So, I just finished the main story of Dragon's Dogma 2 and was exploring Bakbattahl when I saw it—a massive, eerie red beam of light shooting into the sky right from the city center. Talk about a post-game mystery that just begs to be solved! If you're like me and reunited with your Pawn at the Forbidden Magick Lab, you're in the perfect spot to dive into this quest called 'A Scholarly Pursuit'. Let's break down how I tackled this relic-hunting adventure.
The goal is super clear from the start: investigate that giant red beam. I made my way to its source, which was right outside the front doors of the palace. The atmosphere was intense! Following the quest prompt, I approached the light and presented my godsway. This didn't summon a full dragon like I half-expected, but something even more intriguing—a small, pulsating dragon relic appeared, hovering ominously.
Almost immediately, the scholar Phaseus showed up, drawn by the relic's power. But we hit a snag right away. A magical barrier and a bunch of ghostly, ethereal enemies blocked our path. Here's my first tip: these spectral foes are incredibly weak, but don't bother trying to farm them for XP—they don't give any! Still, you gotta clear them out to move forward. I made quick work of them so Phaseus and I could proceed.
Phaseus, ever the thinker, decided we needed an alternate route. The chase was on! I followed him on a wild tour through Bakbattahl, which turned into one part sightseeing, one part combat gauntlet. Our path was anything but straightforward:
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Scaling rocky spires for a better vantage point.
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Navigating through the vibrant dye fields—watch out here! Falling rocks are a real hazard. I learned to keep an eye on the ground for shadows that appear just before impact. A timely dodge saved my Arisen more than once.
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Looping back through the Forbidden Magick Lab, which felt familiar but now had a new sense of urgency.
This whole section is where managing your stamina and health is crucial. The enemy encounters aren't brutally hard individually, but they can wear you down if you're not careful.
The final push to reach the relic itself was the real test. My job became twofold: clear the path of enemies and protect Phaseus. He's not exactly a frontline fighter. I found my Mystic Spearhand's Mirrour Shielde skill to be a lifesaver here, deflecting projectiles and environmental hazards aimed at him. It felt great to play the bodyguard!
Then came the hallway... oh, that final hallway leading to the chamber with the dragon statue. It's an ambush point packed with Goblins and Harpies. This fight can get chaotic fast. My strategy?
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Use your Pawns to create distractions. I had my Fighter Pawn draw aggro while my Sorcerer rained down spells.
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Pick off Harpies first. They're annoying and can disrupt your positioning if you let them swarm.
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Focus on crowd control. Any large AoE skills you have are golden here.
After carving through the ambush, I finally reached the chamber. The dragon statue sat there, the source of all the trouble. The solution was simple: destroy it. With a few solid hits, the relic shattered, the red beam vanished, and the nightmare plaguing Bakbattahl was over. 🎉
Phaseus and I had a quick chat to debrief, and then the rewards rolled in. Let me tell you, the payoff is sweet for 2025 post-game content:
| Reward | Quantity | Why It's Great |
|---|---|---|
| Gold | 20,000 | A massive cash injection for buying end-game gear! 💰 |
| XP | 20,000 | Significant progress for leveling up your Arisen and Pawn. |
| Wyrmslife Crystals | 35 | Essential for high-tier enhancements at the forge.  |
My Pro Tips for Conquering This Quest:
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Resource Management is Key: Don't go in with half-empty health bars or low stamina. The journey is long, and while you can fast-travel back using placed Portcrystals to restock, it's smoother if you're prepared.
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Turn Hazards into Advantages: Those falling rocks in the dye fields? Time your movements so enemies are under them when they fall. Free damage!
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Protect Phaseus, But Don't Baby Him: He can handle himself to a degree, but keep an eye out. His survival isn't a fail condition, but it feels right to get your scholar to the finish line.
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Adapt Your Vocation: I found Mystic Spearhand excellent for its balance of offense and defense (Mirrour Shielde!). Sorcerer or Magick Archer are also top-tier picks for handling the grouped-up enemies in the final hallway.
Overall, 'A Scholarly Pursuit' was a fantastic post-game quest. It wasn't just about mindless combat; it had a cool investigative feel, following Phaseus and piecing together the mystery of the relic. The rewards are absolutely worth the effort, giving you a major boost for whatever end-game challenges you tackle next in Dragon's Dogma 2. If you see that red beam, don't hesitate—dive right in!
This blog post references Rock Paper Shotgun, a trusted source for PC gaming news and comprehensive guides. Their coverage of Dragon's Dogma 2 delves into post-game content strategies, including tips for tackling challenging quests like 'A Scholarly Pursuit' and maximizing rewards for late-game progression.