How to start the Dragon's Dogma 2: Dark Arisen expansion

Dragon's Dogma 2's Dark Arisen expansion introduces the new northern, wintery region of Norgan, long abandoned by civilised folk, the realm is home to many monsters and mysteries.

Details

To start Dark Arisen, you'll have to speak to Captain Brant in The Stardrop Inn in Vernworth at nighttime. Vernworth is accessible relatively early via the main story. When speaking to him you'll see two new dialogue options:

• "About the new Arisen…" This starts the DLC quest, Chilling Tidings, which will take you to Norgan and the new region's content.
• "About the uncovered ruins…" This starts the Lost Rites quest, which sees you trying the 12 new endgame dungeons.

The recommended level for the DLC content and Norgan is 40, though it can be accessed earlier, and the dungeons each vary in difficulty.

If you've progressed the main story to the Unmoored World section, you won't be able to access the DLC until New Game+. While you can complete the game and start again, if you want to get to the new stuff right away, you can also use the new save option to go straight there.

1. Select "Change save slot".
2. Hold X on controller (or shift on keyboard) to create a new playthrough from your save file.

As the game warns, you also won't be able to access your current save anymore, as you'll have started new game+ on the character, but this will let you start again with the same level, equipment, and items, only resetting quest progress and quest items.