Disruptive Wave

From Dragon Quest Wiki

Disruptive Wave 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 buff abilities such asKabuff and Oomph, debuffs such as Kasap and Deceleratle, and Tension.

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: The Seeds of Salvation

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

Dragon Quest IV: Chapters of the Chosen

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: Hand of the Heavenly Bride

Disruptive Wave is learned by recruited king slimes at level 18. Saber can also learn it at level 33. As in Dragon Quest IV, the Zenithian sword can unleash this effect if used as a tool in battle.

Dragon Quest VI: Realms of Revelation

Disruptive Wave can be learned by any character in the Hero vocation when they reach rank 2. This is the only way to learn the ability, as the Sword of Ramias instead casts Oomph when used as an item in battle.

Dragon Quest VII: Fragments of the Forgotten Past

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: Journey of the Cursed King

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

Dragon Quest IX: Sentinels of the Starry Skies

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

It is worth noting that Disruptive Wave acts slightly different in this installment as it now only affects the opposition when used by a character or a monster. 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 X

Sages learn an ability similar to Disruptive Wave called "Zero Baptism", by investing 100 points into their Enlightenment skill. It costs 10 MP to cast, and blasts a wave in a cone in front of them, removing positive status effects of any enemy hit. Several boss-level enemies also use this skill in battle.

Dragon Quest Monsters

Called DeMagic in this game, it requires the monster to reach level 20 with 100 MP and 140 intelligence. It is naturally learned by DeathMore (Final form),Mirudraas (Transformed) and Zoma. It can also be learned by monsters with Surge and UltraDown.

Dragon Quest Monsters 2

DeMagic now requires 252 intelligence to learn. It is naturally learned by PsychoPiz, Orgodemir (Transformed) and Warubou.

Dragon Quest Monsters: Caravan Heart

Dragon Quest Monsters: Joker

Disruptive Wave can be learned from various skill trees.

Dragon Quest Monsters: Joker 2

Disruptive Wave can be learned from:


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.