Dragon’s Dogma 2 Sphinx Riddles: Order, Timer & Rewards

This guide explains the complete order of the Sphinx’s riddles in Dragon’s Dogma 2, how the time limit for each riddle works, and what rewards you get for solving them correctly. You’ll learn the exact sequence of all five riddles, the timer mechanics, and the best strategies to maximize your rewards without failing.

Background: Who Is the Sphinx?

The Sphinx is a unique enemy and quest-giver found in the Mountain Shrine, an area you can reach after progressing through the main story to the point where you can travel to the Battahl region. She is not a typical boss—she presents a series of riddles that test your knowledge of the game’s world, NPCs, and mechanics. Solving all her riddles grants powerful rewards, including rare gear and a special item that can help you reach the true ending. The Sphinx’s riddles are entirely optional, but they offer some of the best loot in the game, so most players choose to complete them.

How the Riddle Timer Works

Each riddle has a real-time countdown timer that starts as soon as you accept the riddle. The timer is displayed on screen, and if it reaches zero, the riddle is considered failed. However, failing a riddle does not end the encounter—you simply lose the reward for that specific riddle and move on to the next one. The timer pauses when you are in menus, during dialogue, and while fast-traveling, but it continues to run while you are exploring, fighting, or in any other gameplay state. The time limit for each riddle is generous, ranging from 10 to 20 minutes, but some riddles require you to travel across the map, so you need to plan your route efficiently.

The Complete Riddle Order and Rewards

Here is the exact order of the Sphinx’s riddles, the objective of each, and the reward you get for solving it correctly. Note that the order is fixed—you cannot skip a riddle or change the sequence.

1. Riddle 1: The Riddle of the Eye – Objective: Find a specific NPC in the world (the game gives you a clue about their appearance and location). Reward: Ring of Assurance (increases max HP).
2. Riddle 2: The Riddle of the Grasp – Objective: Bring an item that the Sphinx asks for (the item changes based on your choices). Reward: Warpstone (a consumable that teleports you to a riftstone).
3. Riddle 3: The Riddle of the Voice – Objective: Answer a question about the game’s lore (the answer is always one of three options). Reward: Golden Trove Beetle (increases carry capacity).
4. Riddle 4: The Riddle of the Hunt – Objective: Defeat a specific monster within the time limit. Reward: Portcrystal (a fast-travel point you can place anywhere).
5. Riddle 5: The Riddle of the Heart – Objective: Choose a companion to sacrifice (this is a moral choice). Reward: Eternal Bond (a ring that prevents the wearer from dying).

If you answer all five riddles correctly, the Sphinx gives you a bonus reward: the Wyrmking’s Ring, a unique item that reduces the cooldown of your core skills. This ring is only obtainable by completing the entire riddle sequence without a single failure.

How to Choose the Correct Answers

Some riddles are straightforward, but others require you to pay attention to the game’s world and NPCs. Here are some tips for each riddle:

• Riddle of the Eye: The clue is usually about a character you have met in a specific town. If you are stuck, check your quest log for any NPCs you have interacted with recently. The game often gives you a hint about the NPC’s name or location.
• Riddle of the Grasp: The Sphinx asks for an item that is related to the riddle’s theme (e.g., a flower, a weapon, or a book). You can find the item in the world, but you may need to buy it from a merchant or craft it. The item is always something you can obtain without too much trouble.
• Riddle of the Voice: This riddle asks a question about the game’s lore, such as the name of a historical figure or the origin of a certain race. The answer is always one of the options presented, and you can often find the answer in the game’s codex or by talking to NPCs.
• Riddle of the Hunt: The monster you need to defeat is always a specific type, such as a Griffin or a Chimera. You can find it in a known location, but you must be prepared for a fight. The timer is usually longer for this riddle, so you have time to travel to the monster’s lair.
• Riddle of the Heart: This is the only riddle with a moral choice. You must choose one of your party members to sacrifice. The game does not penalize you for choosing any of them, but the reward is the same regardless of your choice. Some players choose a pawn they don’t use often, but note that the sacrifice is permanent—the pawn is gone from your game.

Common Problems and How to Avoid Them

Many players fail the Sphinx’s riddles because they run out of time or make the wrong choice. Here are the most common issues and how to avoid them:

• Running out of time: The timer is real-time, so avoid getting into unnecessary fights or exploring too much. Use fast-travel to get to your destination quickly. If you have a Portcrystal placed near the Sphinx’s location, you can use it to return immediately after completing the objective.
• Not knowing the answer: For riddles that require knowledge, take a moment to read the clue carefully. If you are unsure, you can consult your quest log or the codex. The game often provides the answer in the riddle’s text itself.
• Failing the hunt riddle: The monster you need to defeat may be tough. Make sure you have good gear and plenty of healing items before starting the riddle. You can also bring a pawn with a strong offensive skill to help you.
• Sacrificing the wrong pawn: The sacrifice is permanent, so think carefully before choosing. If you have a favorite pawn, you may want to avoid sacrificing them. You can always dismiss a pawn and hire a new one later, but the sacrificed pawn is gone forever.

Comparison: Sphinx Riddles vs. Other Optional Quests

The Sphinx’s riddles are unique in that they combine puzzle-solving, exploration, and combat. Compared to other optional quests in the game, they offer some of the best rewards, especially the Wyrmking’s Ring. However, they are also more challenging because of the time limit and the moral choice at the end. Other optional quests, such as the escort quests or the hunt for rare monsters, are more straightforward and can be completed at your own pace. If you are a completionist, the Sphinx’s riddles are a must-do, but if you are short on time, you may want to prioritize other quests first.

Safety and Ethical Considerations

The Sphinx’s riddles do not involve any real-world safety concerns, but there is an in-game ethical consideration: the sacrifice of a pawn. Pawns are AI companions that you can dismiss and rehire, but the game treats them as individuals. Some players feel uncomfortable sacrificing a pawn, even a virtual one. If you are uncomfortable with this, you can choose to skip the final riddle and still receive the rewards from the first four. The game does not force you to make the sacrifice—you can simply refuse and the Sphinx will let you leave with the rewards you have earned.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I redo a failed riddle?

No, you cannot redo a failed riddle. Once the timer runs out or you give the wrong answer, the riddle is lost and you move on to the next one. The only way to get the rewards again is to start a new game or load a previous save.

Does the timer pause during cutscenes?

Yes, the timer pauses during cutscenes and dialogue, but it does not pause during combat or exploration. If you are in a long cutscene, the timer will not tick down, which gives you a bit of breathing room.

What happens if I sacrifice a pawn?

The sacrificed pawn is permanently removed from your game. You cannot rehire them, and they will not appear in your rift. You can still hire other pawns, but the sacrificed one is gone. The game does not give you a warning before you make the choice, so think carefully.

Is the Wyrmking’s Ring worth it?

Yes, the Wyrmking’s Ring is one of the best items in the game. It reduces the cooldown of all core skills by 20%, which is a significant boost in combat. If you plan to play through the post-game or the DLC, it is definitely worth getting.

Can I get the Sphinx’s rewards on a new game plus?

Yes, the Sphinx’s riddles are available in new game plus. You can complete them again to get the rewards, but you can only get the Wyrmking’s Ring once per playthrough. If you want multiple rings, you would need to play through the game multiple times.

Do I need to complete the main story to access the Sphinx?

Yes, you need to progress the main story to the point where you can travel to the Battahl region. The Mountain Shrine is located there, and you will need to have unlocked fast travel to the area to reach it efficiently.

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