A closer look at battles in DRAGON QUEST TREASURES

How does combat work in DRAGON QUEST TREASURES? Read on to find out how you can use monsters in battle… and UNLEASH THE DRAGON!
Por Duncan Heaney

Over the last few months, we’ve introduced you to many elements in DRAGON QUEST TREASURES, from finding loot and fighting off rivals, to exploring the world itself. Today, we’re going to talk battles!

Erik and Mia’s hunt for loot takes them across the floating islands of Draconia, where monsters roam free. Some of these are hostile and need no excuse to attack Erik and Mia. Fortunately, the siblings have a team of trusty monster allies, and together they can fight off would-be attackers!

DRAGON QUEST TREASURES party selection screen

Erik and Mia can pick up to three monsters from their gang to accompany them on their adventures.

DRAGON QUEST TREASURES screenshot

Fend off foes with your monster pals! Attacking and dodging is as simple as pressing a button. But how exactly does it all work? Allow us to explain…


How do battles work in DRAGON QUEST TREASURES?

The action in the game is fast paced but deceptively simple!

Just approach an enemy to engage them in combat, and your AI-controlled monsters will fight to the best of their abilities. There are no complicated controls, leaving you free to enjoy the battle.

Erik spotted by a Dune Stalker in a desert

If a hostile monster spots you when you're searching for treasure, it will attack without a moment's notice!

Erik runs away as his team of monsters engages the enemy

Let the battle commence! Your monsters will decide the best course of action to win the fight.

An enemy being defeated for Exp. 357

Emerge victorious and you'll be rewarded with experience points, gold and even items! Erik and Mia can get in on the action using their Dragon Daggers and catapults or watch from the sidelines as their monsters duke it out.

Erik sneaking up behind a monster for a Surprise Attack

If you can creep up on your enemy unnoticed, you can perform a sneak attack and inflict massive damage.

Mia digging up treasure while a battle takes place behind her

Alternatively, you can let your monsters fight while you concentrate on digging up buried treasure!


Giving monsters orders

Erik ordering a monster to Go, go, go!

There are two different orders you can issue to your monsters when you're out exploring.

Tell them to "Gather round!" and they'll rush to your side or shout "Go, go, go!” and they'll seek out nearby enemies to fight.


Using Dragon Daggers and Catapults

Erik and Mia can help their comrades in battle using their Dragon Daggers and catapults. Both can be used to attack enemies and support allies.

Mia smashing a crate

Use the Dragon Daggers to attack monsters or break open pots and crates.

Erik healing himself

If Erik or Mia suffer damage, they can use the magic of their daggers to heal themselves.

Erik using a Mallet Pellet, which inflicts minor impact damage on a single enemy

Use the catapult to snipe out-of-reach enemies. Pellets can be found in chests or purchased from Axel's workshop.

Mia using a healing pellet on a dracky ally

Certain pellets have healing effects, while others will buff your allies. You can even use the catapult while you're moving!

Erik using Frizz Bomb, which inflicts fire damage on a single enemy

Many enemies are weak against elements such as fire, or a specific type of physical damage. All such vulnerabilities can be exploited with the right pellet!

Erik using a Buddy Bullet, which makes monsters more likely to want to join your gang.

You can also use your catapult to recruit monsters! Strike an enemy with a buddy bullet to increase the likelihood of it wanting to join your gang. Be sure to keep a few on hand because you never what powerful monster you'll meet next!


Causing major damage with a Monster Medley

If Erik, Mia and their monster minions manage to chain their attacks together in the right order, they'll unleash a Monster Medley. Here’s how it works:

Spells and Abilities listed on the Party screen in DRAGON QUEST TREASURES

Each monster has three or four different abilities at its disposal. They each also have a different line-up of abilities, and the amount can be different too, even between monsters of the same species.

An ally monster using Miracle Slash, while Mia attacks with a dagger

Your monsters are more than capable of choosing the right ability for the situation, be it attacking a foe or supporting an ally.

Erik and his ally monsters combining attacks for a Monster Medley attack

If they time their attacks right, Erik, Mia and their allies can combine them into a powerful Monster Medley!

Erik and his ally monsters combining attacks for a Monster Medley attack

Chain together many attacks and abilities to dish out astronomical damage!


Unleash the Dragon!

Every hit Erik and Mia land on the enemy charges their Dagger Gauge. Once the gauge is full, they or their monsters will be able to Unleash the Dragon and perform a very special technique - a unique super attack.

Not only are these set-piece skills a wonder to behold, they also inflict enormous damage!

Mia's dagger gauge charged for 2 uses in DRAGON QUEST TREASURES

The Dagger Gauge appears below Erik and Mia's portraits and can be charged for up to three uses. Unleashing the Dragon once or activating Erik and Mia's Wild Side ability uses one charge of the Dagger Gauge.

Mia ordering a slime to Unleash the Dragon in DRAGON QUEST TREASURES

Fill up the gauge and then instruct your slime to Unleash the Dragon!

A slime growing large and using Meteoric Rise in DRAGON QUEST TREASURES
A slime growing large and using Meteoric Rise in DRAGON QUEST TREASURES

Slimes have a super attack called Meteoric Rise, which causes huge damage to all nearby enemies.

Erik unleashing his Wild Side

As mentioned, Erik and Mia can Unleash the Dragon themselves with an ability called Wild Side. This special technique calls on the siblings' survival instincts, temporarily boosting all their stats and increasing their movement speed!

Wild Side allows for damaging combos and can be performed while already in motion!

Here are some more examples of what can happen when monsters Unleash the Dragon:

A Restless Armour using Gigagash

Restless Armours: Gigagash!

An Orc using Call the Cavalry

Orcs: Call the Cavalry

A Loss Leader using Dark Machinations

Loss Leader: Dark Machinations

A Killing Machine using Full Beam

Killing Machines: Full Beam


Medals

Over the course of their adventures, Erik and Mia will obtain monster-themed medals that can be equipped to boost stats such as attack power and deftness. Some will be contained in chests, while others may be dropped by monsters - keep your eyes peeled!

The medals screen in DRAGON QUEST TREASURES

Raise your gang's rank to equip more medal.

Screen showing medal effects in DRAGON QUEST TREASURES

Each medal provides a different effect, and can come in one of four ranks: bronze, silver, gold or rainbow.


We hope you enjoyed this brief look at battles in DRAGON QUEST TREASURES. You can dive into the fray yourselves from December 9, 2022, when the game releases for Nintendo Switch!

Pre-order now to get some rather wonderful bonuses:

  • 5 Chimaera Wings - Returns players to base immediately without losing any treasure

  • 15 Better Buddy Bullets - Increases the likelihood of a monster wanting to join the player’s gang

  • 15 Fullheal Pellets - Fully restores the HP of a single ally

Preorder DRAGON QUEST TREASURES

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