Zenithian Equipment: Difference between revisions

Latest revision as of 04:31, 30 October 2025

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. 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, andZenithian trousers. These articles of clothing can also be equipped by any vocation.

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.

Gallery[edit]

The Zenithian helm, IV 2001
The Hero wearing the Zenithian Helm
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

@@ Line 1: / Line 1: @@
 [[File:ZenithianEquipment.jpg|thumb|The Zenithian Equipment, as seen in Square Enix's [[Dragon Quest Legend Items Gallery]] merchandise series.]]
-The '''Zenithian Equipment''' is a set of crucial items in ''[[Dragon Quest IV]]'', ''[[Dragon Quest V]]'' and ''[[Dragon Quest VI]]''. Only the legendary hero can equip them, and the story cannot advance until the entire set is obtained.
+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}}. Only the legendary Hero can equip the armaments, and the story cannot advance until the entire set is obtained.
-==Dragon Quest IV==
+==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.
-===Zenithian Armour===
+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]].
-The armour is likely the first piece to be acquired; it is found in the cave north of the [[Medal King's Palace]]. It the original NES version it reduces breath attacks and spell damage by 1/3rd, while in the remakes it raises resistance to [[Whack|instant death]] while reducing spell damage (save for [[zap]]) by 1/3rd. In all versions it has a defence value of +70.
-===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.
-[[Image:DQIV_Zenithian_Helm.png|right|thumb|200px]]
-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. It increases the Hero's defence by 30 in all versions, and provides a high resistance to [[fuddle]], [[snooze]], and paralysis in the remakes. In the original, is grants no such protection.
-===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 shield increases the Hero's defence by 55 and casts bounce when used as an item in battle. In the remakes, it reduces the power of breath attacks by 30 points.
+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.
-===Zenithian Sword===
+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.
-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. It has a base power of 65 when first acquired. After speaking with the [[Zenith Dragon]], the ancient guardian will empower the sword to 110. Using it as an item in battle casts [[Disruptive Wave]].
-==Dragon Quest V==
+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.
-===Zenithian Sword===
+==={{DQ9}}===
-The sword was already located by [[Pankraz]] sometime before the start of the game. He left it in a cache in the [[Whealbrook Adit]], which his [[Hero (Dragon Quest V)|son]] later recovered. The sword's power has not changed, and it will cast [[Disruptive Wave]] when used as an item.
+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.
-===Zenithian Shield===
+==={{DQStars}}===
-The shield came into the possession of [[Rodrigo Briscoletti]], who is willing to give it to any suitor that takes his daughter [[Nera]]'s hand in marriage. Regardless of whom ends up being chosen as the bride, though, Mr. Brisccoletti gives the hero the shield. It improves defence by 60 this time, reduces breath damage by 15 points, and casts [[Bounce]] when used in battle.
+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.
-===Zenithian Helm===
+==={{DQTact}}===
-The helm is being kept in a vault at [[Helmunaptra]] by Queen Cleohatra, who is awaiting the arrival of the legendary hero. It improves defence by 50, but grants no resistance to status ailments.
+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.
-===Zenithian Armour===
+===''[[Super Smash Bros. Ultimate]]''===
-The armour is stored in a side room in the entrance to [[Crocodilopolis]], and the [[Ultimate Key]] is needed to retrieve it. When worn, it improves defence by 85 points, and reduces magic and breath damage by 30 points.
+The Zenithian Sword is the weapon of choice for the [[Hero (Super Smash Bros.)|Hero]] if the player selects Solo.
-==Dragon Quest VI==
+==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.
-===Sword of Ramias===
+==See also==
-The sword is found in Everfrost, but it has long since rusted. To restore it to its former glory, the party must enlist the help of Welda in Turnscote. When rusted the sword adds +63 to the [[Hero (Dragon Quest VI)|Hero's]] attack stat and +12 to his style, and +130 and +32 after Welda restores it. The sword can be further improved by visiting the Fashion Forge beneath the waves, which can raise the strength and style to +135 and +52 after the first reforging, and +145 and +70 after the final improvement. After being restored, the sword will deal bonus [[Zap]] damage after each attack, totaling to 50% of the damage deal before magic resistance is applied.
+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]]
-===Shield of Valora===
+==Gallery==
-The shield is found in the Cryptic Catacombs, which must be entered through an undersea grotto. When equipped, the shield reduces [[crack]] and freezing breath weapons by 30 points, casts bounce when used as an item, increases the hero's defence by +65, and improves his style by +35.
+<center><gallery>
+File:Zenithian helm 2001.png|The Zenithian helm, ''IV'' 2001
-===Helm of Sebath===
+File:DQV Zenithian Helm.png
-The helm is bestowed to the party by the King of Somnia after his son reunites with his real world counterpart. It adds +45 defence and +24 style when first obtained, and +50 and +45 after visiting the Fashion Forge. In both cases it bestows high resistance to [[whack]] and other instant death attacks.
+Image:DQIV_Zenithian_Helm.png|The {{Hero 4}} wearing the Zenithian Helm
+File:DQIV Zenithian Shield.png
-===Armour of Orgo===
+Image:DQV_Zenithian_Shield.png|The Zenithian shield, (''DQV'')
-The armour is found under the ruins of Castle Graceskull. When donned, it reduces [[frizz]], [[sizz]], [[bang]], and fire breath by 35 points, restores 1HP for every 8 steps, and improves the hero's defence and style by +80 and +32. When reworked by the master at the Fashion Forge, the armour's defence and style are raised to +100 and +80, respectively.
+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
-==Other Appearances==
+Image:DQIV_Zenithian_Equipment.png|[[Hero (Dragon Quest IV)|Hero]] and [[Hero (Dragon Quest IV)|Heroine]] from ''Dragon Quest IV''
-===''Dragon Quest IX''===
+Image:DQV_Zenithian_Equipment.png|[[Hero (Dragon Quest V)|Hero]] from ''V''
-Several pieces of "Zenithian" gear exist as rewards from legacy bosses, however these are costumess of both the male and female versions of the [[Hero (Dragon Quest IV)|Chosen Hero]] of ''Dragon Quest IV'', and are appropriately gender restricted (except for the helm and gauntlets, which are unisex):
+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>
-*Zenithian boots; Psaro level 1~3 (15%), level 4~8 (20%), level 9~15 (25%)
-*Zenithian gauntlets; Estark level 1~3 (15%), level 4~8 (20%), level 9~15 (25%)
-*Zenithian helm; Dhoulmagus level 57~68 (15%), Nokturnus level 41~56 (20%)
-*Zenithian leggings; Estark level 16~25 (15%), 26~40 (20%), level 41~56 (25%)
-*Zenithian leotard; Estark level 69~80 (15%), level 81~90 (20%), level 91~99 (25%)
-*Zenithian clothes; Dhoulmagus level 69~80 (15%), level 81~90 (20%), level 91~99 (25%)
-*Zenithian trousers; Dhoulmagus level 16~25 (15%), level 26~40 (20%), level 41~56 (25%)
-==Gallery==
-<gallery>
-Image:DQV_Zenithian_Helm.png|The Zenithian helm
-Image:DQV_Zenithian_Shield.png|The Zenithian shield
-File:ZenithianSword.png|The Zenithian sword
-</gallery>
 {{DQIV}}
 {{DQV}}
-{{DQVI}}
+[[Category:Legendary Equipment]]
-[[Category: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]]

Zenithian Equipment: Difference between revisions

Latest revision as of 04:31, 30 October 2025

Contents

Appearances[edit]

Dragon Quest IV: Chapters of the Chosen[edit]

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

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

Dragon Quest of the Stars[edit]

Dragon Quest Tact[edit]

Super Smash Bros. Ultimate[edit]

Trivia[edit]

See also[edit]

Gallery[edit]

Navigation menu

Zenithian Equipment: Difference between revisions

Latest revision as of 04:31, 30 October 2025

Appearances[edit]

Dragon Quest IV: Chapters of the Chosen[edit]

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

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

Dragon Quest of the Stars[edit]

Dragon Quest Tact[edit]

Super Smash Bros. Ultimate[edit]

Trivia[edit]

See also[edit]

Gallery[edit]

Navigation menu

Search