As with the original tabletop role-playing game, Dungeons & Dragons: Dark Alliance relies heavily on the equipment for each character to maximize their potential in combat. Weapons are a part of the armor sets unique to each character, and their bonuses can drastically change the gameplay styles necessary to beat the big bad. In a Destiny-esque style, loot is obtained by completing quests as the party makes their way through various locations in the mysterious Icewind Dale. An interesting deviation from the traditional raid format is the ability to choose between taking a short rest (refreshing health and resources) and increasing the loot rarity gained throughout the rest of the quest.
Having the proper gear is essential to completing the quests. Of course, with different items come different bonuses. Weapons and armor will drop with other loot upon completing objectives in the quests, and the higher your rarety rating, the better the loot you get. Set bonuses are only applied with three or more pieces of the set equipped, so min-maxing with your character is a must. Every weapon has a chance of being dropped in any quest loot crate, however, there are certain quests that have a higher chance of dropping certain weapons. If farming is not your thing, worry not; every questline has a chance of dropping every weapon, but some have higher chances than others.
8 Coldstone Guardian Axe: For The Defensive Dwarf
The formidable dwarf Bruenor Battlehammer is the tank of the party and relies on his axe and his grit to take out enemies. If defense is top priority, however, the Coldstone Guardian Axe is probably the best bet. The set bonuses increase your physical damage reduction by 10 percent at three pieces worn, and 15 percent at five pieces.
Finally, at eight pieces worn, Bruenor is invincible in his whirlwind attack. The Coldstone Guardian Axe itself has a damage score of 298 and is more likely to drop during the Fury of Ice Wind quest.
7 Keeper Of Secrets Axe: For The Damage-Dealing Dwarf
If pure damage is the highest priority, then the Keeper of Secrets Axe is the better choice for Bruenor Battlehammer. With a five percent and 10 percent damage bonus on three and five pieces worn respectively, this mighty weapon can easily bring down hordes of enemies. With the whole set equipped, Bruenor's attacks will grant elemental blows a 35 percent chance of inflicting status conditions on targets.
The best defense is a good offense, they say, and Bruenor can absolutely provide that offense with the Keeper of Secrets Axe in his hand. If you're interested in harnessing its power for yourself, the Keeper of Secrets Axe has a higher likelihood of dropping during The Order of the One Light questilne.
6 Tempus Champion Warhammer: Racking Up Combos And Damage
Wulfgar is the king of damage in Dark Alliance. A Human Barbarian with a strength score of 10, he can pummel any foes that come his way. Utilizing the Tempus Champion Warhammer along with its set, Wulfgar can ramp up the damage bonuses per hit from the combo meter.
Performing combos is a great way to deal damage quickly and brutally, so increasing that damage can be an excellent way to break through a tough quest or fight off a fierce elite enemy. The Tempus Champion Warhammer, along with the rest of the gear in this set, has a higher chance of dropping while running The Goblin's Shard quest. For the highest chance to find the Tempus Champion Warhammer, then, try farming in The Goblin's Shard.
5 Captive Of The Abyss Warhammer: A Great Defensive Damage Dealer
While Wulfgar has incredible damage output, his defensive skills can be somewhat lacking. Enemies can inflict conditions such as Frozen or Confused on the party, which seriously impede their ability to perform well in combat. The Captive of the Abyss Warhammer and its set will add 15 percent and 25 percent condition resistance, increasing Wulfgar's ability to stay viable in battle.
With all eight pieces of the set worn, Wulfgar will gain Unstoppable once he hits 30 percent health, and enemies will be unable to stun him. As long as Wulfgar is in the fight, he can be a menace to any target. The Order of the One Light quest has the highest chance of dropping the Captive of the Abyss Warhammer.
4 Battlehammer Princess Bow: Dramatically Cutting Those Cooldowns
The real strength of the Battlehammer Princess bow (and set as a whole) is the 10 percent and then 15 percent cooldown reduction applied to Catti-brie. Dark Alliance is an ability-based game, meaning the characters' skills must flow and function well together in order to succeed. Catti-brie is a Dexterity-based Human Fighter, keeping her distance from enemies and punishing them from afar.
She can even revive downed allies, meaning her abilities are not only her lifeline but the whole party’s. With eight pieces of the Battlehammer Princess set equipped, all party abilities last for an additional 25 percent, making hard fights that much easier. The Veerberg Jamboree questline is where you should look to farm this weapon, along with its set.
3 Sea Sprite's Watch Bow: Loot, Loot, and More Loot
Abilities are purchased through gold the party collects on their quests. Catti-brie's Sea Sprite's Watch Bow can be a huge early game boon for new players trying to get their abilities quickly. This armor set and weapon increase gold drop bonuses by 15 and 25 percent, and with all eight pieces, it adds 50 percent to every crystal drop.
What is Dungeons & Dragons without loot? Catti-brie's base dexterity score is 9, so she already has a very high damage output with her bow. Part of this game revolves around relying on your party to help, so your job as the ranged damage character is more about battlefield control and support. To find the Sea Sprite's Watch Bow, farm The Fury of Icewind quest.
2 Tundra Raptor Scimitar: More Stamina Means More Hits
Drizzt Do'Urden rounds out the character list as the party's ranger. His attacks are lethal, boasting some of the highest critical damage in the game. His gameplay centers around high mobility and quick strikes, meaning his stamina meter is his best asset.
The Tundra Raptor Scimitar can help with that, giving Drizzt a 10 percent and 15 percent stamina cost reduction. With all eight pieces, Drizzt gains precision strikes after a dash, making him even more lethal. The Tundra Raptor Scimitar meshes well with his playstyle, giving him more stamina to dash and dodge around the battlefield. Luckily the Tundra Raptor Scimitar can be found in The Companions of Icewind Dale quest, one of the earlier questlines available in the game.
1 Sorcere's Sentinel Scimitar: A Life Steal Masterclass
Life steal is a great mechanic in any game. Instead of relying on healing potions or spells, Drizzt can take back any life he might have lost by doing damage with the Sorcere's Sentinel Scimitar . Scaling from two percent to five percent life steal, Drizzt can spend more time in battle and less time on the sidelines.
As a bonus, the full set gives Drizzt a five percent chance of inflicting Bleeding on critical hits. With the feat improving his critical hits, Drizzt can wipe out enemies quickly, top off his health pool, and move on to the next fight. To find the Sorcere's Sentinel Scimitar, look no further than the Crystiline Dreams questline.