Confusion

Confusion (混乱, Konran) is a recurring status ailment in the series. Those affected become disorientated, often being unable to tell friend from foe or wasting a turn. The effect is most often caused by the Fuddle, Kafuddle, and Confusion Attack abilities . Additionally, the Siren sword can confuse foes—when used as an item in III and with a 25% chance upon each attack in all other games.

Confusion will always wear off after a number of turns, but players can snap their comrades out of their bewilderment faster by the use of Lucida shards, the Sobering Slap skill, and the Defuddle spell. Additionally, pieces of equipment such as the Golden tiara and the Ring of clarity can greatly reduce the chance of becoming confused altogether.

Appearances

Dragon Quest II: Luminaries of the Legendary Line

Confusion can only appear as a result of the Princess of Moonbrooke's Hocus Pocus spell. Since no monster is able to cast Hocus Pocus, it is not possible for anyone in the party to become confused.

Dragon Quest III: The Seeds of Salvation

Fuddle makes its first appearance in the series, and affects one target when used by the party or by monsters. Those afflicted with not use any spells if attacking their allies.

Dragon Quest IV: Chapters of the Chosen

Confusion acts as it did in the previous game.

• The ability to snap a party member out of confusion with an attack is no longer possible in remake versions of the game. In order to compensate for this, the Lucida shard was added to the game.

Dragon Quest V: Hand of the Heavenly Bride

The range of Fuddle has been expanded to cover one enemy group when cast by the player, improving the utility of confusion considerably. Oddly, the monster version of the spell still only targets one party member. In addition to magic, skills will not be used when bewildered.

The Siren sword now has a 25% chance to inflict confusion on an enemy when attacking. The Cherub chime item will sober up a character when used in battle.

Dragon Quest VI: Realms of Revelation

The chance to miss the enemy outright has been added to the list of actions, reducing the danger of the state.

Dragon Quest VII: Fragments of the Forgotten Past

Rude Awakening is added as a skill players can learn, and the Mermaid moon accessory removes the effect when used as an item in battle.

Dragon Quest VIII: Journey of the Cursed King

The Greater panacea item introduced in the game removes confusion, presumably due to intense bitterness. The new item Mystifying mixture can be used to confuse a single enemy in battle. Both the Ring of clarity and Catholicon ring accessories will protect the wearer from becoming confused.

Dragon Quest IX: Sentinels of the Starry Skies

Sobering Slap makes its debut, and the Angel bell returns after a long absence.

Dragon Quest X

Players that have been confused will be unable to enter commands. As in previous games, a character or enemy that has been confused has a chance to either waste their turn doing nothing or will randomly attack an ally, an enemy, or themselves. If a confused character is wielding a whip or a boomerang, all targets within range will be targeted by the attack, regardless if friend or foe.

Confusion shares some similarities and overlaps effects with the new Beguilement status effect, but they are distinct effects.

Dragon Quest XI: Echoes of an Elusive Age

Defuddle cures all allies of confusion, and Rab joins the party having already learned it. Sylvando can also remove the ailment from one fellow party member with Sobering Slap.

Dragon Quest Monsters

Much like in Dragon Quest IV, confused monsters have a chance to become paralysed on their turn. Monsters of the Material family in particular tend to be more vulnerable to becoming confused. The new spell Defuddle, originally known as DeChaos, will cure all monsters of confusion. Confusion can also be cured with the Surge ability.

Dragon Quest of the Stars

Confusion prevents the player from selecting skills or using items for a few turns. Unlike other ailments like stun, confusion doesn't cancel any skill that had been pressed by the player prior to being inflicted by confusion. It can be removed with items like the Angel bell or even certain skills. Getting hit with physical attacks might remove the ailment.

Dragon Quest Builders

Confusion can be caused by enemies like Tearwolf. In this game, it swaps the up/down and left/right movement for the character for a short time. It can be cured with items like Defuddle drops. Some accessories outright prevent it.

Dragon Quest Builders 2

It has the same effects and healing conditions as in Dragon Quest Builders, but it can also be prevented by consuming certain food.