Dragon's Dogma 2: Fighter Vocation, Explained

In many games, the default sword and shield are seen as the safe option. It's the bread-and-butter of any setting that people can look at and instantly understand. It's not exceptionally unique, but it will never let you down either. Of course, like everything in Dragon's Dogma 2, the Fighter vocation stands out from the crowd.

Dragon's Dogma 2: Thief Vocation, Explained

Learn the tricks of the trade for the Thief vocation in Dragon's Dogma 2.

While they are in many ways standard, they possess capabilities one might not always expect from them. They have a hand in everything, preparing you for every scenario, but can be quite capable as a monster-climbing machine if you want them to be as well. Read on to get an idea of everything the Fighter is capable of.

Strengths And Weaknesses Of The Fighter Vocation

Strengths

While you might expect Fighter to have no particular strengths or weaknesses, you would be wrong. Despite seeming quite simple, they possess abilities no other vocation has - defense.

No other vocation in Dragon's Dogma 2 can inherently defend themselves. Some, like the Thief, can evade, but none have the built-in ability to mitigate damage. This is one of the strongest aspects of the Fighter.

Next to this is the raw damage they can deal. While Sorcerers and Warriors might have higher damage output, Fighters can still dish out respectable damage without needing long set ups like the former vocations.

They also have quite a bit of synergy with other vocations. Launchboard lets them fling more agile allies into the air, and their Enchanted Counter lets them take further advantage of given elemental enchantments than other vocations.

Weaknesses

By far the biggest weakness of Fighter is the necessity for spatial awareness. While they can defend from any attack, they do not have the hyper armor that vocations like the Warrior can take advantage of.

With Fighters, only attacks that physically hit your shield are blocked. If you are hit from behind, you will not only take damage but be staggered. This is an incredibly precarious position to be in since Fighters act as the vanguard of any party.

They also have no elemental or debilitating attacks to speak of. In the early game, this is no major issue. As the game progresses, however, Fighters will need to rely on allies to buff them if they want to stand a chance against more formidable opponents.

Fighter Weapon Skills

Like the vocation itself, the fighter's weapon skills are split between offense, defense, and utility. Provided they have the allies to support them, they can excel in any scenario without much thought.

Weapon Skill

Upgraded Weapon Skill

Effect

Blinking Strike

Burst Strike

Dash at the enemy at high speed, striking them. Travels father when upgraded.

Airward Slash

Cloudward Slash

Jump into the air and attack. Jumps higher and can be used mid-air when upgraded.

Compass Slash

Full Moon Slash

Perform a spinning attack while moving forward. Hits more and harder when upgraded.

Gouging Skewer

Gutting Skewer

Pin down an open enemy and repeatedly stab them. Deals more damage and can be used while jumping when upgraded.

Hindsight Slash

Hindsight Sweep

Perform an evasive backstep before lunging at an enemy. Perform more, heavier attacks when upgraded.

Shield Bash

Shield Pummel

Bash an enemy with your shield, stunning them. Hits a second time when upgraded.

Shield Summons

Shield Drum

Slam your shield to catch the attention of enemies. When upgraded, affects a wider area for a longer period.

Springboard

Lanuchboard

Ready yourself so that you can launch an ally into the air with your shield. When upgraded, consumes less stamina and launches the ally higher.

Impeccable Guard

Flawless Guard

Spin while moving forward with your shield, blocking attacks in all directions. When upgraded, travel further for less stamina.

Counter Slash

Vengeful Slash

Maintain a defensive position, counterattacking when hit. Hits harder over a wider range when upgraded.

Perfect Defense

Divine Defense

Hunker down, blocking every form of attack from the front. When upgraded, consumes less stamina.

The Fighter's skills are about keeping them in the battle and everyone else away from it. They can attract the enemy's attention while closing the gap at a moment's notice, and defend themselves from every angle if they anticipate an incoming attack.

Fighter Core Skills

The core skills of the Fighter make up the bulk of their base moveset, though some fun extras find their way in there as well.

Core Skill

Effect

Onslaught

This is the regular attack for the Fighter.

Empale

This move is used as a follow-up, impaling enemies that are unguarded.

Defend

This is blocking with your shield. Stamina is drained on hit and regenerates slower while blocking.

Deflect

A well-timed block will have you deflect the enemy attack for decreased stamina cost.

True Deflect

A more tightly executed deflect that takes no stamina.

Tusk Toss

Holding the regular attack button will charge an upward slash that knocks lightweight enemies into the air.

Steeled Foundation

This allows you to use your shield to break your fall, dramatically reducing fall damage.

Enchanted Counter

While blocking, this will cause an automatic elemental attack on the enemy depending on your current enchantment.

At all times, the Fighter favours endurance. A well-timed deflect takes no stamina; a fall from a height can be severely mitigated. They will never fall so long as their shield is by their side.

Fighter Augments

Augments act as passive buffs to their character that are active at all times, rather than the more active nature of skills. This gives you more freedom to build your character without having to fundamentally change your moveset.

Augment

Effect

Mettle

This increases your physical defense.

Provocation

This makes enemies more likely to target you over allies.

Thew

This increases your max carry weight by 10kg.

Dominion

This allows you to pin down enemies for a longer period of time.

Diligence

This speeds up your recovery period from crawling.

Augments, once unlocked, can be used on every vocation, not just the one they came from.

As with its core skills, the augments of the Fighter are about never leaving the battle. You become stronger, you carry more, you never stay off your feet unless it's holding an enemy down. These augments make you unstoppable, both inside and out of combat.

Dragon's Dogma 2: Warrior Vocation, Explained

Familiarize yourself with the Warrior Vocation and how to use it in Dragon's Dogma 2.