It’s been a while since the lastDungeons & Dragonsgame came out. Specifically, it has been a while since the last game in this series arrived, which wasBaldur’s Gate: Dark Alliance IIin 2004.Dungeons & Dragons: Dark Alliancehas some similarities other than sharing a title, but it also plays very differently than what some fans might have expected.

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Fighting enemies in Dungeons & Dragons: Dark Alliance

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 Allianceis available for free onXbox Game Pass.

10Online 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 Alliancedoes support four players, which is always a good healthy number fora co-op RPGlike 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.

Fighting enemies in Dungeons & Dragons: Dark Alliance

9Character Suggestions

SinceDungeons & Dragons: Dark Allianceis 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 roguebut 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.

The EXP reward screen from Dungeons & Dragons: Dark Alliance

8How Level Progression Works

Fighting enemies inDungeons & Dragons: Dark Allianceis not the same asin 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.

The gear menu from Dungeons & Dragons: Dark Alliance

7You 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.

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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.

6Fill 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.

The gear menu from Dungeons & Dragons: Dark Alliance

5Pay Attention To Party Combat Power

Equipping armor and leveling up stats works differently inDungeons & Dragons: Dark Alliancethanin other RPGs. It’s more likeDestiny’slight 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.

The difficulty settings menu from Dungeons & Dragons: Dark Alliance

4You 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 inDungeons & Dragons: Dark Alliance. These can be bought with gold in the same menu so long as the required level is met.

The upgrade menu from Dungeons & Dragons: Dark Alliance

3Lay Waste To Red Barrels

It’s a bit odd that this classic video game friend to players everywhere returns inDungeons & Dragons: Dark Alliance. It’s not like this game is a shooter, asDark Allianceisa 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.

Fighting enemies in Dungeons & Dragons: Dark Alliance

2Stay 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.

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Fighting enemies in Dungeons & Dragons: Dark Alliance

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.

1Always Use Checkpoints

Dungeons & Dragons: Dark Alliancehas a risk, reward system when it comes to checkpoints, sort of likeinShovel 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.

The rest area from Dungeons & Dragons: Dark Alliance

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