Dragon Quest IX: Sentinels of the Starry Skies - For Liquid Metal we would Slime!

[quote name='PlayableMoogle']How do you unlock Dragonlord? I haven't seen anything on it![/QUOTE]
2% drop from greygnarl's grotto boss form. i just tagged my brother's map, haha.
 
I just beat the game today, I probably could have done it 20 hours ago but I was dinking around for a while.

I freakin' DESTROYED Corvus. I mean kicked his ass hard. My guys are average level 50.
 
[quote name='ZForce915']
I freakin' DESTROYED Corvus. I mean kicked his ass hard. My guys are average level 50.
[/QUOTE]

The extra 20 hours probably helped in that area. ;) I had more trouble with him since I left all my dinking for the post-game.
 
[quote name='PlayableMoogle']Thank you![/QUOTE]

Hey guys,

So I have leveled my guys as follows witht he main
Main:
Minstrel Lvl 32 HP 150 MP 42
Thief Lvl 30
Warrior lvl 25

Second (guy)
Thief Lvl 30 HP 180 MP 40
Martial Arts lvl 25
Priest lvl 17

Third:
Mage lvl 35 HP 140 MP 150
Arnamalist lvl 21
Priest lvl 21

Fourth
Priest lvl 31 HP 120 MP 138
Mage lvl 25
Thief lvl 20

I placed them in order of how I use them and I was wondering if you had any advice for Nemean in the lvl 13 grotto I have only gotten as far as the fygg level where you need to finish off the town of Bartsureg and help the boy become chief. I have done a lot of exploring but Nemean hits me for 70-100 HP and alma mater does not seem to stop 1 shots and I believe the warriors skill to defend only lasts one turn and can't be stacked with Whipping Boy.

Any thoughts or help? my mage hits with the flaming ball for 180-230 a hit.
 
[quote name='Bombadillio']Hey guys,

So I have leveled my guys as follows witht he main
Main:
Minstrel Lvl 32 HP 150 MP 42
Thief Lvl 30
Warrior lvl 25

Second (guy)
Thief Lvl 30 HP 180 MP 40
Martial Arts lvl 25
Priest lvl 17

Third:
Mage lvl 35 HP 140 MP 150
Arnamalist lvl 21
Priest lvl 21

Fourth
Priest lvl 31 HP 120 MP 138
Mage lvl 25
Thief lvl 20

I placed them in order of how I use them and I was wondering if you had any advice for Nemean in the lvl 13 grotto I have only gotten as far as the fygg level where you need to finish off the town of Bartsureg and help the boy become chief. I have done a lot of exploring but Nemean hits me for 70-100 HP and alma mater does not seem to stop 1 shots and I believe the warriors skill to defend only lasts one turn and can't be stacked with Whipping Boy.

Any thoughts or help? my mage hits with the flaming ball for 180-230 a hit.[/QUOTE]

My advice to switch that Minstrel when you get a chance to. Switching to something like Gladiator will be much more useful.
 
[quote name='ZForce915']My advice to switch that Minstrel when you get a chance to. Switching to something like Gladiator will be much more useful.[/QUOTE]

Thief, too. That's just not a great class overall (I started with one but switched it later). Switch to Paladin, maybe. I'm using an Armamentalist, Priest, Gladiator, and Paladin, and it's working really well for me.
 
[quote name='Backlash']Thief, too. That's just not a great class overall (I started with one but switched it later). Switch to Paladin, maybe. I'm using an Armamentalist, Priest, Gladiator, and Paladin, and it's working really well for me.[/QUOTE]

I have to agree with switching out a Thief for a Paladin, for sure. When I finally figured out that Kabuff and Multiheal (Priest) are pretty much necessary for higher levels, I just gave in and added both. A Paladin at even level 30-35 makes life soooooo much easier.

Current squad is a level 99 Minstrel, 64 Paladin, 98 Priest, and 99 Mage. That particular combination is never in any real danger in higher-level (level 80-ish) grottos. Now if I could just get some decent blue chest pulls...

I did start to train my Minstrel as an Armamentalist, but I didn't much like the skill tree at all so I switched back after pocketing a bunch of skill points. Any advice on the best uses for one?
 
I'd agree with the previous two posters: switch the classes of the Minstrel and Thief to something else. You could even do both, but I'd at least change one. Throw in a Gladiator, or maybe a Paladin, as the others have said.

How are your skill points spent, by the way? Did you focus them into a single skill or did you spend them as you got them in each class? The key in this game is to switch to lower classes to farm skill points for use in things you actually want. My heavy-hitting Gladiator has ranks in Mage and Priest, but doesn't have points in any of their skills. My Priest, on the other hand, has levels in Martial Arts and Minstrel, but saved the points and instead spent them on Wands (eh, they're OK) and the Priest vocational skill set.
 
I don't know...I really like my thief! I have knife skill 100 and the thief's scroll has helped grab some alchemy items quite often. I also have martial artist claw skill 100 which I love too. ....priest staff skill 100...and I changed my minstrel to ranger boomerang skill 100 since I always loved boomerangs from dq8. I'm kinda stuck right now on what skill pts to put into next so I'm saving them up till I decide. I'm probably an hour or so away from the end of the game...fairy keeps yelling at me that we could kill the last boss and be back for breakfast. ;) ...but I'm having too much fun completing various quests and grottoes right now.
 
[quote name='Bombadillio']I placed them in order of how I use them and I was wondering if you had any advice for Nemean in the lvl 13 grotto I have only gotten as far as the fygg level where you need to finish off the town of Bartsureg and help the boy become chief. I have done a lot of exploring but Nemean hits me for 70-100 HP and alma mater does not seem to stop 1 shots and I believe the warriors skill to defend only lasts one turn and can't be stacked with Whipping Boy.

Any thoughts or help? my mage hits with the flaming ball for 180-230 a hit.[/QUOTE]
i don't know what skills you have...

anyway, yeah, minstrel sucks. my level 99 priest hits for more than my brother's 99 minstrel.

thief is no good either. he/she's fast, does as much if not more than minstrel though, and the class-specific skill is pretty useful. i think armamentalist actually does more damage than thief though.

the problem with gladiator and paladin is that they are slow until you max the class-specific skills for martial artist and thief.

if nemean physically attacks for 70, you might wanna consider switching to a paladin and working on the class-specific. resilience + buff/kabuff + forbearance will make it easier.

since you maxed your weapon skills you could easily level other classes by using the same weapon. farming metals is easy in bowhole and you could easily get several classes to 20 for skill points.

if you don't have sage yet, you might wanna get it. sage's class-specific is super useful and kazing at mid-levels is way good.
 
[quote name='super_dawn']I don't know...I really like my thief! I have knife skill 100 and the thief's scroll has helped grab some alchemy items quite often. [/QUOTE]

Try turning the Thief into a Ranger. They have more Deftness, and since you already have the Knife skill at 100, you can keep using knives on the Ranger. More Deftnesn = more succes at stealing, and even more surprise attacks, yeah? :D

Though, they're probably a bit slower, maybe.
 
My suggestion to all the folks who're early/mid game who've posted recently is to grind from 1 - 20 in classes you don't want to use in the bad cave, north of Bloomingdale, on the metal medleys.

Anywhere the robots can spawn, they spawn. The spawn rate is reasonably high, and if you dodge non-medleys, you can usually get from 1 - 15 or 20 in 30-45 minutes.

I banked a ton of skill points, and put points into all the class abilities for speed, strength, and HP. IMO, monk has the best stat bonuses, so I did that one first.
 
[quote name='BattleChicken']My suggestion to all the folks who're early/mid game who've posted recently is to grind from 1 - 20 in classes you don't want to use in the bad cave, north of Bloomingdale, on the metal medleys.

Anywhere the robots can spawn, they spawn. The spawn rate is reasonably high, and if you dodge non-medleys, you can usually get from 1 - 15 or 20 in 30-45 minutes.

I banked a ton of skill points, and put points into all the class abilities for speed, strength, and HP. IMO, monk has the best stat bonuses, so I did that one first.[/QUOTE]

If I pick up another copy, that's probably what I'll do. But for now, I've got to get some mirrorstone and a flowing dress.
 
I've been having fun grinding a level 63 grotto that's chock-full of chests. I got it in a tag at one of the events. It's probably 10-levels deep, I got to the bottom last night but didn't have the nerve to face the boss since my party's only mid-40's at this point.
 
[quote name='kainzero']i don't know what skills you have...

anyway, yeah, minstrel sucks. my level 99 priest hits for more than my brother's 99 minstrel.

thief is no good either. he/she's fast, does as much if not more than minstrel though, and the class-specific skill is pretty useful. i think armamentalist actually does more damage than thief though.

[/QUOTE]

This is mostly true. I'm approaching Corvus and it this games feels harder than it should (based on what everyone's said). I have each of them along with a mage and a priest, but I don't know if I want the hassle of having to re level them up after switching jobs.
 
[quote name='keithp']I've been having fun grinding a level 63 grotto that's chock-full of chests. I got it in a tag at one of the events. It's probably 10-levels deep, I got to the bottom last night but didn't have the nerve to face the boss since my party's only mid-40's at this point.[/QUOTE]

Eh, worst thing that happens is you lose half your money. Assuming you banked before entering the grotto (always a good idea), that's probably only a few thousand. Plus, you learn a few of the bosses moves and how he fights so you can go into the battle next time with a good strategy.
 
Is Stornway the only bank in the game? Or do more pop up eventually? I'm about 20 hours in and I haven't seen any others.

Just want to make sure I'm making regular deposits before dudes start stealing my hard-earned cash!
 
[quote name='bmachine']Is Stornway the only bank in the game? Or do more pop up eventually? I'm about 20 hours in and I haven't seen any others.

Just want to make sure I'm making regular deposits before dudes start stealing my hard-earned cash![/QUOTE]

Yes.


EDIT: Just bolded the part I was saying yes to.
 
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[quote name='Backlash']Eh, worst thing that happens is you lose half your money. Assuming you banked before entering the grotto (always a good idea), that's probably only a few thousand. Plus, you learn a few of the bosses moves and how he fights so you can go into the battle next time with a good strategy.[/QUOTE]

Yeah, I was low on MP though after battling down that far and ran out of magic water so I figured I wouldn't last long against him.
 
[quote name='2DMention']Has anybody gotten their slime hat from the Best Buy promo yet? Can you post a pic of it?[/QUOTE]

Haven't received mine yet, but I'll be sure to post a picture when I get it.
 
Finally found my first MKS in a level 66 fire grotto. Relatedly, Warriors gain late levels like crazy. At one point my Warrior was level 85, Ranger and Sage were 80 and Armamentalist was 65. Now it's 97, 90, 88 and 75. Since revocating my Warrior once he hits 99 would put a serious dent in my grotto progress, I'll probably just switch over to my Gladiator or Paladin (still in the 40s and 50s) until they're at useful levels. Really looking forward to revocating my Ranger because he is in desperate need of 70 more skill points to max out shields.

And no, I still have not found a water or Silver grotto. Sapphire Crypt of Fear level 83 is up next.
 
[quote name='botticus']Relatedly, Warriors gain late levels like crazy. At one point my Warrior was level 85, Ranger and Sage were 80 and Armamentalist was 65. Now it's 97, 90, 88 and 75.[/QUOTE]

It's not that Warriors have bonuses to experience, but that the other classes require more expeierence to level. The initial classes are all pretty normal (priests seemed to take a little bit more), but Paladins and Sages have at least a 20% requirement for experience for similar levels. Though...I guess yeah, that makes them gain levels faster. xD

Also, any chance of change the Ranger's class to a different (lower) class and picking on lower grottos for a bit? Even Bowhole LMS hunting shouldn't take too long (so long as all the classes are similar in level) to get level 21 and 48 skill points. That is, unless you've already done that and don't have an easy way to get early skill points. :)
 
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[quote name='ForeStorm']
Also, any chance of change the Ranger's class to a different (lower) class and picking on lower grottos for a bit? Even Bowhole LMS hunting shouldn't take too long (so long as all the classes are similar in level) to get level 21 and 48 skill points. That is, unless you've already done that and don't have an easy way to get early skill points. :)[/QUOTE]
I could do that with some class, but I've already ground the majority of the classes up to 30/40.

Finally hit 99 with my MC, though he'll be staying put for a while. Going to see how my level 45 Gladiator does against Murdaw and higher-level grottoes. I figure I'll revocate when I have the Gladiator up in the 80s or I finish the stupid grotto quests.
 
I've been levelling my MC as a Priest and tried a level 93 grotto last night, and I found King Metal Slimes on the 1st and 3rd floor! I think I have a new grinding spot. :D I have to be careful because I can only last a few fights if I don't dodge the mobs though. One time last night I challenged a KMS and there were THREE of them!! Two of them fled, though. :cry: I can only imagine how many levels my 25 Priest would've gained.
 
[quote name='Backlash']Eh, worst thing that happens is you lose half your money. Assuming you banked before entering the grotto (always a good idea), that's probably only a few thousand. Plus, you learn a few of the bosses moves and how he fights so you can go into the battle next time with a good strategy.[/QUOTE]

Although if you lose enough times Stella will call you out on it. :bomb:
 
[quote name='keithp']I've been levelling my MC as a Priest and tried a level 93 grotto last night, and I found King Metal Slimes on the 1st and 3rd floor! I think I have a new grinding spot. :D I have to be careful because I can only last a few fights if I don't dodge the mobs though. One time last night I challenged a KMS and there were THREE of them!! Two of them fled, though. :cry: I can only imagine how many levels my 25 Priest would've gained.[/QUOTE]

I have a level 99 grotto from the tag event. I swear the enemies changed on me though. I went into it a while back and it wasn't too tough - it didn't appear to have the MKS though. I found them in a much lower-level one (63 or something). But I liked getting to all the chests and getting decent stuff instead of the crap I got from my own grottos. However, I went back in there last night and it had some enemies I hadn't seen yet that are WAY tougher than some of the bosses I've fought (even Corvus). There is one called a Wishmaker, I think, that is a pain. It is especially bad when you get 3 different things though. I can generally take them out but then if I get in too many fights I invariably get unlucky and get knocked out. I have seen a few MKS there as well, now (whereas I didn't before) but couldn't kill them since I needed to take care of the others. So, my question is, do the enemies change based on your level? I thought only the next grotto you got changed according to your level. I didn't think ones that you already had found changed. I had definitely not seen these same enemies before. I'm about 10-15 levels higher and post-game now, though, than when I was last in there.
 
Looks like this next week is a "Seduction Sale", full of "alluring" items. If by "alluring" Sellma meant "crap" then she was right. I had Black Trousers and Cat Eyes, and then the usual crap alchemy stuff. Also a new quest popped up.
 
Hey all, new to the boards. This game is totally eating up my life right now. Quick question. Where is the red sign for the sword teacher's 1st quest. Sorry if it was posted already but I've been trying to find it on my own. Thanks.
 
[quote name='keithp']Looks like this next week is a "Seduction Sale", full of "alluring" items. If by "alluring" Sellma meant "crap" then she was right. I had Black Trousers and Cat Eyes, and then the usual crap alchemy stuff. Also a new quest popped up.[/QUOTE]
I sure hope the new non-story quest doesn't involve a grotto that I'll never find, that's already killed my progress in the story quests.

Murdaw is also refusing to give me the next map, so I'm running out of things to do. Maybe my level 83 grotto will have some interesting treasure chests. :/
 
[quote name='keithp']Looks like this next week is a "Seduction Sale", full of "alluring" items. If by "alluring" Sellma meant "crap" then she was right. I had Black Trousers and Cat Eyes, and then the usual crap alchemy stuff. Also a new quest popped up.[/QUOTE]

Mine was not too bad today. I already had the Dangerous Midriff Wrap and Bunny Suit, so I just picked up a Jaguarment and a Mini-medal (plus some alchemy crap of course).
 
I have officially bought everything that is only found in stores. Cost a lot of money, but it is done. Now I guess I'll be saving up for chronocrystals.
 
[quote name='justbblunt']Hey all, new to the boards. This game is totally eating up my life right now. Quick question. Where is the red sign for the sword teacher's 1st quest. Sorry if it was posted already but I've been trying to find it on my own. Thanks.[/QUOTE]

Have you found the sign he's talking about?

If you have,
then you need to look on the opposite side of where the usual writing is. There's more writing on the back.

If you haven't, then post back and I can tell you exactly where it is. If I remember right it was
on an island.
But I'd have to check (don't have my DS right now.)
 
[quote name='Dead of Knight']Dear Store,

Please stop sucking cock.

Thank you,
DOK[/QUOTE]

Ha. You remind me a lot of a [female] friend from college. My sympathies on your store, though.
 
[quote name='keithp']Have you found the sign he's talking about?

If you have,
then you need to look on the opposite side of where the usual writing is. There's more writing on the back.

If you haven't, then post back and I can tell you exactly where it is. If I remember right it was
on an island.
But I'd have to check (don't have my DS right now.)[/QUOTE]

Correct.
It's on an island in the western part of the world, in the northern hemisphere, I believe.
 
[quote name='keithp']Looks like this next week is a "Seduction Sale", full of "alluring" items. If by "alluring" Sellma meant "crap" then she was right. I had Black Trousers and Cat Eyes, and then the usual crap alchemy stuff. Also a new quest popped up.[/QUOTE]

Heh, I had the same selection (except I think it was car ears and not the eyes - never seen the eyes before). I'm looking forward to getting that "Dangerous Bustier", though, as I need it for a current quest and I think, otherwise, it is only a very rare high-level grotto chest item.

I really need them to have Reckless Necklaces again - I need so many more of those. Saint's Ashes are easy to come by but I need more Lucky Pendants for all kinds of stuff. I keep finding Saint's Ashes in grotto chests while looking for other items. And I had already stolen several off those sanguini guys.
 
[quote name='io'] I'm looking forward to getting that "Dangerous Bustier", though, as I need it for a current quest and I think, otherwise, it is only a very rare high-level grotto chest item.
[/QUOTE]

Well crap. I got one a few weeks ago during the summer sale but I turned it into a Hot Bikini Top :(. So much for that quest.
 
[quote name='Backlash']Well crap. I got one a few weeks ago during the summer sale but I turned it into a Hot Bikini Top :(. So much for that quest.[/QUOTE]

Well, you'll probably be able to buy another this week. Plus in the quest FAQ it says they are available in "rank 5 Blue Treasure Chest in the grottos". I'm not sure what rank 5 is, exactly (and what that means in terms of grotto level), but I don't think that's actually too high a level.

But even though last week was crap for the DQVC, in general it is a great addition to the game as it does allow you to buy things that you might have a hard time finding. There were the skull rings and reckless necklaces a few weeks back and now this stuff.

Here's another quest that I would never have been able to complete without the help of a FAQ. I mean, WTF!? You'd never just stumble upon this one. It is the "Simple Simon"/"Simple Simone" accolade one, and surprisingly is a fairly low number quest (#34) even though you'd never do it on your own:

Quest #034 - A Simple Task
Location: Batsureg; Girl in the center of the village
Request: Get the 'Simple Simon' or 'Simple Simone' Accolade.
Solution: If your Hero Is Female, as a Ranger equip: Inferno Blade, Raging Bull
Helm, Gigant Armour, Matador’s Gloves, Transparent Tights, Dragon
Warrior's Boots. If your Hero is a male, then as a Priest equip:
Sadistick, Dragon Shield, Hermetic Hat, Dark Robe, Heavy Handwear,
Blue Jeans, Classy Clogs, and Utility Belt.
Reward: Veteran's Helm
Pre-req: Post-game access to Stornway's upgraded shop may be necessary.
Repeat: No
Notes: Refer to a shop list and the Alchemy Recipe Guide. Other
combinations are possible.

OK, it does say other combinations are possible. But given that I never even have my hero as a priest, I'd never have this happen (unless he can be other classes too).
 
[quote name='io']Here's another quest that I would never have been able to complete without the help of a FAQ. I mean, WTF!? You'd never just stumble upon this one. It is the "Simple Simon"/"Simple Simone" accolade one, and surprisingly is a fairly low number quest (#34) even though you'd never do it on your own:
[/QUOTE]

I assume there's lots of combinations that work, though I haven't hit one yet (though I haven't really tried either). I did accidentally get an accolade for "Distinguished Gentleman" based on my outfit one time. Don't remember what I was wearing, though.
 
[quote name='Backlash']I assume there's lots of combinations that work, though I haven't hit one yet (though I haven't really tried either). I did accidentally get an accolade for "Distinguished Gentleman" based on my outfit one time. Don't remember what I was wearing, though.[/QUOTE]

Yeah, I got one the other day for "laid back" or something to that effect. It was accompanied by some snarky comment from Stella about me just throwing any old thing on ;). It was just the best set of equipment I currently had access to.
 
[quote name='Backlash']Ha. You remind me a lot of a [female] friend from college. My sympathies on your store, though.[/QUOTE]

My store has been terrible the past few weeks. Maybe the game knows I stopped playing except to check out the store daily?
 
[quote name='Dead of Knight']My store has been terrible the past few weeks. Maybe the game knows I stopped playing except to check out the store daily?[/QUOTE]

Same here on all accounts..
 
I put the game down a few days ago and I just haven't had the urge to pick it back up, even to check the store. It's weird.
 
[quote name='io']Yeah, I got one the other day for "laid back" or something to that effect. It was accompanied by some snarky comment from Stella about me just throwing any old thing on ;). It was just the best set of equipment I currently had access to.[/QUOTE]
I got that one, and then without changing equipment I got another accolade that complimented me on my clothing. So yeah.
 
Where's a good place to start training alternate classes? I've been doing a little grinding in Quarantomb since it has metal slimes, but they are pretty rare (and get away a frustrating amount of the time). Storywise I'm in Bloomingdale and about to get the boat.
 
[quote name='botticus']I got that one, and then without changing equipment I got another accolade that complimented me on my clothing. So yeah.[/QUOTE]
Does it only take into account what your main character is wearing, or all party members?
 
[quote name='pete5883']Does it only take into account what your main character is wearing, or all party members?[/QUOTE]
In general, accolades only pertain to your main character (like for learning skills), so I assume it's the same for all. But who knows since they don't really even tell you what the accolade is for with respect to dress-up.

Probably wasn't worth it to revocate my Sage... +60 MP isn't really that exciting. But oh well, no point in leaving the character at level 99 otherwise.
 
[quote name='Erad30']Where's a good place to start training alternate classes? I've been doing a little grinding in Quarantomb since it has metal slimes, but they are pretty rare (and get away a frustrating amount of the time). Storywise I'm in Bloomingdale and about to get the boat.[/QUOTE]

The Bad Cave wouldn't be too terrible to grind in, at your current point in the game. I'm not sure where the spot is, but there are metal medleys that spawn there.
 
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