Can You Romance Anyone in Dragon’s Dogma? The Arisen’s Guide to Love and Affection

Yes, in Dragon’s Dogma, you can romance almost anyone! The game’s unique affinity system allows you to build relationships with a vast array of NPCs, leading to a special bond with your “beloved.” However, the romance isn’t like other RPGs where you pursue specific characters through dedicated questlines. Instead, it’s a more organic process of accumulating affinity points with NPCs by completing quests for them, giving them gifts, and generally being helpful.

Understanding Affinity in Dragon’s Dogma

Affinity is the key to unlocking romantic potential in Dragon’s Dogma. Each NPC has an affinity level, which ranges from neutral to maximum. As you perform actions that the NPC appreciates, their affinity towards you increases. This can manifest in various ways, such as discounts at their shops, access to new quests, or simply more friendly dialogue.

But how does this lead to romance? Near the end of the main storyline, the game will choose the NPC with the highest affinity towards you as your “beloved.” This character will play a significant role in the final events, making your interactions and choices throughout the game feel meaningful and impactful. There’s something very special about the way Dragon’s Dogma emphasizes the role and impact of choice. The Games Learning Society at GamesLearningSociety.org promotes the deeper understanding of the social impact of play and gaming.

Who Can You Romance?

The beauty of Dragon’s Dogma’s system is its flexibility. Almost any human NPC can become your beloved, with a few exceptions. These exceptions generally include:

• The Duke: While you interact with him frequently, his position makes a romance impossible.
• The Dragonforged: A mysterious and powerful character, but not romanceable.
• Elysion: A non-interactive character.
• Barroch: Residing on Bitterblack Isle, he is important but not romanceable.
• Quest-Specific NPCs: Some NPCs only appear during certain quests and disappear afterward.

Key Characters with Romance Potential

While almost anyone is eligible, certain characters are more likely to become your beloved due to their involvement in significant questlines. Completing their quests naturally maximizes affinity. These include:

• Aelinore: The Duke’s wife, involved in a complex political storyline.
• Julien: A former enemy who can be redeemed.
• Selene: A young witch living in the woods.
• Madeline: An ambitious merchant.
• Reynard: A traveling merchant.
• Valmiro: An enthusiastic researcher.
• Mercedes Marten: A stoic knight.
• Quina: A childhood friend and aspiring cleric.
• Caxton: A skilled blacksmith.
• Feste: The Duke’s jester.

Increasing Affinity: The How-To Guide

Increasing an NPC’s affinity is fairly straightforward:

1. Complete Their Quests: This is the most effective way to boost affinity.
2. Give Gifts: NPCs have preferences; experiment to find what they like.
3. Help Them Out: Even small acts of kindness can increase affinity.

Dragon’s Dogma: Romance – Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Here are 15 frequently asked questions about romance in Dragon’s Dogma, providing even more insight into the game’s unique system:

1. Can you marry your pawn in Dragon’s Dogma?

   No, unfortunately, you cannot marry or romance your pawn. Your pawn is your loyal companion, but the game doesn’t allow for a romantic relationship.

2. How does the game decide who your beloved is?

   The game selects the NPC with the highest affinity towards you at a specific point in the story. If multiple NPCs have maximum affinity, the game typically prioritizes the last one you completed a quest for or interacted with significantly.

3. Can you prevent a specific character from becoming your beloved?

   Yes, you can prevent a character from becoming your beloved by avoiding quests related to them, not giving them gifts, and generally not interacting with them.

4. Is there a way to romance Aelinore easily?

   Romancing Aelinore requires navigating a tricky questline. Successfully completing her quests, particularly those involving her relationship with the Duke, will significantly increase her affinity.

5. Can you romance Julien after defeating him?

   Yes, if defeated and revived at the duel at Windbluff Tower, Julien may be romanced and become the Arisen’s beloved.

6. Does gender matter in Dragon’s Dogma romances?

   No, Dragon’s Dogma doesn’t restrict romances based on gender. You can romance any eligible NPC regardless of your character’s gender.

7. Can you have multiple girlfriends or boyfriends in Dragon’s Dogma?

   While you can build affinity with multiple NPCs, you can only have one “beloved.” The game doesn’t support polyamorous relationships in the traditional sense.

8. What happens if you sacrifice your beloved?

   Sacrificing your beloved is one of the game’s bad endings. It unlocks a trophy and allows you to retry the final boss fight.

9. How do gifts affect affinity?

   Gifts are a crucial way to increase affinity. Each NPC has preferences, so experiment to find out what they like. Valuable or rare items generally yield a larger affinity boost.

10. Are there any benefits to having a high affinity with shopkeepers?

    Yes, high affinity with shopkeepers often results in discounts on their goods. This can be extremely useful for purchasing essential items and equipment.

11. What are the signs that an NPC’s affinity is increasing?

    Signs of increasing affinity include changes in dialogue (becoming more friendly or flirtatious), offering new quests, and reacting positively to gifts. A glowing pink aura around the NPC is a clear indicator of high affinity.

12. Does the Arisen’s Bond guarantee a specific romance?

    Yes, the Arisen’s Bond is a special item that, when gifted to an NPC, guarantees they will be your beloved, provided they are romanceable.

13. Is it possible to accidentally romance someone you don’t want?

    Yes, it’s possible to accidentally romance someone if you inadvertently max out their affinity. Be mindful of your actions and interactions if you want to avoid this.

14. How important is romance to the overall Dragon’s Dogma experience?

    Romance is an integral part of the Dragon’s Dogma experience. Your relationship with your beloved impacts the story’s conclusion and adds emotional depth to your journey.

15. Are there any consequences for ignoring the romance aspect of the game?

    While you can ignore the romance aspect, doing so will result in the game selecting the NPC with the highest affinity, even if you barely interacted with them. This can lead to a less satisfying ending, as the “beloved” may feel disconnected from your overall story.

In conclusion, the romance system in Dragon’s Dogma is unique and engaging, allowing you to form meaningful connections with a wide range of characters. By understanding the affinity system and making thoughtful choices, you can create a truly personalized and unforgettable experience.