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Ever since theMagic Archer Vocation was revealed, many players (myself included) have been champing at the bit to play it, but it’s actually one of themost difficult Vocations to unlockinDragon’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’re able to expect to face along the way. Unlocking the Magick Archer isn’t as obvious asunlocking Sorcerer and Warrioror as early in the game asunlocking Mystic Spearhandcan be; it’s a long, perilous journey,leading you across the contentall the way back to the area where you first started the game.
Before setting out on this journey,you’ll want at least one Portcrystalwith you to set at Bakbattahl foreasy fast travel, though bringing two is ahugehelp down the road.
Updated by Jeff Brooks on August 11, 2025: 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.
Dragon’s Dogma 2
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 ofstory-significant questsyou’ll want tocomplete asap. Eventually, this will grant you access to Battahl (you first need toattend the Coronation).
There are actuallya few ways to enter Battahl, but the easiest by far is to advance the main story until you’re sent there.
After that, head to the West Vernworth Oxcart Station (shown on the map above) and pay 200g to travel toCheckpoint Rest Town. There’splenty to do here, but if you’re eager for Magick Archer, you can always come back later.
From here, you’ll need tobuy the Beastren Mask from the Forger; this, in combination with your merchant pass, will allow you through the gate.
Before leaving, check out Celeste’s Smithy, which will likely have thebest early game weapons and armoryou’ll find at this point in the game.
Rest In Bakbattahl
Battahl is a brutal location, full oftougher enemiesthan you’ll likely have faced in Vermund, so prepare for some toughfights against bandits, armored goblins, vicious Harpies, andhuge 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 toavoid 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 commandto ensure they don’t stay behind and get slaughtered.
There is noPortcrystal 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 onhealing itemsbefore 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 needquite a bit of goldto 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 tobring along a Portcrystalfor this next leg of the journey.
Along the road ahead, you’ll faceincreasingly 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 younear a tower and ravinepassing 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.
Definitelytake the time to rest and recuperateat 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 amaze filled with wretched monstersaround 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 bitconfusing to get through, but the journey is worth it — not only for getting to the location to unlock the Magick Archer Vocation, but also forThe Exalted, apowerfulone-handed mace for anyone with theFighter Vocationto wield.
For a more detailed walkthrough of this treacherous location, check out ourguide for escaping Drabnir’s Grotto.
Put A Spring In Thy Step Quest
Ahead on this path, you’ll encounter asurly dwarf named Gautstafrwith somesevereback 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.
There’s a campfire just past the dwarf. Gorest 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 homefor a special reward.
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 anelf 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 isswarming 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.”
Before heading out, loot the chest in their house for aWakestone Shard.
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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 verify you’re at least heading in the right direction. The quest marker directs you due east, into the unknown. The route is going to bepacked with tough enemies(Goblins, Griffins, Golems; you name it!), which will put up an intense fight. Youcanfight 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 tocarry 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!
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 theVolcanic 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 andPanacea, for example — along with a resting place andan 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 theCurative 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 theMagick Archer-Maister! You will now unlock the Magick Archer Vocation.
Congratulations!
She will also gift youSpellbow’s Paradox— “A tome detailing an exceptional ability for magick archers. Use it to learnMartyr’s Bolt.”
There is noVocation Guildin the Volcanic Island Camp, but you’re able to 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 encounterLamond, who will start you onThe Sotted Sagequestline. This unassuming quest will actuallyunlock 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 sparePortcrystalhandy, 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 braveDrabnir’s Grottoonce again.
If you’re searching for other Vocations to unlock in Dragon’s Dogma 2, check out our guides coveringhow to get the Mystic Spearhand Vocation, as well as theTrickster Vocation.
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