Dread dagger

From Dragon Quest Wiki
Dread dagger
DQVIII3DS - Dread dagger.png
Japanese よるのパピヨン
Romaji Yoru no papiyon
Old localizations None
Found in Dragon Quest VIII (3DS only)
Dragon Quest IX
Dragon Quest X
Dragon Quest XI
Dragon Quest of the Stars
Dragon Quest Walk
Effect Has a chance to inflict paralysis when attacking.
Inflicts bonus damage to Bugs/Nature family monsters.
Has a chance to inflict confusion when attacking. (VIII and X only)

The Dread dagger is a recurring knife in the Dragon Quest series. It deals additional damage to monsters of the Bug family and has a chance to inflict either paralysis or confusion when attacking. Though very similar to the Poison moth knife, the Dread dagger is not always the upgraded version of that weapon.

Characteristics[edit]

In its original appearance, the dread dagger was an upgraded version of the poison moth knife, being a dagger with a jagged barbs and a stylised guard around the handle modeled after a moth with pink and purple wings. The blade and guard were polished to a high sheen and there appeared to be runes inscribed into the blade, as well. However, starting with X, the dagger's colours were changed to a darker indigo and purple instead with a red handle. This colouration has been used in all other games.

Appearances[edit]

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

The Dread dagger has an Attack bonus of +78 and has a 18 chance to inflict confusion when attacking. It can only be equipped by Jessica and Red as long as they are at least level 30. The knife can be sold for 34,000 gold coins, but it is not recommended to do so as only one could be acquired in the game.

The dagger was available to Japanese players by redeeming points through the Dragon Quest Portal App. It became available to international players for a short time in 2017, but after 2018, all DLC items for the 3DS version became unavailable.

GameDescription
DQ8-LOGO-ICON.png
A short blade that occasionally leaves those it cuts confused.[1]

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

DQIX Dread dagger.png Dread dagger DQIX Logo.png
DQIX Dread Dagger Artwork.png
Description
An unnerving knife that paralyses its prey part of the time.[2]
Rarity Stats Vocations
★★☆☆☆ Attack +57 IXmageicon.pngIXthieficon.pngIXwarrioricon.png
Notes
18 chance to inflict paralysis when attacking.
Inflicts 120% damage to bugs.
Used to create Papillon mask.
Price Location
N/a / 3,250 Alchemy only.
Ingredient 1 Ingredient 2 Ingredient 3
DQIX Dread dagger.png
Batterfly knife
DQIX Disturbin turban.png
Disturbin' turban
DQIX Butterfly wing.png
Butterfly wing x5



Dragon Quest X[edit]

The Dread dagger has an Attack bonus of +39, a Style bonus of +6, increases the wielder's Weight by 4, and has an equipment level of 35. It has a 3% chance of inflicting confusion when attacking and can be equipped by Thieves, Minstrels, Mages, Dancers, and Gadabouts, as well as Duston in the Offline version of the game. The dagger can be crafted by a weaponsmith.

In Version 6.2 of the game, the materials to craft one were drastically changed, making it much easier to make. Previously, it required six chunks of silver ore, two coagulants, and a piece of evencloth.

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

Dread dagger DQXI Logo EN.png
Dread dagger xi icon.png
Description
A knife so breathtakingly horrible to behold that it sometimes scares enemies stiff - literally.[3]
Rarity
B
Stats with forge buffs
Attack +67/70/73/77
8% chance to paralyse target
Notes
+20% damage to Nature family
Requires 13 Perfectionist's pearls to rework.
Price Location
N/A / 2,250 Fun-Size Forge only.
Forging difficulty
2.5
Ingredients
Platinum ore xi icon.png x2 + Coagulant xi icon.png x2 + Evencloth xi icon.png
Characters
Erik sprite walk.gifSylvando sprite walk.gif


The recipe book The Mothmask Prophecies contains the recipe for the dread dagger. It can be purchased at the casino in Puerto Valor for 1,000 tokens starting from the second act.

Dragon Quest Walk[edit]

The Dread dagger is a 4★ knife with an Attack bonus of +30. It has the ability to teach the wielder various skills, including Cobra Strike, Sleeper Hit, and HP Hoover, as well as gaining the ability to inflict additional damage to Bugs and Poison while attacking when its weapon level increases.

Trivia[edit]

  • Papillon is the French word for butterfly.

In Other Languages[edit]

Language Translation Meaning
ICON-FLAG-ES.png EspañolDaga aterradoraSpanish for "terrifying dagger".
ICON-FLAG-FR.png FrançaisDague de papilonFrench for "butterfly dagger".
ICON-FLAG-DE.png DeutschSchreckensdolchGerman for "horror/terror dagger".
ICON-FLAG-IT.png ItalianoLama della morteItalian for "blade of death".

Gallery[edit]

References[edit]

  1. Nintendo 3DS version.
  2. Nintendo DS version.
  3. Sony PlayStation 4, Steam, Nintendo Switch, and Xbox One versions.