Solasta Primal Calling DLC Overview Impressions – In this Solasta Primal Calling DLC Overview Impressions, I’m going to go through all of the new features that have been implemented to the game as well as the free updates. Solasta: Crown of the Magister is a tactical, turn-based RPG, which is a reinterpretation of the Dungeons & Dragons 5th Edition tabletop version. The game is faithfully based on SRD 5.1 Ruleset and is developed and published by Tactical Adventures. If you haven’t seen our Solasta Review, you can check it out here!

Solasta Primal Calling DLC Overview Impressions

Since the full launch of Solasta this May 2021, a lot of changes have already been implemented. This includes but is not limited to the free release of the Sorcerer Class with its 3 Subclasses and the inclusion of an Iron Man Difficulty Mode, which is a permadeath mode that purposefully deletes the player’s save files if their party dies.

Several months after, they’re releasing the much awaited Primal Calling DLC with free updates to the base game. If you purchase the DLC, you gain access to two new Classes and their 3 corresponding Subclasses, namely the Barbarian and Druid. Let’s talk about the Barbarian first!

Solasta Primal Calling DLC – New Barbarian Class

The new Barbarian Class is a good addition to the current roster of Classes that Solasta already has like the Wizard, Paladin, Cleric, and Rogue, to name a few. Barbarians are known to display and utilize anger to power their Rage, which is impactful in Combat. In addition to dealing better damage, they become highly resilient to different damage types. The Barbarian’s primary Abilities are Strength and Constitution. Similar to Fighters, they require high Strength from the get go to be able to inflict massive Melee Damage. They also need a decent amount of Constitution in order to help with their survivability.

Rage provides you with a Melee Damage Bonus as well as added resistance against Physical Damage including Slashing, Bludgeoning and Piercing Damage. Note that you need to be mindful in terms of knowing the right time to activate Rage since it only lasts for 1 minute. Furthermore, it can end early if you haven’t attacked an enemy or if you haven’t been damaged by one yourself. You also gain access to Unarmored Defense, which rewards you for not donning Armor. With this, your Armor Class is significantly boosted since your Constitution Modifier, which is average to high, is accounted for in addition to your Dexterity Modifier.

What I do enjoy with this Class are its 3 Subclasses, namely the Path of the Berserker, Path of the Magebane, and Path of the Stone. Path of the Berserker is based on the Player’s Handbook. This Subclass lets you go into a Frenzy Mode every time you trigger Rage. As a result, you can do another Melee Attack in the form of a Bonus Action for every turn.

When Rage ends, however, you suffer from exhaustion that can be countered when you successfully make a Constitution Saving Throw. Since you have a decent Constitution Score from the start, the penalty from engaging in Frenzy isn’t something you should worry about. Additionally, at higher levels, you are immune to being frightened and charmed when Rage is active while having the ability to frighten your target.

Next is Path of the Magebane that capitalizes on going against Spellcasters. At Level 3, Barbarians are able to perform a War Cry. This allows them to retaliate against Spell Damage to deal huge AoE Psychic Damage since once again, their Constitution Modifier is added to the roll. At higher levels, they can roll for another damage die as long as their attack successfully connects. And finally, these Barbarians gain an Advantage on every Saving Throw they make against Spells.

Last but not the least is Path of the Stone. Similar to the Druid’s 3rd Subclass, which is the Circle of Winds, both of these were part of the Wishing Well Event held by the developers. What’s really cool about it is Tactical Adventures reached out to the community to design their very own Subclass. From the submissions, they then decided to implement the best ones that would fit well in Solasta. This level of participation was amazing to see since they were able to involve the community in the game’s expansion.

Going back to Path of the Stone, which is an interesting Subclass and one that I’m currently sinking my time into, at Level 3, you gain temporary HP. It’s equivalent to double your Proficiency Bonus when you’re raging to help you survive longer in combat. At higher levels, your defenses are improved such that your Constitution Modifier is added to Saving Throw Rolls so you can completely negate or reduce the damage and status effects you receive. Lastly, you gain a maximum of +4 AC Bonus for every enemy who is near you while Rage is active.

Solasta Primal Calling DLC – New Druid Class

Next are Druids. Druids are attuned to the forces of nature such that they attribute the power of their Spells to nature itself. They devote their time and energy in servitude to nature, wild animals, or elemental forces. What makes this Class unique is their Wild Shape Feature, which is an ability that lets them shapeshift into a beast of their choice. As such, the Druid’s Strength, Dexterity and Constitution Scores will be replaced by that same animal until they transform back into their usual selves.

The Druid’s Spellcasting Ability Modifier is Wisdom, which they’ll need to raise right from the very beginning to make sure that their Spells effectively land on their targets. Similar to Barbarians, they also need a decent amount of Constitution while in their original form for better survivability.

The 3 Druid Subclasses in the Primal Calling DLC are Circle of the Land, Circle of the Kindred Spirit, and Circle of Winds. Unfortunately, due to licensing issues, the developers weren’t able to include Circle of the Moon, which would have been a fantastic Subclass since they specialize in shapeshifting the most.

Circle of the Land is also based on the Player’s Handbook. It grants the Druid another Cantrip together with the ability to replenish a number of Spell Slots upon taking a Short Rest. At higher levels, you gain additional Prepared Spells, immunity to Spells that hamper movement such as Entangle, and immunity to charm, fear, poison and disease.

Circle of the Kindred Spirit is another good Subclass in that you choose a spirit to bond with in order to receive additional aid in combat. When you reach Levels 6 and 10, you become more intertwined with your spirit. Every time you restore your HP, their HP is replenished as well. Furthermore, you can share the damage received between the both of you to lessen the chances of either one of you dying.

Lastly is Circle of Winds, which rewards you for casting a Level 1 Spell. In turn, you automatically activate Disengage in order to evade the scene, thereby protecting yourself from nearby attacks. At higher levels, you and your allies gain a Saving Throw and Attack Roll Advantage. The latter action will be beneficial in your succeeding turn provided that you initially make an Attack Roll to hit an enemy.

Solasta Primal Calling DLC – New Ancestry and Background

In addition to the Barbarian and Druid Classes, the DLC also features a new Half-Orc Ancestry as well as a Wanderer Background. The Half-Orc provides you with +2 Strength and +1 Constitution and is therefore a decent race to pick if you’re going to play as a Barbarian. It also has the Relentless Endurance Feature that prevents the character from dying outright since they regain 1 HP instead. With Savage Attacks, Half-Orcs can roll another damage die when they successfully score a Critical Hit.

Meanwhile, with the Wanderer comes its associated background quest in Copparan. They not only have proficiency in Survival and Nature, but they’re also adept at using Smith Tools and the Herbalism Kit.

Solasta Latest Updates

Max Level Cap Increase

When it comes to the latest updates in Solasta, the max level cap of all Classes will be increased from 10 to 12, which unlocks a lot of different features starting at Level 11. For instance, Level 6 Spells are now available to Wizards and Sorcerers like Disintegrate and True Seeing. Additionally, Fighters become stronger because of another Extra Attack Feature whereas Battle Clerics can deal additional damage while stunning their enemy thanks to Decisive Strike. Overall, this is a great update considering that it’s free and players will experience higher tiers of power for their chosen characters.

Furthermore, at Level 12, you’ll be able to choose another Bonus Feat or increase certain Ability Scores, making you much more formidable. These upgrades don’t come without a tradeoff since the fight at the end of the game is going to be harder so you have to be ready and well prepared!

Dungeon Maker, Customization, and Tutorial

Under the Dungeon Maker, which is still in Beta, there’s going to be a new Campaign Creator to expand this feature even more. It lets you add custom items, monsters, NPCs, and merchant inventories so you can make your very own campaign. In terms of the environment, you’ll gain access to new town interiors and exteriors that allow you to design your hubs as elaborately as possible. For instance, you’ll be able to create your town coupled with taverns and gardens nearby!

When it comes to customization, facial markings and scars will now be available to every class instead of being limited to Sorcerers so feel free to add battle scars and blemishes to your characters right from the start. And finally, if you’ve been replaying Solasta for quite some time now, you can skip the introduction cinematic and tutorial section. After creating and customizing your characters, you’ll immediately start your journey in Caer Cyflen.

Pricepoint

Solasta Primal Calling DLC costs USD 9.99 and for this pricepoint, it’s a worthy purchase if you’re a fan of D&D 5th Edition. If not, yet you’ve been enjoying the base game so far, then you may want to still consider picking up this DLC since the Barbarian and Druid are exciting Classes to play because of their various Subclasses. However, remember that there won’t be an extension to the story of the main campaign besides the addition of the Wanderer Background Quest. So if additional narrative beats are something you’ve been looking forward to, then you might not want to play the DLC.

Final Thoughts

Given the rate at which new updates are being brought into Solasta as well as the level of participation the developers are extending to the community, I’d say that the Primal Calling DLC and latest updates are sufficient to warrant another playthrough. Both the Barbarian and Druid Classes are a welcome addition to the game on top of the increased max level cap and the features it brings.

I recommend buying this DLC if you’ve been a fan of Solasta: Crown of the Magister or if you intend to get into the world of D&D since the game continues to be a faithful adaptation of the 5th Edition.

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Be sure to check out our Official Solasta: Crown of the Magister Wiki and Twitch Channel if you have questions about the game. You can also check out our Solasta Crown of the Magister Beginner’s Guide: 10 Tips You Should Know Before You Play and other Class Build Guides. What did you think of this overview? Will you be playing the Primal Calling DLC? Is the max level up increase something you’ve been looking forward to? Let us know in the comments below!