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The '''Zenithian Equipment''' is a set of critical items in ''[[Dragon Quest IV]]''. They are a set of legendary armour and weapons said to be necessary to defeat the King of Hell; they are also the keys to [[Zenithia]], as one must be equipped with all four pieces to open the door to the [[Tower of Heaven]]. However, only the [[Hero (Dragon Quest IV)|Chosen Hero]] is capable of wearing them, making him instrumental in the overthrow of [[Estark]] and later [[Psaro]].
[[File:ZenithianEquipment.jpg|thumb|The Zenithian Equipment, as seen in Square Enix's [[Dragon Quest Legend Items Gallery]] merchandise series.]]
The '''Zenithian Equipment''' (天空の装備, 伝説の武具) is a set of crucial items in {{Dragon Quest IV}}, {{Dragon Quest V}}, consisting of a [[Zenithian Sword|sword]], [[Zenithian Shield|shield]], [[Zenithian Armour|armour]] and [[Zenithian Helm|helmet]]. Only the legendary Hero can equip the armaments, and the story cannot advance until the entire set is obtained.


==Zenithian Armour==
==Appearances==
==={{DQ4}}===
The Zenithian Equipment makes its debut in the fourth game of the series. Contrasting the optional [[Erdrick Equipment]], the entire set must be collected by the player in order to gain access to the [[Stairway to Zenithia]] and reach the game's finale. Each piece is among the best of its kind in the game, rivaled only by the [[Metal slime family|metal slime family]] equipment and the [[Pandemonic Equipment]] found in the remakes.


The Armour is likely the first piece to be acquired; it is found in the cave north of the [[Medal King's Palace]].
The sword is found in the branches of the [[World Tree (Dragon Quest IV)|World Tree]], with the lost [[Zenithian]] known as [[Orifiela]] guiding the player towards it. This will typically be the last piece of the set that players obtain as reaching the World Tree requires the use of the [[Balloon|hot-air balloon]].


==Zenithian Helm==
The other pieces of the set can be obtained in short order as soon as the player has obtained the ship very early in [[Dragon Quest IV Chapter 5|Chapter 5]]; the helm is awarded for answering the king of [[Canalot]]'s call for comedians, armour is hidden in the [[Briny Lair]] to the northeast, and the shield is kept in the queendom of [[Femiscyra]]. Obtaining the helm is slightly more involved as it requires the player to use the [[magma staff]] taken from the [[Zamoksva]] treasury to clear the way to Femiscyra first.  
The Helm is found in [[Canalot]], in its king's possession. He holds a competition stipulating that anyone who can make him laugh will win the Helm. The party travels to [[Laissez Fayre]] to recruit comedian [[Tom Foolery]] to the cause, expecting him to unleash one of his funniest jokes on the king; instead, he delivers an impassioned speech about evil on the rise and then necessity of the Chosen to defeat it. The king is convinced and gives up the Helm.


==Zenithian Shield==
==={{DQ5}}===
On a tip from a poet in Canalot, the party heads to [[Burland]], only to find that the king gave it away to the queen of [[Femiscyra]] (a beautiful woman) many years ago. They travel to a small kingdom east of Burland, however, and after being accused of robbery, they are tasked with finding the real criminal if they want to clear their names. They successfully track down the real robber, clear their names, and are rewarded with the Shield for their hard work.
The Zenithian Equipment returns in the fifth game with a twist, as the [[Hero (Dragon Quest V)|player's avatar]] cannot equip a single piece himself; any attempts to do so  result in the item draining the man's strength and feeling like an unbearable lead weight.
 
The player automatically obtains two of the four pieces of Zenithian Equipment over the course of the game and is expressly told of the location of the third, eliminating the possibility of players being stumped when trying to find them. The sword is carried by none other than [[Pankraz]] and is kept safe into the Hero's adulthood by [[Saber|Saber the great sabrecat]], entering the player's possession when the childhood friends are reunited in the [[Scary Lair]]. The shield is owned by [[Rodrigo Briscoletti]], who offers it as wedding gift to any man who proves himself worthy to marry his beloved daughter [[Nera]]; Rodrigo becomes impressed with the Hero's caliber during the trials he's set and bequeaths the shield regardless of who the player chooses to marry.
 
The Zenithian Helm is owned by the Queen [[Cleohatra]] of [[Helmunaptra]], who tests the Hero by allowing him to don it. The Zenithian Armour is held by the [[Order of Zugzwang]], who keep it locked away in their [[Crocodilopolis|mountain stronghold]] to prevent it from falling into the hands of the chosen one. These two pieces of the set are entirely optional to obtain, though strongly recommended to do so. The game also introduces the [[Zenithian Tintinnabulum]] as a means to take to the air from nearly any location, removing the hassle of having to walk back to [[Ramia]] and the hot air balloon in the past two games.
 
==={{DQ9}}===
A cosplay replica of the Zenithian Helm is dropped by [[Dhoulmagus]], [[Estark]], and [[Nokturnus]]. It increases defence by +31 and can be equipped by any [[vocation]]. Additionally there is cosplay equipment based on the clothing of Solo and Sofia, the male and female Hero of ''Dragon Quest IV''; the [[Zenithian clothes]], [[Zenithian leotard]], [[Zenithian gauntlets]], [[Zenithian leggings]], and [[Zenithian trousers]]. These articles of clothing can also be equipped by any vocation.
 
==={{DQTreasures}}===
The full set of Zenithian equipment appears as [[List_of_treasures_in_Dragon_Quest_Treasures|treasures no. 12 through no. 15]]. Additionally, treasure no. 256 is the "Nadirian Sword", a knock-off of the Zenithian Sword.
 
==={{DQStars}}===
The Zenithian Sword appears in three stages, being the base form, the alchemized form, and the awakened form. The other three pieces of the set also appear in fixed states.
 
==={{DQTact}}===
The Zenithian Sword is an S-rank sword that can be acquired as part of the limited ''True Dragon Quest IV'' event by being part of a guild that has cleared Mega Boss Battle: [[Psaro the Manslayer]] in a Guild Co-op Battle at least once. It has an HP bonus of +55, an {{Attack}} bonus of +25, raises the Physical potency of [[Hero family|Hero]] units by 5% and has three slots for Alchemy Effects. The Zenithian Shield is an S-rank shield that can be acquired as part of the limited ''True Dragon Quest IV'' event by clearing Mega Boss Battle: [[Psaro the Manslayer]] on level 11 or higher. It has a {{Defense}} bonus of +15, raises the spell resistance of [[Hero family|Hero]] units by 5% and has three slots for Alchemy Effects. The Zenithian Helm is an S-rank helmet that can be acquired as part of the limited ''True Dragon Quest IV'' event by gathering migrants to [[Pioneer Town|The Haven]] through various challenges. It has a {{Defense}} bonus of +12, raises the physical potency of [[Hero family|Hero]] units by 2% and has three slots for Alchemy Effects. The Zenithian Armour is an S-rank piece of armour that can be acquired as part of the limited ''True Dragon Quest IV'' event by clearing the Zenithian Armour stages in Test of Courage on any difficulty. It has a {{Defense}} bonus of +20, raises the Breath Res of [[Hero family|Hero]] units by 2% and has three slots for Alchemy Effects.
 
===''[[Super Smash Bros. Ultimate]]''===
The Zenithian Sword is the weapon of choice for the [[Hero (Super Smash Bros.)|Hero]] if the player selects Solo.
 
==Trivia==
*Some versions of the Zenithian sword and shield have [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anglo-Saxon_runes Anglo-Saxon runes] inscribed on them.
** The runes on the sword (around the gold sphere on the hilt) read "mitibikaresi mono", which is an approximate romanization of "導かれし者 ''michibikareshi mono''", meaning "the guided one". This also resembles the Japanese subtitle for ''Dragon Quest IV'', "導かれし者たち ''michibikareshi monotachi''", literally "the people who are shown the way".
** The runes on the shield (around the two gold spheres) are difficult to translate, as they only appear in early low-resolution concept art, and later interpretations of the shield omit these runes entirely.
 
==See also==
Though never outright confirmed, the Zenithian Equipment is strongly implied to be the future forms the legendary equipment seen in {{Dragon Quest VI}}:
*[[Sword of Ramias]]
*[[Shield of Valora]]
*[[Armour of Orgo]]
*[[Helm of Sebath]]
 
==Gallery==
<center><gallery>
File:Zenithian Sword.png| The Zenithian sword
File:Zenithian helm 2001.png|The Zenithian helm, ''IV'' 2001
File:DQV Zenithian Helm.png
Image:DQIV_Zenithian_Helm.png|The {{Hero 4}} wearing the Zenithian Helm
File:DQIV Zenithian Shield.png
Image:DQV_Zenithian_Shield.png|The Zenithian shield, (''DQV'')
File:Zenithian shield 2001.png|The Zenithian shield, ''IV'' 2001
Image:DQIV_Zenithian_Armour.png|[[Hero (Dragon Quest IV)|Hero]] from ''Dragon Quest IV'', 1990
Image:DQIV_Zenithian_Equipment.png|[[Hero (Dragon Quest IV)|Hero]] and [[Hero (Dragon Quest IV)|Heroine]] from ''Dragon Quest IV''
Image:DQV_Zenithian_Equipment.png|[[Hero (Dragon Quest V)|Hero]] from ''V''
File:Zenithian armour 2001.png|The armor from ''IV'', 2001
Image:DQV_Celestial_Bell.png|Zenithina Tintinnabulum from ''V'' 1992
Image:DQVI Manga Terry and Zenithian Equipment.jpg|[[Terry]] with the Legendary Equipment in ''Maboroshi no Daichi''
File:DQIVHeroSSBU.png|The [[Hero (Dragon Quest IV)|Hero]] wearing the Zenithian sword and helm
</gallery></center>


==Zentithian Sword==
After acquiring the [[balloon]] and traveling to the [[World Tree (Dragon Quest IV)|World Tree]], they find a fallen [[Zenithian]] named [[Orifiela]], who points them to the Sword.


{{DQIV}}
{{DQIV}}
{{DQV}}
[[Category:Legendary Equipment]]
[[Category:Dragon Quest IV weapons]]
[[Category:Dragon Quest IV armor]]
[[Category:Dragon Quest IV shields]]
[[Category:Dragon Quest IV helmets]]
[[Category: Dragon Quest V weapons]]
[[Category: Dragon Quest V armor]]
[[Category: Dragon Quest V shields]]
[[Category: Dragon Quest V helmets]]
[[Category:Dragon Quest V items]]
[[fr:Équipement zénithien]]

Latest revision as of 06:00, 27 June 2026

The Zenithian Equipment, as seen in Square Enix's Dragon Quest Legend Items Gallery merchandise series.

The Zenithian Equipment (天空の装備, 伝説の武具) is a set of crucial items in Dragon Quest IV, Dragon Quest V, consisting of a sword, shield, armour and helmet. Only the legendary Hero can equip the armaments, and the story cannot advance until the entire set is obtained.

Appearances[edit]

Dragon Quest IV: Chapters of the Chosen[edit]

The Zenithian Equipment makes its debut in the fourth game of the series. Contrasting the optional Erdrick Equipment, the entire set must be collected by the player in order to gain access to the Stairway to Zenithia and reach the game's finale. Each piece is among the best of its kind in the game, rivaled only by the metal slime family equipment and the Pandemonic Equipment found in the remakes.

The sword is found in the branches of the World Tree, with the lost Zenithian known as Orifiela guiding the player towards it. This will typically be the last piece of the set that players obtain as reaching the World Tree requires the use of the hot-air balloon.

The other pieces of the set can be obtained in short order as soon as the player has obtained the ship very early in Chapter 5; the helm is awarded for answering the king of Canalot's call for comedians, armour is hidden in the Briny Lair to the northeast, and the shield is kept in the queendom of Femiscyra. Obtaining the helm is slightly more involved as it requires the player to use the magma staff taken from the Zamoksva treasury to clear the way to Femiscyra first.

Dragon Quest V: Hand of the Heavenly Bride[edit]

The Zenithian Equipment returns in the fifth game with a twist, as the player's avatar cannot equip a single piece himself; any attempts to do so result in the item draining the man's strength and feeling like an unbearable lead weight.

The player automatically obtains two of the four pieces of Zenithian Equipment over the course of the game and is expressly told of the location of the third, eliminating the possibility of players being stumped when trying to find them. The sword is carried by none other than Pankraz and is kept safe into the Hero's adulthood by Saber the great sabrecat, entering the player's possession when the childhood friends are reunited in the Scary Lair. The shield is owned by Rodrigo Briscoletti, who offers it as wedding gift to any man who proves himself worthy to marry his beloved daughter Nera; Rodrigo becomes impressed with the Hero's caliber during the trials he's set and bequeaths the shield regardless of who the player chooses to marry.

The Zenithian Helm is owned by the Queen Cleohatra of Helmunaptra, who tests the Hero by allowing him to don it. The Zenithian Armour is held by the Order of Zugzwang, who keep it locked away in their mountain stronghold to prevent it from falling into the hands of the chosen one. These two pieces of the set are entirely optional to obtain, though strongly recommended to do so. The game also introduces the Zenithian Tintinnabulum as a means to take to the air from nearly any location, removing the hassle of having to walk back to Ramia and the hot air balloon in the past two games.

Dragon Quest IX: Sentinels of the Starry Skies[edit]

A cosplay replica of the Zenithian Helm is dropped by Dhoulmagus, Estark, and Nokturnus. It increases defence by +31 and can be equipped by any vocation. Additionally there is cosplay equipment based on the clothing of Solo and Sofia, the male and female Hero of Dragon Quest IV; the Zenithian clothes, Zenithian leotard, Zenithian gauntlets, Zenithian leggings, and Zenithian trousers. These articles of clothing can also be equipped by any vocation.

Dragon Quest Treasures[edit]

The full set of Zenithian equipment appears as treasures no. 12 through no. 15. Additionally, treasure no. 256 is the "Nadirian Sword", a knock-off of the Zenithian Sword.

Dragon Quest of the Stars[edit]

The Zenithian Sword appears in three stages, being the base form, the alchemized form, and the awakened form. The other three pieces of the set also appear in fixed states.

Dragon Quest Tact[edit]

The Zenithian Sword is an S-rank sword that can be acquired as part of the limited True Dragon Quest IV event by being part of a guild that has cleared Mega Boss Battle: Psaro the Manslayer in a Guild Co-op Battle at least once. It has an HP bonus of +55, an Attack bonus of +25, raises the Physical potency of Hero units by 5% and has three slots for Alchemy Effects. The Zenithian Shield is an S-rank shield that can be acquired as part of the limited True Dragon Quest IV event by clearing Mega Boss Battle: Psaro the Manslayer on level 11 or higher. It has a Defense bonus of +15, raises the spell resistance of Hero units by 5% and has three slots for Alchemy Effects. The Zenithian Helm is an S-rank helmet that can be acquired as part of the limited True Dragon Quest IV event by gathering migrants to The Haven through various challenges. It has a Defense bonus of +12, raises the physical potency of Hero units by 2% and has three slots for Alchemy Effects. The Zenithian Armour is an S-rank piece of armour that can be acquired as part of the limited True Dragon Quest IV event by clearing the Zenithian Armour stages in Test of Courage on any difficulty. It has a Defense bonus of +20, raises the Breath Res of Hero units by 2% and has three slots for Alchemy Effects.

Super Smash Bros. Ultimate[edit]

The Zenithian Sword is the weapon of choice for the Hero if the player selects Solo.

Trivia[edit]

  • Some versions of the Zenithian sword and shield have Anglo-Saxon runes inscribed on them.
    • The runes on the sword (around the gold sphere on the hilt) read "mitibikaresi mono", which is an approximate romanization of "導かれし者 michibikareshi mono", meaning "the guided one". This also resembles the Japanese subtitle for Dragon Quest IV, "導かれし者たち michibikareshi monotachi", literally "the people who are shown the way".
    • The runes on the shield (around the two gold spheres) are difficult to translate, as they only appear in early low-resolution concept art, and later interpretations of the shield omit these runes entirely.

See also[edit]

Though never outright confirmed, the Zenithian Equipment is strongly implied to be the future forms the legendary equipment seen in Dragon Quest VI:

Gallery[edit]

  • The Zenithian sword

  • The Zenithian helm, IV 2001

  • DQV Zenithian Helm.png

  • The Hero wearing the Zenithian Helm

  • DQIV Zenithian Shield.png

  • The Zenithian shield, (DQV)

  • The Zenithian shield, IV 2001

  • Hero from Dragon Quest IV, 1990

  • Hero and Heroine from Dragon Quest IV

  • Hero from V

  • The armor from IV, 2001

  • Zenithina Tintinnabulum from V 1992

  • Terry with the Legendary Equipment in Maboroshi no Daichi

  • The Hero wearing the Zenithian sword and helm


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