Griffin

Griffin is an Enemy in Dragon's Dogma.

Information and Stats

Griffins are large creatures with the head and wings of an eagle and the body of a lion. They are found in various locations in Gransys, usually not too far away from their preferred prey - the Ox.

The first encounter is likely to happen after the Arisen completed one of the four Wyrm Hunt Quests. Just outside Gran Soren's south gate, a Griffin will attack a burning ox-drawn cart which had previously been ambushed by Goblins.

After this, further Griffins can be seen at several locations throughout Gransys.

Griffins are noble-looking creatures possessing the head of an eagle and the body of a lion. It is theorized that they arose from some strange bird, mutated by the effects of the Rift, that was able to adapt to this world and has since propagated.

The griffin is attracted to bright objects and habitually hoards treasures and gold. Ever vigilant, a griffin will react to even the slightest sound and are sensitive to any nearby presence, so do not let your guard down just because the beast appears to be asleep.

Griffins’ wings can also become electrically charged when flying through the sky, allowing them to employ lightning attacks.

Griffins have relatively high intelligence for a magical beast and are different from those creatures that act impulsively on instinct alone. This is why griffins have been respected as noble creatures since ancient times. Even in the present day, the image of a griffin is often emblazoned upon swords and armor and used in the standards of knights.

Griffins are not particularly quarrelsome or aggressive and they hunt primarily for food, not sport. They pose little threat to beasts which are not among their prey. That is, as long as you do not attempt to steal their treasure.

Capcom official description

Type	Dangerous Fauna / Flying beast
Experience gained	Base Experience of 9,200 Can be more or less depending on a few factors such as: Having fewer pawns Being under the effect of Weal Use of the Bezel Crown bow Being in Hard Mode Having higher or lower level pawns
Location	Gransys Moonshower Cliffs and Bluemoon Tower during the quest Griffin's Bane. After the Griffin's attack on the caravan outside Gran Soren's southern gate has been witnessed: Estan Plains, respawns every 5-6 days. If a Cyclops appears instead, sleep one more day. Hillfigure Knoll in Northface Forest, will not appear if a Chimera is stalking the forest. Eradication Site, respawns every 5 days, replaced by a Cockatrice during Post-Game.
Items	Griffin Pinion (50%) Great Griffin Claw (20%) Ambrosial Meat (10%)
Quests	Winged Reaver - Defeat a Griffin. Griffin's Bane - Vanquish the Griffin that's stalking caravans. Suppression - Defeat three Griffins.

Stats Health Attack Defense Magick Attack Magick Defense Weight 32,000 800 240 830 230 3,000kg

Relative Damage Taken Slash Bash Fire Ice Thunder Holy Dark 100% 100% 110% 50% 10% 80% 100%

Sources: Dragon's Dogma - ドラゴンズドグマ ＆ Dark Arisen (www10.atwiki.jp), the 'Dragon's Dogma Signature Series Guide' and in-game testing.

Attacks

Attack	Type	Description
Dive	Phys	Dives from the sky at prey. May dive multiple times.
Grab	Phys	Grabs prey and slams them down on the ground. Continues to do damage until the character forces itself free (wiggle the L-stick) or trampling is interrupted by another party member.
Grab	Spec	Grabs a target and attempts to fly off with it, later dropping the target for a large amount of fall damage, which can range from little to instant death. Escape (wiggle L-stick) before the fall becomes fatal.
Wing Buffet	Mag	Flaps its wings continuously to knock everyone in front of it down with an electrically charged wind.
Bite	Phys	Takes a bite at prey while on the ground.
Charge	Phys	Charges at a target while on the ground.
Drive By	Mag	Swoops past a target at high speed, knocking them down with electrically-charged wind.

Tactics

Luring

A charging Griffin

Griffins circle a wide area of land seeking prey - they only land and attack if they sense a meal. Innately they are not as aggressive as some other creatures, and will generally not attack a fully armed party of adventurers.

However, if closely approached the Griffin may attack the party and the Griffin's battle theme will be played.

Griffins seem to target Ox in preference - they will swoop, pick up an Ox, and carry it off to their nest if not interfered with. It can be difficult to get a Griffin to engage in combat :

• Attempt to be at the same spot as where the Griffin lands to initiate battle.
• Lure the Griffin with prey - carrying a dead Goblin or other creature will work - though Griffins may choose their prey randomly.
• Live bait also works - tempting targets for Griffins are the usually poorly armored humans that seek the Arisen's protection in Escort Quests.
• Possibly the Warrior skill War Cry will draw a Griffin from distance.^(verify)

Reducing the options for potential meals may be helpful - for example on the Estan Plains kill most of the Ox and wait in Ambush near a surviving one.

Grounding

Griffin--Grounding with the Launchboard Technique-0

Grounding a Griffin by weighing it down with multiple party members.

Once engaged in battle with a Griffin, using Shield Drum or War Cry will cause it to focus on the person drawing attention - typically the Griffin will hover facing them, possibly preparing a Wing Buffet attack, creating a potential opportunity to pawns to mount the beast using Launchboard or Ladder Blade.

Three party members are needed to ground the beast - the third must grab onto the Griffin when it is airborne.

• Note the pawn's comment before the Griffin is overloaded that indicates the pawns realize they are in the process of restraining and subduing the Griffin.

Offensive

Disabling Griffins with Fire (bow demonstration)-0

In this demonstration, the Arisen uses a Fire enchanted bow and aims for the Griffin's wings. When the wings are set on fire, the Griffin will come crashing from the sky.

• The head is the creature's weak spot and vulnerable to attack.
• Weak against Fire, both weapons and spells.
  • Setting its wings ablaze will ground a flying Griffin.
  • Once sufficient damage is done to the Griffin's wings, it will be unable to fly away.
  • Can be Tarred in Oil, making it easier to set on fire. Oil Arrows are very effective with a fire enchanted bow.
  • Blast Arrows are also effective.
• Immune to Torpor and Blindness. 
• Strong against Lightning enchanted weapons and spells.
• Can be Poisoned.
• Vulnerable to Lowered Strength. The Dragon's Roost shield can be used to inflict this debilitation.

Defensive

• Most of the Griffin's attacks can be blocked (or Perfect Blocked) including some of the wing buffets : blocking the Griffin's peck attack with a shield is also necessary for Bestiary knowledge.
• Eliminating weaker enemies prior to the battle with the Griffin is advisable. The pawns may give advance warning of the Griffin's approach.
• The Stability augment renders one immune to the Griffin's wing flapping attacks, which disrupt spellcasting and skill charging.
• In addition to physical attacks, the Griffin employs Lightning-based attacks which may cause Thundershock. Lightning-resistant armor and rings are recommended for this fight.

Pawn Bestiary Knowledge

Set it on fire

• Griffin Strategy Vol. 1: Griffins flail before bolting when grappled.
• Griffin Strategy Vol. 2: Use a monster carcass or taunts to lure a Griffin down from the sky.
• Griffin Strategy Vol. 3: Use a shield to guard against beak attacks. This technique is also needed for the Cockatrice's bestiary knowledge, and performing a block on either beast may give knowledge for the other.

• Weak to Fire
• Shooting the wings will force it to the ground.
• Witness the Griffin's dive attack.
• Attacking the head will cause extra damage.

• Climbing onto the Griffin's back with a heavy group will make the Griffin too heavy to fly. This will force it to stay on the ground (Character Weight and Encumbrance are thought to matter here). See § Grounding for details. In order for knowledge to be gained, the Griffin must still be alive when it crashes to the ground.

In addition to witnessing these techniques, it is necessary for Pawns to participate in killing 15 Griffins either with their own Arisen or while travelling with others.

More information can be found on the Bestiary page.

Pawn Chatter

"Ready yourself! ' Tis a powerful foe!" (first time seeing)

"There, Master -- a griffin!"

"We're no match for its strength. We must outsmart it!"

"Strike, afore it flies higher!"

"Now! Strike the wings!"

"Burnt wings cannot fly!"

"I shall ground it!"

"Let's drag it to the ground!"

"On solid ground the advantage is ours!"

"We can wait for the beast to descend."

Videos

A Griffin slain with a single block. The Great Cannon, Blessed Riposte combo (demonstration).

When combined with a Blessed Riposte or Frost Riposte, a Perfect Block executed in front of one or more Great Cannon sigils will produce a rapid-fire "Burst" combo. In this demonstration, a single Perfect Block (with Blessed Riposte) fires two Great Cannons to slay a Griffin outright. The Prescience augment was not equipped for this demonstration.

Trivia

The 'Gryphon' by John Tenniel (c.1866)

• In legend a griffin, griffon, or gryphon is a creature with the body, tail, and back legs of a lion; the head and wings of an eagle; and an eagle's talons as its front feet. Because the lion was traditionally considered the king of the beasts and the eagle the king of birds, the griffin was thought to be an especially powerful and majestic creature. The griffin was also thought of as king of all creatures. Griffins are known for guarding treasure and priceless possessions. (source Wikipedia:Griffin)
• The Griffin in Dragon's Dogma is closest in form to more modern imaginings of the creature, notably John Tenniel's illustration of a Griffin for Lewis Carroll's Alice's Adventures in Wonderland.