Off the Pilfered Path: Dragon's Dogma 2 Walkthrough

In Dragon's Dogma 2, the quest «Off the Pilfered Path» serves as a crucial continuation of the storyline from «Mercy among Thieves». This guide delves into the intricacies of Hugo's saga, providing a step-by-step walkthrough to start the quest, including all necessary prerequisites for achieving the best ending. Players will learn how to navigate the complex decisions that influence the narrative and discover the extensive rewards available. Detailed instructions will ensure you have all the tools needed to make informed choices and maximize your outcomes in resolving Hugo's fate.

The mission will only become available after completing the quest Mercy among Thieves, as it serves as its direct continuation. To start the mission, simply return to Bakbattahl and wander around the city. A city guard named Benjamin will approach you as you pass by him. He'll share that he tried to interrogate Hugo but was unsuccessful, and will ask for your help.

There are many variations to completing this quest, but we will describe the most optimal path that leads to the best ending.

Initially, the boy will refuse to speak with the hero, but ideally, in the dungeon, aside from Hugo, you can interrogate a few more prisoners: Herman and Breft. However, both bandits necessary for the quest won't appear in the dungeon until you complete a few more tasks:

And while the situation with the first bandit is clear, as you can arrest him during the assassination attempt, the second one is peculiar. We don't see the connection, but only after completing this task will Benjamin approach you again on the streets of Bakbattahl, saying that the guards managed to catch another member of the Coral Snakes gang. Likely, this is because you visited the Ancient Battlefield, where the gang members have set up a new camp according to the plot.

Once you've completed all the tasks, head to the Bakbattahl dungeon, the entrance of which will be marked on the map. You need to go through the residential quarter and leave it using the northeast exit.

In the central chamber, you'll see Hugo, but do not interact with him yet. Go left, where Breft will stop you. Initiate the dialogue several times — this way, you'll learn about the boy's parents and the new Coral Snakes camp. You will have a choice:

It's best not to tell Hugo anything and deal with the Coral Snakes on your own, then return and free the boy.

Head to the Ancient Battlefield, where you might have already helped a boy named Oscar. If there's a dragon sitting there, just ignore it and run to the ruined tower, then proceed through the internal corridors to the second spiral staircase. Along the way, bandits will attack you — they're not dangerous, especially at high hero level upgrades.

Climbing even higher, you'll find Lanzo's hideout. Along with him, about a dozen bandits will attack the players. Be especially wary of archers and crossbowmen, who can deal significant damage from a distance.

Don't forget to explore the area and open the chest, which contains the heavy hammer Black Matter. There are no other secrets besides those you might have found in the corridors.

After defeating all the bandits, including Lanzo, you can return to Hugo and tell him what really happened to his parents (or withhold this information). The boy will be upset and refuse to talk further. As we've already noted, if you haven't killed Lanzo by this point, Hugo will escape the next night to find and kill him. However, if the bandit leader is already dead, all that's left is to free the boy from the dungeon. This can be done in several ways:

In the first two cases, after freeing the boy, he will wait for you outside the Bakbattahl dungeon. In the third case, at the site of Lanzo's death.

In the conversation with Hugo after Lanzo's death, players will only have one option «Live an honest life», and then «I know just the place». It's important that before talking to the boy, you must complete one of the two quests; otherwise, this option won't appear:

Rewards: