These early-game foes can seem overbearing in both size and strength when you first encounter them, but if you keep an eye out for their weakness you’ll topple them in no time.
Dragon’s Dogma 2 Cyclops Strategy
The first thing to know about these large lads is that their weak point is, predictably, their eye. Attacks to the head and, more specifically, eyeball, deal full damage, while attacks anywhere else are reduced in strength. So how do we reach a weak point towering thirty feet above our heads?
To reach a Cyclops’ eye, you can take the obvious route of bringing along a Pawn capable of ranged attacks, like a Sorcerer or Archer, or using ranged weapons yourself. Less obviously, you can climb onto the Cyclops by pressing R2 while jumping toward it, then clambering up its trunk and onto its head. A fighter mounted on a Clyclops’ skull using Empale, for instance, will deal massive damage to the eye of the beast, blinding it temporarily and readying it for follow-up attacks.
Cyclops are also, like in the first game, weak to lightning. Early-game Mages have access to the lightning spell Levin, which can be equipped right away by any Innkeeper. This is invaluable in both dealing damage to and stunning a Cyclops.
If a Cyclops begins to balance on one leg, be ready to topple it. Skills with high “push” values, like Shield Bash (Fighter) or Ensare (Archer) will bring the beast hurtling to the ground. Once knocked over, a Cyclops’ eye is much easier to wail on with your entire party’s support, and you can deal incredible damage during this window. Be sure to appreciate the musical crescendo that queues you to grit your teeth and get to wailing.
Cyclops drop valuable materials, including their eye, which are used to enhance certain weapons and armor. Also, defeating one grants your Pawn progress toward the Cyclops-Slayer Pawn Medal, and can sometimes be the requirement for other players’ Pawn Quests.
