Anyone Else Afraid to get Dragon Quest VIII B/C...

[quote name='Vegan']Man you're gonna lose a lot more than just 3 weekends...[/QUOTE]

Well, let's see, 3 weekends = 144 hours. Why, that's plenty of time to do the main quest and all the bonus stuff! Unless, of course, he intends to interrupt his game with inconveniences like sleep, food, bathing, or bathroom breaks in between midnight Friday and midnight Sunday...
 
[quote name='io']Well, let's see, 3 weekends = 144 hours. Why, that's plenty of time to do the main quest and all the bonus stuff! Unless, of course, he intends to interrupt his game with inconveniences like sleep, food, bathing, or bathroom breaks in between midnight Friday and midnight Sunday...[/QUOTE]

Well I intend to play about 5 hours a day each weekend, thats 30, plus about 2 hours a day per week. I said weekends cuz my weekend time is gonna be gone. :D I have it planned out.
 
Well, the abbot just died. Now I'm on my way to Ascantha! :)

So far I'm loving this game.

Currently I've invested...

Hero: enough courage to get Zoom, rest in swords

Yangus: a little in club for the beginning, enough humanity for heal, rest in axe. I'll probably ditch clubs (I don't like them) and will start investing in both axe and scythe.

Jessica: all staff

Angelo: nothing yet
 
I only put skills points into Axe and Scythes, too, until the end of the game when you get some really freaking good Clubs/Hammers.

It's taken you this long to get Zoom? I'm surprised, I didn't realize it was linked to Courage, I figured it was tied to a certain level. I consider it to be absolutely essential.
 
I have nearly maxed out all my chars on one weapon and then their "special" skill (I forget some of the names - courage, charisma, those things). So, on Hero I have max Sword, and nearly max special. I also put alot of points into boomerang - like Vegan, I switch between the two depending on the battle. But you will definitely want high sword skill with him as the hardest battles are usually against just one baddie, and swords are more plentiful and fairly powerful.
The most useful new spell I just recently got was Omniheal - this is critical if you are doing the Dragovian stuff. I think you get that when his special skill is 90 or so.

I started Yangus off on clubs but switched to axes. When I maxed out axe and courage I started dumping points into clubs, which was a HUGE mistake as I just found out you can use the scythe skills to steal items, which I really wish I could do now. When you are doing the Dragovian stuff you can steal seeds of skill which can then be used to pump up the skills of all your chars. I'm kind of stuck now because I'd have to level Yangus up about 10-20 levels to get enough skill points to be able to steal. That probably isn't worth the effort, so I'll just have to live with not maxing out skills...

I maxed out Jessica on whips and her special (sex appeal?). Her special skill isn't too useful, but you do get some cool looking attacks with it :D. Now I dump points into swords for her.

For Angelo I did swords and charisma. You end up finding (and making) some great swords (eg, Shamshir of Light) that *only* Angelo can use, so I think it is a good idea to go with swords for him. I don't think I've quite maxed him out yet. After that (if I get there) I have no idea where I'll put the points.
 
Don't worry about the Steal Scythe thing. It's like Edge in FFIV. I've been using it almost the entire game by default and it's worked ONCE. I stole 2 gold pieces. Whoop-de-freakin-doo. That's when I stopped using it.
 
[quote name='Vegan']Don't worry about the Steal Scythe thing. It's like Edge in FFIV. I've been using it almost the entire game by default and it's worked ONCE. I stole 2 gold pieces. Whoop-de-freakin-doo. That's when I stopped using it.[/QUOTE]

Hmmm, I was just going off some post in another forum where someone claimed they stole dozens of Seeds of Skill using that attack. I did read somewhere else, though, that the first level of steal attack has a 1 in 1000 chance, and the second level (that you get with more skill points) has a 1 in 100 chance. If that is true, then the person stealing dozens of one kind of item must have played for dozens of hours just doing that :D. They did say they were over level 65 before they even tried that - in fact, they may have been at level 99 (the max). They were trying to max out all their skills, and you can't do that simply by levelling - you need the seeds for it. So they were doing the Dragovian trials over and over trying to steal the seeds.

I did get a Seed of Skill as a random drop from one of the Dragovian battles, and another from one of the battles on the way to the Dragovian trial, so that was cool. I also got a Saint's Ashes dropped from a Dark Sabercat. That surprised the hell out of me (they are hard to come by early, but you can buy them during the Dragovian stuff).
 
Thanks for the tips guys.

I heard good things about scythes (pretty strong and you can steal) but hearing this 1 in 100 chance makes me kinda frown on them. Is it really worth investing in them, then? I know for a fact that I'm going to max out axes.

@Vegan. Actually I got Zoom really early in the game, about the time I was at the waterfall. But yeah, it's a great and handy spell. Sure beats having to look for lame item sellers when I can easily spare 1 MP for the same ability.

I have no idea what Dragovian is but I'm assuming it's near the end. I still think I'm in the beginning, as I'm only on my way to Pickham for the first time. :whistle2:/

However I just finished Ascantha's King quest and I'm level 20, which I hear is way advanced (thanks to exploiting Metal Slimes :))
 
[quote name='Moxio']Thanks for the tips guys.

I heard good things about scythes (pretty strong and you can steal) but hearing this 1 in 100 chance makes me kinda frown on them. Is it really worth investing in them, then? I know for a fact that I'm going to max out axes.

@Vegan. Actually I got Zoom really early in the game, about the time I was at the waterfall. But yeah, it's a great and handy spell. Sure beats having to look for lame item sellers when I can easily spare 1 MP for the same ability.

I have no idea what Dragovian is but I'm assuming it's near the end. I still think I'm in the beginning, as I'm only on my way to Pickham for the first time. :whistle2:/

However I just finished Ascantha's King quest and I'm level 20, which I hear is way advanced (thanks to exploiting Metal Slimes :))[/QUOTE]

Yes, you have along way to go (I'd say Pickham is far less than halfway), and yes, you seem to be a pretty high level for that area (though that was so long ago I don't remember). I finished the first ending around level 42-44 or so, but now I'm over 50. The Dragovian stuff actually happens AFTER the end - you beat the big baddie, save the world, see lots of cut scenes, see the credit, etc, then get to make a new save and then go back to before you beat the bad guy.

A new location is available with a couple of tough dungeons (the toughest since the first) and a town. You find out who the Hero really is and then can complete the optional Dragovian Trials, which has consumed a lot of my time since I wasn't at nearly a high enough level for the last 2 (still haven't done them). You get some really cool items when you finish each trial. I had to go back and do the casino stuff to get some Alchemy ingredients and hunt metal slimes for levelling (finally made Elevating Shoes to help a bit with that). Then I will go back and fight the baddie again - and unless he gets more powerful as you level up, he will be a breeze this time through. I had very little trouble with him at 42-44 - it was tough but I did it without getting wiped out. Then, presumably, I'll get the "better" ending. It all becomes fairly obvious where the game is going as you get a little further along from where you are. It just surprised me that they saved this conclusion for the bonus parts. You will start seeing brief references to the Dragovians soon as well, but not much.

Oh, and if you just got to Pickham, make sure you go to the Monster Arena - talk to the wierd guy standing on top of a building near Pickham, and find the things he shows you. I actually ran into him before I got to Pickham, but it isn't right on the road (near though, I had gone along the coast from Ascantha).
 
Just beat it. Now on to the bonus stuff.

Yeah, io is right, about the length of the end. You'd better have a couple of hours to spare when you set out to fight the final battle. After you defeat him, it goes on and on and on before you're allowed to save.

The Monster Arena I consider to be essential, even though it's technically optional. The items you get for winning the ranks are pretty "meh," but the real reward (I don't want to spoil what it is) makes some combat and boss battles towards the end of the game a lot easier to handle. Some fights I can't imagine handling without them.
 
[quote name='Vegan']Just beat it. Now on to the bonus stuff.

Yeah, io is right, about the length of the end. You'd better have a couple of hours to spare when you set out to fight the final battle. After you defeat him, it goes on and on and on before you're allowed to save.
[/QUOTE]

And it isn't JUST cut scenes - you actually have to "play" part of it, though there isn't much to do (no more battles or anything - just walking around and talking to people). You have a few decisions to make too - I wonder what happens if you refuse at the end? Vegan, know what I'm talling about? It took so long to get to that point I didn't want to risk it, but I wonder what would happen. Maybe when more of us get done we can make a spoiler-filled thread separate from this one and discuss those kinds of things. I had a few other questions too.
 
Well you have the opportunity all throughout the game to make a lot of funny answers, refusing to do things, but the other character usually just scoffs and you end up going in the same direction anyways. There wasn't any "branching" in any other parts of the game, it wouldn't make sense for them to start then.

Hey, is there a map for the bonus dungeon? I've been going FOREVER without it and it's a freaking maze. I'm thinking I missed it.
 
[quote name='Vegan']Well you have the opportunity all throughout the game to make a lot of funny answers, refusing to do things, but the other character usually just scoffs and you end up going in the same direction anyways. There wasn't any "branching" in any other parts of the game, it wouldn't make sense for them to start then.

Hey, is there a map for the bonus dungeon? I've been going FOREVER without it and it's a freaking maze. I'm thinking I missed it.[/QUOTE]

Yeah, you're probably right - she'd probaby just scoff, as you say, and grab your hand and make you go :D. Hopefully that was cryptic enough for those who haven't finished. I just couldn't risk it at that point after all that time w/o saving.

Are you talking about the first dungeon - ie, where you first "warp" to? I think there was one there, but don't remember for sure. But I also remember not getting a map for one of the larger ones, and I went everywhere so maybe this is the one. I think there are 2 parts to it as well - I know that once you get outside it takes a while to get to the town (when you see a certain grave - and this pretty much gives away the Hero's past by the way if you had gotten the name of the deceased from people earlier in the game, you are close to the town - probably just 2 or 3 fights away). I know you don't get a map for the one after the town (but you don't really need it there either, it isn't as large or maze-like).
 
i just hit 75 hours, i'm on the third trial too.

it's not THAT long. i messed around a bit and i also left the game on while i did some chores. but from what i've been reading, i've been underlevelled compared to everyone else for the entire game, i took the last boss at 38/37. heck, until Tryan Gully, I had Angelo using the Short Bow... the same one you buy in Ascantha =P

maybe it's just me but i didn't spend that much time levelling or trying to buy equipment. i even missed the magic key in Trodain. i didn't use strategy guides or look up anything until after i got the first ending.

as far as skills, i'm coming to think that every skill is viable in some way. if it weren't for Yangus and scythe i probably wouldn't have beaten Empyrea, wind sickles was a godsend. there are some that have good situational use (spears for hero and axe for yangus for metal hunting) but i don't think one weapon skill is that much better than another, it's all about how you play the game and how you utilize that skill.
 
YES! I beat Rank A!!

Brontes, Agres, and Pa Troll (Special Move: Mind Break), Hero at level 45.

Everyone was dead except Brontes, whose HP was in the single-digits.

About freaking time.
 
[quote name='Vegan']YES! I beat Rank A!!

Brontes, Agres, and Pa Troll (Special Move: Mind Break), Hero at level 45.

Everyone was dead except Brontes, whose HP was in the single-digits.

About freaking time.[/QUOTE]

Congratulations. Now try Rank S. :p
 
[quote name='kainzero']i just hit 75 hours, i'm on the third trial too.

it's not THAT long. i messed around a bit and i also left the game on while i did some chores. but from what i've been reading, i've been underlevelled compared to everyone else for the entire game, i took the last boss at 38/37.[/QUOTE]

Thats about the same levels I was at when I beat it the first time, took about 58hrs. Then I went to the dragovian place and I had to level up to 43ish, that took around 80hrs to complete.

I never collected the stuff for the man on the roof to get the battle area though; thought about going back, but I started a different game instead.
 
You guys are certainly more skilled than I to beat the game with such low playing times and levels, or Monster Arena stuff. I bow at your feet!
 
[quote name='Vegan']YES! I beat Rank A!!

Brontes, Agres, and Pa Troll (Special Move: Mind Break), Hero at level 45.

Everyone was dead except Brontes, whose HP was in the single-digits.

About freaking time.[/QUOTE]

What is Brontes? I don't think I have him - I'll have to go catch him. I thought I had seen them all, and I have most of the bonus monsters (ones that don't show up until after the first ending) except, of course, for the one you get as a Dragovian prize (saving that for last in case it is impossible). What I really wish this game had was an ingame checklist of the special monsters, so you could know if you fought them all or not (since you can't keep nearly all of them). Just like the regular monster checklist. I'm kind of surprised there isn't one.

I beat Rank S with Skeledoid, Talos, and Octurion (I think for Rank A I had another tank in there instead of Octurion - maybe Pa Troll). I found the special bonus skills of combining like monsters to be less useful than going with 2 powerhouses + a healer. Talos is a tough SOB. However, the second to last Dragovian trial slaughters them in 1 or 2 turns :whistle2:(. I also have the robot team, which can hit most monsters pretty hard when it does it's special move - but the Dragovial trial wipes them out too. And their special move, if they manage to get it in on the first turn, does, like, 4 damage.
 
[quote name='Dufus']Thats about the same levels I was at when I beat it the first time, took about 58hrs. Then I went to the dragovian place and I had to level up to 43ish, that took around 80hrs to complete.

I never collected the stuff for the man on the roof to get the battle area though; thought about going back, but I started a different game instead.[/QUOTE]

Don't tell me you went through all the Dragovian trials at level 43?? Or did you just do the "first" one which is part of the story and then go on to the final ending? Cause my team at level 45 and 2 monster teams couldn't make it past the 2nd to last Dragovian. I'm up to level 50 now, and think I need to be near 55 to handle it.

You should go back and do the Monster Arena - it is fun putting different combos in there and seeing what happens. But I went through it very early so I could get the prizes (and monster teams) to help out in the main game.

By the way, for those who know what the Trials are, I hear once you get through them all (and claim all the prizes) you can go back and challenge again - this time you get EACH ONE in turn, without a break. THAT would require some pretty high-powered characters.
 
[quote name='io']What is Brontes? I don't think I have him - I'll have to go catch him. I thought I had seen them all, and I have most of the bonus monsters (ones that don't show up until after the first ending) except, of course, for the one you get as a Dragovian prize (saving that for last in case it is impossible). What I really wish this game had was an ingame checklist of the special monsters, so you could know if you fought them all or not (since you can't keep nearly all of them). Just like the regular monster checklist. I'm kind of surprised there isn't one.[/QUOTE]

He's another Cyclops, just a different shade of blue. I get the two mixed up, but one of them is on Empyrea's Island, and the other is in the Tryan Gully region.
 
[quote name='Vegan']He's another Cyclops, just a different shade of blue. I get the two mixed up, but one of them is on Empyrea's Island, and the other is in the Tryan Gully region.[/QUOTE]

I got the Tryan one, maybe not the other. I'll have to look.
 
Man, there's little else more satisfying than seeing Yangus take out a King Metal Slime in one hit, by pure chance. And that's essentially the ONLY way you'll kill one, I'm finding. Shy bastards. There's not a Metal Cut for boomerang, by any chance? Heh.
 
[quote name='Vegan']Man, there's little else more satisfying than seeing Yangus take out a King Metal Slime in one hit, by pure chance. And that's essentially the ONLY way you'll kill one, I'm finding. Shy bastards. There's not a Metal Cut for boomerang, by any chance? Heh.[/QUOTE]

If you make the metal something boomerang (forget the exact name) it hits every metal slime for 1 damage and the first one for 2 if you use cross cut. I've been doing that but I have had much more success with Yangus's Executioner attack hitting them for 300 :D. In one fight Yangus got a king and a liquid, giving me 40,000+ exp. The metal boomerang is good for the battles with 8-10 regular metal slimes though. They tend to stick around longer so I often end up taking 4-6 of them, which isn't too bad. With my casino winnings I got Angelo a Falcon Blade (hits twice). When he uses that in combo with metal slash he hits for 3 or 4.

Buy yeah, you're right, there's NO way to kill a metal king except with a critical hit. How many HP do they have anyway? I have taken out several liquids with multiple regular hits, but even they are easier with criticals.
 
[quote name='io'] How many HP do they have anyway? I have taken out several liquids with multiple regular hits, but even they are easier with criticals.[/QUOTE]

I have no idea, the bestiary doesn't say and the only way I've killed them is with criticals. Liquids are a breeze.
 
Well I'm sitting here jiggling in my computer chair in excitement for these lovely king metal slimes. I've already had the misfortune of having liquids run away from me on the first round.

Well I just did the annoying Trodain and harp quest (damn castle... damn Dhoulmagus... damn ship), and I'm just about to get the ship out of the wasteland. Yay me.
 
[quote name='Moxio']Well I'm sitting here jiggling in my computer chair in excitement for these lovely king metal slimes. I've already had the misfortune of having liquids run away from me on the first round.

Well I just did the annoying Trodain and harp quest (damn castle... damn Dhoulmagus... damn ship), and I'm just about to get the ship out of the wasteland. Yay me.[/QUOTE]

Dhoulmagus? Pshah... Merely a bit player :D

and Vegan - FOUR rounds? I've never had one stay more than 2 (and with their high agility they usually run before i even get a chance to do anything). Of course, those ones that stayed 2 I killed with criticals, so who knows how long they would have stayed...
 
[quote name='io']Dhoulmagus? Pshah... Merely a bit player :D

and Vegan - FOUR rounds? I've never had one stay more than 2 (and with their high agility they usually run before i even get a chance to do anything). Of course, those ones that stayed 2 I killed with criticals, so who knows how long they would have stayed...[/QUOTE]

:cry:

You mock my early hours in the game! But I already know the dealio behind Dhoulmagus and his scepter (someone told me ;)) so meh.
 
[quote name='Moxio']:cry:

You mock my early hours in the game! But I already know the dealio behind Dhoulmagus and his scepter (someone told me ;)) so meh.[/QUOTE]

You're not that far behind me. I'm just about to head to Marta's cottage. I think I'm about 60% done with the main story.

Take the advice of the other posters, and do the Monster Arena. It is extremely helpful. Also, don't do too much powerleveling yet, the best place in the game to fight Metal Slimes is coming up soon.

Just a bit of advice.

EDIT: Also wanted to point out how much I LOVE Angelo's bow skills. Mana regeneration, and Shining Shot!

Shining Shot has to be one of the best abilities in the game. Over 100dmg to all enemies with my current bow. Then a single Seraph's arrow gives me most of that mana back. Plus the best bow in the game is like 120 power. Only angelo can use it.
 
[quote name='Quillion']You're not that far behind me. I'm just about to head to Marta's cottage. I think I'm about 60% done with the main story.
[/QUOTE]

What are you talking about? He's an entire continent behind you! lol
 
[quote name='Quillion']
EDIT: Also wanted to point out how much I LOVE Angelo's bow skills. Mana regeneration, and Shining Shot!

Shining Shot has to be one of the best abilities in the game. Over 100dmg to all enemies with my current bow. Then a single Seraph's arrow gives me most of that mana back. Plus the best bow in the game is like 120 power. Only angelo can use it.[/QUOTE]

You know, I just made that bow, for the sake of making it (plus once you do some of the Dragovian stuff you have the option of having a *much* faster alchemy pot :D, so it was no big deal). I had put some points into Angelo's bow skill early on, but then I starting putting them all into swords and charisma. It sounds like it would have been very helpful earlier in the game. I'm not sure how much it will help you with the end, or the Dragovian stuff. I have Angelo spending all his time resurrecting people on the 2nd to last Dragovian. That is, when he isn't dead :whistle2:(.

Unfortunately you get Angelo so late that you really miss out on skill points with him, and he is probably the one most in need of multiple skills.
 
Btw, if you get tired of hunting metals, try hunting those purple trolls on the path to the trials. They drop skill seeds ALL the time.
 
[quote name='Vegan']Btw, if you get tired of hunting metals, try hunting those purple trolls on the path to the trials. They drop skill seeds ALL the time.[/QUOTE]

Hmmm... I've been through there several times, and have gotten like 2 skill seed drops (I think ALL the monsters there drop them, just not frequently for me). I'll finally be back home tomorrow and can get off the Internet and play DQ8 some more! I can't wait. I need to do a few more hours of power levelling, kick the asses of those last 2 Dragovian trials, and then finish again (keeping 1-2 hours free for the *final* ending :D).

Then I have to pick some other RPG to play which will probably disappoint compared to DQ8 :whistle2:(.
 
[quote name='Vegan']I just killed another King Metal Slime without criticals. Seriously, who wants to touch me?[/QUOTE]

I don't know, with all those skill seed drops and Metal King Slimes that stick around for 4-5 turns, you must have some sort of high luck factor unlocked through some combination of outfits and weapons :D.
 
[quote name='Vegan']Jessica IS looking mighty skanky in her dangerous bustier.... I wouldn't run away, either.[/QUOTE]

Hehe - I've got her wearing that as well. Doesn't help me with the ol' slimes. :)
 
[quote name='shieryda']I plan on getting the strategy guide for this game...[/QUOTE]

Just be warned that it'll tell you next to nothing.
 
i got owned by the silver dragon in the dragovian trials.

fizzle was bs!
now i gotta buy staffs of rez...
screw levelling up =P i'll beat it at 44!
 
I was thinking the same thing, but being a Dragonball Z fan/huge Chrono Trigger fan, I had to get it; plus it was only $30 @ Gamecrazy after Christmas sale. I actually just finish beating it a couple days ago; took about 90 hours to get both endings (alchemy took up lots of time & rubber bands). The game starts off really slow in the first 15-20 hours, and kept me uninterested so I stopped playing it for a while; realizing that it would be another unbeaten game in my collection. But as the game progressed, it got interesting especially towards the end. I won't spoil it but, if you do beat it, just make sure you see both endings.:applause:
 
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