragon.

[center][big][big]Post-Game[/big][/big][/center] [big]Shopping Spree #4[/big] Equip your new bow, Dragon’s Blink. Ferry to Gran Soren. Go to Camellia’s Apothecary to shop.

SHOPPING: Camella's Apothecary BUY:

  • 33x Potent Greenwarish (in total)
  • 44x Large Mushroom (in total)
  • ##x Blast Arrow -- Whatever you can carry to reach ~94.14 kG End: ~74,715 gold

Go meet Fournival at the top of the castle to shop.

SHOPPING: Fournival SELL:

  • All Throwblast
  • Crimson Dragon Scale
  • All Weapons BUY:
  • 42x Conqueror's Periapt
  • 6x Angel’s Periapt End: ~218,101 gold

When purchasing the above from Fournival, you may need to sell to make room:

  • Any items other than Potent Greenwarish, Large Mushroom, Panacea Ferry to Gran Soren.

[big]Fathom Deep[/big] The goal of this quest is to collect 20 Wakestones. The number of Wakestones and Wakestone Shards dropped by the bosses in the Everfall chambers is slightly randomized. Once you collect the 20 Wakestones needed, a quest update will be displayed. When it does, ignore the rest of the chambers listed and move to the sub-heading named Wakestones Collected.

[center]http://i.imgur.com/nkvAK6h.png [small]The post-game Everfall with the possible boss encounters on each floor.[/small][/center]

Chamber of Confusion Go inside the Pawn Guild by jumping behind the posted guard. Go to the Everfall inside the Pawn Guild. Jump off the right side and land on the first platform. Enter the Chamber of Confusion. Continue straight ahead. Use 4 Conqueror's Periapt. Equip Blast Arrows. Kill the Evil Eye and collect its Wakestones.

  • Using Sixfold Shot, shoot once in the eye when it charges an attack.
  • Wait until it falls to the ground.
  • Shoot in its exposed eye twice with Sixfold Shot. Return to the Everfall.

Chamber of Anxiety Reenter the chamber, now dubbed the Chamber of Anxiety. Kill the Lich and collect its Wakestones. Return to the Everfall.

Chamber of Apprehension Jump off the right side and land on the second platform. Enter the Chamber of Apprehension. Use 4 Conqueror's Periapt. Use Sixfold Arrow to kill both Cockatrices and collect their Wakestones. Return to the Everfall.

Chamber of Fates Jump off straight ahead and land on the third platform on the same side. Enter the Chamber of Fates. Use 4 Conqueror's and 2 Angel's Periapt. Use Sixfold Arrow to kill the Lich first, and then the two Chimera. Collect the Wakestones. Return to the Everfall.

Chamber of Estrangement Jump off the left side and land on the first platform. Enter the Chamber of Estrangement. Use 4 Conqueror's Periapt. Kill the Lich and collect its Wakestones. Return to the Everfall.

Chamber of Resolution Jump off the left side and land on the first platform right underneath. Enter the Chamber of Resolution. Use 4 Conqueror's and 2 Angel's Periapt. Make your way through the tunnel. Kill the 3 trolls along the way with Sixfold Arrow, collecting their Wakestones. Enter the inner chamber. Use 4 Conqueror's Periapt. Kill the Cockatrice using Sixfold Arrow, and collect its Wakestones. Return to the Everfall.

Chamber of Hope Jump off the left side and land on the first platform below. Enter the Chamber of Hope. Use 4 Conqueror's Periapt. Kill the two Skeleton Sorcerers across the bridge. Kill the Gorechimera that is either coming up the stairs on the right, or is hanging out on the floor below. Collect the Gorechimera's Wakestones. Continue wandering around the Everfall for more Wakestones.

Wakestones Collected Ferry back to Gran Soren. Return to the Everfall. Talk to Quince on the left side of the first platform. Fall into the Everfall.

[big]Final Judgement[/big] Approach the Seneschal. Shoot the Seneschal with 1 blast arrow, and run away to skip a bit of dialog. Shoot the Seneschal with 1 blast arrow, and run away to skip a bit of dialog. Continue down the path ahead, ignoring your acquaintances. Kill Savan and Salde with a Sixfold Arrow. Wait until your Pawn grabs Savan, and then shoot him with a blast arrow. Skip a cutscene. Shoot Savan with a blast arrow.

[big]The Great Hereafter[/big] Use the Godsbane Blade. Time ends when the blade is plunged into the Arisen's chest. Be sure to look at your in-game time during the credits cutscene (starts showing a closed book).

[section=Version History] v1.0 (April 03, 2017)

  • Added a map for the path taken through the Greatwall Encampment.

v0.3 (March 19, 2017)

  • Added maps showing the path taken through the Catacombs.

v0.2 (March 11, 2017)

  • Added maps showing the path taken through the overworld map.

v0.1 (March 10, 2017)

  • Upladed initial guide with the Any% route used in the record as of 2017/03/11.