Dragon’s Dogma Vocations: A Complete Guide to Choosing Your Path

Introduction

The world of Gransys in *Dragon’s Dogma* is a dangerous one, teeming with goblins, griffins, and worse. But fear not, Arisen! You are not defenseless. One of the defining features of *Dragon’s Dogma*, and what sets it apart from many other RPGs, is its incredible flexibility when it comes to character builds. Forget being locked into a single class for the entire game; *Dragon’s Dogma* empowers you to switch between different vocations at will, experimenting with diverse combat styles and tailoring your character to your preferred way of playing. This unique aspect is what keeps players returning time and time again.

This guide serves as your definitive resource for understanding the vocation system in *Dragon’s Dogma*. Whether you’re a newcomer taking your first steps as the Arisen or a seasoned veteran looking to refine your build, we’ll delve deep into each vocation, exploring its strengths, weaknesses, skills, and ideal playstyle. Our aim is to provide you with the knowledge you need to confidently choose the path that best suits your personal adventuring desires. Let’s embark on this journey together, Arisen!

Understanding Vocations

So, what exactly *are* vocations in *Dragon’s Dogma*? Simply put, vocations are the class system in *Dragon’s Dogma*. They dictate your character’s abilities, skills, and overall playstyle. Your vocation determines what weapons you can wield, what armor you can equip, and, most importantly, what special skills you can learn. Changing your vocation is akin to fundamentally changing your character’s entire role in combat.

The freedom to switch vocations is a core mechanic of the game. It allows you to adapt to different challenges, experiment with different builds, and even create hybrid characters by mastering multiple vocations and utilizing augments. This creates near limitless character possibilities.

Changing your vocation is a relatively straightforward process. You’ll need to visit Gran Soren, the main city in *Dragon’s Dogma*, and locate the Vocation Guild. There, you can speak to the guild master and, for a small fee, switch to any vocation you have unlocked. Unlocking new vocations typically involves progressing through the main story and completing certain quests. It’s a small price to pay for the character customization that comes with it.

The Basic Vocations

Let’s begin with the foundation of *Dragon’s Dogma vocations*: the three basic vocations available from the start.

The Fighter

The Fighter is the quintessential melee combatant. Wielding swords and shields, the Fighter excels at close-quarters combat, absorbing damage, and protecting allies. They are the tank of the party, able to withstand heavy blows and draw enemy attention.

The Fighter’s strengths lie in their high defense, reliable damage output, and proficiency in crowd control. They can easily dispatch groups of weaker enemies and provide a solid frontline against stronger foes. However, the Fighter’s limited range can be a hindrance, and they often struggle against flying enemies.

Some essential Fighter skills include Shield Bash, which stuns enemies and opens them up for attacks, and Hindsight Slash, a powerful counterattack that deals significant damage.

The ideal Fighter playstyle involves staying on the front lines, engaging enemies, protecting weaker party members, and disrupting enemy attacks. The fighter is a steadfast and vital presence on any team.

The Strider

The Strider is an agile and versatile vocation, blending ranged and melee combat with a focus on mobility and speed. They wield daggers and bows, allowing them to adapt to different situations.

Striders are masters of hit-and-run tactics, able to dart in and out of combat, dealing damage while avoiding enemy attacks. Their high mobility allows them to quickly reposition themselves and exploit enemy weaknesses. However, Striders have lower defense compared to Fighters, making them more vulnerable to damage.

Key Strider skills include Fracture Dart, which inflicts debilitating status effects on enemies, and Hailstorm Volley, a rapid barrage of arrows that can quickly whittle down enemy health.

The ideal Strider playstyle involves flanking enemies, exploiting weaknesses, utilizing hit-and-run tactics, and providing ranged support when necessary. They are highly versatile and capable of adapting to any situation.

The Mage

The Mage is the primary magic-user in *Dragon’s Dogma*. Wielding staves, Mages focus on casting spells for both offense and support. They can unleash devastating elemental attacks and heal allies in need.

The Mage’s strengths lie in their powerful spells, healing abilities, and ability to exploit elemental weaknesses. They can deal massive damage to enemies and keep the party alive with timely healing. However, Mages have low defense and are vulnerable to physical attacks, requiring careful positioning and protection.

Essential Mage skills include Fireball, a classic damaging spell, Anodyne, a powerful healing spell, and Levin, a lightning spell that can stun enemies.

The ideal Mage playstyle involves providing ranged support, exploiting elemental weaknesses, crowd control, and healing allies. They are a crucial asset to any party, providing both offensive and defensive capabilities.

The Advanced Vocations

Once you’ve gained some experience, you can unlock the advanced *Dragon’s Dogma vocations*, which build upon the foundation of the basic vocations.

The Warrior

The Warrior is a pure melee damage dealer, specializing in heavy weapons and powerful attacks. They wield two-handed swords and hammers, dealing massive damage with each swing.

The Warrior’s strengths lie in their high damage output and ability to stagger enemies. They can easily break through enemy defenses and deliver devastating blows. However, Warriors have slow attack speeds and limited mobility, making them vulnerable during attacks.

Important Warrior skills include Corona Slash, a spinning attack that deals area-of-effect damage, and Indomitable Lunge, a powerful charging attack that can knock enemies off their feet.

The ideal Warrior playstyle involves dealing massive damage, breaking enemy defenses, and controlling the battlefield with powerful attacks. They are a force to be reckoned with in close combat.

The Ranger

The Ranger is a long-range specialist, focusing on dealing damage from afar with longbows. They are masters of stealth and precision, able to pick off enemies from a distance.

The Ranger’s strengths lie in their high single-target damage and excellent range. They can exploit enemy weak points with pinpoint accuracy and deal significant damage from a safe distance. However, Rangers have low defense and struggle in close combat, requiring good positioning and awareness.

Key Ranger skills include Tenfold Flurry, a rapid barrage of arrows that deals massive damage, and Endecad Shot, a powerful shot that can pierce through multiple enemies.

The ideal Ranger playstyle involves sniping enemies from afar, debilitating attacks, and supporting allies from a safe distance. They are a valuable asset in any party, providing long-range damage and support.

The Sorcerer

The Sorcerer is an advanced magic user, specializing in powerful offensive spells and area-of-effect attacks. They wield archistaves, channeling immense magical energy to unleash devastating spells.

The Sorcerer’s strengths lie in their devastating area-of-effect damage and powerful elemental attacks. They can obliterate groups of enemies with a single spell, controlling the battlefield with their magical prowess. However, Sorcerers have long casting times and high stamina costs, making them vulnerable during casting.

Essential Sorcerer skills include Bolide, a meteor strike that deals massive fire damage, Maelstrom, a tornado that pulls enemies in and deals continuous damage, and Fulmination, a lightning storm that electrifies the battlefield.

The ideal Sorcerer playstyle involves unleashing powerful magic, controlling the battlefield, and decimating enemies with devastating spells. They are a force of nature on the battlefield.

The Hybrid Vocations

Finally, we have the hybrid *Dragon’s Dogma vocations*, which combine elements of both melee and magic combat.

The Mystic Knight

The Mystic Knight is a versatile vocation that blends melee combat with magical abilities. They wield swords or maces and magic shields, enchanting their weapons and utilizing magical defenses.

The Mystic Knight’s strengths lie in their versatility and ability to adapt to different situations. They can enchant their weapons with elemental damage, cast protective spells, and deal both melee and magical damage. However, Mystic Knights are a jack-of-all-trades, master of none, requiring strategic skill usage.

Important Mystic Knight skills include Holy Enchanter, which imbues weapons with holy damage, and Ruinous Sigil, a magical trap that explodes when triggered.

The ideal Mystic Knight playstyle involves adaptable combat, enchanting weapons, providing magical support, and utilizing a mix of melee and magical attacks. They are a versatile and valuable asset to any party.

The Assassin

The Assassin is a deadly vocation that focuses on speed, evasion, and critical hits. They wield swords, daggers, and bows, utilizing stealth and agility to take down enemies quickly and efficiently.

The Assassin’s strengths lie in their high damage output and excellent mobility. They can strike quickly, exploit enemy weaknesses, and remain elusive on the battlefield. However, Assassins have low defense and rely on dodging and evasion, making them difficult to master.

Key Assassin skills include Invisibility, which allows them to vanish from sight, and Hundred Kisses, a rapid flurry of dagger attacks that deals massive damage.

The ideal Assassin playstyle involves striking quickly, exploiting enemy weaknesses, remaining elusive, and utilizing stealth and agility to take down enemies. They are a deadly and efficient killing machine.

The Magick Archer

The Magick Archer is a ranged magic user that utilizes magical bows to deal elemental damage and heal allies. They are masters of ranged combat and elemental manipulation.

The Magick Archer’s strengths lie in their high elemental damage and good range. They can exploit enemy elemental weaknesses and heal allies from afar. However, Magick Archers have low physical damage and rely on elemental weaknesses, limiting their effectiveness against certain enemies.

Essential Magick Archer skills include Holy Glare, a beam of holy light that damages and heals, and Explosive Rivet, an arrow that explodes on impact, dealing area-of-effect damage.

The ideal Magick Archer playstyle involves supporting allies with ranged magic, exploiting enemy weaknesses, and providing elemental damage from a safe distance. They are a valuable asset to any party, providing both offensive and defensive capabilities.

Vocation Synergies and Team Composition

Choosing the right vocations for your party is crucial for success in *Dragon’s Dogma*. Different vocations complement each other, creating powerful synergies that can overcome even the most challenging encounters. For example, a Fighter can protect a Mage, allowing them to safely cast powerful spells, while a Ranger can exploit weaknesses discovered by a Strider.

An ideal party composition might include a Fighter for tanking, a Mage for healing and support, and a Strider or Ranger for ranged damage. However, the best party composition will depend on your personal playstyle and the challenges you face.

Your Pawn’s vocation is equally important. Choose a vocation that complements your own and fills any gaps in your party.

Vocations for Beginners

For new players, some vocations are easier to learn and play than others. The Fighter, Strider, and Mage are all excellent choices for beginners, as they provide a good balance of offense and defense and are relatively straightforward to master. These *Dragon’s Dogma vocations* allow players to understand the core mechanics of the game before branching out into more complex builds.

Conclusion

The vocation system in *Dragon’s Dogma* is a defining feature of the game, providing unparalleled freedom and flexibility in character customization. By understanding the strengths, weaknesses, and skills of each vocation, you can create a character that perfectly suits your preferred playstyle. Experiment with different vocations, find your favorite builds, and embark on your own unique adventure in Gransys. The possibilities are endless! What’s your favourite vocation? Let us know in the comments below!