Gameplay: (2)

Dive into Dragon's Dogma 2's gameplay! Learn about weapon types like bows and daggers, essential skills like Double Vault, and how Vocations stack up. Get the edge you need!

Alright, let's talk about how you'll actually be playing the game, focusing on the Strider Vocation for a bit. You're going to find that bows are seriously awesome in Dragon's Dogma 2. Having a way to aim your attacks from a distance is a game-changer, and thankfully, four different classes get to use them. The Strider, though, might be a little weaker with their bow skills compared to others. They get skills like Fivefold Flurry and Pentad Shot, which are decent, but they miss out on the long-range sniping abilities that the Assassin and Ranger classes have. Their daggers are okay – they're fast, which is nice, but they don't have a really strong 'rush' attack like the Burst Strike you might see elsewhere. Skills like Cutting Wind just don't pack the same punch when it comes to staggering or knocking down enemies, and honestly, that's a bit of a problem for daggers in general.

For defense, the Strider's main move is 'Forward Roll,' which you'll have to learn. It's not the quickest, and it's not always super useful because it's a bit slow. We're all used to characters who can just zip around with dodges, but Dragon's Dogma 2 is a bit different. A much better skill, both for defense and just getting around, is 'Double Vault.' Seriously, this is a must-have in my book. It lets you reach ledges that are higher or further away, and makes jumps you could already make even easier.

Don't forget about the 'Reset/Instant Reset' dagger skill either. It's a neat trick that just snaps you back to a neutral standing position. This is super handy if you get staggered or knocked down, as it can help you avoid getting hit with follow-up attacks. Now, here's a cool hidden advantage for Striders: they are the absolute fastest climbers in the game. This makes them arguably the best Vocation for grabbing onto and taking down large monsters. Of course, this is if you ignore the Assassin's Invisibility skill, and also if you forget that the Ranger and Magic Archer classes have way better bow skills, meaning they don't need to grapple as much. As for their augments, they're pretty forgettable – mostly just stuff about staying calm or moving faster and more efficiently.

Honestly, while the Strider is okay for leveling up and can be fun to play, it just gets outshone by the more advanced Hybrid and Advanced Vocations that do most of what the Strider does, but better. If you're thinking about sticking with the Strider, you might want to consider switching to the Assassin, Magic Archer, or Ranger later on.

Mage

Type: Basic Vocation
Primary Weapon: Staff
Secondary Weapon: None