Dragon Quest IX guide / Bestiary

Alert archers who attack from afar, use medicinal herbs when in need, and aren't too proud to feel from more formidable foes.

Their bodkin betters tease them that they're terrible shots, so they target unlucky travellers to try and prove them wrong.

Their huge great hammers have them hitting the dirt more often than not, but if they do score a direct hit...

They're discerning fans of good comedy, which is why they think the bag o' laughs' rubbish routine is the biggest joke going.

Erratic enemies that can attain an instant state of high tension, only to topple over and go off the boil.

Bodkin bowyers often take them on camping trips and trick them into tapping their tent pegs for them.

Forest hunters who can call on more of their kind in a pinch to pepper foes with poisoned arrows.

Their arrowheads are doused in the bubble slime's deadly dribble, and they have to take great care not to get it on their hands.

Mostly found cowering behind cover, even when countering, but, interestingly, the originator of the Blockenspiel ability.

Their shields are their best buddies, and they spend many a happy hour chatting away to them when not busy battling.

These crazy carters career into combat, crashing into the competition and occasionally causing them to cramp up.

Nihilistic nutjobs, they wander the wilds with their chattering chariot chumbs, laying waste to all who get in their way.

Attacks exclusively with spells, including Fizzle, Woosh, and Magic Barrier, and lives in fear of light-based attacks.

Mortals who made a pledge of allegience to a dastardly demon, and had their souls stolen by way of thanks.

These expert archers specialise in trouble travellers with hails of well-aimed arrows.

The brown hoods of the bodkin bowyers mark them out as master marksmen, mightier than mere bodkin fletchers.

Be extra careful what you send this monster's way - you might find it coming right Back Atcha.

Luckily for them, the sheer scale of their faces forces the eyes to focus on size rather than sex appeal.

Fearsome fiends who launch a weird light to weaken foes aaginst spells, then maul them with all manner of magic.

Bishops who bargained away their souls to become beasts, they seek out travellers to use as sacrifices to their masters.

Supreme spellcasters whose repertoire includes Boom, Zammle and Fizzle, and who are impervious to poison.

Excommunicated from the faith after dabbling in the dark arts, they now know every spell there is.

Impervious to ice attacks, these long-nailed nightmares cast Moreheal and Bounce to keep things on an even keel.

Their claws of cold are built by brrearthenwarriors, who hone them to the heights of hardness by tearing down frozen trees.

Hellish, ice-breathing gnomes that wield a mean shield, and supplement their defence with Defending Champion.

They come from families of long standing in the world of shield collecting, and have stacks of spares.

Armoured chariots that are bolstered even further with Buff, then battered at breakneck speed into the enemy.

The drivers tried to paint cool designs on their carts, but they hated them, so they had to clean them off.

They sweep enemy attacks aside in one smooth movement, then spin around to smack back the next. Weak against light.

Wandering assassins employed by the Empire. Ordered to obliterate all who attempt to enter the imperial stronghold.

These fire-powered four-wheeled fighting machines will knock foes for six or fry them with Kafrizz.

The drivers are fond of their flame-retardant unitards, and are forever fighting the flab, as it spoils the flattering fit.

Harsh master of old-fashioned teaching techniques who held his extra-cirricular sessions in the basement of Swinedimples.

He built his academy in the wintry wastelands to toughen up his pupils. The cheap land prices didn't hurt, either...