Dire Wyrm

Dire Wyrms (also known as Frostwyrms) are a large, more dangerous form of Wyrm, found only on Bitterblack Isle.

Overview[]

Like Wyrms, Dire Wyrms rely on spellcasting as their favored attack. They are able to cast even the highest order of spells very quickly, often leading to a barrage of magickal attacks that can overwhelm any party. This, combined with their rare ability to heal, makes them one of the toughest enemies on Bitterblack Isle, especially when they are encountered unprepared or when they appear alongside another Dragon.

Dire Wyrms glow and are surrounded in an icy aura that damages those climbing it or within melee range; this aura can also freeze.

The Dire Wyrm's Defense is not as strong as a Dire Drake, but still exceeds a common Drake. The creature's Magick Defense is extremely high and will deflect all but the strongest spells - furthermore it is immune to ice, and resists other elements except fire.

Defeating a Dire Wyrm provides a chance of Dragonforging any Weapon or Equipment equipped by the Arisen, even it they have not been enhanced.

Type	Dragon
Experience gained	Base Experience of 62,500 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	Bitterblack Isle (Pre-Daimon) Sparyard of Scant Mercy (After defeating the Living Armor) Bitterblack Isle (Post-Daimon) Midnight Helix Sparyard of Scant Mercy (Two or one Dire Wyrm and one Dire Drake) The Black Abbey Gransys (Post-Game) The Watergod's Altar (during the quest By Royal Decree II)
Items	Bright Azure Scale Supple Dragon Pelt Azure Dragon Scale Frostwyrm Scute Greatwyrm Stone (rare) Additionally Rift Bicrystal, Bitterblack Gear Lv.2, Bitterblack Gear Lv.3, Rift Polycrystal On destroying a horn Dragon Horn (common), Frostwyrm Scute, Bright Azure Scale (very rare), Wyrm's Tear (very rare) On destroying the wings Great Dragon Alula (common), Azure Dragon Scale, Dragon Scale, Bright Azure Scale (very rare) Wyrm's Tear
Quests	By Royal Decree II (slay the Dire Wyrm at The Watergod's Altar, Post-Game)

Stats	Health	Attack	Defense	Magick Attack	Magick Defense	Weight
Stats	140,000	1,850	470	4,300	1,350	?

Relative Damage Taken	Slash	Bash	Fire	Ice	Thunder	Holy	Dark
Relative Damage Taken	100%	100%	120%	ineffective	40%	40%	40%

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

Attacks[]

Attack	Type	Description
Frost Aura	Spec	The Dire Wyrm emits a cloak of ice around its body, damaging clinging foes for 10 Ice damage per second and having a chance of inflicting Frozen
Ice Breath	Mag	A stream of ice is let loose from its mouth. Can cause Frozen
Dive	Phys	A powerful lunge from the air
Grab (Arisen)	Phys	The Arisen is grabbed and then smashed into the ground
Grab (Pawn)	Spec	A Pawn is grabbed, and the Wyrm tries to seize control of its actions. Causes Possession.
Stomp Attack	Phys	A powerful attack with its feet
Sweeping Backhand	Phys	A backhanded slap with either one of its front claws
Tail Sweep	Phys	A powerful spinning attack with its tail
Wing Flap	Spec/Phys	Powerful wing flaps that create strong wings preventing the party from approaching.
Dragon Roar	Spec/Status	A roar that renders all pawns within range Unconscious, staggers the Arisen and can cause Skill Stifling
Charge	Phys	Charges at a target on the ground
High Frigor	Mag	Creates three spires of ice which can toss its targets into the air and freeze them
High Levin	Mag	A series of lightning bolts strike
High Bolide	Mag	Ten meteors are summoned to barrage allies on the battlefield
Lassitude	Mag/Status	An area of effect sigil is created, inflicting Torpor on those who remain within it
Exequy	Mag	A field of death is cast, killing anyone who stands within it, upon the spell's completion
Heal	Mag/Spec	The Dire Wyrm stands still for a moment, then restores two and a half bars of its own health

Tactics[]

Offensive[]

The heart is its most vulnerable point. It must be struck, by the Arisen when its health is fully depleted, in order to complete the kill.
The heart of a Dire Wyrm can be struck in melee while standing on the floor, reducing the need for climbing.
Weak against Fire.
Consider inflicting Silence or Torpor.
- Silence will not suppress the Dragon Roar.
The Dire Wyrm is not as resilient as its cousin, the Dire Drake, so attacks can more easily stagger it.
They remain stationary when casting spells, providing an opportune moment to hit it with strong attacks.
- When casting, attacks to its supporting arm's hand will cause Knockdown. Though the heart is still the most vulnerable point. The associated bestiary knowledge flag will not trigger from hitting the arm however, only the hand. This can be achieved more consistently by aiming at the very tips of its fingers, either in melee or with Blast Arrows.
Magick users must bear in mind the Dire Wyrms incredible magick defense. Demon's Periapts may be needed.
Pawns may use items that cause Invigorations, and Bow-class pawns may equip Special Arrows (see also Pawn curative and tool use).

Defensive[]

The augment Stability or armor with the bonus enhancement "Prevents wind from affecting mobility" prevents being staggered or knocked down by a Dragon's wing's wind buffet.
All Dire Wyrm's spells can be Perfect Blocked.
When climbing or attacking Dire Wyrms in melee, wearing an Iris Ring prevents becoming Frozen while attacking its heart.
Ice resistance will reduce the damage taken from both the wyrms frost aura and from its breath.
Avoid remaining static, the Dire Wyrm can cast its spells very quickly. Refrain from using skills like Stone Grove and Bolide unless the beast is silenced or knocked down.
- Single-use magick items can be used to circumvent this risk. The Sundering Spear Tome and Goddess Cameos can be used to near instantaneously cast the aforementioned spells.
Bring items or curatives to prevent or cure Torpor.

Vocation Specific[]

Mages and Sorcerers:
- Consider utilising Silentium to make the Dire Wyrm a less potent threat.
- Consider also, should silence not be an option, to use fast casting fire-based spells such as Ingle and Comestion. The latter having significant ability to Stagger the wyrm.
Magick Archers:
- The spells Immolation, Sunflare and Explosive Rivet can deal large amounts of damage to the Dire Wyrm.
Mystic Knights:
- Stone Grove is a potent option for use on a knocked-down Dire Wyrm.
- Ruinous Sigil is a fast-cast option that easily hits the heart.
Assassins:
- Powder Blast can be used to deal large amounts of damage and knockdown.

Pawn specific[]

If the Bestiary knowledge, for all dragonkin is not 100%, ranged pawns will target randomly one of the four weak points (the 2 horns, the wings, and the heart).
- To ensure that a less-knowledgeable pawn targets the heart, the Arisen should prioritize destroying the two horns and wings so that the ranger pawn is more likely to make an effective Great Gamble shot.
Pawns with 100% resistance to Possession can no longer be affected during the grab attack.

Notes[]

The Dire Wyrm's wings (Great Dragon Alula) and horns (Dragon Horn) can be destroyed after the Dire Wyrm is slain, before it rots away.
The Dire Wyrm's aura can freeze arisen and pawns as they are grabbed by one of the grab attacks, freeing them from the hold.
Refered to as Dire Wyrm in-game, including the Bestiary, quests, and kill count - these creatures are oft refered to as Frostwyrms, a name also used in describing their body parts, such as Frostwyrm Scute.