Ever since the Magic Archer Vocation was revealed, many players (myself included) have been champing at the bit to play it, but it’s actually one of the most difficult Vocations to unlock in Dragon’s Dogma 2. If you leave it to chance, you might beat the game before even discovering how to acquire it!
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This guide details how to unlock the Magick Archer Vocation — where you need to go, what you need to do, and the challenges you can expect to face along the way. Unlocking the Magick Archer isn’t as obvious as unlocking Sorcerer and Warrior or as early in the game as unlocking Mystic Spearhand can be; it’s a long, perilous journey, leading you across the content all the way back to the area where you first started the game.
Before setting out on this journey, you’ll want at least one Portcrystal with you to set at Bakbattahl for easy fast travel, though bringing two is a huge help down the road.
Updated by Jeff Brooks on April 3, 2024: This guide has been updated to include additional information about the Curative Spring, where the quest to unlock the Magick Archer questline is completed. Additional tips have also been included for how to start unlocking the Warfarer Vocation, as the start of said quest is right where the Magick Archer questline completes. You’ll also find more in-text links that can provide more information or additional context throughout this guide.
Make Your Way To Battahl
In order to even attempt to reach the location where you can unlock the Magick Archer, you’ll need to first reach Battahl. Dragon’s Dogma 2 is divided into two main regions: Vermund and Battahl. After the opening moments of the game, you’ll begin your journey in northern Vermund, and you’ll need to make your way through the beautiful countryside, following the main quest path until you reach Vernworth, the capital of Vermund.
You’ll quickly link up with Captain Brant, who will supply you with a set of story-significant quests you’ll want to complete asap. Eventually, this will grant you access to Battahl (you first need to attend the Coronation).
After that, head to the West Vernworth Oxcart Station (shown on the map above) and pay 200g to travel to Checkpoint Rest Town. There’s plenty to do here, but if you’re eager for Magick Archer, you can always come back later.
From here, you’ll need to buy the Beastren Mask from the Forger; this, in combination with your merchant pass, will allow you through the gate.
Rest In Bakbattahl
Battahl is a brutal location, full of tougher enemies than you’ll likely have faced in Vermund, so prepare for some tough fights against bandits, armored goblins, vicious Harpies, and huge stone Golems — among other familiar and not so familiar enemies.
If you’re attempting to unlock Magick Archer ASAP (and you’re maybe a little underleveled for the area), you’ll want to avoid combat as much as possible. This means skirting ambush points, avoiding enemies, and fleeing from combat every chance you get.
Make sure to use the “To Me!” Pawn command to ensure they don’t stay behind and get slaughtered.
- Head south from Checkpoint Rest Town, following the main road south, southwest, then back southeast. You’ll cross over a river a couple of times along this path.
- Once you’ve crossed the river for the second time (following the main road), you’ll travel along its length southwestward for a time before the main road cuts back east.
- Continue following this main road as it steadily winds east, and you’ll reach Bakbattahl in no time.
There is no Portcrystal in Bakbattahl, so if you brought one with you, this is one of the best locations to leave one for quickly returning — especially after the next leg of the journey.
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Journey South To Drabnir’s Grotto
The road from here on out continues to get more perilous, so make sure to stock up on healing items before setting out. If you’re not in a major rush, Bakbattahl has a number of interesting sights and points of interest, featuring some powerful weapons and armor — easily the strongest you’ll have seen at this point in the game — though you’ll need quite a bit of gold to purchase everything.
Your journey to Agamen Volcanic Island is a long one, and you’ll need to return at other points in the story, so if you have an extra one, make sure to bring along a Portcrystal for this next leg of the journey.
Along the road ahead, you’ll face increasingly hostile enemies, so prepare for repeated fights — or simply rush past them if you don’t have the time or strength to face them. Follow the road out from Bakbattahl southwestward, then it will inevitably curl back eastward as you near a tower and ravine passing over the river you crossed previously in northern Battahl.
Be careful crossing the bridge — if it breaks before you reach the other side, you’ll need to rest for multiple days before it is repaired.
- After crossing the bridge and ravine, you’ll pass through a gauntlet of bandits flanking either side of the road. Dispatch them or rush your way through.
- Beyond the Bandit pass, you’ll find a campfire for some (potentially) much-needed rest — though be careful of a nearby armored Cyclops who might have other plans for you!
Definitely take the time to rest and recuperate at this point, as the next section of the game will potentially strain your resources.
Continue your way westward toward a massive stone archway leading into the mountains — Drabnir’s Grotto.
Surviving Drabnir’s Grotto
Outside the entrance of the dark, cavernous Grotto, you’ll speak with Hillaire, a merchant who warns you that the Grotto is a maze filled with wretched monsters around every corner. Within the Grotto, you’ll find a variety of side passages that loop back in on themselves, and you’ll run into dead-ends, cave-ins, Goblins, Rattlers (stone Saurians), Slimes, and Ogres. Drabnir’s Grotto, true to Hillaire’s word, can be a bit confusing to get through, but the journey is worth it — not only for getting to the location to unlock the Magick Archer Vocation, but also for The Exalted, a powerful one-handed mace for anyone with the Fighter Vocation to wield.
Put A Spring In Thy Step Quest
Ahead on this path, you’ll encounter a surly dwarf named Gautstafr with some severe back pain. After speaking with him, he’ll request 3 Wildflowers from you, so he can craft a poultice and make his way home. If you have no wildflowers on you, you can scour the surrounding area — they won’t be too hard to track down.
Fortunately, pretty much any herbs you’ve gathered on your journey will suffice for Gautstafr’s poultice.
- Greenwarish, Pitywart, Morningtide, Grandpetal, and Goldthistle all count toward this quest delivery.
There’s a campfire just past the dwarf. Go rest up after turning in the wildflowers. You’re likely in rough shape after the perils of Drabnir’s Grotto.
Visit Gautstafr’s Home
You’re almost there! For the penultimate leg of this journey you’ve been on, you simply need to meet Gautstafr at his home for a special reward.
- The good news is that his home is very nearby (as indicated by the map image above).
- The bad news is that Gautstafr needs to meet you at his home, and he is incredibly slow. But remember: when in doubt, grab! Pick up the surly old dwarf, and you two will make it back in no time.
If you rest at the campfire, Gautstafr will simply be at the house when you head there next.
When you arrive at Windwalker’s Home, you’ll be met by an elf named Cliodhna — Gautstafr’s wife. While she is a bit cold at your arrival, Gautstafr insists on granting you a reward for your aid. Inside, Gautstafr suffers from another intense bout of back pain, and he determines to set out for “the curative spring” to sooth his injuries. Unfortunately, the path to the curative spring is swarming with monsters. Fortunately for Gautstafr, the Arisen is here to help.
Speak with Gautstafr, and when the dialogue prompt appears, select: “Offer to escort him.”
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Path To The Curative Spring
At this point, Gautstafr is ready to follow you to the ends of the earth! Though make sure you’re at least heading in the right direction. The quest marker directs you due east, into the unknown. The route is going to be packed with tough enemies (Goblins, Griffins, Golems; you name it!), which will put up an intense fight. You can fight your way through — you’re the Arisen, after all, and monster slaying is your specialty — but with Magick Archer so close now, there’s no shame in hurrying things along.
To unlock the Magick Archer quickly, you’ll want to carry Gautstafr most of the way. This can make the difference between a quick jaunt vs a combative slog. I love the combat as much as the next player, but when you’re looking forward to a new Vocation, it’s worth it to rush. Gautstafr will also periodically ask you to slow down if you get too far ahead, so you’ll be forced to either fight everything or carry him. Feels like an easy choice!
Pay attention to your Stamina bar — if you run out, you’ll drop the poor injured dwarf!
- You’ll pass by interesting locations that are definitely worth exploring — looking at you, Mountain Base Cave — but for now, continue forging ahead, through Goblin camps and past tough encounters.
- If enemies grow extremely persistent, I’d recommend getting past their encampment, so you can avoid drawing in additional reinforcements and simply kill the ones who are persistent enough to keep up pursuit.
- Fortunately, I encountered plenty of random Pawns traveling this road as well, who will serve as fantastic distractions for when you’re rushing past these bases.
Whenever you’re in-between encounters, save your game — you don’t want to start this run over!
You’ll eventually reach a wooden palisade, which will bring you to the Volcanic Island Camp. The Curative Spring is here — but so are some canine enemies.
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Unlocking Magick Archer & Rewards
Pass Through Volcanic Island Camp
The camp contains some useful things — some chests with gold and Panacea, for example — along with a resting place and an armory that will probably have the best weapons and armor you’ll have seen at this point in the game.
You’ll want to make your way toward the scaffolding and climb it to head into the tunnel beyond.
If you’ve hit the armory, you’ve gone too far — turn back to the scaffolding.
On the other side of that tunnel, you’ll find the Curative Spring! Follow the path along until you reach the attendant standing at the desk. Gautstafr will hurry away, and his wife, Cliodhna, will appear, thank you and apologizing for misjudging you so severely. She then reveals she is actually the Magick Archer-Maister! You will now unlock the Magick Archer Vocation.
Congratulations!
She will also gift you Spellbow’s Paradox — “A tome detailing an exceptional ability for magick archers. Use it to learn Martyr’s Bolt.”
- Before you leave, why not take a soak in the Curative Springs yourself for 100G? It doesn’t function as resting at an inn or anything, but it does heal you our your Pawns of any scars or visible wounds from combat.
There is no Vocation Guild in the Volcanic Island Camp, but you can interact with the local innkeeper to swap out your Vocation to begin testing out the Magick Archer immediately. The nearby weapons and armor vendor is also a great place to outfit yourself with some great gear for your new Vocation.
Warfarer Vocation
At the entrance to the Curative Springs, you’ll also encounter Lamond, who will start you on The Sotted Sage questline. This unassuming quest will actually unlock the Warfarer Vocation, a special hybrid Vocation that allows you to combine the abilities of up to three different Vocations into one unique build.
Place A Portcrystal If You Have One
If you have a spare Portcrystal handy, definitely drop one here on the Volcanic Island. You’ll likely need to return later on, especially if you’re pursuing the Warfarer Vocation, so it’d be a shame to leave before setting up an easy method of return. Otherwise, you’ll have to brave Drabnir’s Grotto once again.
If you’re searching for other Vocations to unlock in Dragon’s Dogma 2, check out our guides covering how to get the Mystic Spearhand Vocation, as well as the Trickster Vocation.
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