Buff

Buff
Japanese	スカラ
Rōmaji	Sukara
Type	Support
Older names	Upper

Buff is a recurring spell in the Dragon Quest series. It increases a single party member's Defence. Buff is the single-target version of Kabuff.

Appearances

Dragon Quest III: The Seeds of Salvation

Buff is learned by both Mages & Sages at level 4. It increases the Defense of one ally by 100% and costs 3 MP. The cap in all versions of the game is 999.

It can be used by the enemies King crab and IronNite.

Dragon Quest IV: Chapters of the Chosen

Buff is learned by Kiryl at level 5. It increases Defence by 150% and lasts for 7~10 turns in the Playstation version onwards, with the stat cap being 999 in all versions.

The enemies Bodkin archer, Bloody blade, Dirty dogu, Rhinoceraxe, Cocoon goon, and Vis mager use this spell on themselves.

Dragon Quest V: Hand of the Heavenly Bride

Buff costs 2 MP and raises defence by 40%, capping at double the original value.

Name	Level
Mandrake marshal	--
Rebjørn	--
Mudraker	5
Warhog	5
Cureslime	8
Hero	9
Bad apple	10
Pocus poppet	10
Pip fighter	15

Terracotta warrior, Sasquash, Hotbog, Mandrake major, Quadrahead, Pummel horse, and Bjørn the Behemoose use it as enemies.

Dragon Quest VI: Realms of Revelation

Buff is already known by Milly upon joining the party. Other characters can learn it by advancing to rank 3 of the Priest vocation. It costs 2 MP to cast, and will increase a character's Defence by 50% with a limit of +200 points and lasts until the end of battle.

The enemies Bloodcreeper, Malevolantern, Murdaw, and Mortamor's second form can use this spell.

Dragon Quest VII: Fragments of the Forgotten Past

The Hero learns buff at level 6, and other characters can learn it at rank 3 of the priest vocation and rank 2 of the Jawtoise. It has the same properties as the previous game.

The spell is also known to Zev.

Dragon Quest VIII: Journey of the Cursed King

Buff is already known by Angelo when he joins the party. It has the same attributes as the previous two games, but now has a turn limit of 7~10.

Dragon Quest IX: Sentinels of the Starry Skies

Buff is learned by Paladins at level 2 and Priests at level 8. It costs 3 MP to cast and increases defence by 50% for a duration of 7~10 turns. Unlike previous iterations, buff's effect can only be applied once.

Dragon Quest X

Buff is learned by Priests at level 28 and Paladins at level 22. It costs 2 MP to cast and increases the Defence of a single party member by 20%. On second cast, it can reach 40%.

Dragon Quest XI: Echoes of an Elusive Age

Serena and Hendrik learn Buff at level 12 and 36 respectively. It doubles one character's defence for 3 MP, and lasts 4~6 turns. As with IX, the effect can only be applied once.

Dragon Quest Monsters

Called Upper in this game, this ability can be learned by various monsters. It requires the monster to be at least level 2, with at least 14 MP and 12 intelligence. It grows into Increase when the monster reaches at least level 6 with at least 27 MP and 24 intelligence. It is naturally learned by the ArmorPede, ArmyCrab, Catapila, CurseLamp, Healer, Saccer and SlimeNite.

Dragon Quest Monsters 2

Upper now requires 22 intelligence to learn and 44 intelligence to upgrade. It is naturally learned by the KingSlime, PearlGel, RushFish, Scallopa and Starfish.

Dragon Quest Monsters: Joker

Buff can be learned from:

Bolsterer (4 points)
Cluboon (18 points)
Defender (5 points)
Fortifier (14 points)
Healer (12 points)
Hive Mind (5 points)
Materialist (7 points)

Dragon Quest Monsters: Joker 2

Buff can no longer be learned from Materialist. It can now be learned from:

Dorsal fiend (8 points)
Ruin (5 points)

Buff is known naturally by Killerpillar, King crab, Wharfhorse, Sootheslime, and Treeface at level 1, can be learned by Bodkin archer, Crabid, Healslime, and Shell slime at level 16, and costs 16 MP to cast. It has a range of 1-2 squares away from the caster, can be self-cast, and greatly raises the DEF of a single ally for 3 turns. It can also be taught to any unit by using an ability scroll.

Buff (スカラ Sukara)

Ability information

Buff
Role *	Type *	Element	MP cost
Support	Spell		16
Range		Additional effects
1-2 (+self)		DEF Up
Description
Greatly raises 1 ally's DEF for 3 turns
Naturally learnt by
Bodkin archer, Crabid, Healslime, Killerpillar, King crab, Shell slime, Sootheslime, Treeface, Wharfhorse

Dragon Quest Treasures

Buff costs 5 MP and will boost the defence of one ally for a limited time. It is learned byEmerald king slimes, Hades condors,Icy draglings, Jade slimes, and Orc kings. Alternatively the buff pellet can be used if no one in the party knows the spell.

Other Languages

Language	Translation	Meaning
Español	Fortalecimiento	Strengthening
Français	Protection	Protection
Deutsch	Stärkung	Strengthening
Italiano	Superdifesa singola	Singular super defense.

Related spells

Gallery

Rivals card.