WARNING SPOILERS AHEAD!
Bards College Expansion includes new dungeons with some new mechanics for its puzzles. In addition, the dungeons have multiple optional puzzles, some of which require precise timing and dexterity to pull off.
While some player enjoy figuring out complicated puzzles and mastering timing of abilities, others of you may find them frustrating or obtuse, so below I will lay out two sets of information.
The first section explains the various crystals that are used to mark your path or are used in puzzles and obstructions. The final section are full walkthrough videos you can follow along if you feel the tips still weren't enough.
Crystal Lanterns
To help those of you who find yourselves lost in either, I'll start with a tip: Follow the crystal lanterns. Those will lead you through what we call the "critical path" which is the shortest route through the dungeon without touching any of the optional rooms.
Resonant Crystals
When found in our dungeons mounted to pillars, statues, and chains, these crystals react to the Unrelenting Force shout. A hint is presented at the start of the first dungeon where a chain you can pull causes a statue in the ceiling to shout "Fus" which triggers a crystal and opens a secret passageway.
Some of these crystals are set up in a way where you must activate them in a particular order with your Unrelenting Force, for example, you may have to shout from a particular location so they are triggered in that order, or you may have to rapidly shout at them in series - which is made possible by the next crystal type.
Recharge Crystal
This crystal will emanate a pulsing sound as you get near it. While within its range your shout cooldown will rapidly recover, allowing you to reuse the same shout multiple times in a row. If you find one of these, there's a good chance you've found a puzzle or obstacle that demands shouting.
Unstable Crystal
This type of crystal has trapped magical energy inside. Using the Earthsong shout close to these will shatter them, sometimes releasing the spirit trapped within. To help players figure this out, the first time one is found, a rock collapse drops onto it destroying it; and at another point the players will find a Stone Pickaxe and journal explaining that some of the crystals are weak to stone.
Walkthrough Videos
And finally, we have a set of walkthrough videos for the dungeons. Each dungeon has two videos available - the first is a speedrun, showing you the exact path through the dungeon. The second, includes solutions to all of the optional puzzles.
Stonesong Grotto
Dungeon Path - Speedrun
Hidden Treasures Path - Includes All Optional Puzzles
Chillwater Hollow
Dungeon Path - Speedrun
Hidden Treasures Path - Includes All Optional Puzzles
Bards College Expansion includes new dungeons with some new mechanics for its puzzles. In addition, the dungeons have multiple optional puzzles, some of which require precise timing and dexterity to pull off.
While some player enjoy figuring out complicated puzzles and mastering timing of abilities, others of you may find them frustrating or obtuse, so below I will lay out two sets of information.
The first section explains the various crystals that are used to mark your path or are used in puzzles and obstructions. The final section are full walkthrough videos you can follow along if you feel the tips still weren't enough.
Crystal Lanterns
To help those of you who find yourselves lost in either, I'll start with a tip: Follow the crystal lanterns. Those will lead you through what we call the "critical path" which is the shortest route through the dungeon without touching any of the optional rooms.
Resonant Crystals
When found in our dungeons mounted to pillars, statues, and chains, these crystals react to the Unrelenting Force shout. A hint is presented at the start of the first dungeon where a chain you can pull causes a statue in the ceiling to shout "Fus" which triggers a crystal and opens a secret passageway.
Some of these crystals are set up in a way where you must activate them in a particular order with your Unrelenting Force, for example, you may have to shout from a particular location so they are triggered in that order, or you may have to rapidly shout at them in series - which is made possible by the next crystal type.
Recharge Crystal
This crystal will emanate a pulsing sound as you get near it. While within its range your shout cooldown will rapidly recover, allowing you to reuse the same shout multiple times in a row. If you find one of these, there's a good chance you've found a puzzle or obstacle that demands shouting.
Unstable Crystal
This type of crystal has trapped magical energy inside. Using the Earthsong shout close to these will shatter them, sometimes releasing the spirit trapped within. To help players figure this out, the first time one is found, a rock collapse drops onto it destroying it; and at another point the players will find a Stone Pickaxe and journal explaining that some of the crystals are weak to stone.
Walkthrough Videos
And finally, we have a set of walkthrough videos for the dungeons. Each dungeon has two videos available - the first is a speedrun, showing you the exact path through the dungeon. The second, includes solutions to all of the optional puzzles.
Stonesong Grotto
Dungeon Path - Speedrun
Hidden Treasures Path - Includes All Optional Puzzles
Chillwater Hollow
Dungeon Path - Speedrun
Hidden Treasures Path - Includes All Optional Puzzles
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