Dragons: Wasted opportunity?

[FiOth]

Note:Before I start talking about the main theme of the topic I'd very much like to ask anyone and everyone who is interested in answering to offer some serious and thought-out ideas regarding the subject. I'd hate to see posts like "I hate them!". The reasons are simple to understand I suppose.

Well, as you might have guessed, this thread has to do with the two big, noble and glorious dragons that we get to fight in this magnificent game. The creatures known as "Red" and "Blue" dragon respectively are maybe the best looking samples of their kind ever depicted in a video game. Their size, scale and power have been demonstrated in a way that made all players - especially the new ones during their first playthrough - respect them.

So, after finishing the game and seeing what the bulk of the battles has to offer, one question remains in my mind: "Why the lame dragon fights?" I remember how I felt when I first saw the Tower Knight, a sense of awe and respect about a creature that would very well stomp me to death. With those great lizards though, things are entirely different. The only thing required of the player is to, well, dodge them once. After that even the most humble of players can pick up a bow and - in lack of Hyper Mode - spam a few hundred arrows into their bodies and thats it. They fall, not unlike the punny Crystal Lizards we tend to hunt for ore...

I cannot rest my case without - again - comparing DS to another beloved game of mine, Phantasy Star Online. The first boss in PSO was also a red, fire breathing dragon but man, was THAT battle glorious. Each time I managed to take him down on the higher difficulty settings I felt a sense of accomplishment and self esteem regarding my skills in the game. In DS? I'd rather pay that idiot Patches for his expenses and send him to kill the "beast". I'd also let him keep the Soul Orb as thanks, for sparring me the boredom.

So, I'd very much like to read your opinions on the matter. Are the battles with these two dragons epic... or just plain lost opportunities?

[GuyIncognito]

DS has dragon god. There is no need for three dragon gods.

[FiOth]

DS has dragon god. There is no need for three dragon gods.

The fight with Dragon God is a scripted encounter. Yes, it looks good but to be fair is nothing special. Thanks for the vote but I'd prefer to read your whole opinion on the matter. :)

[obie191970]

To add a third dragon that is completely anti-climactic, see your World 2 archdemon. They are most certainly wasted opportunites - Your first playthrough you are stressed on how to beat them and once you figure it out it becomes a ho-hum experience. In NG++, I took down the Red with 7 arrows - Completely Lame. It would have been fantastic if they had forced you to fight at least one of them at their roost. Maybe keep the Red the way it is seeing it is so early and make you loop back to face the Blue over open ground.

As difficult as some of the bosses are in this game, it is nice that there is an easy one here and there depending upon your build - But the Dragons have such an immense presence to the game, it is a shame that FROM didn't ramp up the battles with them.

[Gawain]

I like the concept of the dragons in this situation. It's a very corrupted area and they spend a very limited time in dealing with it - to me it lends them a more natural feel.

The other concept I have is how would one actively fight a full enemy like the dragon that flies and takes that much damage? Imagine the red dragon in a set boss area without a ton of cover and trying to widdle him down with arrows? Logistically a boss like that would not land, and it would end up a very scripted element to it.

I like the fact that they're just nice little mini-bosses. They're not hard to kill, but it is time consuming, and completely voluntarily.

[GuyIncognito]

The fight with Dragon God is a scripted encounter

It's as much a scripted encounter and/or a rhythm game as the Tower Knight (if you choose to shoot the tower knight with arrows from the upper level, you have to time your shooting and dodging). In my original playthrough, the only major bosses that killed me were Phalanx (1x), King Allant (2x) and dragon god (too many to count). Maybe, someone failed to fax me the script.

[GuyIncognito]

As difficult as some of the bosses are in this game, it is nice that there is an easy one here and there depending upon your build - But the Dragons have such an immense presence to the game, it is a shame that FROM didn't ramp up the battles with them.

Yes, most of these supposedly hard DS bosses never killed me in the original playthrough (other than Phalanx (1x), King Allant (2x) and dragon god (?x)), yet the blue dragon fried me at least twice on my way to the "safe spot". And your complaint about how few arrows it takes to shoot the dragon down in later playthroughs is odd: how many times would you go through 100 arrows shooting the same enemy over and over again, before you threw the game into the garbage can?

[Syra]

While I agree for the most part, it's rather apparent the dragons were not meant to be taken down first thing. They are extras. If you want to kill them, you can, but they are obstacles, not enemies.

Still, I do agree. As someone who also enjoyed PSO, Dragon was some kind of awesome when you first faced him. In DS, while the Blue Dragon was notably better than the Red as far as the encounter, you still wished for something a little deeper, and more involved. As an obstacle, both seemed effective, but I think what would have really set the idea in stone, would be to give each dragon the ability to shift their pattern, should you start taking down their HP.

So I see the dragons as a half in half. They look good, and the serve the purpose of obstructing your path wonderfully, but as enemies to be defeated they are lacking.

[LxLgn]

Sure it would have been nice if the dragons in the game played more like the Boletaria bosses.

But Devs said that the Boletaria Dragons were obstacles. They just happen to be really cool looking flying obstacles.

As for the Dragon God I thinks that's just about there being variety with Archdemons.

Really though From Software could have made the dragons invincible forcing us to run pass them but they didn't.

They gave us a choice which is something I think we should appreciate even if killing them doesn't feel has epic as we think it should.

[HijiriOni]

Even Super Metroid back on the SNES had a great dragon fight that left some accomplishment...Ridley for the win.

Couldn't we have maybe of fought them in an "optional grass field area" where they can run around and dive bomb us and shoot fireballs on us.

GREAT examples for GREAT dragon fights come from Monster Hunter Freedom...anyone whose taken down the Tigrex knows exactly what I'm talking about.

In this the dragons seem...kinda dumb. Sit there and spit fire, make no attempt at dodging arrows, and make no attempt to readjust aiming fire if their missing. They could'a been replaced with a flamethrowing tower and at least that'd make sense for it not doing anything but sitting there.

[Swanson]

The fight with Dragon God is a scripted encounter

GuyIncognito wrote:
It's as much a scripted encounter and/or a rhythm game as the Tower Knight (if you choose to shoot the tower knight with arrows from the upper level, you have to time your shooting and dodging). In my original playthrough, the only major bosses that killed me were Phalanx (1x), King Allant (2x) and dragon god (too many to count). Maybe, someone failed to fax me the script.

I think so too. So how did you kill the Dragon God?

[Gamefanatic]

Yes the battles felt lacking, but as mentioned, they were not meant to be battles, but were an obstacle for the player to circumvent. I was dissappointed the blue one did nothing while I shot 150 arrows into his head, but the sheer terror of facing him for the first time trying to dogde his huge flame attack was exhilarating and memorable. At least the red one was flying around and took some aiming skill to take it down.. Maybe in the sequel there will be a boss encounter with dragons, if they ever make a sequel... I hope they do, this could be a great series...

[Gamefanatic]

I think so too. So how did you kill the Dragon God?


You have to harpoon it twice, then chop at the horn on it's chin when he's almost dead. Be careful though, he still emits a flame attack (sort of his last breath) that does big damage when your not expecting it. You can opt to shoot his chin with arrows if you don't want to risk it ... but you gotta make it to that 2nd harpoon first! Rots of ruck....:)

[FiOth]

I see some very valid points above, a fact that makes me happy. :)

As for GuyIncognito's post, I am sorry my friend but I believe you are missing the point of the word "scripted". If you cannot see how the battles is supposed and MUST play-out in a specific manner then, well, what can I say?

[Swanson]

I think so too. So how did you kill the Dragon God?


You have to harpoon it twice, then chop at the horn on it's chin when he's almost dead. Be careful though, he still emits a flame attack (sort of his last breath) that does big damage when your not expecting it. You can opt to shoot his chin with arrows if you don't want to risk it ... but you gotta make it to that 2nd harpoon first! Rots of ruck....:)

I wasn’t asking you, but im pretty sure thats how everyone(and GuyIncognito) kills Dragon God. Thanks anyways.

[Umbasa]

I was disappointed in the dragons too. They're pretty boring when you compare them to the dragons in PSO or Monster Hunter (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S3FIc-ik85M) where you actually fight the dragon. I wish the dragons would have been more like that.

Considering one is worth a trophy it would have been nice if it were more than "You stood at a spot and shot a hundred arrows at it. Have a trophy."

(Off topic: I forgot how fun PSO was. Gotta do a TTF run on Ultimate now.)

[FiOth]

I was disappointed in the dragons too. They're pretty boring when you compare them to the dragons in PSO or Monster Hunter (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S3FIc-ik85M) where you actually fight the dragon. I wish the dragons would have been more like that.

Considering one is worth a trophy it would have been nice if it were more than "You stood at a spot and shot a hundred arrows at it. Have a trophy."

(Off topic: I forgot how fun PSO was. Gotta do a TTF run on Ultimate now.)

If there were still servers running for the DC version I'd join you man... blasted SEGA. :(

[Aesthioseae]

The view that I took on the dragons at first was that of the trap-assailing skill monkey rogue* of D&D (if I disable the trap, that's one less Finger of Death I have to worry about), And so quickly, I dispatched these dumb, marauding beasts with patience and a lava-bow supplied with arrows. Of course, I would have liked it a bit better if these monsters were more responsive to the hail of arrows you are launching their way, and perhaps flee or flash their breath at you with a vengeance.

OR, or, or...

They could have been involved in the 2-3 Dragon God battle, by making you work for that key to 1-3 in a three-stage progressive boss-battle (now that would have been hard, while still leading up to that pretty, scripted cinematic).

Personally, I saw them as nothing more than a prettier, more mobile version of those stone pressure plates that throw arrows at you--just an obstacle. And to be honest, I think that if they were made into boss-battles, you would have a lot of players frustrated to near tears with the 2-3 boss fight.

Me: Nice, got that red, dragon... YES! got that blue dragon! Oh, oh, oh... ward wore off right in time for that punch from the Dragon God. 30 minutes wasted.

*Factotum was better, though.

[Gamefanatic]

I wasn’t asking you, but im pretty sure thats how everyone(and GuyIncognito) kills Dragon God. Thanks anyways.

What the?....:question:, this is an odd response... I didn't realize it was a specific forum member you were asking. Also, if you knew that's how everyone killed the Dragon God, why did you even ask in the first place? Weird. Next time PM the person if you want an answer from a specific forum user.

[FiOth]

I wasn’t asking you, but im pretty sure thats how everyone(and GuyIncognito) kills Dragon God. Thanks anyways.

What the?....:question:, this is an odd response... I didn't realize it was a specific forum member you were asking. Also, if you knew that's how everyone killed the Dragon God, why did you even ask in the first place? Weird. Next time PM the person if you want an answer from a specific forum user.

Yeah Swanson, that came out a little too hostile I believe. Keep it civil ladies and gents, no need to get aggressive.

[jsbradley7]

I think the developers where making a statement with the dragons: This isn't your typical RPG. Most games have the dragon as the final boss but DS puts them right up front and classifies them as mini-bosses. My impression when I first heard of DS was "Dragons as mini-bosses? Holy ****! What the hell are the bosses like?.

[FiOth]

I think the developers where making a statement with the dragons: This isn't your typical RPG. Most games have the dragon as the final boss but DS puts them right up front and classifies them as mini-bosses. My impression when I first heard of DS was "Dragons as mini-bosses? Holy ****! What the hell are the bosses like?.

Don't tell me you got the answer you were expecting when you laid eyes on Phalanx though. :lol:

[Aesthioseae]

I think the developers where making a statement with the dragons: This isn't your typical RPG. Most games have the dragon as the final boss but DS puts them right up front and classifies them as mini-bosses. My impression when I first heard of DS was "Dragons as mini-bosses? Holy ****! What the hell are the bosses like?.

Don't tell me you got the answer you were expecting when you laid eyes on Phalanx though. :lol:

In defense of that boss fight (NG+ et cetera, not included in this), when it's your first time playing through the game, alone, without your handy strategy guide book because you didn't want to fork out the extra $10, and you just spent an hour or so running through the level, getting beat up, dying, running to your soul-spot, dying, running again (yatta, yatta, yatta), it's nice to have a scimitar and some turpentine for an easy boss-fight that makes you feel like you've improved just a little... :)

[Gamefanatic]

Don't tell me you got the answer you were expecting when you laid eyes on Phalanx though. :lol:


Eh hem... I dunno, I rather enjoy fighting Phalanx. Barely made it the first time I encountered him, but he is yet to get me.:):) In NG++, Demonbrandt was taking out 4-5 of those little ones with one swipe... I think it's a cool boss, just not an extremely tough one.

[LemonFrosted]

I'm split on this. Do I think they could have done more with the Dragons? Yes. Am I unhappy with what they did do with the dragons? No. How do I wish they would have changed it? Less depressing amount of HP. Why is the HP the way it is? To make beating the event easier/faster than just killing them.

Within the flow of the game as a straight narrative they work great, it only starts to strain when you're looking for completion.

[Hahalo]

I'm disappointed with the way it can be taken down. Bow, chop by the tail, etc etc..

Should have done a combat (optional) face on like Flame lurker.

[Sheky]

Yeah, the dragons are kind of anticlimatic.

Anyone ever played the D&D arcade game, Shadow Over Mystara?

I was expecting something like the red dragon fight in that game.

[jsbradley7]

Don't tell me you got the answer you were expecting when you laid eyes on Phalanx though. :lol:

Phalanx was just the first boss, so I wasn't really expecting much from it anyway. My first character was a thief and I figured out pretty quick scimitar + turpentine was the ticket as I had used up all my firebombs against the knights.

[Dominions]

By rights the dragons should just be impossible, flying high above arrow range until they dive straight down on you FTW unless you dodge right in that window where you don't get crushed, but don't cause the dragon to strafe you with its breath.

I haven't considered the dragons to be worth the time it takes to kill them, I actually prefer to have them alive since they're useful for burning groups of significant enemies on each trip through the level... taking out the blue one in 1-4 was a particularly bad idea since from that point on I had to get past those two murderous Fat Officials every time I wanted to get back to Allant. It was far faster and easier to snipe the far one in the head from the doorway, get a little closer so the dragon would torch both of them, and then time the run properly.

Bosses IN GENERAL are the least threatening part of Demon's Souls. It's really about survivng the absurdly dangerous trip there (especially given the chance of invasion) so it makes sense to be given more style than substance on the "major" enemies.

[obie191970]

[QUOTE=obie191970;150319]And your complaint about how few arrows it takes to shoot the dragon down in later playthroughs is odd: how many times would you go through 100 arrows shooting the same enemy over and over again, before you threw the game into the garbage can?

I don't know, how many times would you kill the same skeleton over and over trying to get a pure bladestone before you threw the game into the garbage can? :D

But, I think you missed my point or I wasn't clear enough - In NG+ and beyond all these bosses get harder - The same tactics you used to defeat them the first time don't work anymore. With the dragons, however, they just get easier and easier.

[Gamefanatic]

In NG++, I took down the Red with 7 arrows -


Ok, I have a +5 Sticky Bow in NG++. No way will the red dragon die with just 7 arrows for me. Can I ask how you managed this? What bow does that kind of damage? I hope you don't say +10 Long Bow because I melted mine down for a +5 Sticky Bow. :o

[obie191970]

In NG++, I took down the Red with 7 arrows -


Ok, I have a +5 Sticky Bow in NG++. No way will the red dragon die with just 7 arrows for me. Can I ask how you managed this? What bow does that kind of damage? I hope you don't say +10 Long Bow because I melted mine down for a +5 Sticky Bow. :o

Sticky +5 with Hyper Mode engaged wearing Clever Rat's Ring and holding the Morion Blade in my offhand. Arrows are doing 800-900 damage a pop - Judging by what I do to other enemies where you can actually see the damage.

[Gamefanatic]

Hyper mode? Morion Blade? Never heard of either of these things, and I've beaten the game 5 times. WTH!! :very_sad: Off to the wiki....

Question....how can you hold the morion blade in one hand and still be able to sling arrows with a bow? ;) 800-900 dmg per arrow, dang that must make you happy...

Currently I'm getting 220 dmg per heavy arrow using sticky bow +5. Are you using white arrows?

[obie191970]

Hyper mode is reducing your HP to <30% while having the Clever Rat's Ring equipped. There are a couple of ways to do this - Either use a shield that doesn't deflect 100% of phys damage such as the Adjudicator's Shield - Equip it and go get whacked a couple of times and then switch to your regular shield. This is very difficult in NG+ and beyond as you take too much damage. The other, and easier, way is to equip the Makato Sword - PWWT drop in 4. It reduces your HP by 1% every couple of seconds. So you just equip it and hand out for a couple of minutes until it kicks in and then unequip it.

The Clever Rat's Ring significantly increase damage when your HP are <30%. The Morion Blade(Forged by Ed with a Straight Sword +8 - I used a Short Sword seeing it is the lightest - and the Storm Demon's Soul) does the same thing and stacks with the ring. So, with the two of them going, you do insane ammounts of damage. I one hit the Penetrator and two-hit Flamelurker in NG++ - both with Homing Soul Arrows - using this method and you can see the damage I do with a bow.

If you equip the Morion Blade in your right hand and Bow in the left, it still counts the bonuses from the sword on the bow. With magic, I'll equip the Sword in my left hand and the Talisman of Beasts in my right. And, no white arrows - I only use hard. BTW, my Dex is at 40 and both Magic and Faith are at +/- 65 in NG++. You will obviously see different results depending upon your stats.

And yes, it makes me very happy....:D

[Gamefanatic]

Hyper mode is reducing your HP to <30% while having the Clever Rat's Ring equipped. There are a couple of ways to do this - Either use a shield that doesn't deflect 100% of phys damage such as the Adjudicator's Shield - Equip it and go get whacked a couple of times and then switch to your regular shield. This is very difficult in NG+ and beyond as you take too much damage. The other, and easier, way is to equip the Makato Sword - PWWT drop in 4. It reduces your HP by 1% every couple of seconds. So you just equip it and hand out for a couple of minutes until it kicks in and then unequip it.

The Clever Rat's Ring significantly increase damage when your HP are <30%. The Morion Blade(Forged by Ed with a Straight Sword +8 - I used a Short Sword seeing it is the lightest - and the Storm Demon's Soul) does the same thing and stacks with the ring. So, with the two of them going, you do insane ammounts of damage. I one hit the Penetrator and two-hit Flamelurker in NG++ - both with Homing Soul Arrows - using this method and you can see the damage I do with a bow.

If you equip the Morion Blade in your right hand and Bow in the left, it still counts the bonuses from the sword on the bow. With magic, I'll equip the Sword in my left hand and the Talisman of Beasts in my right. And, no white arrows - I only use hard. BTW, my Dex is at 40 and both Magic and Faith are at +/- 65 in NG++. You will obviously see different results depending upon your stats.

And yes, it makes me very happy....:D


My head hurts after reading all that.:D:D...so basically you're playing with almost no HP to get the bonus dmg from the Rat ring...sounds risky a little.
I think I'll work on that +8 straight sword and I have a Storm Demon Soul in my inventory as well....;) Thanks for the information, good stuff...

[HijiriOni]

Can the morion blade be enchanted?

If so I learned of a trick to up your damage further.

Left Hand Equipment slots, Catalyst or Talisman of Beasts, and your chosen bow
Right Hand Slot, enchantable weapon

Use light weapon or whatever you want from your left hand and swap to the bow...turns out when you go into 2 handed mode to actually fire the bow the damage added by the enchantment to your right hand weapon...starts applying to your bow.

I sadly am lacking a morion blade to test this but I should go make one.

[obie191970]

My head hurts after reading all that.:D:D...so basically you're playing with almost no HP to get the bonus dmg from the Rat ring...sounds risky a little.
I think I'll work on that +8 straight sword and I have a Storm Demon Soul in my inventory as well....;) Thanks for the information, good stuff...

My vitality is still at 8 at Soul Level +/- 160 so I have basically no hit points to begin with - I get one hit killed by anything regardless in NG++. Needless to say, this is tough to pull off for a purely melee character.

[Gamefanatic]

My head hurts after reading all that.:D:D...so basically you're playing with almost no HP to get the bonus dmg from the Rat ring...sounds risky a little.
I think I'll work on that +8 straight sword and I have a Storm Demon Soul in my inventory as well....;) Thanks for the information, good stuff...

My vitality is still at 8 at Soul Level +/- 160 so I have basically no hit points to begin with - I get one hit killed by anything regardless in NG++. Needless to say, this is tough to pull off for a purely melee character.

Why not start boosting your vitality stat? Just to give you somewhat of a fighting chance if you ever do take a hit. Probably because it cost 165,000 souls per each level once you reach SL 160... I'm at SL 149 and it's around 140,000 souls per stat.. Do you invade with that character?

[obie191970]

Why not start boosting your vitality stat? Just to give you somewhat of a fighting chance if you ever do take a hit. Probably because it cost 165,000 souls per each level once you reach SL 160... I'm at SL 149 and it's around 140,000 souls per stat.. Do you invade with that character?

It's not worth the return in investment. This build is constantly in Hyper Mode so I want to be in Soul Form so I can get there quicker. In Soul Form with Hyper Mode and a vit. of 8, I have about 80 HP. I would have to invest 42 points into vit to get it 50 so I had 1500 HP. If you do the math, that gives you 225 HP in Soul with Hyper engaged - So, is 42 levels worth 145 HP?!? Not a chance - Especially in NG+ and beyond.

I deal so much damage with my bow and magic that it is worth it. When I do need to melee, I use the Purple Flame +10 for the HitRes and a Moon Winged Spear +5 - So, my shield is constantly up. You get good at dodging and never get hit. I wear Black Leather(Not that it makes a difference anymore) so I am pretty quick and nimble. With Second Chance going, even if I do get hit, I'm dealing enough damage where they rarely get another shot at me. I can and have beaten everything in this game in melee, so I do mix it up.

And no, I don't invade with this character - I have another build for that. If I do get invaded - Which is rare because I suicide in the Nexus or quickly in a world if I'm working on tendency, it holds up pretty well if I have a chance to get in the first shot. I'm probably 50% on the 10 or so invasions I've had.

[FiOth]

Ehem, don't want to spoil the fun people but this is a thread about the dragons in the game, not an Hyper Mode guide. :)

I see that mose people veer towards my opinion. I would like to read some more statements of course. ;)

[obie191970]

Ehem, don't want to spoil the fun people but this is a thread about the dragons in the game, not an Hyper Mode guide. :)

I see that mose people veer towards my opinion. I would like to read some more statements of course. ;)

Sorry man - I know it got off track there for a minute.

Back on topic - Dragons in DS = Big bag of lame!

[Wolfram]

I think the dragons are very, very good looking. The Red dragon I think was well done, although I can't understand why it didn't eat me when I shot my super basic poison cloud at it from the top of a tower, eventually killing it (my first spell - I'm a knight). But still, its fire blasting of the parapet was pretty awesome and killed me a few times initially. The Blue dragon, however... that was kinda dumb. I mean, it just sits there and breaths fire. I understand they're just "obstacles" and as such, they do a good job but when dealing with something as universally loved/feared/respected as dragons they really should be more.

[Gamefanatic]

Sorry FaiOth, you know how easy it is to go off topic..;) I too think the dragons looked good, but the red one's legs look like "meat landing gear" when he strafes the bridge :D... looks dumb a little as they just kinda hang there, a little animation would have gone a long way.... Still a fun battle though..;)

[FiOth]

Sorry FaiOth, you know how easy it is to go off topic..;)

No worries friend, I am just trying to keep the thread running as supposed.

PS. Its FiOth. ;)

[Massack]

the fight that really depressed me was the final one, I just rained arrowy and magicy death on the him and he never even reached me.... i was very disheartened.

[FiOth]

Don't forget to cast your vote people. ;)

[Penguin_Ass]

I agree with the OP in that the red and blue dragons are handled pretty badly. Even if we weren't forced to fight them, at the very least they shouldn't be stuck in such rigid patterns, ignoring your placement on top of a tower, or unable to stalk you across rooftops. Imagine the intensity of 1-2 if you were constantly under pressure from the dragon to dip below ground and run through subterranean hell, then forced out into day light to run like hell again. Imagine having to dodge swooping talons as you dive for the items placed atop the towers, and racing flames down the stairs as you bolt with your prize.

And honestly, as for killing them, nothing is less satisfying than casting Poison Cloud once every three minutes and making a sandwich while a potentially godlike enemy flies in circles, dying of a 5HP/second DoT. (Spamming arrows mechanically ain't much better, either. What's with being able to stand directly beneath the mouth of a massive dragon and shoot arrows straight up without him even taking notice? Seriously...)

But yeah, Dragon God is still one of the scariest bosses I've ever "fought" in any video game. He looks utterly badass and really knows how to wreck house. To this day, after having killed him five or six times, I still respect him.

[Gamefanatic]

Yep, Dragon God's encounter is pure awesome... His pattern is unpredictable and friggin deadly as hell.. At least they got one Dragon fight right...:)

[Penguin_Ass]

Yep, Dragon God's encounter is pure awesome... His pattern is unpredictable and friggin deadly as hell.. At least they got one Dragon fight right...:)

There is one major problem with his arena, and that is that the environment massively obscures your view of his right hand when you're trying to get to the first glowing lance. It can be insanely hard to dodge the punch you can't see coming, leading to frustrating deaths. I kind of wish the game actually changed camera perspectives to something more like a panned-out view for this part. Other than that, it's sweet. He's scary as hell when you're on the ground running from pillar to pillar while he sniffs you out.

[Hahalo]

I really wonder where is that Demo's Dragon fella? I don't think is the same dragon as dragon god.

[Penguin_Ass]

I really wonder where is that Demo's Dragon fella? I don't think is the same dragon as dragon god.

Kill the Vanguard in the Tutorial. You'll meet him, he'll punch you, you'll wake up in the Nexus six months later.

[Hahalo]

I really wonder where is that Demo's Dragon fella? I don't think is the same dragon as dragon god.

Kill the Vanguard in the Tutorial. You'll meet him, he'll punch you, you'll wake up in the Nexus six months later.

Thats dragon god, i meant the one in the demo, the grey'ish brown fella.

[Penguin_Ass]

I really wonder where is that Demo's Dragon fella? I don't think is the same dragon as dragon god.

Kill the Vanguard in the Tutorial. You'll meet him, he'll punch you, you'll wake up in the Nexus six months later.

Thats dragon god, i meant the one in the demo, the grey'ish brown fella.

I'm almost 100% certain that it's not the same Dragon God you fight in 2-3. I've only seen him once, but I remember distinctly recognizing it as the massive enemy from the CG video that plays at the title screen. It still kills you the same way, but I'd wager money on it being a different enemy. Even the environment itself isn't the same.

Anyone able to settle this with a screenshot, by chance?

[Syra]

I'm almost 100% certain that it's not the same Dragon God you fight in 2-3. I've only seen him once, but I remember distinctly recognizing it as the massive enemy from the CG video that plays at the title screen. It still kills you the same way, but I'd wager money on it being a different enemy. Even the environment itself isn't the same.

Anyone able to settle this with a screenshot, by chance?

The environment is different, and I don't believe the tutorial version has the eye trigger like the boss version(red/yellow), but it, the pre-rendered one in the intro, and the Dragon God boss fight are all the same design. They all have six eyes, two rows of teeth, and the three large fangs, as well as the horn on their chin. The tutorial version, and the boss version both have either the same, or very, very similar idle patterns as well(pre-first lance idle pattern).

The quality is a little meh, but: Tutorial Version (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dQqGUvzsZMQ) and Boss Version (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NnLLDEOEqZo)

I'd say they're the same. That, or we have more than one Dragon God on our hands, and failed to kill one of them.

[Wolfram]

actually, he's a giant hydralisk.

[RonFiddlesticks]

I agree with many of the previous posters. The Dragon encounters are done in such a way to exhibit how massively powerful the creatures are. If you tried to melee it straight up, or fight it in an arena while it moves freely you're done for. The only real way to improve the Dragon encounters would be for Matthew Mcconaughey to show up, instead of Biorr, on a tank with a necklace full of dragon teeth and start giving Heroic speeches in a vague southern American accent. Then try to kill it with a Crushing Battle Axe +5 only to be eaten quite swiftly. Best. Dragon. Encounter. EVARR!!!!11!

[pktazn]

For some reason, I'm reminded of Leeroy Jenkins when I first tried to melee the red dragon lol.

The game was like, "You wanna be stupid? Then die stupid." xD

But really, I think it was a pretty wasted opportunity but I bet their main purpose was to be an obstacle than a boss. They're just killable since they thought, maybe the players would actually try to kill them, so they let it happen just in case people were up to the challenge. It would have been nice if they did more but I'm content with the way they are right now.

[FiOth]

I agree with many of the previous posters. The Dragon encounters are done in such a way to exhibit how massively powerful the creatures are. If you tried to melee it straight up, or fight it in an arena while it moves freely you're done for. The only real way to improve the Dragon encounters would be for Matthew Mcconaughey to show up, instead of Biorr, on a tank with a necklace full of dragon teeth and start giving Heroic speeches in a vague southern American accent. Then try to kill it with a Crushing Battle Axe +5 only to be eaten quite swiftly. Best. Dragon. Encounter. EVARR!!!!11!

Wouldn't it have been nice though - since the battles can be skipped altogether - if they were almost impossible to beat and doing so gave you imba bragging rights? You even get a silver trophy for killing the Blue one, which is ridiculous since fighting the much more dangerous Dorran gives you just a little bronze trinket. It just doesn't add up for me mate.