Cactiball

From Dragon Quest Wiki

The Cactiball (originally CactiBall / Cacti Ball, Cactus Ball in fan-translations) is a recurring monster in the Dragon Quest series. Introduced in Dragon Quest V, they are, as the name would suggest, ball-shaped cactus monsters.

Cactiball DQVII PSX.gif

Characteristics

A Cactiball's name is an adequate description itself; the only other notable aspects of the monsters' appearance are limbs, small compared to the rest of its body, a devious face and a flower at the top of their head/body.

Cactiballs are fairly energetic given how they dance about in their idle animation. For their actual dances they will curl in their arms and legs and roll about. When attacking, a Cactiball will extend and enlarge its spikes and may perform a jumping attack that has a chance of landing a devastating blow. They aren't exactly dangerous monsters, however, as they are encountered early on in most of the games they appear in and will only pose a threat to a low-leveled player, though this can apply just as well to other monsters in the area.

Appearances

Dragon Quest V

#19 - Cactiball
Cactiball DQV SNES.gifCactiball DQV PS2.pngFile:Cactiball DQMV DS.png
HP MP Experience Gold
25 16 9
Attack Defense Speed
24 14 17
Dropped Item Medicinal herb
Locations Faerie Lae
Skills Launches self
Bestiary # 19
Game Dragon Quest V
Console DS

First appearance in the series, players are likely to first encounter them when visiting the world of the faeries.

Dragon Quest VII

#7 - Cactiball
Cactiball DQVII PSX.gif
HP MP Experience Gold
14 4 5
Attack Defense Speed
18 14 10
Dropped Item Rosevine Whip
Locations Rexwood
Family Plant
Capture Rate Easy
Bestiary # 7
Game Dragon Quest VII
Console PSX

The Cactiball can be found in the Rexwood Tower in the past and the Colorstone Mine in the present.

Dragon Quest Monsters

Stores water
inside the body to
survive in deserts

Cactiballs (then CactiBall, with the 'b' in uppercase) appear in the first Monsters game as basic monsters: one can easily be bred by using a plant pedigree and bug mate. They can also be found behind the Gate of Labyrinth and the Gate of Demolition.

Cactiball DQM GBC.png

Dragon Quest Monsters 2

Cactiball DQM2 GBC.png

Dragon Quest Monsters: Caravan Heart

Cactiball DQMCH GBA.png

Dragon Quest Heroes: Rocket Slime

When they get in a
huff, watch out for
their puff! You could
get yourself caught in
a real spinefield.

Cactiballs are Platiosi and thus members of the Plob in this spin-off game. They often wander about, occasionally stopping to shake some maracas, and will turn themselves into an unapproachable ball of spikes if Rocket gets too close. They are first encountered in Tootinshleiman's Tomb and later in Flucifer's Necropolis where they hide under the sand with only the tops of their heads exposed but will jump out and immediately extend their spikes if approached. Like other normal enemies, it is possible to have a Cactiball as part of the tank crew after sending at least 30 back to town and speaking to the Cactiball in the Museum.

Related Monsters

Trivia

  • In Rocket Slime a flattened Cactiball has an uncanny resemblance to a Cactuar.
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