DDDA Tips

>Hard Mode is more like an alternate difficulty mode. You take double damage and use up more stamina, but you gain double EXP and Discipline points and enemies drop vastly more gold. Expect to be shit on for the first 20 or 30 levels. If you unlock the Bastion and Awareness augmentations from the Warrior and Sorcerer, you will have a much easier time.

>Save often. Before and after every fight, even. Aside from a few checkpoints, the game only autosaves after loading screens.

>Pawn Inclinations is an obscure mechanic that greatly influences how your Pawns behave. As a general rule, melee Pawns should prioritize Scather and Mitigator. Sorcerer Pawns should prioritize Challenger and Utilitarian. Support Pawns should prioritize Utilitarian. Inclinations I didn't mention aren't necessarily bad (except for Guardian, NEVER take Guardian), but can lead to some unwanted Pawn behavior. You can always change your main Pawn's Inclinations with Elixirs which are purchased with Rift Crystals at the Encampment, but creating your Pawn with the correct Inclinations at the new game start is greatly preferred, as Rift Crystals are not readily available in the early game.

>You unlock Augmentations by increasing the rank of each of your vocations. Any class can use any Augmentation, so it's worth maxing out your Fighter rank even if you plan on playing Warrior, for example.

>If you want to play a spellcaster, switch to the Sorcerer vocation ASAP. Mage is more of a support/healer type, so it should be mostly used by pawns. It does get some useful Augmentations though.

>In order to switch Vocations, you need to talk to the Innkeeper in Gran Soren. There is no real penalty for switching, so experiment and see what class you like best.

>At night in Cassardis, there is a lady waiting by the docks. This is how you access the post-game uber-hard DLC area, Bitterblack Isle.

>You should try to get to Gran Soren as fast as possible unless you're really autistic about completing every single quest. The game really opens up after that point.

>If you need gear, completing the Wyrm Hunt quests will upgrade the blacksmith's wares. You will occasionally find gear as loot in the world, but don't expect a ARPG style loot fest.

>Killing a dragon has a chance to (almost) fully upgrade some of your equipped items.

>The only way to fast travel is through the use of Port Crystals and Ferrystones. Once you get a Port Crystal, you can place it anywhere in the world, as long as it's outside. You can then use a Ferrystone to teleport to it. PC and 8th gen remaster players get an Eternal Ferrystone for free.

>There are several Port Crystals scattered around the world in places you will visit during quests. You will find one very early on at the bottom of the Everfall. Don't forget to grab it before triggering the escape segment where tentacles start bursting through the ground. It looks like a big purple crystal.