Dragon’s Dogma 2: Pawn Inclinations explained

Understanding Pawn Inclinations is crucial in Dragon’s Dogma 2, as Pawns play a significant role in combat encounters. Here’s an overview of Pawn Inclinations and their significance.

Dragon’s Dogma 2, the latest installment in Capcom’s underrated RPG series, promises to leave a lasting impression with its striking visuals, terrifying monsters and diverse Vocations.

In a move not seen before, Capcom released the game’s character creator ahead of launch as a demo of sorts. It lets you create your very own Arisen as well as your Main Pawn who serves as your primary companion throughout your journey.

Players who have been busy using the character creator to recreate pop culture icons or birth monstrosities may have noticed a particular option for their Main Pawn. Here’s everything you need to know about Pawn Inclination in Dragon’s Dogma 2.

Contents:

• What does Pawn Inclination do?
• Every Pawn Inclination
• Best pawn inclinations for each vocation

What does Pawn Inclination do in Dragon’s Dogma 2?

Pawn Inclination governs the AI of your Main Pawn and others you encounter in your journey. Unlike the first game, which had your Main Pawn’s Inclination decided via a questionnaire, Dragon’s Dogma 2 allows you to choose their Inclination during character creation.

These Inclinations determine things like how aggressive your Pawn is or how likely they are to heal or buff you in combat. Picking certain Inclinations can drastically alter the way a certain Vocation will perform like Mages who have access to offensive and healing spells.

In the first Dragon’s Dogma, there was a way to change the Inclination of your Pawn but no such mechanic has been revealed for the sequel as of yet. What we do know about Dragon’s Dogma 2’s Inclinations is that each has specific voice actors that will give your Pawn some flair.

They also grant your Pawns access to individual actions that are unique to that Inclination. So, how many Inclinations are there in Dragon’s Dogma 2?

Every Pawn Inclination in Dragons Dogma 2

At present, we know of four Inclinations in Dragon’s Dogma 2 thanks to its pre-release character creator. The previous game had nine and these could be mixed and matched in certain ways.

It’s unclear whether there are more Inclinations in Dragon’s Dogma 2 that are currently unrevealed or if the system has been scaled back. For now, here’s every Dragon’s Dogma 2 Pawn Inclination that we’re aware of.

Kindhearted

“Compassionate, devoted, and dutiful. The most obedient sort of Pawn. Favors a balanced approach with an emphasis on support. Quick to aid allies in need.”

Kindhearted Pawns will prioritize actions that heal or buff your Arisen and party members and focus less on damage dealing.

Calm

“Rational, shrewd, and strategizing. A Pawn characterized by caution. Favours defense and evasion, employing clever tactics to survive at all costs.”

Calm Pawns play combat smart and will expend their effort on weaker foes that they know they can beat. They’ll take a backseat against more deadly opponents but can be good for distracting groups.

Simple

“Curious, earnest, and adventurous. A Pawn with their heart on their sleeve. Enjoys exploring and gathering items, and is always up for a challenge.”

A Simple Pawn will behave relatively balanced in combat but their primary focus is on farming items and as such, they will break away from the party at times.

Straightforward

“Candid, flippant, and impulsive. A Pawn unbound by precepts. Enjoys the thrill of combat, tackling fierce foes head-on with daring assaults.”

Straightforward Pawns are full agro and will always prioritize attacking the strongest enemy in a group. Just don’t expect them to remember to heal you.

Best pawn inclinations for each vocation in Dragon’s Dogma 2

Choosing the right inclinations for your Pawns in Dragon’s Dogma 2 is crucial for maximizing their effectiveness in combat. 

While some vocations have specific inclinations that work best, others offer more flexibility, making it easier to recruit suitable Pawns without breaking the bank. Here are the best pawn inclinations for each Dragon’s Dogma 2 vocation.

Fighter:

• Recommended Inclination: Straightforward
• Allows Fighters to lead the charge in battle, engaging enemies aggressively.

Warrior:

• Recommended Inclination: Straightforward (or Simple)
• Warriors focus on dealing heavy damage and benefit from engaging enemies directly.

Mage:

• Recommended Inclination: Kindhearted or Calm
• Kindhearted provides support and defensive capabilities, while Calm offers a balanced approach between offense and defense.

Sorcerer:

• Recommended Inclination: Calm (or Simple)
• Prioritizes offensive spellcasting while ensuring the Sorcerer’s safety.

Thief

• Recommended Inclination: Calm
• Avoids drawing unnecessary attention and targets enemy weak points effectively.

Archer

• Recommended Inclination: Calm
• Maintains distance from enemies and increases accuracy in landing shots on vital points.

In the interim, check out our other Dragon’s Dogma 2 guides to properly plan your big adventure.

How to make a new character in Dragon’s Dogma 2 | Best PC settings for performance | Does Dragon’s Dogma 2 have multiplayer?