Hero (Dragon Quest VIII)

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Hero
Dragon Quest VIII
DQVIII Hero artwork.png
Japanese name エイト
Romaji Eito
Title Captain of the Guard
Class Hero
Race
Warning: Spoilers!
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Half-human, half-Dragovian
Age 18
Family
Warning: Spoilers!
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Eltrio (father) †
Xia (mother) †
Chen Mui (grandfather)
King Clavius (uncle)
Prince Charmles (cousin)
Princess Medea (potential wife)
Trode (potential father-in-law)
Jessica (potential wife)
Rosalind (potential mother-in-law)
Voice actor Yuki Kaji (Super Smash Bros. Ultimate)

The Hero of Dragon Quest VIII is an 18-year old low-ranking royal guardsman at Castle Trodain, before becoming a refugee of the kingdom in the prologue. He was one of the small band who survived Dhoulmagus' deadly attack, along with King Trode, Princess Medea and his pet mouse, Munchie. As is the series' tradition, The Hero is a silent protagonist whom the player is meant to project themselves upon, using him as an avatar to explore and interact with the game's world.

In promotional screenshots and the instruction manual for the PlayStation 2 Version and Super Smash Bros. Ultimate, the Hero is given the default name Eight.

The Hero is a versatile character, as equally proficient in armed combat as he is in using healing spells and support magic. His preferred weapons are Swords, Spears and Boomerangs. Once Rank E of the Monster Arena is cleared, he will gain the ability to call upon a monster team at the cost of 10 MP. Each monster team can only be summoned once per battle. With the help of his trusty companion Munchie and a variety of Cheeses, he is also able to unleash breath attacks with various effects.

Appearance and Personality[edit]

Due to his aforementioned status as a silent protagonist, very little can be said of the man's character that isn't decided by the player. That being said, the youth has demonstrated a remarkably humane nature in certain cutscenes. This is most apparent in the flashback to his meeting with Yangus, who accidentally broke the rope bridge that he was blocking while attempting to extort money from King Trode. Instead of letting the bellicose bandit fall to his death, the former guard pulled him to safety despite Trode's considerable umbrage.

In contrast to heroes of previous games, this Hero dresses very casually and historically coherent, wearing a saffron overcoat with a blue tunic, simple red bandana, and plain grey trousers with brown boots. He is also the second Hero in the series whose outfit can be changed in the game if he wears certain pieces of equipment.

Appearances[edit]

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

Warning: Spoilers!
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He is the son of Eltrio, the former crown prince of Argonia, and Xia a Dragovian, making him Half-Human and Half-Dragovian. This union came about when the latter became curious of the human world, and decided to explore it. After encountering Eltrio, Xia fell in love with the young man and spent much time with him. Unfortunately, her father Chen Mui did not approve of the union between a human and a Dragovian, feeling that the two races could never develop true love between them, and forced his daughter back to the Dragovian Sanctuary to ensure she could never see him again. Some time after this, the body of Eltrio was found near the sanctuary's outskirts, having braved the immense dangers alone to reach his beloved, only to die just before reaching the sanctuary. The death of her beloved devastated Xia, and day by day her very life force began to fade. Before joining Eltrio in the afterlife, however, Xia delivered their child in the sanctuary. The boy would live among the Dragovians for several years as the council of elders debated what to do with the anomaly, until one day it was decided that his memories would be sealed to ensure he would never remember his birthplace, and that he would be banished from the sanctuary. His grandfather, realizing the youth was his last connection to his daughter, begged for permission to accompany his grandson. It was decided that he could do so, but only if he took the form of an innocuous mouse, and never spoke a word to him.

One day while exploring the forest outskirts of the castle, Princess Medea of Trodain finds the young boy collapsed with a fever with the help of Munchie. The young princess pleads with King Trode to help the boy since otherwise, he would die out in the woods. Eventually, the castle guards bring The Hero back in order to nurse him back to health. Medea stays at his bedside until he awakes, and the two would become close friends afterwards.

As the son of Eltrio, The Hero is also the nephew of King Clavius of Argonia and the cousin of Prince Charmles. This blood connection is what enables him to supersede Prince Charmles in the right to marry the heir to Trodain. By the end of the game, he has become captain of the guard and, depending on the player's actions in the Nintendo 3DS Version, is either the son-in-law of King Trode after marrying Princess Medea or the son-in-law of Rosalind Albert after marrying Jessica.

An amnesiac since his early youth, The Hero grew up in Castle Trodain, eventually serving as a guard for some time before the events of the prologue took place. For much of Dragon Quest VIII, The Hero journeys with his faithful mouse friend, Munchie, King Trode, Princess Medea, and Yangus. The Hero is eventually joined by Jessica Albert and Angelo, enlisting their aid in pursuing and confronting the wicked Dhoulmagus.

Munchie[edit]

DQVIII Munchie.png

The Hero carries around his pet, Munchie, wherever he goes. A highly intelligent Pig-Rat, Munchie is capable of entering small spaces and exploring areas the partywould otherwise have no access to, allowing the player to temporarily control him. If you give Munchie Cheese, he gains special abilities. However, this can only be done twice per battle. Munchie rides in the pocket of The Hero's coat most of the time. Munchie will show his true significance only after the game.

Stats[edit]

Attribute Starting Stats Maximum Stats
Level 1 99
HP 22 806
MP 0 478
Strength 8 400
Agility 6 200
Resilience 6 215
Wisdom 5 366
Initial gear Soldier's sword, Plain clothes, Bandana
  • The Hero also possesses a 25% resistance to zap-based spells and abilities and a near total immunity to Curses.

Spells[edit]

Name MP Level Target Tension Info
Heal 2 3 one yes Restores 30-40 HP to one character.
Squelch 2 4 one no Cures one character of Poison and Envenomation.
Evac 2 6 party no Teleports player back to dungeon entrance.
Sizz 4 11 group yes Inflicts up to 29~35 fire damage on each member of a group.
Midheal 3 18 one yes Restores 75-90 HP to one character.
Sizzle 6 20 group yes Inflicts up to 53~62 fire damage on each member of a group.
Fullheal 6 27 one no Restores all HP to one character.
Zing 8 29 one no Revives a dead character with 50% of HP (50% success rate).
Kasizzle 10 32 group yes Inflicts up to 150~170 fire damage on each member of a group.

Misc. skills[edit]

Name MP Method Target Tension Info
Call Team 10 At Monster Arena. -- -- Summons the Hero's monster team for at least three turns.
Dragon Soul 64 Level 65/70* one yes Inflicts 420~520 non-elemental damage to one enemy.
  • Dragon Soul was first created for the international version of VIII and does not appear in the original Japanese PS2 or Cell phone release.
    • Dragon Soul is learned at level 70 in the 3DS version and deals 375~450 damage.

Swords[edit]

Skill Points MP Range Tension Oomph Info Title
Attack +5 4 -- -- -- -- Increase the sword Attack +5. None
Dragon Slash 9 -- One enemy Yes Yes Inflicts 150% damage on Dragons. Proficient swordsman
Flame Slash 15 -- One enemy Yes Yes Inflicts 130% damage (reduced if enemy is resistant to fire). Renowned swordsman
Attack +10 22 -- -- -- -- Increase Attack by ten when a sword is equipped. Expert swordsman
Metal Slash 30 -- One enemy Yes Yes Inflicts 1~2 damage to Metal slime family. Supreme swordsman
Critical Hit rate up 40 -- -- -- -- Increase the Critical Hit rate from 1/64th to 1/32nd. Ace of the sword
Falcon Slash 52 -- One enemy Yes First hit Slashes one enemy twice, each cut dealing 75% damage for 150% total. Master of the sword
Attack +25 66 -- -- -- -- Increases Attack by twenty five when a sword is equipped. Star of the sword
Miracle Slash 82 4 One enemy Yes Yes Inflicts 125% damage and restores HP by 50% of damage inflicted. Sword of legend
Gigaslash 100 20 Enemy group Yes -- Inflicts up to 207~239 lightning damage to a group. God of the sword
Gigagash 100* 20 Enemy group Yes -- Inflicts up to 271~331 lightning damage to a group. None
  • Requires 100 points in both Swords and Courage.

Spears[edit]

Skill Points MP Range Tension Oomph Info Title
Attack +5 3 -- -- -- -- Increase Attack by five when a spear is equipped. None
Mercurial Thrust 7 -- One enemy Yes Yes Strikes first at 80% power. Proficient spearman
Thunder Thrust 12 3 One enemy -- -- 25% for a Critical Hit, 25% for a normal stab, 50% to miss altogether. Expert spearman
Attack +10 18 -- -- -- -- Increase Attack by ten when equipped with a spear. Master spearman
Multithrust 25 4 Random Yes First hit Skewers 3~4 targets at Half Strength per jab. Famed lancer
Critical Hit rate up 40 -- -- -- -- Increase the Critical Hit rate from 1/64th to 1/32th. Legendary lancer
Clean Sweep 45 0* Enemy group Yes First hit Strike/Rock damage with decreasing range: 80% -> 64% -> 56% -> 40% -> 25% -> 16%.
Chance for Demon spear's effect to trigger on each enemy.
Star lancer
Lightning Thrust 59 -- One enemy -- -- More powerful version of Thunder Thrust, 50% to land a Critical Hit. Grand lancer
Attack +25 77 -- -- -- -- Increases Attack by twenty five when equipped with a spear. Heavenly lancer
Lightning Storm 100 25 All enemies Yes -- Inflicts 190-220 damage to all enemies. Almighty lancer
  • Clean Sweep costs 2 MP in the 3DS version.

Boomerangs[edit]

Skill Points MP Range Tension Oomph Info Title
Crosscutter Throw 6 2 All enemies Yes First hit The first enemy is hit twice. Strike/Rock element. None
Attack +5 12 -- -- -- -- Increases Attack by five when a boomerang is equipped. Baby boomer
Power Throw 18 4 All enemies Yes First hit 80% Strength, but damage does not decrease per bonked monster. Strike/Rock element. Big boomer
Attack +10 25 -- -- -- -- Increases Attack by ten when a boomerang is equipped. Iron boomer
Firebird Throw 32 6 All enemies Yes -- 36-44 fire damage to all enemies. Great boomer
Attack +15 40 -- -- -- -- Increases Attack by fifteen when a boomerang is equipped. Boomer knight
Super Throw 52 4 All enemies Yes First hit 120% damage, does not decrease per monster. Strike/Rock element. Boomer lord
Attack +20 66 -- -- -- -- Increase the boomerang Attack +20. Boomer star
Starburst Throw 82 8 All enemies Yes -- 76-84 Bang damage to all enemies. Boomeranger
Gigathrow 100 15 One enemy Yes -- Inflicts up to 233~284 zap damage to a single enemy. King boomeranger

Fisticuffs[edit]

Skill Points MP Range Tension Oomph Info Title
Attack +5 4 -- -- -- -- Increases Attack by five when unarmed. None
Defending Champion 11 -- Self Yes -- More powerful defending action (damage reduced by 90%). Brawler
Stone's Throw 17 -- Enemy group Yes -- 8-20 Strike/Rock damage to a group of enemies. Brawny brawler
Knuckle Sandwich 24 2 One enemy Yes Yes Inflicts 150% Strike/Rock damage. Black belt brawler
Attack +20 33 -- -- -- -- Increases Attack by twenty when unarmed. Famous fistfighter
Thin Air 42 2 All enemies Yes -- Inflicts up to 108~132 points of wind damage on all enemies. Fighting mentor
Critical Hit rate up 52 -- -- -- -- Increase the Critical Hit rate from 1/64th to 1/32nd. Fighting instructor
Multifists 70 -- Random Yes First hit Four random swings at 33% power each. Fighting master
Boulder Toss 82 4 All enemies Yes -- Inflicts 72-104 Strike/Rock damage on all enemies. Fabled fighter
Attack +50 100 -- -- -- -- Increases Attack by fifty when unarmed. Fist of legend

Courage[edit]

Skill Points MP Range Tension Oomph Info Title
Zoom 8 1 Self -- -- Teleports player to entrance of known location (outdoors only). None
Tingle 16 2 All allies -- -- Cures party of Sleep and Paralysed status changes. Brave
Holy Protection 28 3 Self -- -- Random encounters with enemies whose level is lower than The Hero are avoided. Intrepid
Fizzle 40 4 Enemy group -- -- Prevents enemy group from using magic. Courageous
Zap 48 6 All enemies Yes -- Inflicts up to 72~88 lightning damage on all enemies. Dauntless
MP discount 56 -- -- -- -- Reduces the MP cost of all spells to 3/4. Fearless
Kamikazee 70 1 All enemies -- -- The Hero sacrifices himself to deal high damage to all enemies. Bravehearted
Omniheal 82 36 All allies -- -- Restores full HP to all party members. Lionhearted
MP discount 90 -- -- -- -- Reduces the MP cost to 1/2. Dragonhearted
Kazap 100 115 Enemy group Yes -- Inflicts up to 180~220 damage to a group of monsters. Truly valiant
Gigaslash 100 20 Enemy group Yes -- Inflicts up to 207~239 damage to each member of a group. None
Gigagash 100* 20 Enemy group Yes -- Inflicts up to 271~331 damage to each member of a group. None
  • Requires 100 points in both Swords and Courage.

Skill Tips[edit]

Swords pay off if the player is focusing on dealing extra damage, such as with Dragon Slash (9 points) and Falcon Slash (52 points) being particularly useful. If the player accumulates 100 points in Swords and Courage, the almighty Gigagash is learned--although this does take quite some time to achieve.

Spears are ideal for hunters of metal monsters in particular, with Thunder Thrust (12 points) and Lightning Thrust (59 points). The Multithrust (25 points) is also worth a try against single enemies.

Boomerangs are a real boon in the beginning of the game because they attack all enemies. Later, however, this skill becomes less useful (over 40 points: Attack +15), so it is advisable to switch to developing different skills.

Fisticuffs is largely ineffectual to the other skills, although Defending Champion (11 points) is a very useful ability and some actions are worth a try like Thin Air (42 points) for cheap moves that target all foes. The Hero can only make a real impression when he learns Attack + 50 (100 points).

Courage is extremely useful as a means of learning traits that reduce MP consumption (at 56 and 90 points) and utility spells that free Angelo's turns up. Zap and Kazap deal incredible damage for the periods they are learned in, and Omniheal can turn a battle around like no other spell.

Suggested Strategies: Learn Courage up to 8 points (Zoom) initially, then learn Boomerangs up to 40 points (Attack + 15) followed by courage up to 100. Next, increase your Swords skill to 66 (Attack + 25) or Spears up to 59 (Critical Hit).

Another option would be to forgo Boomerangs altogether and start by dividing points equally between Swords and Courage (up to Swords 66), then switching to Spears and Courage. However, since one can come across some extremely effective spears in the opening stages of the game, it may be advized to concentrate on mastering Spears from the outset.

Equipment[edit]

Dragon Quest VIII (All) 
Weapon Modifier(s)
Cypress stick Attack +4
Soldier's sword Attack +8
Stone sword Attack +12
Copper sword Attack +13
Boomerang Attack +19
Ye Olde Sword of Erdrick Attack +20
Golden gar Attack +21
Iron lance Attack +24
Edged boomerang Attack +27
Long spear Attack +30
Reinforced boomerang Attack +32
Steel broadsword Attack +35
Falcon blade Attack +37
Holy lance Attack +39
Platinum sword Attack +40
Battle fork Attack +42
Razor wing boomerang Attack +42
Dream blade Attack +43
Partisan Attack +44
Rusty old sword Attack +45
Swallowtail Attack +53
Zombiesbane Attack +54
Über falcon blade Attack +55
Bastard sword Attack +61
Flametang boomerang Attack +63
Zombie slayer Attack +65
Sandstorm spear Attack +67
Black buzzard Attack +71
Dragonsbane Attack +72
Double-edged sword Attack +76
Über double-edge Attack +76
Miracle sword Attack +80
Dragon slayer Attack +83
Demon spear Attack +86
Blizzard blade Attack +90
Metal wing boomerang Attack +90
Über miracle sword Attack +95
Hero spear Attack +100
Dragovian sword Attack +107
Liquid metal sword Attack +118
Erdrick's sword Attack +120
Metal king spear Attack +120
Dragovian king sword Attack +137

Dragon Quest VIII (All) 
Helmet Modifier(s)
Bandana Defence +1
Leather hat Defence +3
Healie hat Defence +5
Turban Defence +8
Feathered cap Defence +9
Iron helmet Defence +16
Bronze helmet Defence +20
Hermes' hat Defence +20
Mercury's bandana Defence +23
Iron mask Defence +25
Pirate's hat Defence +30
Platinum headgear Defence +30
Iron headgear Defence +32
Mad cap Defence +32
Hades' helm Defence +33
Gothic mitre Defence +36
Mythril helm Defence +38
Great helm Defence +45
Dragovian helmet Defence +50
Sun crown Defence +52
Metal king helm Defence +55

Dragon Quest VIII (All) 
Armor Modifier(s)
Plain clothes Defence+4
Wayfarer's clothes Defence+7
Leather armour Defence+11
Scale armour Defence+17
Healie t-shirt Defence+18
Bronze armour Defence+24
Iron armour Defence+32
Full plate armour Defence+39
Silver mail Defence+50
Magic armour Defence+55
Dragon mail Defence+60
Spiked armour Defence+68
Gothic vestment Defence+72
Platinum mail Defence+72
Alistair's armour Defence+80
Sacred armour Defence+84
Mirror armour Defence+92
Liquid metal armour Defence+101
Dragovian armour Defence+110
Metal king armour Defence+120

Dragon Quest VIII (All) 
Shields Modifier(s)
Leather shield Defence+4
Scale shield Defence+7
Metal slime platter Defence+8
Bronze shield Defence+10
Iron shield Defence+15
Light shield Defence+17
Steel shield Defence+22
Magic shield Defence+27
Dragon shield Defence+30
Ice shield Defence+33
Power shield Defence+38
Mirror shield Defence+43
Ogre shield Defence+45
Silver shield Defence+48
Ruinous shield Defence+50
Thanatos' shield Defence+55
Dragovian shield Defence+60
Metal king shield Defence+65

Dragon Quest VIII (All) 
Accessories Modifier(s)
Elevating shoes Agility +5
Metal slime earrings Agility +5
Agility ring Agility +15
Meteorite bracer Agility +50
Lord's bracer Attack +5
Strength ring Attack +5
Tough guy tattoo Attack +8
Titan belt Attack +10
Templar Captain's ring Attack +10
Wisdom +10
Mighty armlet Attack +15
Argon ring Attack +20
Agility +20
Hearty ring Defence +1
Max HP +10
Max MP +10
Golden slippers Defence +1
Gold bracer Defence +4
Slime earrings Defence +4
Life bracer Defence +5
Max HP +30
Dragon's scale Defence +5
Fire dragon charm Defence +5
Gospel ring Defence +5
Light dragon charm Defence +5
Prayer ring Defence +5
Templar's ring Defence +5
Lucky pendant Defence +8
Full moon ring Defence +10
Gold ring Defence +10
Holy talisman Defence +10
Ring of awakening Defence +10
Ring of clarity Defence +10
Ring of immunity Defence +10
Ring of truth Defence +10
Catholicon ring Defence +15
Recovery ring Defence +15
Ruby of protection Defence +15
Gold rosary Wisdom +5
Sorcerer's ring Wisdom +10
Max MP +30
Scholar's specs Wisdom +15
Goddess ring Wisdom +20
  • 3DS version only.

Dragon Quest Monsters: Terry's Wonderland 3D[edit]

The Hero's pet Munchie appears as an obtainable SS rank member of the Beast family, alongside Trode.

Super Smash Bros. Ultimate[edit]

The Hero of VIII, under the name Eight, appears as one of four Heroes, alongside the Heroes of XI, III, and IV. He wields the Dragovian king sword and Dragovian shield. Unlike in his home game, Eight does not retain his curse immunity in Ultimate, presumably because of his status as an alternate character and/or for gameplay balance.

While playing as the Hero in Classic Mode, Eight appears as Round 5's opponent and is fought on the Battlefield form of Gaur Plains. He is allied with a tiny Pikachu (Pokémon), in reference to Munchie.

Trivia[edit]

  • In the PS2 version of the game, when The Hero's Tension is maxed, his appearance changes drastically. His bandana flies off and his hair spikes up, making him resemble Super Saiyan Son Goku of Dragon Ball Z fame. This little feature was added to the Western release of the game, as a shoutout to fans of Toriyama's work.
  • Munchie is an obtainable monster in Dragon Quest Monsters: Joker 2 Professional.
  • In the international versions of Dragon Quest XI: Echoes of an Elusive Age, the Luminary can wear an outfit that allows him to dress like the Protagonist of VIII.
  • While designing the Super Smash Bros. Ultimate version of The Hero, series creator Masahiro Sakurai specifically requested permission from Square-Enix to include Dragon Quest VIII's Hero as an alternate costume, due to the game being the most popular entry in the West and its role in reintroducing the series to American and European audiences.
    • In Ultimate, Eight is given a voice (albeit largely for various wordless expressions of exertion or pain). His voice actor is Yūki Kaji, a popular Japanese VA and singer. According to Masahiro Sakurai, Kaji was very excited to play Eight, and considered roles in both Dragon Quest and Super Smash Bros. to be two of his dream jobs.

Videos[edit]

Gallery[edit]