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The '''''party''''' refers to a set of playable characters that carry out the progress of a game. Originally introduced in ''[[Dragon Quest II: Luminaries of the Legendary Line|Dragon Quest II]]'', and made customizable in ''[[Dragon Quest III]]'', it has become a staple of the [[Dragon Quest (series)|''Dragon Quest'' series]].
The '''''Party''''' refers to a set of playable characters that carry out the progress of a game.
 
Originally introduced in {{DQ2}}, and made customizable in {{DQ3}}, it has become a staple of the {{DQSeries}}.


==Appearances==
==Appearances==
===''[[Dragon Quest II: Luminaries of the Legendary Line|Dragon Quest II]]''===
==={{DQ2}}===
''Dragon Quest II'' did not offer any customization of party members. Instead, the [[Hero (Dragon Quest II)|hero]] must recruit his two cousins, the [[Prince of Cannock]] and the [[Princess of Moonbrooke]].
''See main article: [[Luminaries]]''
===''[[Dragon Quest III]]''===
 
''DQIII'' introduced the concept of a totally customizable party to the series. The vocation, sex, and personality (in all remakes) of a party member can be controlled by the player when a character is created at [[Patty's Party Planning Place]] (a bar) in [[Aliahan]]. While only four characters (including the hero) may be in the party, extra characters will stay in the bar.
{{Dragon Quest II}} did not offer any customization of party members. Instead, the {{Hero 2}} must recruit his two cousins, the [[Prince of Cannock]] and the [[Princess of Moonbrooke]]. The party is collectively known as the [[Luminaries]].
[[File:DQ4-DS-OVERWORLD-SCREENSHOT.jpg|right|250px|thumb|The party exploring the world in ''Dragon Quest IV''.]]
 
===''[[Dragon Quest IV]]''===
==={{DQ3}}===
With the series shifting focus to character-driven narratives, the act of character creation has been removed. The party line up can be changed on the fly, and even in battle, thanks to the addition of the wagon. In addition, '''all characters''' in the wagon recieve experience points at the end of battle.
''See main article: [[Party (Dragon Quest III)]]''
 
{{III}} introduced the concept of a totally customizable party to the series. The vocation, sex, and personality (in all remakes) of a {{Party 3}} member can be controlled by the player when a character is created at [[Patty's Party Planning Place]] (a bar) in [[Aliahan]]. While only four characters (including the {{Hero 3}}) may be in the {{Party 3}}, extra characters will stay in the bar.
[[File:DQ4-DS-OVERWORLD-SCREENSHOT.jpg|right|250px|thumb|The party exploring the world in {{Dragon Quest IV}}.]]
 
==={{DQ4}}===
''See main article: [[Chosen Ones]]''
 
With the series shifting focus to character-driven narratives, the act of character creation has been removed. The [[Chosen Ones|party]] line up can be changed on the fly, and even in battle, thanks to the addition of the wagon. In addition, '''all characters''' in the wagon recieve {{exp}}erience points at the end of battle. The maximum party size remains four.
 
Though they are temporary uncontrollable characters, [[Healie]] and [[Sparkie]] are the first {{MFamilies}}s to join the protagonists in the {{DQSeries}}
 
{{IV}} also brought A.I. to the series: once the {{Hero 4}} gathers companions in the beginning of {{DQ4 Chapter 5}}, they may be assigned one of several battle strategies to adhere to. A.I. could not be turned off in the original {{NES}} version.
 
The main members of the party are known as the [[Chosen Ones]]
 
==={{DQ5}}===
''See main article: [[Party (Dragon Quest V)]]''
 
The abundance of [[Monster recruitment|recruitable monsters]] saw the necessity of [[Monty]], the monster monitor. The veteran veterinarian will care for all creatures not in the active {{Party 5}} of the wagon. {{V}} also saw return of [[Patty]], to manage the human cast when not in battle. The maximum party size is three in the original {{Super Famicom}} version but was increased to four in the later remakes.
 
==={{DQ6}}===
''See main article: [[Party (Dragon Quest VI)]]''
 
[[Patty]] has taken up monster monitoring in addition to her usual services in {{VI}}, located in {{Alltrades Abbey 6}}. In the {{Super Famicom}} version, 15 of the 20 recruitable monsters can be kept at the bar, where as all slime buddies can be recruited in the remakes. The maximum {{Party 6}} size is again four.
 
==={{DQ7}}===
''See main article: [[Party (Dragon Quest VII)]]''
 
The [[wagon]] has been abolished in {{VII}}, with characters joining and leaving the {{Party 7}} at various points in the story. There are five permanent characters in the main game, with the extra one staying put in a town when not traveling with the hero. This character will not gain {{exp}}erience points.
 
==={{DQ8}}===
''See main article: [[Party (Dragon Quest VIII)]]''


''IV'' also brought A.I. to the series: once the Hero gathers companions in the beginning of the fifth chapter, they may be assigned one of several battle strategies to adhere to. A.I. could not be turned off in the original NES version.
Characters join the {{Hero 8}} as the story progresses, with customization being represented through character-specific skillsets. As there are exactly four playable characters in the original version, the [[wagon]] is used to house the [[Alchemy pot]].
===''[[Dragon Quest V]]''===
*Two additional characters can join the party in the {{3DS}} remake. The characters not in the active {{Party 8}} will reside in the [[wagon]].
The abundance of [[Monster recruitment|recruitable monsters]] saw the necessity of [[Monty]], the monster monitor. The veteran veterinarian will care for all creatures not in the active party of the wagon. ''V'' also saw return of Patty, to manage the human cast when not in battle.
===''[[Dragon Quest VI]]''===
Patty has taken up monster monitoring in addition to her usual services in ''VI'', located in [[Alltrades Abbey (Dragon Quest VI)|Alltrades Abbey]]. In the Super Famicom version, 15 of the 20 recruitable monsters can be kept at the bar, where as all slime buddies can be recruited in the remakes.


===''[[Dragon Quest VII]]''===
==={{DQ9}}===
The wagon has been abolished in ''VII'', with characters joining and leaving the party at various points in the story. There are five permanent characters in the main game, with the extra one staying put in a town when not traveling with the hero. This character will not gain experience points.
''See main article: [[Party (Dragon Quest IX)]]''


===''[[Dragon Quest VIII]]''===
{{IX}} is very reminiscent of {{III}}, in that characters are created with the help of [[Patty]] and stay at the [[Quester's Rest]] in [[Stornway]] while not traveling. As these characters have no [[Party Chat]] or story presence, [[Stella]] takes up the task of being the {{Hero 9}}'s (very) vocal companion and adding colour commentary to cut-scenes and events.
Characters join the Hero as the story progresses, with customization being represented through character-specific skillsets. As there are only four playable characters in the original version, the wagon is used to house the [[Alchemy pot]].
*Two additional characters can join the heroes in the 3DS remake. How they are housed when not in the active party is currently unknown.


===''[[Dragon Quest IX]]''===
==={{DQ11}}===
''IX'' is very reminiscent of ''III'', in that characters are created with the help of Patty and stay at the Quester's Rest in [[Stornway]] while not traveling. As these characters have no party chat or story presence, [[Stella]] takes up the task of being the Hero's (very) vocal companion and adding colour commentary to cut-scenes and events.
''See main article: [[Party (Dragon Quest XI)]]''
 
A total of eight different characters are available as party members, though one of these is a secret character whose identity as a {{Party 11}} member is hidden in-game until they actually join. The {{Party 11}} members join the {{Hero 11}} as the story progresses, though the {{Hero 11}} is separated from them at the beginning of the second act and must reunite with each (at which point they rejoin the party). Available characters may be swapped in and out of the {{Party 11}} at any time, both in and out of combat--though a character swapped into the active lineup in the middle of a fight cannot act until the next turn.


==Mechanics==
==Mechanics==
===Lineup===
===Lineup===
Some ''Dragon Quest'' games offer the position of party members in battle to be customized. The position of each member affects how often an enemy will target them. Note that this does not affect the success or failure of said attacks, simply whom they're directed at.
Some {{Main Series}} games offer the position of party members in battle to be customized. The position of each member affects how often an enemy will target them. Note that this does not affect the success or failure of said attacks, simply whom they're directed at.


The base formula for calculating party position targeting in most games is:
The base formula for calculating party position targeting in most games is:
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In ''[[Dragon Quest VIII]]'' it is:
In {{Dragon Quest VIII}} it is:
{| class="wikitable"
{| class="wikitable"
|-
|-
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| 4th || 10%
| 4th || 10%
|}
|}
===[[Wagon]]===
===[[Wagon]]===
The wagon was implemented in ''IV'' to accommodate the larger cast of playable characters. Characters (even deceased ones) can be switched in and out of battle as a free action that doesn't eat up the player's turn. As mentioned above, characters sitting in the wagon will receive experience points even if they did not participate in battle. Unfortunately, characters will not regain HP or MP while riding.
The [[wagon]] was implemented in {{IV}} to accommodate the larger cast of playable characters. Characters (even deceased ones) can be switched in and out of battle as a free action that doesn't eat up the player's turn. As mentioned above, characters sitting in the [[wagon]] will receive {{exp}}erience points even if they did not participate in battle. Unfortunately, characters will not regain {{HP}} or {{MP}} while riding.
 
{{Series_mechanics}}
{{Series_mechanics}}
[[Category:Recurring elements]]
[[Category:Game mechanics]]

Latest revision as of 20:26, 21 August 2022

The Party refers to a set of playable characters that carry out the progress of a game.

Originally introduced in Dragon Quest II: Luminaries of the Legendary Line, and made customizable in Dragon Quest III: The Seeds of Salvation, it has become a staple of the Dragon Quest series.

Appearances[edit]

Dragon Quest II: Luminaries of the Legendary Line[edit]

See main article: Luminaries

Dragon Quest II did not offer any customization of party members. Instead, the Hero must recruit his two cousins, the Prince of Cannock and the Princess of Moonbrooke. The party is collectively known as the Luminaries.

Dragon Quest III: The Seeds of Salvation[edit]

See main article: Party (Dragon Quest III)

III introduced the concept of a totally customizable party to the series. The vocation, sex, and personality (in all remakes) of a party member can be controlled by the player when a character is created at Patty's Party Planning Place (a bar) in Aliahan. While only four characters (including the Hero) may be in the party, extra characters will stay in the bar.

The party exploring the world in Dragon Quest IV.

Dragon Quest IV: Chapters of the Chosen[edit]

See main article: Chosen Ones

With the series shifting focus to character-driven narratives, the act of character creation has been removed. The party line up can be changed on the fly, and even in battle, thanks to the addition of the wagon. In addition, all characters in the wagon recieve Experience points at the end of battle. The maximum party size remains four.

Though they are temporary uncontrollable characters, Healie and Sparkie are the first monsters to join the protagonists in the Dragon Quest series

IV also brought A.I. to the series: once the Hero gathers companions in the beginning of Chapter 5, they may be assigned one of several battle strategies to adhere to. A.I. could not be turned off in the original NES version.

The main members of the party are known as the Chosen Ones

Dragon Quest V: Hand of the Heavenly Bride[edit]

See main article: Party (Dragon Quest V)

The abundance of recruitable monsters saw the necessity of Monty, the monster monitor. The veteran veterinarian will care for all creatures not in the active party of the wagon. V also saw return of Patty, to manage the human cast when not in battle. The maximum party size is three in the original Super Famicom version but was increased to four in the later remakes.

Dragon Quest VI: Realms of Revelation[edit]

See main article: Party (Dragon Quest VI)

Patty has taken up monster monitoring in addition to her usual services in VI, located in Alltrades Abbey. In the Super Famicom version, 15 of the 20 recruitable monsters can be kept at the bar, where as all slime buddies can be recruited in the remakes. The maximum party size is again four.

Dragon Quest VII: Fragments of the Forgotten Past[edit]

See main article: Party (Dragon Quest VII)

The wagon has been abolished in VII, with characters joining and leaving the party at various points in the story. There are five permanent characters in the main game, with the extra one staying put in a town when not traveling with the hero. This character will not gain Experience points.

Dragon Quest VIII: Journey of the Cursed King[edit]

See main article: Party (Dragon Quest VIII)

Characters join the Hero as the story progresses, with customization being represented through character-specific skillsets. As there are exactly four playable characters in the original version, the wagon is used to house the Alchemy pot.

  • Two additional characters can join the party in the 3DS remake. The characters not in the active party will reside in the wagon.

Dragon Quest IX: Sentinels of the Starry Skies[edit]

See main article: Party (Dragon Quest IX)

IX is very reminiscent of III, in that characters are created with the help of Patty and stay at the Quester's Rest in Stornway while not traveling. As these characters have no Party Chat or story presence, Stella takes up the task of being the Hero's (very) vocal companion and adding colour commentary to cut-scenes and events.

Dragon Quest XI: Echoes of an Elusive Age[edit]

See main article: Party (Dragon Quest XI)

A total of eight different characters are available as party members, though one of these is a secret character whose identity as a party member is hidden in-game until they actually join. The party members join the Hero as the story progresses, though the Hero is separated from them at the beginning of the second act and must reunite with each (at which point they rejoin the party). Available characters may be swapped in and out of the party at any time, both in and out of combat--though a character swapped into the active lineup in the middle of a fight cannot act until the next turn.

Mechanics[edit]

Lineup[edit]

Some Dragon Quest games offer the position of party members in battle to be customized. The position of each member affects how often an enemy will target them. Note that this does not affect the success or failure of said attacks, simply whom they're directed at.

The base formula for calculating party position targeting in most games is:

Lineup Position Targeting Percentage
1st 40%
2nd 30%
3rd 20%
4th 10%

In Dragon Quest VIII it is:

Lineup Position Targeting Percentage
1st 35%
2nd 35%
3rd 20%
4th 10%

Wagon[edit]

The wagon was implemented in IV to accommodate the larger cast of playable characters. Characters (even deceased ones) can be switched in and out of battle as a free action that doesn't eat up the player's turn. As mentioned above, characters sitting in the wagon will receive Experience points even if they did not participate in battle. Unfortunately, characters will not regain HP or MP while riding.