Capcom today surprisingly released Title Update 3.1 for the PS5 version of "Dragon's Dogma 2". The patch, which is around 550 megabytes in size, completely overhauls the heavily criticized fast travel system of the role-playing game and serves as the direct foundation for the "Dark Arisen" expansion coming in October.
The core of the update is the introduction of an unlimited fast travel item as well as a drastic reduction of the grinding mechanics when exploring the game world.
The eternal travel stone solution
With Patch 3.1, Capcom corrects what is arguably the most controversial design decision of the main game. Players now receive the "Eternal Ferrystone"—an infinitely reusable travel stone that no longer needs to be purchased. The item is automatically unlocked after speaking with Brant during the main quest "Seat of the Sovereign." Players who have already completed this quest will find the stone directly in their inventory.
Additionally, the development team is placing permanent destination crystals (Portcrystals) in Melve, the resting place in the borderlands, and the volcano island camp. This eliminates the artificial lengthening of travel distances. The publisher is bowing to the demand for convenience.
Oxcart tuning and stamina buffs
The oxcart system is also receiving a complete overhaul. Departure times at stations have been extended from morning to evening, intermediate stops have been added, and icons are now fixed on the minimap whenever a cart is nearby. Those who still choose to travel on foot will now consume significantly less stamina when sprinting outside of combat.
Especially important for frustration tolerance: Players who load an autosave after death no longer lose maximum health through the infamous "Loss Gauge" system. Dungeons also now reward explorers with noticeably improved armor and weapon stats.
New vassal specialization counters ambushes
The update introduces a new specialization for AI companions called "Guardian." This specialization prevents attacks on oxcarts, independently fends off smaller enemies in the camp, and weakens bosses before the player arrives. The corresponding book can be purchased from the apothecary in the unnamed village.
Furthermore, the behavior of minions on cliffs has been optimized to reduce fatal falls. Convenience options in the menu now allow players to disable high fives after battles and prevent unruly minions from approaching the player unprompted.
Capcom delivers four months before the release of “Dragon's Dogma 2: Dark Arisen“Exactly the quality-of-life improvement that was sorely missed at the 2024 launch. Unlimited fast travel and the removal of penalties for loading autosaves eliminate the game's cumbersome and unwieldy nature. A perfect time to catch up on missed quests before the DLC launches in October.”
Will the October DLC be free?