You're standing at the edge of the Bakbattahl dye pits, your stamina bar is flashing red, and your main pawn just complained about their feet hurting for the tenth time. We've all been there. You look at the map and realize you need to get back to Vernworth, but the oxcart just got smashed by a stray Griffin. This is usually when players start desperately searching for a portcrystal in Dragon's Dogma 2.
Honestly, the fast travel system in this game is a bit of a slap in the face if you're used to modern open-world games. Capcom wants you to walk. They want you to get jumped by goblins. But once you've crossed that same stretch of road forty times, the "adventure" starts to feel a lot like a commute.
The Reality of Fast Travel in Vermund
Basically, there are two types of crystals. You've got the permanent ones—the big purple spikes stuck in the ground—and the portable ones you carry in your pocket.
The permanent ones are frustratingly rare. You'll find one in Vernworth (behind the Riftstone) and another in Harve Village. That’s it for the "freebies." If you want to zip around the rest of the world, you have to find, earn, or—god forbid—buy the portable versions.
Portable portcrystals are items you can plop down anywhere outside. Once it's on the ground, you can use a Ferrystone to teleport to it. You can pick them up and move them whenever you want, which is great because you’re probably going to change your mind about where you need to be every three hours.
Where to Actually Find Portable Portcrystals
You aren't going to just stumble across these while picking flowers. They are rewards for being thorough, or sometimes, for being a bit of a masochist.
- Captain Brant’s Gift: Just play the main story. After you finish the "Feast of Deception" quest, Brant gives you one. It’s the game’s way of saying, "Okay, fine, here's a shortcut."
- The Forested Griffin’s Nest: This is the one most people miss. Deep in the Misty Marshes (that foggy, nightmare area in the north), there’s a Griffin’s nest. You can actually find a portcrystal sitting right there in the dirt. You don't even have to kill the Griffin if you're fast enough, though it usually has other ideas.
- The Sphinx Riddles: The Sphinx is a whole ordeal, but she’s worth it. Solving the "Riddle of Madness" gets you a crystal. But here is the pro tip: for the "Riddle of Conviction," she asks for your most valuable item. Give her a portcrystal. She will duplicate it. It's the easiest way to double your travel options without breaking a sweat.
- The Dragonforged: Once you reach the Bay Wayside Shrine (north of Bakbattahl), you can talk to the Dragonforged. He sells one for 20 Wyrmslife Crystals. If you’ve been slaying drakes, you’ll have plenty.
The 10-Crystal Limit and Why It Matters
You can only have 10 portable portcrystals active in the world at once. If you somehow manage to get an 11th one—maybe through New Game Plus or some very generous pawn gifts—the game literally won't let you place it.
You've also got to watch out for "Partcrystals." These are fake, counterfeit versions you might get in New Game Plus if you try to redo certain quests that originally gave you a real one. They look identical, but they don't work. It's a classic Dragon's Dogma move to troll the player like that.
Strategic Placement: Where Should You Put Them?
Since you're limited, don't just drop them at every campfire. You need to be smart.
Bakbattahl is the most obvious choice. The fact that a major capital city doesn't have a permanent portcrystal is honestly a crime. Put one right near the oxcart station or the vendor area.
The Sacred Arbor (the elf village) is another strong candidate. It’s tucked away in a corner of the map that is a total pain to reach by foot. If you're doing the elven questlines or need specialized smithing, you’ll thank yourself for having a warp point there.
Volcanic Island Camp is the third "must-have" spot. It's the gateway to the endgame areas and the Magick Archer vocation. Walking there from Bakbattahl takes forever, and the path is crawling with high-level enemies that love to knock you off cliffs.
👉 See also: How do you make nether portal in minecraft: The Obsidian Trick Most Players Miss
What Most People Get Wrong About Ferrystones
Having a portcrystal in Dragon's Dogma 2 is only half the battle. You still need Ferrystones to actually use them.
Early on, these things feel like pure gold. They cost 10,000 gold at vendors, which is a lot when you're trying to upgrade your armor. Don't waste them on short trips. Use the oxcarts for the "safe" routes between Vernworth and Checkpoint Rest Town. Save your stones for the emergency "I'm about to die and my loss gauge is huge" moments.
By the time you hit the late game, you'll start finding Ferrystones in random chests and as drops from tougher enemies like Griffins or Chimeras. You’ll eventually have a steady supply, but never get too comfortable.
Actionable Next Steps:
- Check your storage: If you've been rushing the main quest, check your private chest at the inn. You might have a portcrystal sitting there from Captain Brant that you forgot to withdraw.
- Locate the Sphinx: If you haven't started her riddles, head to the Mountain Shrine. It’s a trek, but doubling your crystals is the single best quality-of-life upgrade you can get.
- Clean up Harve Village: Make sure you've actually touched the permanent crystal in Harve. It doesn't activate just by looking at it; you have to physically interact with it to "unlock" the destination.