Having the right equipment is everything in the Dragon Quest 3 HD-2D Remake, and that goes for armor as much as it goes for arms. As in almost any RPG, a suit of armor affects the equipped character's defense. And like many RPGs, certain suits of armor in DQ3 have special effects, like boosting their defense against certain kinds of attacks, or even offering unique perks.
Also important to note is that certain suits of armor are restricted to in Dragon Quest 3 - don't expect to slap a suit of plate armor onto your Mage, or get away with a thin robe on your Warrior. You'll inevitably upgrade and shuffle around your armor throughout the game as you find new pieces in chests, as quest rewards, or at shops, but here are the best suits of armor you should look out for.
10 The Shimmering Dress Is Great, But Limited
Fire & Ice Defense
The Shimmering Dress is one of the most powerful sets in Dragon Quest 3. Boasting a whopping 90 defense, the Shimmering Dress can be equipped by any class: Hero, Warrior, Martial Artist, Mage, Priest, Thief, Merchant, Gadabout, Sage, and Monster Wrangler. One can be found inside Zoma's Citadel, but that's all there is - you can't buy this one anywhere.
Defense |
90 |
|---|---|
Special Effect |
You take less damage from fire and ice spells. |
Other than its exclusivity, the sole issue with the Shimmering Dress is that it can only be equipped by heroines i.e., characters who selected body type B at the beginning of the game. You probably have someone in your party who can use it, but you can't always put it on the person who needs it most, which can damage its utility in the long run.
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9 The Cloak Of Evasion Makes Great Midgame Armor
Slipping Away
Found in an abundance of late-early-to-midgame shops, the Cloak of Evasion is another versatile piece that can be equipped by absolutely any Vocation. Players can purchase it for 2,900 G from item or gear shops in Asham, Isis, Lanson, Mur, and Norvik, but don't waste your money - Ghouls and Rumble Bees will occasionally drop these items, so you're probably better off getting one with a little bit of grinding.
Defense |
23 |
|---|---|
Special Effect |
Increases rate of evasion by an unknown amount. |
The Cloak of Evasion's special effect is, predictably, an increase in the equipped character's evasion stat. This determines how frequently they're able to dodge enemy attacks. It works well on Thieves, Mages, Sages, Priests, or anyone else with relatively low HP, but it can also be equipped to a Warrior or Hero in order to buff their naturally high defenses. It's easy enough to gather up four of these with a little grinding, so you can even outfit every party member with a Cloak of Evasion if you like.
As NPCs in every Dragon Quest game are quick to remind you, armor does you no good unless you equip it.
8 Magical Robes Are A Must For Casters
Spellbound
If you have a Sage or Priest in the party (and you should), there'll probably come a time when you put them in a set of Magical Robes. This type of armor can only be equipped by Sages and Priests - not even Mages - and can be purchased from either Landon or Theddon for 4,400 G a pop. Magical Robes don't drop from any enemies or appear in any chests that I know of, so you'll have to seek these out and buy them.
Defense |
30 |
|---|---|
Special Effect |
Reduced damage from all spells. |
Magical Robes offer a solid 30 defense (which is perfectly able around the time you start to find them). More importantly, though, they dampen the damage of all incoming spells, which can be enormously helpful in keeping these weaker of your party alive and ready to heal everyone else. If you have a healer in your party, you'll want to buy a set of Magical Robes as soon as you can.
7 The Glombolero Makes Magic Easier
Plus, It's Fun To Say
The Glombolero is also mainly designed for caster classes (in this case, Priests, Sages, and Mages), but it can actually be equipped by anyone. It offers middling defense at 30, but has an important side effect: the Glombolero reduces the cost of casting all spells by half. Naturally, this makes more sense to put on a character who's constantly casting - your offensive Mage, defensive Priest, or best-of-both-worlds Sage. But it wouldn't be wasted on a character who does more than attack, like a Hero.
Defense |
30 |
|---|---|
Special Effect |
All spells' MP costs are reduced by half. |
Unfortunately, there's only one place I know of to find a Glombolero: in a chest at Cloudsgate Citadel. They don't seem to be buyable anywhere else, so you'll likely be stuck with the one for your entire playthrough. Still, put it on the right character at the right time, and it'll get you through some of the game's longest dungeons.
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6 The Spiked Armor Hits Back
A Must For Tanks
We're used to thinking of armor as a defensive measure, but it doesn't have to be. In Dragon Quest 3, players can claim a suit of Spiked Armor in the Maw of the Necrogond, with a special effect that deals damage back to the attacker. That's right: half of the incoming damage to the character with Spiked Armor equipped will be reflected back at the enemy, ticking down their HP while the player waits patiently for their next turn.
Defense |
55 |
|---|---|
Special Effect |
Attacking enemies take half of the damage they inflict. |
With 55 defense, the Spiked Armor is decent, but it's easily outlcassed by a handful of late-game options. Still, it's a cool gimmick, and going through a dungeon or two with Spiked Armor equipped can be a lot of fun.
Since the lineup of your characters determines how likely enemies are to target them, you should put the Spiked Armor on the character that comes first in your lineup - usually the hero or heroine.
5 The Dark Robe Is A Better Cloak Of Evasion
For Certain Vocations Only
If you loved the Cloak of Evasion, but were disappointed to find that its utility ran out as the game dragged on and enemies demanded higher defense, this one's for you. The Dark Robe can only be found in a treasure chest in Cantlin; it can't be bought anywhere. It can be equipped by Martial Artists, Thieves, and Gadabouts. Offering 70 defense, it's a powerful protective option. But in addition to that, the Dark Robe also boosts your evasion much as the Cloak of Evasion does.
Defense |
78 |
|---|---|
Special Effect |
Increases the rate of evasion. |
What's more, the Dark Robe seems to increase evasion by a greater factor than the Cloak of Evasion. It should be considered a late-game upgrade for whichever party member relies on evasion the most - likely your Thief, if you have one, but any other character who can equip it stands to benefit from it, too.
4 The Angel's Robe Is Necessary In Some Fights
Avoiding Insta-Kills
Whack and Thwack are great spells to have in your own arsenal, but it's always annoying to find yourself on the receiving end of one of these insta-kills. There's always a degree of random chance involved, but unfortunately, there are relatively few ways to prevent them 100% of the time. Except the Angel's Robe, that is, which completely nullifies the effects of Whack and Thwack when cast on the wearer. However, it can only be equipped by a Mage, a Priest, or a Sage, and can only be bought from the shop in the Faerie Village.
Defense |
35 |
|---|---|
Special Effect |
Whack and Thwack are nullified. |
Besides that, though, there's definitely better armor out there than the Angel's Robe. 35 defense is pretty low for the point at which players find it, and its special effects are useful only in certain scenarios. Still, it's necessary for certain areas where enemies or bosses who cast Thwack can be found.
3 The Auroral Armor Is The Best Armor In The Base Game
But There's Only One
By far the best suit of armor in Dragon Quest 3's base game is the Auroral Armor. It doesn't have the highest defense in the game (although it's pretty respectable at 82). More importantly, though, it has a special effect that keeps the equipped character fighting fit, by restoring their HP ively whenever they walk. This will leave them at full (or almost full) health pretty much 24/7, which means a lot fewer healing items are required, and the character wearing it is basically invincible. It also happens to decrease damage from fire and ice spells.
Defense |
82 |
|---|---|
Special Effect |
Damage from fire and ice spells is reduced, and equipped character is automatically healed while they walk. |
The Auroral Armor can only be found in the Tower of Rubiss, and there's only one. Unfortunately, the Auroral Armor can only ever be equipped by the hero or heroine - no other party member can use it, regardless of Vocation. That severely limits its usefulness, but don't worry, there's an alternative.
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2 The Blessed Bikini Is A Better Auroral Armor
Equippable By (Almost) Anyone
The Blessed Bikini has basically the same effects as the Auroral Armor: fire and ice damage reduced by two-thirds, and one HP healed per step. Its major advantage over the Auroral Armor, though, is that it can be equipped by any character, regardless of Vocation, as long as they're female. It also has slightly higher defense at 88.
Defense |
88 |
|---|---|
Special Effect |
Damage from fire and ice spells is reduced, and equipped character is automatically healed while they walk. |
Similarly to the Auroral Armor, though, there's only one Blessed Bikini, and only one way to get it: you'll have to turn in 95 Mini Medals to the shopkeeper in the Aliahan well. That means it could take a while (and a lot of exploring) to get.
The Blessed Bikini is one of few suits of armor to actually change a character's appearance when they equip it.
1 The Godbird Armor Is The Best Armor In The Postgame
An Even Better Auroral Armor
Introduced only in the HD-2D Remake's new postgame challenge, the Temple of Trials, the Godbird Armor is the best armor in the entirety of the game. It's found during the northeast portion of the Temple, in a treasure chest alongside Pandora's Box and a Mini Medal. It's the highest in of defense and in auto-healing, having a similar effect to the Auroral Armor. Unfortunately, just like the Auroral Armor, it can only be equipped by the hero or heroine.
Defense |
90 |
|---|---|
Special Effect |
Damage from fire and ice spells is reduced, and equipped character is automatically healed while they walk. |
Still, by the time they get it, players won't have a lot of time left to use the Godbird Armor. They're quickly running out of battles to fight, but they can use it in what are ostensibly some of the game's toughest challenges. It's one of the only items that can keep pace with the superbosses in the Temple of Trials, which is why it's the best armor in the Dragon Quest 3 HD-2D Remake.
Dragon Quest III HD-2D Remake
- Released
- November 14, 2024
- ESRB
- E10+ For Everyone 10+ Due To Alcohol Reference, Fantasy Violence, Mild Blood, Mild Language, Suggestive Themes
- Developer(s)
- Square Enix, Artdink
- Publisher(s)
- Square Enix
- Engine
- Unreal Engine 4
- Franchise
- Dragon Quest
- Steam Deck Compatibility
- Verified
- Platform(s)
- PC
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