Bestiary or Foe Knowledge refers to a pawn's knowledge of hostile creatures. Each pawn tracks their own knowledge, viewable in the Status Menu, in the Bestiary tab.
Overview[]
The Bestiary represents a pawn's catalog of creature knowledge. Increasing knowledge increases the rating for each foe from none to one, two and finally three stars of knowledge.
Knowledge can also be granted from the Arisen to all in their party using Enemy Strategy Scrolls. Pawns can also gain knowledge of beasts either by battling with their own Arisen or assisting Arisen in other realms. To gain knowledge, pawns must witness and acknowledge the Arisen or other pawns performing certain actions against an enemy. Examples include :
- Exploiting weak spots
- Using the correct element or debilitation
- Being aware of certain moves the enemy will make, and being able to counter them.
Sometimes the Pawn will not learn a tactic on first seeing it, and it may be necessary for an action to happen multiple times before the pawn learns.
Pawn tactics and chatter[]
The acquisition of Bestiary knowledge increases the range of tactically useful actions a pawn may use in battle. Pawns lacking Bestiary knowledge will not be able to use specific tactics, and may choose deleterious tactics against a specific foe :
- (Has knowledge) A pawn may know that Cyclopes are weak to Lightning (or Thundershock) and use appropriate spells.
- (Lacks knowledge) A pawn may not know that a Snow Harpy is weak to Fire but resistant to Ice, and use a lesser enchantment (such as Ice Boon) randomly, rather than always using a far better spell (such as Fire Boon).
Pawn Chatter in battle often corresponds to Bestiary knowledge - this includes actions, elemental weaknesses, special battle tactics, warning others of dangerous states such as raging. For example :
- "Strike the tail!" [Saurians]
- "Your weakness is known fiend" [Enchanting Holy vs Lich]
Not everything a pawn says about a creature has a bestiary star associated with it; and generally defensive tactics and other warnings and the associated creature attacks need not be witnessed for bestiary knowledge.
Creature names[]
Excluding a few of the common foes, freshly minted pawns do not yet know the names of the foes they face, however they rapidly learn the proper name eg :
- 'Tis but one creature... Yet formidable one. [Evil Eye first encounter]
- An Evil Eye! [subsequent encounters]
In the Bestiary star listing unknown foes are listed as 'an unknown foe'.
Curiously, pawns cannot learn the names of Saurians from the giant group found on Bitterblack Isle, though they can gain bestiary knowledge in this state. Only of seeing a normal sized Saurian for the first time may they learn the correct name.
Kill count[]
To gain 3 star Bestiary knowledge for given sub-species, it is generally necessary to kill or take part in the killing of a great many of that specific type. For smaller creatures, this may be as many as five hundred victories. Pawns may also comment on passing lesser cumulative kill thresholds.
Time spent[]
Pawns unlock some knowledge flags just for facing a creature for a set period of time. For this reason they may sometimes claim to have gained knowledge seemingly randomly without witnessing any special actions.
The extra knowledge is usually gained after anywhere between one and twenty minutes of battle - lesser enemies needing lesser time. Pawns may learn at several lesser intervals of time before they reach full knowledge - the longer periods also require some foe kills as well so this knowledge cannot usually be gained by prolonging the first encounter.
Strategy and Tactics Scrolls[]
Enemy Strategy Scrolls impart Bestiary knowledge.
Strategy Scrolls impart unique species tactics that can also be learnt in battle. The knowledge learnt from such scrolls can apply to all sub-species pf that type. For example, Wolf Strategy Vol. 1 teaches a technique for both Wolves and Direwolfs.
Tactics scrolls do not seem to correspond to any specific action - their exact function is unknown but may have a similar effect to the pawn having battled the foe for a period of time or having defeated a modest number of the enemy.
There are no such scrolls specific for the creatures from Bitterblack Isle, but knowledge may be gained from Strategy Scrolls, such as knowledge for Warg and Garm being obtained from Wolf Strategy Vol. 1.
Bestiary[]
Obtaining bestiary knowledge for one creature in a list will grant the same knowledge for all the others.
For actions :
- Attacking actions such as with Holy or Blunt usually requires the foe to be hit between 20 and 50 times for a pawn to learn.
- More specialized actions, such as blocking a wolf's lunge, observing burning goblins panicking, or severing a hydra's head need only be seen a few times, and never more than ten.
- Note : this list contains only actions that are needed for 3* foe knowledge. There are many other actions that are tactically advantageous including ones which pawns will call out and act on.
Goblins[]
| Type | Action | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Goblin | Defeat 500 | Also observe for 300 seconds. |
| Hobgoblin | Defeat 300 | Also observe for 300 seconds. Hobgoblin Tactics may grant partial knowledge |
| Grimgoblin | Defeat 300 | Also observe for 300 seconds. |
| Observe thrust attack | ||
| Goblin , Hobgoblin , Grimgoblin , Greater Goblin , Goblin Shaman | Observe when Burning | |
| Stagger | ||
| Inflict Blind | ||
| Goblin , Hobgoblin , Grimgoblin | Inflict Frozen | |
| Kill one with a shield | ||
| Kill one with a horn | ||
| Goblin , Hobgoblin , Grimgoblin , Greater Goblin | Kill the leader | Goblin Strategies grants this knowledge |
| Greater Goblin , Goblin Shaman | Defeat 400 | Also observe for 300 seconds. |
| Greater Goblin | Damage with Lightning | |
| Goblin Shaman | Damage with Physical |
Wolves[]
| Type | Action | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Wolf | Defeat 500 | Also observe for 300 seconds. |
| Direwolf | Defeat 500 | Also observe for 420 seconds. |
| Hellhound | Defeat 150 | Also observe for 420 seconds. |
| Wolf , Direwolf , Hellhound , Warg , Garm | Block lunge attack | Wolf Strategy Vol. 1 grants this knowledge |
| Observe calling for help | ||
| Inflict Torpor | Wolf Strategy Vol. 3 grants this knowledge | |
| Wolf , Direwolf , Warg , Garm | Inflict Drenched | Wolf Strategy Vol. 2 grants this knowledge |
| Wolf , Direwolf , Hellhound , Warg | Inflict Silence | |
| Observe when Burning | ||
| Warg | Defeat 300 | Also observe for 420 seconds. |
| Garm | Defeat 300 | Also observe for 420 seconds. |
| Damage with Lightning |
Saurians[]
- Knowledge for giant saurians is obtained together with the respective lesser sub-species. In Dark Arisen 3* knowledge for common saurians cannot be obtained without battling (specifically climbing) their giant cousins.
| Type | Action | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Saurian | Defeat 300 | Also observe for 300 seconds. |
| Sulfur Saurian | Defeat 150 | Also observe for 300 seconds. Saurian Tactics Vol. 1 may grant partial knowledge |
| Geo Saurian | Defeat 150 | Also observe for 420 seconds. Saurian Tactics Vol. 2 may grant partial knowledge |
| Saurian Sage | Defeat 100 | Also observe for 420 seconds. |
| Inflict Silence | Saurian Strategy Vol. 2 grants this knowledge | |
| Saurian , Sulfur Saurian , Geo Saurian , Saurian Sage , Pyre Saurian | Sever the tail | Saurian Strategy Vol. 1 grants this knowledge |
| Attack while climbing | ||
| Saurian , Sulfur Saurian , Geo Saurian , Saurian Sage | Damage with Ice | |
| Saurian , Sulfur Saurian | Observe when Burning | |
| Pyre Saurian | Defeat 300 | Also observe for 420 seconds. |
| Inflict Drenched | Dousing the salamander's flames using water is needed in addition to other methods of extinguishing them. | |
| Extinguish flame | Any method will do, including simply killing them. |
Skeletons[]
| Type | Action | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Skeleton | Defeat 300 | Also observe for 300 seconds. |
| Skeleton Mage | Defeat 100 | Also observe for 300 seconds. |
| Skeleton Sorcerer | Defeat 100 | Also observe for 420 seconds. |
| Skeleton Knight | Defeat 300 | Also observe for 420 seconds. Skeleton Knight Tactics may grant partial knowledge |
| Skeleton Lord | Defeat 50 | Also observe for 600 seconds. |
| Skeleton , Skeleton Knight , Skeleton Lord , Skeleton Brute , Skeleton Mage , Skeleton Sorcerer , Golden Knight , Silver Knight , Living Armor | Damage with Holy | Skeleton Strategies grants this knowledge |
| Damage with Blunt | ||
| Skeleton Brute | Defeat 300 | Also observe for 420 seconds. |
| Golden Knight | Defeat 100 | Also observe for 1200 seconds. |
| Observe resurrection | ||
| Silver Knight | Defeat 100 | Also observe for 1200 seconds. |
| Living Armor | Defeat 50 | Also observe for 1200 seconds. |
| Attack from behind | ||
| Damage Armor | ||
| Damage Ghost |
Undead[]
| Type | Action | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Undead | Defeat 500 | Also observe for 300 seconds. |
| Stout Undead | Defeat 150 | Also observe for 300 seconds. Undead Tactics Vol. 1 may grant partial knowledge |
| Undead Warrior | Defeat 500 | Also observe for 300 seconds. |
| Giant Undead | Defeat 100 | Also observe for 420 seconds. |
| Undead , Stout Undead , Undead Warrior , Giant Undead , Poisoned Undead , Banshee | Damage with Fire | |
| Damage with Holy | Undead Strategy Vol. 1 grants this knowledge | |
| Undead , Stout Undead , Undead Warrior , Giant Undead , Poisoned Undead , Banshee , Eliminator | Hit head | |
| Undead , Stout Undead , Undead Warrior , Giant Undead , Banshee | Grapple undead that grapple | Undead Strategy Vol. 2 grants this knowledge |
| Wight | Defeat 30 | Also observe for 600 seconds. Wight Tactics may grant partial knowledge |
| Lich | Defeat 15 | Also observe for 600 seconds. Lich Tactics may grant partial knowledge |
| Wight , Lich | Damage with Holy | |
| Wight , Lich , Dark Bishop | Damage with Blunt | |
| Dark Bishop | Defeat 30 | Also observe for 600 seconds. |
| Damage with Holy | ||
| Poisoned Undead | Defeat 300 | Also observe for 420 seconds. |
| Banshee | Defeat 300 | Also observe for 420 seconds. |
| Damage with Ice | ||
| Damage with Physical | ||
| Damage Eliminator with Magick | (BUG) Knowledge obtained incorrectly from a different foe | |
| Eliminator | Defeat 60 | Also observe for 420 seconds. |
| Observe Banshee scream | (BUG) The Banshee incorrectly gives knowledge for Eliminators | |
| Observe stomp attack |
Ghosts[]
| Type | Action | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Phantom | Defeat 50 | Also observe for 300 seconds. Ghost Tactics Vol. 2 may grant partial knowledge |
| Phantasm | Defeat 50 | Also observe for 300 seconds. |
| Specter | Defeat 50 | Also observe for 300 seconds. Ghost Tactics Vol. 1 may grant partial knowledge |
| Phantom , Phantasm , Specter , Wraith | Damage with Holy | |
| Wraith | Defeat 30 | Also observe for 300 seconds. |
Flying Beasts[]
| Type | Action | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Harpy | Defeat 300 | Also observe for 300 seconds. |
| Snow Harpy | Defeat 300 | Also observe for 300 seconds. |
| Damage with Fire | ||
| Succubus | Defeat 150 | Also observe for 300 seconds. |
| Damage with Holy | ||
| Gargoyle | Defeat 50 | Also observe for 300 seconds. |
| Damage with Lightning | ||
| Harpy , Snow Harpy | Burn to prevent flying | Harpy Strategies grants this knowledge |
| Strigoi | Defeat 100 | Also observe for 300 seconds. |
| Damage with Ice | ||
| Observe tail turning red | ||
| Siren | Defeat 100 | Also observe for 300 seconds. |
| Damage with Dark | ||
| Griffin | Defeat 15 | Also observe for 600 seconds. |
| Shoot it down | ||
| Observe flailing when grappled | Griffin Strategy Vol. 1 grants this knowledge | |
| Have 3 or more climb | ||
| Lure down with a carcass | Griffin Strategy Vol. 2 grants this knowledge | |
| Cockatrice | Defeat 15 | Also observe for 600 seconds. |
| Damage with Lightning | ||
| Observe when Blind | Cockatrice Strategy Vol. 1 grants this knowledge | |
| Interrupt by attacking throat | Cockatrice Strategy Vol. 2 grants this knowledge | |
| Griffin , Cockatrice | Hit the head | |
| Block beak attack | Griffin Strategy Vol. 3 grants this knowledge |
Giant Creatures[]
| Type | Action | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Ogre | Defeat 50 | Also observe for 600 seconds. |
| Ogre , Elder Ogre | Make it guard its face | |
| Climb whilst 'guard is open' to cause knock down | Grab on whilst the ogre is running around but not attacking.(verify). Ogre Strategy Vol. 1 grants this knowledge | |
| Climb after certain attacks | Climbing on a Ogre after its "drop kick", "clothesline", or "back suplex" attacks may grant the knowledge. If climbed after the 'clothesline' running attack whilst it teeters the Ogre will be knockdowned. | |
| Attack whilst the ogre chases | Ogre Strategy Vol. 2 grants this knowledge | |
| Elder Ogre | Defeat 50 | Also observe for 600 seconds. |
| Cyclops | Defeat 30 | Also observe for 600 seconds. Cyclops Tactics may grant partial knowledge |
| Observe Thundershock | ||
| Break tusks | Cyclops Strategy Vol. 2 grants this knowledge | |
| Cyclops , Gorecyclops | Climb leg to get it to lift its leg | |
| Knockdown | ||
| Disarm | Cyclops Strategy Vol. 1 grants this knowledge | |
| Gorecyclops | Defeat 50 | Also observe for 600 seconds. |
| Damage with Ice | ||
| Golem | Defeat 15 | Also observe for 600 seconds. Golem Tactics may grant partial knowledge |
| Metal Golem | Defeat 7 | Also observe for 600 seconds. |
| Golem , Metal Golem | Damage with Blunt | |
| Attack with Magick to make medal glow | Golem Strategy Vol. 1 grants this knowledge | |
| Hit head when it uses beam | Golem Strategy Vol. 2 grants this knowledge | |
| Chimera | Defeat 30 | Also observe for 600 seconds. Chimera Tactics may grant partial knowledge |
| Gorechimera | Defeat 30 | Also observe for 600 seconds. |
| Burn cut snake head | ||
| Chimera , Gorechimera | Kill the snake head | Chimera Strategy Vol. 1 grants this knowledge |
| Damage lion with Magick | ||
| Damage goat with Physical | ||
| Inflict Silence | Chimera Strategy Vol. 2 grants this knowledge | |
| Hydra | Defeat 7 | Also observe for 600 seconds. Hydra Tactics may grant partial knowledge |
| Archydra | Defeat 7 | Also observe for 600 seconds. |
| Hydra , Archydra | Sever a head | Hydra Strategy Vol. 1 grants this knowledge |
| Damage with Fire | ||
| Burn a cut head stump | Hydra Strategy Vol. 2 grants this knowledge | |
| Barrel trick | See the Hydra article for advice |
Eyes and Tentacles[]
| Type | Action | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Evil Eye | Defeat 15 | Also observe for 600 seconds. |
| Use magick to make it lower its shield | Evil Eye Strategy Vol. 1 grants this knowledge | |
| Hit when it's charging | Evil Eye Strategy Vol. 2 grants this knowledge | |
| Vile Eye | Defeat 30 | Also observe for 600 seconds. |
| Evil Eye , Vile Eye , Gazer | Damage with Holy | |
| Knockdown | ||
| Gazer | Defeat 15 | Also observe for 600 seconds. |
| Hit eye directly | ||
| Observe poisoned cloud | ||
| Stun with Spire Tentacle | ||
| Destroy Great Cannon tentacles | ||
| Maneater | Defeat 30 | Also observe for 600 seconds. |
| Get bonus loot | ||
| Open Maneater chest |
Dragons[]
- The dire dragons found on Bitterblack Isle such as the Dire Drake share their bestiary knowledge with the lesser species of their kind such as the Drake.
| Type | Action | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| The Dragon | Defeat 3 | Also observe for 600 seconds. |
| Damage with Dark | ||
| Ur-Dragon | Defeat 3 | Also observe for 600 seconds. |
| Damage with Holy | ||
| The Dragon , Ur-Dragon , Drake , Wyrm , Wyvern , Cursed Dragon | Knockdown by hitting heart | |
| Stagger | Draconian Strategy Vol. 1 grants this knowledge | |
| Knockdown while it's casting | Hit the hand of the supporting arm, and not the casting arm | |
| Hit head to stop breath attack | Draconian Strategy Vol. 2 grants this knowledge | |
| Drake | Damage with Ice | |
| Defeat 15 | Also observe for 600 seconds. | |
| Wyrm | Damage with Fire | |
| Defeat 15 | Also observe for 600 seconds. | |
| Wyvern | Defeat 15 | Also observe for 600 seconds. |
| Cursed Dragon | Defeat 15 | Also observe for 600 seconds. |
| Observe the Dark Bishop revive it | ||
| Observe the Dark Bishop possess it | ||
| Observe items rotting | ||
| Damage with Holy |
Humans[]
- There may not be any bestiary knowledge for Salvation Members.
| Type | Action | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Hostile Soldier sword and warhammer bandits |
Defeat 150 | Also observe for 300 seconds. |
| Hostile Bandit dagger using bandits |
Defeat 500 | Also observe for 300 seconds. |
| Enemy Wizard magick using bandits |
Defeat 150 | Also observe for 300 seconds. |
| Enemy Person hostile soldiers |
Defeat 150 | Also observe for 300 seconds. |
Other[]
| Type | Action | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Seneschal | Defeat 3 | Also observe for 600 seconds. |
| Death | Defeat 6 | Also observe for 600 seconds. |
| Observe scythe attack | ||
| Observe it fleeing | ||
| Daimon | Defeat 10 | Also observe for 600 seconds. |
| Hit first form head | ||
| Damage with Holy | ||
| Hit second form head | ||
| Observe vortex |
Notes[]
- Some creatures lack a Bestiary entry on a pawn's profile. This includes harmless Fauna, and lesser creatures such as Large Rats and Spiders.
- Elemental weaknesses may require the use of spells, and not be learnt though attacks with elementally enchanted weapons.(verify)
- Pawn Chatter corresponding to Elemental weaknesses corresponds to Bestiary knowledge, and not the creature's specific elemental weaknesses - thus pawns state Goblin's are "Weak to Ice" when they are not especially so.
- Pawns also can gain knowledge stars for Quests, and also locations.
- It may be that Utilitarian pawns are more likely to use tactics corresponding to Bestiary knowledge.(verify)
- Bestiary section is called "Foe Knowledge" when viewing Pawn Details before hiring.
Knowledge flag tips[]
- The first star is always the easiest to earn, as pawns get it from learning one tactic either from a scroll or from observation. The second star is earned when a number of tactics specific to each beast are learned. The third star is earned when all tactics for a beast have been learned and kill counts for individual enemies are satisfied.
- Some tactics are shared among enemies in the same family, whilst others are unique to a subspecies - this can help identify what knowledge is missing:
- Pay close attention to what pawns are saying when fighting enemies. They will often tell the party what enemy weaknesses are, even if they don't yet have the star for that tactic.
- Having pawns with extensive knowledge in the party can help. At higher levels, unequipping a pawn's weapon can prolong fights; it's difficult to get Bestiary knowledge in a fight that's over before it starts.
Under the hood[]
- Reverse analysis of in-game files (see https://github.com/chrispurnell/pawn-knowledge) has revealed some fine details of pawn bestiary stars:
- Pawns gain knowledge flags on defeating a set number of foes, and by observing the foe for a set period of time. There are several thresholds before the final 3* kill count, and the longest 'observe for a time' requirement may not be meetable until a certain kill count has also been reached.
- Tactics scrolls unlock a flag for kill count and observation time - but don't contribute to kill count or unlock the final flag.
- There are no flags specific to giant saurians, or the more dangerous elemental dragons found on Bitterblack Isle - knowledge for these is learnt as with their lesser forms.
- Additionally Dark Arisen added a 'climb' flag for saurians - for this reason save games imported from Dragon's Dogma with 3* saurian knowledge could be downgraded to 2* due to the lack if this flag.
- (BUG) Analysis confirmed certain bugs, such as Banshees giving knowledge for Eliminators, and seemingly wrong elemental damage requirements.
- Each bestiary action needs to be witnessed a set number of times.