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.

AppearancesEdit

Dragon Quest III: The Seeds of SalvationEdit

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 ChosenEdit

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 BrideEdit

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 RevelationEdit

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 PastEdit

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.

It can be cast by stingfisher, pip fighter, orglob, rotten egg, and metal heavy.

Dragon Quest VIII: Journey of the Cursed KingEdit

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.

It can be cast by Bodkin archer, Dingaling, Scorpion, Battle beetle, Dark condor, Phoenix, Tortured Soul in Memoriam, and Dancing Flame in Memoriam, and by the Infamous Monsters Fletch and Gryphus.

Dragon Quest IX: Sentinels of the Starry SkiesEdit

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 XEdit

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 AgeEdit

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 MonstersEdit

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 2Edit

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: JokerEdit

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 2Edit

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

Dorsal fiend (8 points)
Ruin (5 points)

Buff costs 3 MP, will raise one monster's defence by 80%, plus 16 raw points applied after the percentage is calculated, and the effect lasts for 4~7 turns. The effect cannot be stacked by multiple castings but the turn duration can be refreshed with each application. Buff is learned via the Cupid, Crag Afficionado, Dancer, Defender, Fortifier, Good Knight, Healer, Hive Mind, Rockin’ Roller, Soothesayer, Sweet-Talker, Taste Buddies, and Willing Helper talents.

Dragon Quest TreasuresEdit

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.

Dragon Quest RivalsEdit

Buff appears as a playable card.

Dragon Quest TactEdit

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

Other LanguagesEdit

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

Related spellsEdit

GalleryEdit

Rivals card.