View source for Hero (Dragon Quest III)

{{Character
|Name= Hero
|Game= {{Dragon Quest III}}
|Image=[[Image:Hero3male.png|300px]]<br>[[Image:Hero3female.png|250px]]
|Sprite=[[Image:Dq3hero-sprite-NES.gif|28px]][[File:Dragon Quest III hero male sprite SFC.gif|28px]][[File:Dragon Quest III hero female sprite SFC.gif|28px]]<br>[[File:Hero_IIIHD2-D.png]][[File:Heroine_IIIHD2-D.png]]
|home = [[Aliahan]]
|appearances= {{DQ3}}<br>{{DQMBRV}}
|Jap=勇者 
|Romaji=Yuusha
|Race=Human
|Age=16
|Family=[[Ortega]] (father)<br>[[Hero's Mother (Dragon Quest III)|Mother]]<br>[[Hero (Dragon Quest)]] (descendant)<br>{{Prince of Midenhall}} (descendant)<br>[[Prince of Cannock]] (descendant)<br>[[Princess of Cannock]] (descendant)<br>[[Princess of Moonbrooke]] (descendant)
|Voice Actor = [[Hikaru Midorikawa]] ([[Dragon Quest III CD Theater|CD Theater]])<br> [[Nobuyuki Hiyama]] (Male, Japanese) ([[Super Smash Bros. Ultimate]], {{Rivals Ace}}) ([[Dragon Quest III HD-2D Remake]])<br> Yuko Minaguchi (Female, Japanese) ([[Dragon Quest III HD-2D Remake]])<br> Toby Laurence (Male, English) ([[Dragon Quest III HD-2D Remake]])<br> Jenna Sharpe (Female, English) ([[Dragon Quest III HD-2D Remake]])
}}
The '''Hero''' of {{DQ3}} is a fabled, Legendary Hero from the days of lore and the ancient history of [[Alefgard]]. Though only appearing in one game, the legacy of The Hero would live on in the "[[Erdrick Trilogy]]", so named for the [[Erdrick|title]] bestowed upon them and carried forth by their descendants. 

In {{SSB5}}, The Hero of {{Dragon Quest III}} is playable as an alternate costume for [[Hero (Super Smash Bros.)|the game's version of the Hero]], alongside the {{Luminary}} and the Heroes of ''[[Hero (Dragon Quest IV)|Dragon Quest IV]]'' and ''[[Hero (Dragon Quest VIII)|VIII]]''. This Hero has been given the default name '''Arusu''' (アルス) in order to differentiate him from the other three Heroes appearing in the game. Arusu has also appeared as his default name in official screencaps of the {{Super Famicom}} version and the 2D-HD remake of the game. In the [[Dragon Quest III CD Theater|CD Theater]] audio drama of the game, the Hero is named '''Arel''' (アレル).

==Appearance==
Although the Hero can be either male or female, their appearances are practically identical. They are of average height and build, and they have incredibly spiky, dark brown or black hair. The Heroine is slightly shorter than her male counterpart, her hair sticks up less, and she wears a pair of green studs as earrings. Around their forehead is a silver circlet inlaid with a green gem. They wear a long blue tunic over a yellow long-sleeved shirt and pants, a pair of knee-length leather boots, leather gloves, and a long magenta cloak around their necks. They wear a brown leather belt around their waist, and a scabbard strapped to their back. 

The Hero wields a simple sword and a grey heater shield with an insignia of a dragon's head and two crossed swords on the front. The Hero's outfit is slightly different in the {{Famicom}} illustrations, having a gold circlet with a blue gem around their forehead, and a dark blue cloak around their neck. They are seen carrying a cutlass and a round version of [[Erdrick]]'s shield. There were also no illustrations of the female [[Erdrick]] until the {{Super Famicom}} remake: in certain illustrations, the female [[Erdrick]]'s outfit is more feminized, making her blue tunic a strapless miniskirt. In certain illustrations and depictions, the male Hero's hair is a lighter shade of brown and the gems on the hero's circlet and the female hero's earrings alternate between green and blue.

==Appearances==
==={{DQ3}}===
The Hero was raised by their [[Hero's Mother (Dragon Quest III)|mother]] and grandfather in their home in [[Aliahan]]. Their father, the renowned warrior [[Ortega]], was tasked by the king of Aliahan to assassinate the world-threatening archfiend [[Baramos]] on the very day of their birth. Sometime later, word of Ortega's supposed death at the [[Great Pit of Giaga]] reaches the kingdom and The Hero's mother proposes that her child can follow in [[Ortega]]'s footsteps to free the world from [[Baramos]]' growing menace. The child is then trained to become a great warrior like their father and, on their sixteenth birthday, they officially depart to save the world. The king gives a word of warning to take companions with them on their quest lest they meet the same fate as their father and instructs them to visit [[Patty's Party Planning Place]] before leaving the safety of [[Aliahan]].

The [[King of Aliahan]] has discreetly sent word of The Hero's journey to the monarchs of every major nation--this is why the Kings and Queen warmly receive them even though the citizenry knows nothing of their mission. The Hero encounters several towns and kingdoms throughout their journey and accomplishes many feats of heroism, such mending the wounds between the {{Faerie}}s and the people of [[Norvik]] and freeing the nation of [[Jipang]] from the deceit of a sinister [[Orochi|serpent]]. Six legendary [[Six Orbs|Orbs]] are gathered by The Hero along their trek, which they use to hatch the legendary Everbird [[Ramia]]. The phoenix is the direct servant of the [[Goddess]], and her camaraderie with The Hero is irrefutable proof of their destiny as the savior of the world. Additionally, The Hero encounters the dying [[Dragon Queen|Queen of Dragons]] in her remote mountain [[Castle of the Dragon Queen|castle]]. Before she succumbs to her age, she gives The Hero the [[Sphere of Light]] and reassures them that their destiny is on of great courage and hardship for the benefit of the entire world.

After defeating [[Baramos]], The Hero returns victorious to [[Aliahan]] only to be confronted by a new nemesis, [[Zoma]]. Taking up a new quest to defeat the true evil, The Hero travels through the [[Necrogond Shrine]] to the world below and arrives in [[Alefgard]], which is sealed in perpetual darkness under the devil's heel. Here, The Hero fights back against the eternal night by freeing the entrapped Goddess [[Rubiss]] and besieging [[Zoma's Citadel]]. Against all odds, The Hero encounters their father fighting in the depths of the castle--[[Ortega]] had fallen into the world below during his fight at the crater of the Giaga volcano and resumed his mission by seeking to kill the evil plaguing both worlds at its source. 

Tragically, [[Ortega]] is mortally wounded in a battle with the [[King Hydra]] before he can even reach [[Zoma]], and is so severely burned by the dragon that he can no longer see. Sensing someone is present, [[Ortega]] embraces his death with despair and bemoans his inability to bring peace to his world and that he was never able to see his child grow up. [[Ortega]] then quietly dies in The Hero's arms.

Reaching the lowest level of the castle, The Hero kills the [[King Hydra]] before fighting through the [[Bones of Baramos|animated corpse of Baramos]] and the fiend's very [[Soul of Baramos|soul]] on their way to Zoma's throne. The devil mocks the would-be savior and the battle begins, with [[Zoma]]'s impenetrable shroud of darkness being burned away by the sphere of light and leaving him vulnerable. After a vicious clash, The Hero emerges victorious, and Zoma begins to fade away--warning that hen though he may perish, there will always be [[Dragonlord|an evil]] to take [[Hargon|his place]]. 

The castle begins to collapse due to the force of the battle, and The Hero emerges from the [[Nail Mark]] north of [[Tantegel]]. The light of the sun has begun to shine in [[Alefgard]] for the first time in untold years, and the people receive The Hero as nothing short of a messiah sent by the [[Goddess]]. The king bestows upon them the title of [[Erdrick]], the most sacred honor that the land has, and the stratum gap between the world above and [[Alefgard]] closes before The Hero can return. Unable to rejoin friends and family above, The Hero settles down in their new home and begins a family that will continue their legacy of standing resolute in the face of desolating evil.

====Base Stats====
''{{NES}} version''
{| style="width:65%; height:100px; text-align:center" border="1" 
|-<---!Headings are up first.!---> style="font-weight:bold; background:#A3AB47"
| Attribute || Starting Stats || Maximum Stats
|- style="font-weight:normal"
| Level || 1 || 99
|-
| {{HP}} || 15 || 446
|-
| {{MP}} || 6 || 218
|-
| {{Strength}} || 8 || 181
|-
| {{Agility}} || 6 || 156
|-
| {{Resilience}} || 7 || 244
|-
| {{Wisdom}} || 6 || 126
|-
| {{Luck}} || 5 || 157
|-
| Initial gear ||colspan=2|[[Cypress stick]], [[Plain clothes]]
|}

In the {{Super Famicom}} remake of the game and all subsequent ports, The Hero's attribute growth is determined by their [[List of personality types in Dragon Quest III|Personality]]. At the start of the game, The Hero is asked a series of questions by a mysterious voice in the sky, culminating in a short scene in order to see just what type of person The Hero is. There are 32 different personalities that can be assigned at the beginning, but it is possible to change it with the help of various books or accessories that can be found.

The Hero is not a genuine jack-of-all-trades character despite a decent spell list, with their stats focusing more on physical strength and durability more than spell casting--this results in an {{MP}} shortage once expensive spells such as [[Kazap]] and [[Omniheal]] are learned. This can be corrected with the application of an {{MP}}-boosting personality and by consuming [[Seed of magic]] and [[Seed of wisdom]] when found.

The Hero is not able to change classes like other characters in the game, with the abbot of {{Alltrades Abbey 3}} reprimanding them for attempting to slack in their duties.  The Hero must always be in the {{Party 3}} until [[Post Game|after]] defeating [[Zoma]].

====Spells====
The Hero is capable of learning a balanced mix of magic from both the [[Priest]] and [[Mage]]'s pools, as well as some that are unique to them, such as [[Kaclang]] and [[Zap]].

{| style="width:65%; height:100px; text-align:center" border="1" 
|-<---!Headings are up first.!---> style="font-weight:bold; background:#439CD0"
| Level Learned || Original Japanese || [[Game Boy|GBC]] Localization || Modern Localization || {{MP}} || Description
|- style="font-weight:normal"
| 2 || メラ  ''Mera'' || Blaze || [[Frizz]] || 2 || A simple fire spell; affects one enemy.  
|-
| 4 || ホイミ ''Hoimi'' || Heal || [[Heal]] || 3 || A simple healing spell.
|-
| 6 || ニフラム ''Nifuramu'' || Expel || [[Poof]] || 2 || Blows away weak enemies. 
|-
| 8 || ルーラ ''Ruura'' || Return || [[Zoom]] || 8 || Instantaneous travel to a previously visited location.
|-
| 10 || ギラ ''Gira'' || Firebal || [[Sizz]] || 4 || A weak fire spell that affects a group of enemies.
|-
| 12 || アストロン ''Asutoron'' || Ironize || [[Kaclang]] || 6 || Makes The Hero immune to all enemy attacks for a short period of time. 
|-
| 14 || リレミト ''Riremito'' || Outside || [[Evac]] || 8 || Exit a cave/dungeon with this spell.
|-
| 17 || ラリホー ''Rarihoo'' || Sleep || [[Snooze]] || 3 || May put a group of enemies to {{Sleep}}.  
|-
| 19 || マホトーン ''Mahotoon'' || StopSpell || [[Fizzle]] || 3 || Try to block the enemies' spell.
|-
| 19 || トヘロス ''Toherosu'' || Repel || [[Holy Protection]] || 4 || Causes weak enemies to leave you alone.
|-
| 24 || ベギラマ ''Begirama'' || Firebane || [[Sizzle]] || 6 || This fire spell affects a group of enemies.
|-
| 26 || ライデイン ''Raidein'' || Zap || [[Zap]] || 8 || Affects one enemy; the first lightning type spell.
|-
| 29 || ベホイミ ''Behoimi'' || Healmore || [[Midheal]] || 5 || A stronger form of [[Heal]].
|-
| 31 || イオラ ''Iora'' || Boom || [[Boom]] || 9 || Damages all targets with a powerful explosion.
|-
| 33 || ベホマ ''Behoma'' || Healall ||[[Fullheal]] || 7 || Restores an ally to full health. 
|-
| 35 || ザオラル ''Zaoraru'' || Vivify || [[Zing]] || 10 || 50% chance to revive a deceased party member.
|-
| 38 || ベホマズン ''Behomazun'' || Healusall || [[Omniheal]] || 62 || Restores the party to full health.
|-
| 41 || ギガデイン ''Gigadein'' || Thordain || [[Kazap]] || 30 || Causes around 200 points of electrical damage to all enemies.
|}

====Equipment====
The Hero has access to a very wide range of weapons, ranging from {{Sword}}s, {{Spear}}s, {{Axe}}s, as well as {{Whip}}s and {{Boomerang}}s in the remakes. They are capable of being outfitted with the heaviest armour, shields, and helmets available. [[Erdrick]] is also the only character capable of using the legendary equipment, which will prove useful when fighting against [[Zoma]]. In the remake versions, The Hero begins his journey equipped with a [[Copper sword]] and [[Wayfarer's clothes]].

{{VersionTabs|Weapons|{{CharacterEquipmentList|header|title=Dragon Quest III|subtitle=All|equipmentType=Weapon}}
{{CharacterEquipmentList|entry|item=[[Cypress stick]]|statModifier=Attack +2}}
{{CharacterEquipmentList|entry|item=[[Falcon blade]]|statModifier=Attack +5}}
{{CharacterEquipmentList|entry|item=[[Oaken club]]|statModifier=Attack +7}}
{{CharacterEquipmentList|entry|item=[[Copper sword]]|statModifier=Attack +12}}
{{CharacterEquipmentList|entry|item=[[Divine dagger]]|statModifier=Attack +14}}
{{CharacterEquipmentList|entry|item=[[Chain sickle]]|statModifier=Attack +16}}
{{CharacterEquipmentList|entry|item=[[Thorn whip]]|statModifier=Attack +18}}
{{CharacterEquipmentList|entry|item={{Boomerang W}}|statModifier=Attack +19}}
{{CharacterEquipmentList|entry|item=[[Edged boomerang]]|statModifier=Attack +24}}
{{CharacterEquipmentList|entry|item=[[Iron lance]]|statModifier=Attack +26}}
{{CharacterEquipmentList|entry|item=[[Steel broadsword]]|statModifier=Attack +33}}
{{CharacterEquipmentList|entry|item=[[Iron axe]]|statModifier=Attack +38}}
{{CharacterEquipmentList|entry|item=[[Spiked steel whip]]|statModifier=Attack +40}}
{{CharacterEquipmentList|entry|item=[[Flametang boomerang]]|statModifier=Attack +42}}
{{CharacterEquipmentList|entry|item=[[Siren sword]]♥|statModifier=Attack +50}}
{{CharacterEquipmentList|entry|item=[[Mountaincleaver]]|statModifier=Attack +51}}
{{CharacterEquipmentList|entry|item=[[Dragontail whip]]|statModifier=Attack +54}}
{{CharacterEquipmentList|entry|item=[[Orochi's sword]]|statModifier=Attack +65}}
{{CharacterEquipmentList|entry|item=[[Zombiesbane (Weapon)|Zombiesbane]]|statModifier=Attack +67}}
{{CharacterEquipmentList|entry|item=[[Dragonsbane (Weapon)|Dragonsbane]]|statModifier=Attack +79}}
{{CharacterEquipmentList|entry|item=[[Thunderbolt blade]]|statModifier=Attack +82}}
{{CharacterEquipmentList|entry|item=[[Blizzard blade]]|statModifier=Attack +90}}
{{CharacterEquipmentList|entry|item=[[Stormlord's sword]]|statModifier=Attack +95}}
{{CharacterEquipmentList|entry|item=[[Bastard sword]]|statModifier=Attack +105}}
{{CharacterEquipmentList|entry|item=[[Gringham whip]]|statModifier=Attack +105}}
{{CharacterEquipmentList|entry|item=[[Sword of ruin]]|statModifier=Attack +107}}
{{CharacterEquipmentList|entry|item=[[Double-edged sword]]|statModifier=Attack +115}}
{{CharacterEquipmentList|entry|item=[[Sword of Kings]]|statModifier=Attack +120}}
{{CharacterEquipmentList|entry|item=[[Flail of destruction|Destructiball]]|statModifier=Attack +135}}
{{CharacterEquipmentList|note|text=}}
{{CharacterEquipmentList|footer}}|Helmets|
{{CharacterEquipmentList|header|title=Dragon Quest III|subtitle=All|equipmentType=Helmet}}
{{CharacterEquipmentList|entry|item=[[Leather hat]]|statModifier=Defense +2}}
{{CharacterEquipmentList|entry|item=[[Hardwood headwear]]|statModifier=Defense +6}}
{{CharacterEquipmentList|entry|item=[[King's crown]]|statModifier=Defense +6}}
{{CharacterEquipmentList|entry|item=[[Fur hood]]♥|statModifier=Defense +10}}
{{CharacterEquipmentList|entry|item=[[Iron helmet]]|statModifier=Defense +16}}
{{CharacterEquipmentList|entry|item=[[Silver tiara]]♥|statModifier=Defense +20}}
{{CharacterEquipmentList|entry|item=[[Iron mask]]|statModifier=Defense +25}}
{{CharacterEquipmentList|entry|item=[[Ortega's Helm]]|statModifier=Defense +30}}
{{CharacterEquipmentList|entry|item=[[Hapless helm]]|statModifier=Defense +35}}
{{CharacterEquipmentList|entry|item=[[Mythril helm]]|statModifier=Defense +38}}
{{CharacterEquipmentList|entry|item=[[Great helm]]|statModifier=Defense +45}}
{{CharacterEquipmentList|entry|item=[[Mask of Implacability|Mask of implacability]]|statModifier=Defense +255}}
{{CharacterEquipmentList|note|text=}}
{{CharacterEquipmentList|footer}}|Armor|
{{CharacterEquipmentList|header|title=Dragon Quest III|subtitle=All|equipmentType=Armor}}
{{CharacterEquipmentList|entry|item=[[Scandalous swimsuit]]♥|statModifier=Defense+1}}
{{CharacterEquipmentList|entry|item=[[Plain clothes]]|statModifier=Defense+4}}
{{CharacterEquipmentList|entry|item=[[Wayfarer's clothes]]|statModifier=Defense+8}}
{{CharacterEquipmentList|entry|item=[[Leather armour]]|statModifier=Defense+12}}
{{CharacterEquipmentList|entry|item=[[Leather dress]]♥|statModifier=Defense+15}}
{{CharacterEquipmentList|entry|item=[[Shell armour]]|statModifier=Defense+16}}
{{CharacterEquipmentList|entry|item=[[Chain mail]]|statModifier=Defense+20}}
{{CharacterEquipmentList|entry|item=[[Silk robe]]♥|statModifier=Defense+20}}
{{CharacterEquipmentList|entry|item=[[Cloak of evasion]]|statModifier=Defense+23}}
{{CharacterEquipmentList|entry|item=[[Leather kilt]]|statModifier=Defense+24}}
{{CharacterEquipmentList|entry|item=[[Iron armour]]|statModifier=Defense+25}}
{{CharacterEquipmentList|entry|item=[[Magical skirt]]♥|statModifier=Defense+25}}
{{CharacterEquipmentList|entry|item=[[Glombolero]]|statModifier=Defense+30}}
{{CharacterEquipmentList|entry|item=[[Full plate armour]]|statModifier=Defense+32}}
{{CharacterEquipmentList|entry|item=[[Cat suit]]|statModifier=Defense+35}}
{{CharacterEquipmentList|entry|item=[[Magic armour]]|statModifier=Defense+40}}
{{CharacterEquipmentList|entry|item=[[Dragon mail]]|statModifier=Defense+45}}
{{CharacterEquipmentList|entry|item=[[Earthenwear]]|statModifier=Defense+50}}
{{CharacterEquipmentList|entry|item=[[Spiked armour]]|statModifier=Defense+55}}
{{CharacterEquipmentList|entry|item=[[Magic bikini]]♥|statModifier=Defense+65}}
{{CharacterEquipmentList|entry|item=[[Hate mail]]|statModifier=Defense+65}}
{{CharacterEquipmentList|entry|item=[[Auroral Armour]]|statModifier=Defense+82}}
{{CharacterEquipmentList|entry|item=[[Blessed bikini]]♥|statModifier=Defense+88}}
{{CharacterEquipmentList|entry|item=[[Shimmering dress]]♥|statModifier=Defense+90}}
{{CharacterEquipmentList|note|text=}}
{{CharacterEquipmentList|footer}}|Shields|
{{CharacterEquipmentList|header|title=Dragon Quest III|subtitle=All|equipmentType=Shields}}
{{CharacterEquipmentList|entry|item=[[Pot lid]]|statModifier=Defense+2}}
{{CharacterEquipmentList|entry|item=[[Leather shield]]|statModifier=Defense+4}}
{{CharacterEquipmentList|entry|item=[[Bronze shield]]|statModifier=Defense+7}}
{{CharacterEquipmentList|entry|item=[[Scale shield]]|statModifier=Defense+12}}
{{CharacterEquipmentList|entry|item=[[Iron shield]]|statModifier=Defense+20}}
{{CharacterEquipmentList|entry|item=[[Magic shield]]|statModifier=Defense+25}}
{{CharacterEquipmentList|entry|item=[[Dragon shield]]|statModifier=Defense+32}}
{{CharacterEquipmentList|entry|item=[[Tempest shield]]|statModifier=Defense+35}}
{{CharacterEquipmentList|entry|item=[[Silver shield]]|statModifier=Defense+40}}
{{CharacterEquipmentList|entry|item=[[Shield of Shame]]|statModifier=Defense+42}}
{{CharacterEquipmentList|entry|item=[[Power shield]]|statModifier=Defense+50}}
{{CharacterEquipmentList|entry|item=[[Ogre shield]]|statModifier=Defense+60}}
{{CharacterEquipmentList|entry|item=[[Hero's Shield]]|statModifier=Defense+65}}
{{CharacterEquipmentList|note|text=}}
{{CharacterEquipmentList|footer}}|Accessories|
{{CharacterEquipmentList|header|title=Dragon Quest III|subtitle=All|equipmentType=Accessories}}
{{CharacterEquipmentList|entry|item=[[Strength ring]]|statModifier=Strength+7}}
{{CharacterEquipmentList|entry|item=[[Tough guy tattoo]]|statModifier=Strength+8}}
{{CharacterEquipmentList|entry|item=[[Mighty armlet]]|statModifier=Strength+15}}
{{CharacterEquipmentList|entry|item=[[Doh-hican]]|statModifier=Defence+3}}
{{CharacterEquipmentList|entry|item=[[Garter]]♥|statModifier=Defence+3}}
{{CharacterEquipmentList|entry|item=[[Gold rosary]]|statModifier=Defence+4}}
{{CharacterEquipmentList|entry|item=[[Leg warmers|Leg warmers]]♥|statModifier=Defence+5}}
{{CharacterEquipmentList|entry|item=[[Ten ton toupee]]|statModifier=Defence+15}}
{{CharacterEquipmentList|entry|item=[[Cower ring]]|statModifier=Agility+7}}
{{CharacterEquipmentList|entry|item=[[Skull ring]]|statModifier=Agility+10}}
{{CharacterEquipmentList|entry|item=[[Agility ring]]|statModifier=Agility+15}}
{{CharacterEquipmentList|entry|item=[[Mercury's bandana]]|statModifier=Agility+30}}
{{CharacterEquipmentList|entry|item=[[Meteorite bracer]]|statModifier=Agilityx2}}
{{CharacterEquipmentList|entry|item=[[Restless Heart]]|statModifier=Resilience+10}}
{{CharacterEquipmentList|entry|item=[[Gold chain]]|statModifier=Resilience+10}}
{{CharacterEquipmentList|entry|item=[[Weightlifter's belt]]|statModifier=Resilience+15}}
{{CharacterEquipmentList|entry|item=[[Recovery ring]]|statModifier=Resilience+25}}
{{CharacterEquipmentList|entry|item=[[Care ring]]|statModifier=Wisdom+15}}
{{CharacterEquipmentList|entry|item=[[Scholar's specs]]|statModifier=Wisdom+15}}
{{CharacterEquipmentList|entry|item=[[Goddess ring]]♥|statModifier=Wisdom+33}}
{{CharacterEquipmentList|entry|item=[[Bunny tail]]♥|statModifier=Luck+8}}
{{CharacterEquipmentList|entry|item=[[Golden tiara]]♥|statModifier=Luck+13}}
{{CharacterEquipmentList|entry|item=[[Hen's tooth]]|statModifier=Luck+20}}
{{CharacterEquipmentList|entry|item=[[Sacred amulet]]|statModifier=Luck+30}}
{{CharacterEquipmentList|entry|item=[[Elevating shoes]]|statModifier=Luck+50}}
{{CharacterEquipmentList|entry|item=[[Dummy]]|statModifier=}}
{{CharacterEquipmentList|entry|item=[[Slime earrings]]|statModifier=}}
{{CharacterEquipmentList|entry|item=[[Ruby wristband]]|statModifier=}}
{{CharacterEquipmentList|footer}}}}
*♥ denotes female only equipment.

==={{DQ9}}===
In this game, it is possible to replicate The Hero's outfit by receiving pieces from defeating either [[Baramos]] or [[Zoma]], who appear as [[Legacy Boss]]es in the game. An accolade is conferred to the player after wearing all of the pieces of this outfit.
*[[Aliahan costume]]

==={{DQ11}}===
In this game’s true ending after [[Serenica]] is shown to reunite with [[Erdwin]], the beginning of {{Dragon Quest III}} is shown, with {{III}}'s Hero appearing at the end to be awoken by their mother before setting off for [[Aliahan]] castle. Their mother was shown reading a red book that detailed the adventure of the {{Luminary}} before walking upstairs to awaken their child--whether this book is a historical account or a work of fiction is unknown.

==={{DQTreasures}}===
Both Heroes are represented as [[List of treasures in Dragon Quest Treasures|statues]], with base values of 5,000,000 each. They are given the title of ''Heralded Hero/Heroine'' for distinction's sake.

==={{DQTact}}===
The Hero is called Hero Erdrick and he appears as a S-rank member of the [[Hero family]] as part of the limited ''True Dragon Quest III'' event, appearing on his own banner alongside [[Baramonster]]. He can participate in [[Robbin' 'Ood|Robbin' 'Ood's]] Battle Road as a party member.
{{DQTactEnemy
|name=Hero Erdrick
|kanji=ロトの勇者
|romanji={{tt|Roto no yūsha|Hero Erdrick}}
|sprite=[[Image:DQT Hero Erdrick.png|175px]]
|family=[[Image:Tact Icon Hero.png|48px]]<br>{{Hero F}}
|rank=[[Image:DQTact Rank Icon S.png|48px]]
|role=[[Image:DQTact AttackType.png|48px]]<br>Attack
|lvl=130
|hp=1,341
|mp=447
|move=3
|attack=561
|defense=450
|agility=445
|wisdom=281
|weight=65
|bskill1=[[Thunder Flash]]<br>'''Character Builder''': [[Kaclang]]
|bskill2=[[Phoenix Descent]]{{tt|*|Level 38}}
|bskill3=[[Eternal Sword]]{{tt|*|Level 52}}<br>'''Coup de Grâce''': [[Giga Crosscut]]{{tt|*|Level 82}}
|askill1='''Crackling Power''' / Stats Up
|askill2=[[Crack]] Res +25 / Stats Up
|askill3=Physical Potency +5% / '''Rubiss's Fortune''': Reduces damage by 20% for 3 turns at battle start / Stats Up
|askill4=[[Bang]] Res +25 / Stats Up
|askill5=Physical Potency +5% / Max HP +100 / Stats Up 
|lperk1=Raises ATK of all allies, including himself, by 15% in a 5x5 square around him.
|bperk1=Max {{HP}} +30<br>ATK +15
|bperk2='''Holy Guard''': Battle start: Nullify some status ailments for 3 turns.
|bperk3=[[Eternal Sword]] Potency +2%<br>[[Giga Crosscut]] Potency +2%
|aperk1='''Crackling Power''': Action start on odd turns up to turn 10: Raises ATK, DEF, WIS, and AGL for 3 turns
|frizz-resist=Very Weak 
|sizz-resist=Normal
|crack-resist=Half Res
|woosh-resist= Normal
|bang-resist=Half Res
|zap-resist=Normal
|zam-resist=Very Weak
|snooze-resist=Super Weak
|poison-resist=Normal
|physical-seal-resist=Half Res
|spell-seal-resist=Super Weak
|martial-seal-resist=Normal
|breath-seal-resist=Normal
|hobble-resist=Normal
|stun-resist=Normal
|blind-resist=Normal
|curse-resist=Normal
|paralysis-resist=Immune
|confusion-resist=Half Res
|charm-resist=Normal
}}

==={{SSB5}}===
The Hero of {{III}}, under the name Arusu, appears as one of four {{Hero Smash}}es alongside the Heroes of ''[[Hero (Dragon Quest XI)|XI]]'', ''[[Hero (Dragon Quest IV)|IV]]'', and ''[[Hero (Dragon Quest VIII)|VIII]]''. He wields the [[Sword of Kings]] and the [[Hero's Shield]]. While playing as the Hero during Classic Mode, Arusu appears as Round 6's opponent and is fought on the third version of Castle Siege.

==Lineage==
The Hero's bloodline is that of powerful men and women who save the world from the grips of darkness. While every person descended from them carries their spirit, the most notable are the protagonists of the first and second games. These are The [[Hero (Dragon Quest)|Scion of Erdrick]], The {{Prince of Midenhall}}, The [[Prince of Cannock]], and The [[Princess of Moonbrooke]]. Their own adventures would shape the course of history for the betterment of the world and ensures that the name of [[Erdrick]] never leaves the heart of [[Alefgard]].

==Items Iconography==
As the Hero's legacy has grown in the distant time between the third and first game, several items and pieces of equipment that once belonged to The Hero have Erdrick in their names. See the ''[[Erdrick Equipment]]'' article for more details on the sword and armor set, along with the emblem.

Beyond the gear The Hero took into battle, they also left behind a tablet with a message written left for their descendant in {{Dragon Quest}}.  It gives instructions on what items are needed to create the [[Rainbow Drop]], which is the location of [[Dragonlord's Castle|Charlock Castle]]. The tablet is found in a small cave that would be named [[Erdrick's Cave]] after their passing.

===Gallery===
<center><gallery>
DQ Erdricks Sword.png|[[Erdrick's Sword]].
ErdrickArmor.png|[[Erdrick's Armour]].
DQII Erdricks Shield.png|[[Erdrick's Shield]].
ErdrickHelmet.png|[[Erdrick's helmet]].
DQ I NES Erdrick's Token.png|[[Mark of Erdrick]].
DW1 ErdricksTablet.png|[[Erdrick's Tablet]].
</gallery></center>

==Trivia==
*The manga series ''Gintama'' has a parody of ''Dragon Quest'' which stars [http://gintama.wikia.com/wiki/Leukocyte_King Leukocyte King], a character based on {{III}}'s Hero.
*As this is the first game in the mainline, numbered {{DQSeries}} to allow players to determine The Hero's gender, the female version of {{Dragon Quest III}}'s Hero is the first female main protagonist in that series.
*The Hero shares his voice actor in the audio drama with Android 16 from Akira Toriyama's ''Dragon Ball'' series. He also shares his voice with Marth from the ''Fire Emblem'' and ''Super Smash Bros.'' series. [[Hikaru Midorikawa]] also voiced the character Derolin in the original {{The Adventure of Dai}} anime, a false hero who dresses almost identically to the male Hero a few years prior to the CD drama.
**In ''Super Smash Bros. Ultimate'', he shares his voice actor, [https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0387033/ Nobuyuki Hiyama], with Barry Kahn from ''Dragon Ball Super'' as well as the adult incarnation of Link from ''The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time'' (and, by extension, Link's appearances in the first two ''Super Smash Bros.'' games). ''Super Smash Bros.'' series creator Masahiro Sakurai also noted that Hiyama's performance may be recognized as Guy Shishioh from ''The King of Braves GaoGaiGar'', and that his recording sessions for ''Ultimate'' as {{III}}'s Hero were surprisingly quick and easy, thanks to his extensive prior experience in video game voice-acting.
*The name Arusu (アルス) has appeared various times throughout the series history. It appeared as a default name for the Hero in official screenshots for the {{Super Famicom}} version of {{Dragon Quest III}}. It is also the name of the main character from ''[[Dragon Quest Saga: Emblem of Roto]]'' manga first released in 1991. Arusu has been the default name for the {{Hero 7}} of {{Dragon Quest VII}} in both the official manga adaptation and in various screenshots for the game. Lastly, in the CG movie {{Your Story}}, {{Parry}} was named Alus.
*The Hero of {{Dragon Quest III}} is one of the few heroes in the mainline games to speak. If the Hero is the second character in the party order when entering [[Gaia's Navel]], they will briefly be able to be spoken to and will recite the same dialog as any other {{Party 3}} member.

==Gallery==
<center><gallery>
DQIII Hero Famicom.png|{{Famicom}} art.
Erdrick_Wayfarers_Clothes.png|
DQIIIHeroArt.png|
Erdrick and Monsters.png|
DQIII_Characters.png|Taking flight with [[Ramia]].
DQIII Party Super Famicom art.png|{{Super Famicom}} art.
Dragon_Quest_III_GBC_box_art.png|Riding on Ramia on the cover of the GBC version
DQIII Mutsumi Inomata.png|Art by Mutsumi Inomata.
Mutsumi Inomata DQIII novel art.png|Art by Mutsumi Inomata.
Dq3hero.jpg|
Erdrick Leather Hat.png|Wearing a [[Leather hat]].
DQIII Iron Armour.png|Wearing [[Iron armour]].
DQIII Spiked Armour.png|Wearing [[Spiked armour]].
DQ3card.jpg|
DQIII Fifers Spire.png|Exploring [[Fifer's Spire]].
For Want of a Key.png|Locked door.
Treasures n Trapdoors.png|Playing [[Treasures n' Trapdoors]].
DQ Monster Storybook DQIII group.png|''Dragon Quest Monster Storybook''.
DQIII Erdrick and Slime.png|2011 ''V-jump'' illustration supporting the relief efforts for the  Tohoku earthquake.
dq3hero-dqv.jpg|As seen in the ''Monster Battle Road'' series.
DQMBR Heroes.png|''Dragon Quest: Monster Battle Road''. (third from right)
DQMBRV Erdrick.png|{{DQMBRV}}.
DQ Heroes Luceus Alt Costume.png|[[Luceus]]'s alternate costume in {{Heroes}}.
DQ Heroes Aurora Alt Costume.png|[[Aurora]]'s alternate costume.
DQIII Hero Figure.jpg|''Dragon Quest Character Figure Collection Roto no Monshou'' series.
DQ3Herosofubi.jpg|''[[Dragon Quest Sofubi Character]]'' merchandise series.
DQIII bringarts figure.jpg|Bring Arts action figure series.
DQIII bringarts figurepose.jpg|{{Super Famicom}} iconic pose.
DQIII bringarts figure1.jpg|Bring Arts figure extras.
DQIIIHeroSSBU.png|{{SSB5}}.
SSBU MadasonAlt.jpg|Palette swap based on the {{Hero 5}} from {{V}}.
SSBU Snooze.jpg|Arusu casting [[Snooze]].
SSB Hero Bang.jpg|Casting [[Bang]].
DQR MaleLoto.png|The male Hero replicating his famous pose from the Super Famicom cover in {{Rivals}}.
DQR_FemaleLoto.png|The female Hero in {{Rivals}}.
DQR MaleLotoSword.png|Cut-in art.
DQR FemaleLotoSword.png
III-HD preview weekly shonen jump issue 32 2024.png|New key art of the Hero & Heroine for the [[III-HD|HD remake]], featured in Weekly Shonen Jump
heralded hero statue treasures icon.jpg|The Hero's statue in ''Treasures''...
heralded heroine statue treasures icon.jpg|...and the Heroine's
</gallery></center>

==Videos==
{{#ev:youtube|5mK4YwR63yo|300}}{{DQMBRV}} finishing move

{{Hero}}
{{DQIII}}
{{SSBU}}

[[Category:Dragon Quest III characters]]
[[Category:Dragon Quest XI characters]]
[[Category:Dragon Quest Rivals characters]]
[[Category:Dragon Quest Tact characters]]
[[Category:Super Smash Bros. Ultimate characters]]