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Post by Xeogred on May 16, 2020 18:13:08 GMT -5
The ultimate Dragon Quest thread.
Figured we could use a counterpart to the FF thread. We've talked a lot of DQ already and I think most of the regulars here right now prefer it to FF (don't see that ever being the case for me haha).
So far I've beaten DQ5 (DS), DQ4 (DS), and DQ1-2 (SNES) in that order.
June is coming up, which is when I played a new DQ for the last two years! I'm planning on hitting up DQ3 (SNES) next. Do I need to be extra prepared or do any research on the job/class system in this one? I don't want to make a mistake and have some late game character that ends up being terrible. I'll probably build out a party to my preference that I figured out through DQ4 and DQ5 so far.
Hero - Mystic Knight Hybrid, good all arounder with strong healing
Alena - Speed and Crit! Ragner - The tank and heavy hitter. This is the slot that could maybe rotate out though, for someone that can buff/debuff. But I did end up using him a lot in DQ4 over others, however I ranked Alena above him.
Maya - The all out offensive magic user.
This is an aggressive party that leans more offensive than defense, but that's how I liked playing DQ4. Hit the enemies and bosses so hard before they can do much.
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Post by toei on May 16, 2020 18:41:18 GMT -5
I'm surprised we didn't have a thread like this already. We've talked about the series a lot. To answer your question, Xeogred, I don't think you need to do any real research. The classes and parties that work well in DQ3 are the ones you'd expect if you have some basic RPG experience, basically. One thing to note about class systems in DQs is that they progress really slowly, so you can't afford to switch classes willy-nilly unless you feel like grinding a lot. Also, DQ3 is nice, but IMO it's not on the level of the Heavens trilogy (4-5-6). It feels a lot more like a NES game, even the SNES remake, not aesthetically but in terms of the limited storytelling. Plus this entry, like DQ9, has custom characters, which is kind of boring as it also means they don't have personalities and don't really interact. But the DQ core is there, it was a big step up from DQ 1 and 2, and it's still solid enough that I beat it twice, once on SNES and once on GBC (which is obviously not as pretty, but does have a pretty cool addition in the form of giant boardgames that grant you cool prizes). I hope that when you do get to 6, you'll like it as much as I do, and I recommend you play the SNES version, which is fully playable no matter what anyone says, because it's just better than the DS version.
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Post by Sarge on May 16, 2020 19:05:03 GMT -5
I'm a bigger fan of DQIII than toei , so who knows? Regardless, I think that's when the series really came into its own. I don't think you need to worry too much about classes, but my party tended to be: Hero Fighter/Martial Artist or Soldier Pilgrim/Priest Wizard Once I hit the class change shrine, I'd always swap my Wizard over to Sage, although you need the Book of Satori to do that. That way you have two mage-types that actually have a bit of offense/defense, and of course the Sage gets every Wizard/Pilgrim spell in the game. I don't try to reclass the others, though, as it tends to be counterproductive in the end. Since you're doing the SNES version, you could also consider tossing a Thief into your party. I'm wanting to say I skipped having a Wizard when I did the GBC version, and instead had Hero/Martial Artist/Thief/Priest. The Priest got classed to Sage when I got the chance. While they offer some nice new map abilities, I definitely don't think they're a necessary member of your party. Just... don't do something goofy, like skipping at least one more melee class, or getting a Goof-off (well, there is a reason you might want to, but not on a first play). You can skip the Merchant class, too. They just don't bring enough to the table. EDIT: Oh, right, you might want to do a fighter anyway, since the SNES version has more equipment for them to use. There was very little equipment they could use in the NES game (Iron Claw and some weak armor). Lots better options on the table this time. You can even get the Golden Claw from the pyramid, although you get to fight every single step on your way out. As long as you get out, though, you can keep it without every-step encounters. The NES version maintains this at all times, so if you grab it there it's best to get it and then sell it.
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Post by toei on May 16, 2020 20:30:21 GMT -5
Agreed that wizards aren't that great, though obviously you'll want a healer. I don't remember who gets Sap and spells like that, though? Spells that lower or affect enemy status are always great in DQ, since unlike most other RPGs where they're mostly worthless, they actually work against bosses.
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Post by Xeogred on May 16, 2020 20:59:05 GMT -5
Plus at least in the few I've played so far, the buffs/debuffs like Sap STACK!
Anyways toei, I forked out a bit to secure a cartridge of DQ6 DS, so that's probably the version I'm playing. I think it looks really cool, a more noticeable upgrade compared to DQ4-DQ5 DS which looked the same pretty much.
There's always a chance I'll check out the original versions of some of these someday though. Maybe DQ4 and DQ6 (since the SNES version looks gorgeous).
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Post by Sarge on May 16, 2020 21:01:12 GMT -5
toei : Well, I was about to type something wrong. Faulty memory. Priests get Sap/Defense, but Wizards get Upper/Increase for party-boosting. And they also get the excellent Bikill (or Oomph) spell. So they still manage to pull their weight. Xeogred : Yeah, you can stack multiples, although there is a limit to how far you can go. I don't think you can Bikill more than once, though. Both versions of DQVI are a good time, but for a more consistent experience, the DS game is the way to go - you won't run into any untranslated stuff. The SNES version looks fantastic, though; probably better than the DS game.
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Post by toei on May 16, 2020 21:03:22 GMT -5
Xeogred I think they stack up to a certain limit, though. Like, casting them twice is probably enough.
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Post by Xeogred on May 16, 2020 21:06:22 GMT -5
Who learns Kaboom?
Is the "Hero" a special one time class for the main character in DQ3? I'm guessing maybe so. If you could rock a party of 4 characters with the variety of what the Hero can generally do in these, that would be probably be ridiculous.
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Post by Sarge on May 16, 2020 21:26:13 GMT -5
Yeah, in DQIII, only the MC can be a Hero, and he can never reclass. Not that you'd want to; he's a beast.
I believe Kaboom is the purview of Wizards. Priests only get a few offensive spells - the Infernos series (Woosh in modern), and if you want to count them, the ones that remove enemies from battle.
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Post by toei on May 16, 2020 21:26:22 GMT -5
Is the "Hero" a special one time class for the main character in DQ3? I'm guessing maybe so. If you could rock a party of 4 characters with the variety of what the Hero can generally do in these, that would be probably be ridiculous. Yeah, of course. Can you imagine how powerful an all-Hero party would be? I'd like to see some super post-game dungeon where you can use all the main characters from the various DQ games. Actually, with all the bonus features in DQXI, that might already exist, I'm not sure.
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