It’s been a while since the last Dungeons & Dragons game came out. Specifically, it has been a while since the last game in this series arrived, which was Baldur's Gate: Dark Alliance II in 2004. Dungeons & Dragons: Dark Alliance has some similarities other than sharing a title, but it also plays very differently than what some fans might have expected.
Like any modern RPG, there is a lot to be aware of when starting, which is where the helpful tips come into play. It should also be mentioned that those on the fence about purchasing this game, based on the feedback, need not worry. Dungeons & Dragons: Dark Alliance is available for free on Xbox Game Pass.
10 Online 4 Player Co-Op Only
There are plans to patch in an offline mode for co-op but right now players can only create multiplayer matches online. On the plus side, Dark Alliance does support four players, which is always a good healthy number for a co-op RPG like this.
There is another piece of advice to go along with this though. It might be better to wait to play the game with friends because getting into a random match with people has very mixed results due to a lack of options.
9 Character Suggestions
Since Dungeons & Dragons: Dark Alliance is a four-player game, it would only make sense for it to feature the same amount of playable characters. Wulfgar and Bruenor are the two brutes of the team who are melee heavy.
Drizzt is a rogue but is also melee-focused and still does a decent amount of damage. Catti-Brie is perhaps the best option for those wishing to play alone as she attacks from a distance with her bow and she has healing spells.
8 How Level Progression Works
Fighting enemies in Dungeons & Dragons: Dark Alliance is not the same as in most RPGs. Experience is gained from the mission itself, and it will state what the reward will be before jumping in.
A bonus amount of experience is rewarded based on enemies killed, but it’s never anything that big. It might be better to avoid a lot of encounters when playing alone unless the mission quest specifically focuses on a certain camp.
7 You Can Customize Your Gear
One of the downsides of the four characters is the fact that they cannot be customized from the start. Thankfully there are ways to stand out such as the ability to change skins on both weapons and armor.
This can be done in the merchant shop in the hub world. These skins don’t cost that much either so if someone wants some extra flair for their character, this is the way to do it.
6 Fill Out All Four Potion Slots ASAP
Besides health potions, there are a variety of other potions and throwable items players can equip. They can be bought in the shop. Once purchased, the effectiveness of these items can also be enhanced such as how much the health potion will heal.
Of the initial variety offered, there are three that are recommended. The Potion of Heroism helps boost the ultimate meter's recovery. Alchemist Fire is basically a grenade. And the Elixir of Resistance boosts defense for a short period.
5 Pay Attention To Party Combat Power
Equipping armor and leveling up stats works differently in Dungeons & Dragons: Dark Alliance than in other RPGs. It’s more like Destiny’s light levels, although this game's version is called Party Combat Power.
Each difficulty will say what the recommended level is so if a player is below that point, don’t test it out. One should try to be at least a hundred points above the recommended level, if not more; this is mostly the case for solo players.
4 You Can Buy Moves With Gold
When a character levels up, they will gain a point to attach to a stat attribute such as constitution which boosts health among other things. They also gain a point to place into Feats which have both passive and active results.
There is another way to gain skills that are called Moves in Dungeons & Dragons: Dark Alliance. These can be bought with gold in the same menu so long as the required level is met.
3 Lay Waste To Red Barrels
It’s a bit odd that this classic video game friend to players everywhere returns in Dungeons & Dragons: Dark Alliance. It’s not like this game is a shooter, as Dark Alliance is a fantasy RPG.
Still, someone should not look a gift horse in the mouth, so players should be sure to use these red barrels to their advantage whenever viable. There are also others traps in the game one can lure monsters in to help dish out massive damage.
2 Stay Alive For Your Allies
When playing in a co-op match, it might be tempting to rush to someone’s aid when they fall down. This can sometimes be the worst thing a partner can do in a fight. If that downed body is surrounded by monsters, chances are the healing process will be interrupted and the savior will fall as well.
The best thing a player can do in a heated situation like this is to survive. As characters can respawn to that same point so long as at least one player is alive, running is always an option.
1 Always Use Checkpoints
Dungeons & Dragons: Dark Alliance has a risk, reward system when it comes to checkpoints, sort of like in Shovel Knight. On one hand, players can rest, save their progress, and refill all of their items as well as heal. There is another option that negates the checkpoint save in order to gain more loot.
This is a fool’s errand. Most missions are too long to take this risk. If players fall without making a single checkpoint, they have to start all over with no progress carrying over.