Disruptive Wave

Disruptive Wave (originally DeMagic) is a recurring skill in the Dragon Quest series. Introduced in Dragon Quest III as a monster-exclusive attack, it nullifies all stat changes, such as those caused by buffs (Kabuff, Oomph), debuffs (Kasap, Deceleratle), and Tension.

Disruptive Wave Japanese いてつくはどう Rōmaji Itetsukuhadou Type Skill Older names DeMagic

It is typically known by major bosses and is almost always used by the final bosses, making the use of stat changing moves futile in such battles if one's luck is unrelentingly bad.

Appearances

Dragon Quest III

Used by Zoma, as well as some of the superbosses such as Xenlon and Gran Dragon.

Dragon Quest IV

Disruptive Wave is a technique used by enemies such as Estark, Psaro the Manslayer, and Aamon. However, the hero can unleash this by using the Zenithian sword as a tool in battle.

In the remakes, Disruptive Wave is one of the special abilities that Psaro can learn.

Dragon Quest V

Disruptive Wave is learned by recruited king slimes at level 18. As in Dragon Quest IV, the Zenithian sword can unleash this effect if used as a tool in battle.

Dragon Quest VI

Disruptive Wave is learned by heroes when they become Town Heroes (rank 2).

Dragon Quest VII

Learned via the Hero vocation as in VI, but also by reaching rank 6 of the Druid vocation in the PSX version and rank 3 in the 3DS, or rank 7 of the Paladin vocation in the 3DS version only. It is superior (and cheaper) than The Great Leveller as it covers more effects.

Dragon Quest VIII

Disruptive Wave is used by most of the later story bosses, starting with Dhoulmagus.

Dragon Quest IX

Disruptive Wave is learned with 42 skill points allocated into Enlightenment skill. It costs 10MP to cast.

It is worth noting that Disruptive Wave acts slightly different in this installment as it now only affects the opposition. This makes debuffs viable against many bosses since they can't use the ability to clear them away. This isn't used as heavily by the story bosses (only King Godwyn and Corvus uses it). However, several of the grotto bosses and all the legacy bosses will use this ability.

Dragon Quest Heroes: The World Tree's Woe and the Blight Below

Psaro can learn the ability when he joins for 8 skill points, and the skill only strips buffs from its targets instead of all stat modifiers. It costs 8 MP to use. He will also use it against the player in the battle against him. Additionally, Tension is not reduced when used.

Trivia

• The Japanese name (いてつくはどう, Itetsukuhadou, "Freezing Waves") refers to Zoma's ice magic, as he was the first to use the skill.
• In the initial English version of Dragon Quest VIII, it was referred to as a Wave of Ice, a literal translation of its Japanese name. Subsequent releases, such as the cell phone and Nintendo 3DS versions, have changed it to Disruptive Wave.