by Vandervecken
Hi folks,
I am working on an 'optimal' play through that hits as many highlights and achievements as possible. I'll be posting it in the next week or so, but for now let me start by posting some of the basic elements of strategy to optimizing Dragonholt:
1) 2 characters is what I find optimal. Gives you a lot of flexibility with regards to whose activation it is and with an excellent skill spread. Also, I'm doing this solo and 3 characters gets fiddly. 2 characters also helps the gold and healing potions go farther. Don't play 1 character, the skillset you have available to you is too limited.
2) Get the Spirit's Blessing item chain going as quickly as you can (Wooden Trinket -> Love Letter -> Cloth doll -> Spirit's Blessing)
3) Get the Spirit's Blessing and the Rune Sword (not the Rune Bracers) *before* going to the Crypt of Kharthuun.
4) Basic plan for the week:
Day 1: Sliver of Silver quest. Begin work on the Spirit's Blessing chain. Some story quest stuff.
Day 2: Finish the Spirit's Blessing chain. Take the War Rune in and get the Rune Sword. Crypt of Kharthuun quest.
Day 3: Whispering Leaves Quest
Day 4: Spend the day wandering around town. It's a market day and there's lots to do and many achievements to pick up
Day 5: Mostly taken up with achievements and festivities
Day 6: Terror on the Prairie quest, then more achievements with activities around town
Day 7: ? Haven't gotten this far.
5) Characters:
Dwarf Sage: Arcana, Runes, Craftsmanship, Reasoning, Willpower, Athletics
Human Thief: Agility, Deception, Stealth, Thievery, Empathy, Willpower
Neither character has Military or Dueling, because those will be granted by the Rune Sword, which will be wielded by the Thief.
Meanwhile the poor Dwarf Sage will be saddled by the Loadstone (cancels agility) required for two achievements.
Achievement Guide (in progress)
WARNING: Some of these require evil behavior!
Patronage: Find the War Rune during Sliver of Silver, then commission it with Sapphire at The Swan or Kiore at the Smithy (better choice)
Precious: Loadstone - can be gotten from the brothers' shop at Market street day 4
Hoarder: steal from Mariam's shop day 5
Spirit's Blessing: Trade the Wooden Trinket at the Chatty Archer for the Love Letter, trade the letter at the Countess Inn for the Cloth Doll, trade the doll at the Bakery for the Polished Shell, trade the shell at the Shrine for the Spirit's Blessing
Celebration - Village Green day 4 in the evening.
Bull's Eye: Eat at the Chatty Archer, then participate in the challenge
Purple Reign: Village Green on day 6
Life Saver - save Phillip's life in Whispering Leaves, but there may be other options
Congratulations: Mariam/Braxton and Theodore/Ursula (and maybe another?)
Love is in the Air: Date Sapphire from the Swan, or Grisbeck from the Bakery on day 6
Recursion - day 5 at The Swan
Meow Meow: grey cat is at the library days 6 and 7, the calico cat is at the bakery on days 2 and 6, the Swan day 7
Tavern Brawl: At the Drunken Hog any night
My Cabbages: while you're busy getting arrested in "Hero or Villain"
Hero or Villain: Get arrested on Market Street Day 3 or 4 (preferably 4), but uses up all remaining time
There We Were: At the Drunken Hog any night
Unresolved Achievements:
Many Faces - Dragon Mask in Whispering Leaves, Spirit Mask from the catfolk on day 4 in the market, Moon Mask is unavoidable.
Condolences - I think this requires letting Phillip die, and is therefore incompatible with the good ending
Secret Meeting - this one appears to be bugged. See
https://boardgamegeek.com/thread/2251128/help-tea-house-and-...Have I Seen You Before: Splig at Slivers of Silver, but I don't recognize any one else so far
