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Dragon Quest 9 |OT| Last chance* to shine
- Thread starter Aeana
- Start date
SecretMoblin
Member
They're useful for grinding, but that's pretty much it. A reasonably smart player will always fare better controlling the party manually.
SecretMoblin
Member
Yes.
Yeah, you're right. It can be a lifesaver in certain circumstances.
I think tactics are useful for plowing through an area quickly or for grotto hunting with enemies below your level, but I think it's still better to control your team for boss fights and going through tough areas.
Awesome....so much more content! I'll never finish this game, lol.
RPG Wizard
Member
Manual control is better for most things, but you need to keep in mind that the AI has one advantage that manual control will never have. That's that it cheats. It can change its chosen action midway through a round, whereas manual actions do not allow for mid-round healing.
It also ignores some restrictions on effects, like for instance if you're using a weapon that gives you priority, (deft dagger family, attribeauty) normally you'd only get priority if you attacked or used a weapon-appropriate skill. However, if you're in a pinch and need healing right then and there, switch your healer to an AI, equip them with one of the priority weapons, and they will guaranteed go first and heal.
It's also the only known way to get 2 turn wins on high level legacies. (Turn 1, boss goes first, AI allies trigger their Coup de graces, use it on the same turn, and then you smash the boss Turn 2.)
It also ignores some restrictions on effects, like for instance if you're using a weapon that gives you priority, (deft dagger family, attribeauty) normally you'd only get priority if you attacked or used a weapon-appropriate skill. However, if you're in a pinch and need healing right then and there, switch your healer to an AI, equip them with one of the priority weapons, and they will guaranteed go first and heal.
It's also the only known way to get 2 turn wins on high level legacies. (Turn 1, boss goes first, AI allies trigger their Coup de graces, use it on the same turn, and then you smash the boss Turn 2.)
Blergmeister
Member
Damnit. I've been trying to get an Ice grotto for a while. At a 10% chance, it sucks that we have to grotto grind. I need my Erdrick set!
Edit: Finally! I got every S ranked grotto other than ice up until today. Finished my Erdrick set. Now onto making the ultimate gold armor set, and then the DLC quests, and I'm good.
Edit: Finally! I got every S ranked grotto other than ice up until today. Finished my Erdrick set. Now onto making the ultimate gold armor set, and then the DLC quests, and I'm good.
Adam Prime
hates soccer, is Mexican
So I'm about ~5 hours in, and the combat is really... boring. I'm not making any impactful decsisions in battle (outside of the two boss fights) outside of just selecting, Attack.
I know MOST rpgs have pretty standard attack/heal and thats it kind of combat early on, but yeah just really not compelling combat at all for me. I'm going to ride it out though, I love that I made a party of my wife and daughter, they like watching over my shoulder to see themselves. And the story is... interesting.
I think it would've helped a lot if I were to just level up and get skills at a faster pace.
Also I encountered The Inn for the first time and didn't see anyone there who let me download DLC quests, does that come later on after your first visit to the inn?
I know MOST rpgs have pretty standard attack/heal and thats it kind of combat early on, but yeah just really not compelling combat at all for me. I'm going to ride it out though, I love that I made a party of my wife and daughter, they like watching over my shoulder to see themselves. And the story is... interesting.
I think it would've helped a lot if I were to just level up and get skills at a faster pace.
Also I encountered The Inn for the first time and didn't see anyone there who let me download DLC quests, does that come later on after your first visit to the inn?
It sometime after the first few hours. Don't specifically recall when. It's the girl in green on the right that'll do it, when it happens, though.
RPG Wizard
Member
Alchemy becomes available after the events surrounding the Wight Knight. The DQVC/DLC quests become available once you get the Zoom spell.
So I've been playing fairly regularly over the last few weeks and I find it a bit of a grind. Is there more to the game than find a town, talk to everyone, help them with their troubles, go back to the Starlight Express for a trip to another town...rinse, repeat? I keep expecting it to open up but I am finding it a very linear experience.
creid
Member
This is pretty much the entire Dragon Quest series.
Well, I have only played the first one (US Dragon Warrior). So if I don't finish it, I'm not missing anything. Thanks.
If you're just playing through for the critical path and rather flimsy story, you're going to miss out on like 80% of the game's content. Most of DQ9's true excellence shines through after you reach the end, where your options for what you can choose to do becomes virtually limitless.
Karsticles
Member
I have the Kawasaki Locker map if anyone happens to live in the Chicago area and wants to snag it from me. I think I actually have 2-3 MKS maps.
RPG Wizard
Member
Always good. I'm assuming you've got at least one Gem Slime map as well?
How do you mean "open up"? Once you get the boat, you have access to most of the world. Complete the fyggs quest and you'll gain access to the last two large regions, and complete the finale and you'll get the ability to go anywhere in the world you want.
It is fairly linear, plot-wise, but there's little side things you can do. Again, I'm not sure what you're looking for.
I guess right now, I'm 12 hours in, it feels a bit on-rails. But I don't have the boat yet.
RPG Wizard
Member
Have you started the fyggs quest yet? Your options open up nicely when that occurs. (The online shop becomes available, giving you incentive to get up some cash and get some really awesome equipment early, you start getting access to quests with decent rewards, and you will be able to change vocations for your party after the next dungeon as well...assuming you don't miss the dungeon.)
Though if you're just not having fun, there's never a point in forcing yourself to play a game.
Though if you're just not having fun, there's never a point in forcing yourself to play a game.
creid
Member
Do you not play a lot of JRPGs?
Karsticles
Member
I never got a Gem Slime map, unfortunately.
Adam Prime
hates soccer, is Mexican
Yeah this game is really weird. I find the game un-engaging at the point I am in (10 hours, Frygg Egg questing), yet at the same time... still engaging. The problem with the game right now is that there does not feel like there a lot of decisions to make at all, in and out of combat. I could elaborate more on this, but I think if you've played the game you'll agree about that's how it begins. I know from the posts that this game does "open up" to more decisions, and that's why I continue to play.
My engagement right now is the simple joy of equipping new equipment and the love I have for having my own custom party (myself, wife and two kids) and watching them move in the game.
The combat is so grindy, but still somehow enjoyable. I have my three party members to "Move wisely" and I literally hand the DS to my 4 year old daughter and she has a GREAT time moving the party around, getting into fights, mashing A button and watching the battles unfold.
Again, I'm not super enjoying this game... if it wasn't on the DS I would never be spending time to play it in front of a TV or computer. But I know that it gets better, and it's style is so charming. The monsters really are a joy just for their names and design.
Not since the NES/SNES days.
RoninChaos
Member
anybody in atlanta have any good maps?
RPG Wizard
Member
Okay. Good. I'm done. Now I can just farm or do other stuff at my own leisure. (Like more multiplayer!)
Final stats:
Time spent playing: 2146:44
Time spent in multiplayer: 1151:37
Battle Victories: 24602
Times Alchemy Performed: 2071
Accolades Earnt: 413
Quests Completed: 184
Grottoes Completed: 1061
Guests Canvassed: 1322
Defeated Monster List Completion: 100%
Wardrobe Completion: 100%
Item List Completion: 100%
Alchenomicon Completion: 100%
Final stats:
Time spent playing: 2146:44
Time spent in multiplayer: 1151:37
Battle Victories: 24602
Times Alchemy Performed: 2071
Accolades Earnt: 413
Quests Completed: 184
Grottoes Completed: 1061
Guests Canvassed: 1322
Defeated Monster List Completion: 100%
Wardrobe Completion: 100%
Item List Completion: 100%
Alchenomicon Completion: 100%
Head of Vengarl
Banned
Great! Now all you need to do is give it to someone who travels to Los Angeles, and then it can be mine!
Mother of god.
RPG Wizard
Member
I'm positive there are a bunch of dedicated DQ players in LA, with complete sets of the highly desired maps.
RPG Wizard
Member
Head of Vengarl
Banned
This is true. LA is a big city; there has to be someone with a Locker map around here...
RPG Wizard
Member
Wow, 2146 hours... that's like 3 months of nonstop 24-7 play all-in. I can't even fathom!Congrats on such an achievement.
Well, the game HAS been out for two years. But thank you!
Looking at GameFAQs, there were definitely a ton back in 2010. Looking at The Dragon's Den, I know that there are definitely some active members who live in LA there, so you may still be able to get someone. Shop around, I guess. (Or if all else fails, and I'm in LA at some time, I'll be sure to post here so we can set up a quick meet up.)
You definitely got your money's worth.
RPG Wizard
Member
I suppose things might change if/when the game is localised, but at the moment it seems like you will be paying even if you go through the game with AI characters.
Probably best not to think too much about it until we hear about the Wii U version, though.
Unless you can read Japanese.
Probably best not to think too much about it until we hear about the Wii U version, though.
Unless you can read Japanese.
RPG Wizard
Member
Currently, yes, but it's awkward. For two hours a day, designated "kid time", gameplay is free. You could presumably get through the entire game if you were only willing to play for those two hours a day. (And I cannot begin to imagine the server lag.)
This thread's recent activity had me dusting off my DQ9 cart. I have no idea what I'm doing in this anymore. All the patterns and rhythms I was so set in a year and a half ago are gone!
Kid time. LOL Sigh... I would really hate for this to be my first mainline DQ game that I skip, but it sure is looking like that might be the case.
RPG Wizard
Member
It could be. That'd suck, but many have voiced a similar opinion. I'll see how they decide to do it over here in the States.
Oh, and I got around to taking a photo of my stats:
Oh, and I got around to taking a photo of my stats:
RPGCrazied
Member
One of the first DS RPG's I'm going to play on my 3DS XL. Hope it looks decent. Got it from amazon for $14 new.
Got it from amazon for $14 new.RPG Wizard
Member
TimeEffect
Member
Can someone recommend this to me? Im wanting a JRPG real bad but have settled on DQ 5, the Heavenly Bride one.
But that's hard to find and I may have to go online for it. I could probably find IX in stores now. But I hear far less compliments for IX. I just want a good story with good gameplay, that heartwarming feeling u get when playing a JRPG.
I hear V is a coming of age story across several stages of life, and that sounds very endearing, I hear very little about character development and story for IX.
Sorry if this is beaten to death, just want a good RPG to invest in.
But that's hard to find and I may have to go online for it. I could probably find IX in stores now. But I hear far less compliments for IX. I just want a good story with good gameplay, that heartwarming feeling u get when playing a JRPG.
I hear V is a coming of age story across several stages of life, and that sounds very endearing, I hear very little about character development and story for IX.
Sorry if this is beaten to death, just want a good RPG to invest in.
SecretMoblin
Member
If you're looking for a good story, then DQIX is not the one you want. The game is incredibly detailed, has a lot of fantastic mechanics, and should provide at least dozens of hours of gameplay. The story is paper thin and functions only as a means to hold the game togetherthe real reason you should want to play it is for all of its other qualities.
DQV's story is considered very highly among fans (particularly in the West) and is incredibly endearing. It's also Dragon Quest creator Yuji Horii's favorite. The DS version shouldn't be too difficult to find; it's currently $25 on the US Amazon store and is certainly worth it at that price.
DQV's story is considered very highly among fans (particularly in the West) and is incredibly endearing. It's also Dragon Quest creator Yuji Horii's favorite. The DS version shouldn't be too difficult to find; it's currently $25 on the US Amazon store and is certainly worth it at that price.