2021-06-30T15:23:12 02:00

Dungeons & Dragons: Dark Alliance: 10 Tips for Getting Started

In this tips guide for Dungeons & Dragons: Dark Alliance you will learn:

How to use attack combos correctly
How to defeat large monsters
Which enemies you should eliminate first
Why parrying and blocking are so important

Practice attack combos in Kelvin's Tomb

Yes, Dungeons & Dragons: Dark Alliance is a relatively straightforward hack'n'slay adventure. Still, you should avoid stubborn button mashing at all costs. The combat system mainly consists of different attack chains. You have one button for light attacks and one for heavy attacks. You trigger the different combos by pressing the attack keys in quick succession. Later on, you'll be able to unlock more attacks that also involve the directional keys.

Kelvin's Tomb is your base, to which you return between missions and files. There you'll have dummies available to practice combos. Besides, there you'll have access to the training arena. Use these aids to get used to the combat system and learn your combo attacks.

Use combo attacks wisely

Although you have a wide selection of attacks, the combinations are not very flexible. All attack chains are executed in the camera's line of sight. So you can't change the direction during an action. For example, if you trigger a combination of three to four attacks in a row, your character will perform them - no matter what happens.

Therefore, always think about the sequences and only use combinations that you know. For example, if you are facing an enemy with little remaining energy, you should only use short attack chains.

Adjust the camera or lock on to enemies during combat

If you're having trouble getting attack chains to the target, you should definitely aim at the enemy. On the PS5, you do this by pressing the right stick (R3 key). The camera moves a bit closer to your character. However, attacks and combos become more precise and mainly hit the fixed opponent. With the right joystick you can easily switch between the attackers.

This allows you to quickly react to side attacks or pounce on a ranged fighter in the background. Turns of the character and the corresponding camera movements are very sluggish in the default setting. Set higher rotation speeds in the options under "Camera" and you'll play a completely new game.

Kill the shooters in the background first

Keyword ranged combat: nothing is more annoying than a sudden on-screen death by a projectile while you are busy in melee combat. In Dungeons & Dragons: Dark Alliance, you'll usually have to deal with large hordes of enemies that consist of various attackers. At the beginning, it usually looks like this: A handful of melee fighters, one or two stolid but strong giants, and two or three archers that fire their projectiles from a distance.

The first thing to do is to find the shooters and magical enemies and eliminate them. This way you will avoid nasty surprises from a distance. After that, take care of the faster melee fighters. You can keep the slow big trolls or other giants at a distance for the time being. But be careful that they don't throw boulders at you.

You don't have to accept every fight

There are passages in Dungeons & Dragons: Dark Alliance where you will often die, especially as a single player on the higher difficulty levels. After that, it's back to one of the sparsely placed checkpoints - if you have activated it. Already killed enemies will return. Here it is a good idea to simply run away from one or the other horde. Start sprinting and pass the lurking attackers. They will not chase you. This way you'll get back a bit faster and in the course of the game you'll have plenty of other opportunities to gain experience points.

Master defensive parrying and blocking

In Dungeons & Dragons: Dark Alliance, as in most action games, you'll have three defensive options at your disposal: Block, Parry and Dodge. Especially in the fast melee battles with numerous enemies, you should always press the block button between your attacks. It's easy to miss a blow here. Cleverly timed parries replenish the important stamina. This is necessary to attack or dodge effectively. Therefore, practice parrying in the training arena before you go into battle.

Use dodging in attack as well

In addition to the simple dodge, you also have a quick spurt. This is triggered by pressing the dodge button twice quickly. Use this maneuver in close combat. If you're taking on several attackers at the same time, keep switching back and forth between attack and dodge maneuvers. This way you can attack well-armored enemies from the weaker sides or from behind, especially with the fast Drizzt.

How to defeat big monsters

In the course of the game, you will repeatedly have to deal with seemingly overpowered enemies. But with a few tricks you can quickly master them. Use your speed advantage and attack the giants from behind. This way you will cause critical damage. Some enemies overexert themselves. If a monster glows yellow for a short time after it has performed an attack, its stamina is depleted. So for a short moment the enemy is out of breath and can't defend itself against your attacks. Take advantage of this.

Search every corner

The levels in Dungeons & Dragons: Dark Alliance are mainly straightforward. However, there are areas off the main path that you shouldn't miss. You can often recognize the entrances by a red banner, as the following screenshot shows. If you follow these paths, you will often find chests of gold, useful items, and resources that you can use in Kelvin's Tomb for the important upgrades.

You will also often find objects that you need to complete side missions. Some narrow paths lead directly to the optional mini-boss opponents. Defeat one of them and you'll get valuable rewards, such as epic armor pieces. So be warned: not every roadside has a harmless chest full of gold waiting for you.

Change your character

The four available characters in Dungeons & Dragons: Dark Alliance are sometimes very different. If you find that you don't get along with the sluggish but strong Wulfgar, for example, you don't have to play him for the entire campaign. You can switch characters at any time between acts.

To do so, return to the main menu, create a new character in the menu item "Select character" and continue the game. You'll start in Kelvin's Tomb as the nimble ranger Drizzd, the robust tank Bruenor, or the ranged combat expert Catti-Brie. Select the last played section on the map and continue. Loot, attribute points and experience, however, always remain with the character who earned them.

More articles about Dungeons & Dragons: Dark Alliance on GameZ:

Dungeons & Dragons: Dark Alliance - All Trophies and Achievements

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