Dragon Quest 3 HD-2D remake is very popular! Continuation of strategy fever in 2026
“Dragon Quest III and the Legend…HD-2D Remake” released on November 14, 2024 is a masterpiece RPG that is still loved by many players as of January 2026. This game, which has ranked high in the PS5 sales rankings, is a combination of nostalgia and newness, and is enjoyed by a wide range of players, from beginners to long-time fans.
In this article, we thoroughly analyze data from multiple strategy sites and completely cover “really strong and strongest party formation”, “efficient career change routes”, and “optimal solutions for leveling up”. This is a must-see for those who are about to play the game and those who want to try the replay elements!
Top 3 strongest party formations after clearing [2026 latest version]
1st place: Thief x 2 + Sage x 2 party (strongest theoretical value)
Overall rating:★★★★★ Training difficulty:★★★★★
The strongest party after clearing Dragon Quest 3 Remake is a 4-person team consisting of “2 thieves + 2 sages” without the hero.
Why this formation is the strongest:
- Hypnos Hunt with Hayabusa sword and 4 consecutive attacks in beast mode
- Two thieves attack a total of 8 times (1 turn)
- Sage doubles as buff/debuff/spell attacker
- The secret boss “Demon King of the Underworld” can also be defeated in the fastest manner
Points for training:
- Thieves must raise their power to 600 or higher
- Raise your status by changing jobs repeatedly
- Recommended personality: “Ippiki Wolf” and “Sexy Gal”
- Always get two Hayabusa swords
Equipment:
- Weapon: Hayabusa sword (required)
- Armor: Dragon mail type, Ogre shield
- Accessories: Megante’s arm, Inori’s bow
Clear time: It is literally the strongest party that can defeat secret boss battles in 3 to 5 turns.
2nd place: Monster user x 4 party (easily the strongest)
Overall rating: ★★★★★ Training difficulty: ★★☆☆☆
If you want to create a strong party without spending a lot of time, the best option is to have 4 monster tamers.
Strengths of the demon user party:
- “Magical Call” is so strong that it can even defeat the secret boss
- 4x firepower in beast mode
- Less job changes
- No need to worry about personality correction
The power of the magical call:
- Depends on number of monsters protected
- Fixed damage independent of status
- Entire attack possible
Recommended training route:
- Start as a monster user from the beginning
- Lv.20~30: Learn “Magical Call”
- Just grow it as is
- Change your job to thief or sage according to your preference
Equipment:
- Weapon: Anything is OK (Magic call doesn’t depend on weapon)
- Armor: focus on defense
- Accessory: Hayate ring (speed up)
3rd place: Hero + martial artist + sage + warrior (strongest balanced type)
Overall rating: ★★★★☆ Training difficulty: ★★★☆☆
This is a well-balanced and strongest party that can also be used to conquer the story.
Characteristics of this formation:
- Good balance of physical, magic, and recovery
- The martial artist’s critical hit is powerful
- Attack 4 times with Sage’s Yamabiko Hat
- The warrior’s high defense power increases the stability of the party
Role of each occupation:
- Hero: Main attacker and versatile
- Martial Artist: High firepower physical attacker who is sure to win
- Sage: Spell attacker, support and recovery
- Warrior: Sub-attacker and tank
Complete guide to the strongest career change route by occupation
How to create the strongest physical character
**Goal:** Thief/Merchant with Hayabusa Sword
Career change route ①: Thief final type
Warrior (Lv.20) → Demon user (Lv.30: Beast mode acquisition)
→ Martial artist (Lv.47: Acquire critical hit) → Thief (final)
Career change route ②: Merchant final type
Warrior (Lv.20) → Demon User (Lv.30) → Martial Artist (Lv.47)
→ Sage (for general attack) → Merchant (final)
Key points:
- Change jobs after growing up to level 47 as a martial artist (acquire critical hits)
- Enhance power to 600 or more (using seeds)
- Also increase your speed (for pre-emptive attacks)
How to create the strongest spell character
**Goal:**Sage equipped with Yamabiko’s hat
Career change route:
Magician (Lv.20) → Demon user (Lv.30: Beast mode acquisition)
→ Monk (learning recovery spells) → Sage (final)
Points for training:
- Improve smartness first
- Yamabiko’s hat + 4 attacks in beast mode
- MP is also important, so it is OK to go through warriors
Recommended personality:
- “Zunoumeiseki” (specialized in wisdom)
- “Kiremono” (balanced type)
How to create a balanced character
Career change route:
Demon user (Lv.30) → Martial artist (Lv.47) → Sage (final)
This route allows you to improve all stats in a well-balanced manner.
Recommended party formation for story strategy
Recommended parties for early stages (Lv.1-20)
**Composition:**Hero + Thief + Demon Tamer + Wizard
Strengths of this formation:
- Recover the treasure chest with the thief’s “Touzoku no Hana”
- Detecting enemies using the monster tamer’s “Yaseikan”
- Hidden stairs discovered by the wizard “Remirama”
- Easy to explore
Possible substitutions:
- Magician → Monk (emphasis on recovery)
- Thief → Merchant (item acquisition rate UP)
Middle stage recommended party (Lv.20-40)
**Composition:**Hero + Martial Artist + Monk + Wizard
Balanced royal road party:
- Physical firepower of martial artist
- Magician’s Spell Firepower
- Monk recovery/assistance
- Stable boss capture possible
Recommended late stage party (Lv.40~Clear)
**Composition:**Hero + Martial Artist + Sage + Warrior
Strong configuration for boss battles:
- High firepower for the martial artist’s success
- Sage’s spell attack and support
- Warrior’s high defense provides stability
- This formation is OK for Zoma battle
Efficient way to level up [by progress level]
Leveling up in the early stages (Lv.1-20)
**Recommended places:**Around Ariahan
Efficient method:
- Level up naturally as you progress through the story
- Metal slime appearance rate increases at night
- Prioritize story progression over experience points
Target level:
- Upon arrival at Romaria: Lv.12-15
- Upon arrival at Kazaab: Lv.18-20
Leveling up in the middle stage (Lv.20-40)
**Recommended place:**Around Earp’s Tower
Metal slime hunting:
- Visit at night to increase appearance rate
- Metal slime: 1,350 experience points
- Stray metal also appears with a low probability
Efficient way to defeat:
- Aim for the decisive blow
- Use certain special skills
- Powerful spells such as melasoma
Target level:
- When Rakua obtained it: around Lv.35
- Before the battle with Baramos: Lv.38-40
Leveling up in the final stage (Lv.40~)
**Recommended place:**Alefgard north island (Slime Island)
8 stray metals appear at the same time:
- 1 body: experience value 30,010
- 240,080 experience points by defeating 8 enemies at the same time!
- The most efficient leveling spot in Dragon Quest 3 history
Gagure Metal Strategy:
- Critical hit (learned at martial artist level 47)
- Hypnos Hunt (Hayabusa Sword + Beast Mode)
- Metal Slash (2x success rate)
- Mahotone (escape prevention)
Target level:
- Zoma battle: Lv.45-50
- Secret boss battle: Lv.65-70
Level up after clearing (Lv.65-99)
**Recommended place:**Mysterious cave (???) third area
King Hydra Hunt:
- 24,000 experience points per body
- Stray metal also appears
- The fastest possible arrival is Lv.99
Note:
- King Hydra is very strong
- Required measures for “sweet sleep” (total sleep)
- Alarm ring recommended
Time to reach level 99: About 10-15 hours if played efficiently
List of strongest equipment and how to obtain it
Weapons
For physical attackers:
- Sword of Hayabusa: Cave around Zipangu
- Sword of Odin: Castle of Zoma
- Lot’s Sword: Underground the Dragon King’s Castle
For spell attackers:
- Ikazuchi’s Staff: Around the Dharma Temple
- Wand of the Philosopher: Zoma’s Castle
Armor
Mush:
- Odin’s Armor: Zoma’s Castle
- Dragon Mail: Around Muor
- Lot’s Armor: Underground of the Dragon King’s Castle
Shield:
- Ogre Shield: Zipangu
- Lot’s Shield: Underground the Dragon King’s Castle
Touch:
- Yamabiko’s Hat: Samanosa’s Cave (Important!)
- Odin’s Helmet: Zoma’s Castle
Accessories:
- Megante’s arm: Pyramid
- Inori no Yubiwa: Giaga’s big hole
- Hayate’s Ring: Around Romaria
Recommendations by personality and status correction
For physical attackers
Ippiki wolf (strongest):
- Power:+30%
- Agility:+30%
- Smartness:-20%
Sexy gal (balanced type):
- Power:+20%
- Quickness: +20%
- Luck: +10%
For spell attackers
Zuno Umeiseki (specialized type):
- Smartness:+40%
- MP:+20%
- Power:-30%
Kiremono (balanced type):
- Smartness:+20%
- Agility:+15%
- No negative stats for all
For tanks
Toughness/Tetsujin:
- Stamina: +40%
- Defense UP
- Quickness:-10%
Complete guide to the new element “Memon User”
What is a demon user?
This is a newly added occupation in the HD-2D remake. A special job that fights with monsters as allies.
Magic user special skills:
- Magical Call: Call the protected monster to attack
- Yaseikan: Detects approaching enemy
- Beast mode: Super powerful buff that doubles the number of attacks
The power of the magical call
Damage varies depending on the number of protected monsters.
Relationship between protection number and damage:
- 10 bodies: about 200 damage
- 50 bodies: Approximately 500 damage
- 100 or more: Approximately 1,000 damage
- Total 121 bodies: Approximately 1,500 damage
Locations of all 121 stray monsters
By protecting all the stray monsters hiding in each area, the power of the Demon Call will be maximized.
How to search efficiently:
- Always use a can of vegetables
- Use the checker function of the strategy site
- Aim for 100% exploration level
Tips for conquering Battle Road
What is Battlelord?
New elements of HD-2D remake. This is content where you fight other trainers using monsters.
Advantages of Battle Road:
- Obtain rare items
- Obtain powerful monsters
- Enjoy as a replay element
Strategy tips:
- Organization considering attribute balance
- Give priority to fast monsters
- Insert one character with general attack
Secret boss “Demon King of the Underworld” strategy
Recommended level and equipment
**Recommended level:**Lv.65~70
Required equipment:
- Hayabusa sword x2
- Odin equipment set
- Megante’s arm
Strategy flow
Phase1: Buff/Debuff
- Piolim (speed up)
- Scala/Skurt (Defense UP)
- Lucani/Lucanan (enemy defense DOWN)
Phase2: Attack with all your strength
- Beast mode activated
- 4 consecutive attacks with Hayabusa sword x 2 people = 8 attacks
- Sage has attack spells and support
Phase3:Reply
- Total recovery with Behomara
- Prepare for resuscitation with Zaorik
- Be careful with MP management
Behavior pattern of secret boss
Dangerous attacks:
- Ionazun (large damage overall)
- Mahyadodes (total ice attribute)
- Medapani (confusion added)
Countermeasure:
- Always maintain full HP
- Easy to deal with confusion
- Be sure to have one person in charge of reviving
Location of all 130 small medals
Small medal exchange item
Coin-specific rewards:
- 25 pieces: Hayabusa sword (required!)
- 45 photos: Megante’s arm
- 90 pieces: Odin’s armor
- 130 photos: Hat of happiness
Efficient collection method
- Search all barrels, jars, and chests
- Use checker function of strategy site
- Focus on places that are easy to miss
Top 3 places that are easy to miss:
- Hidden room in Romaria Castle
- Second floor of Zipangu private house
- Assalam Well
Efficient clearing time reduction techniques
Route for RTA (Real Time Attack)
**Fastest clear estimate:**15-20 hours
Time-saving tips:
- Skip sub-events unrelated to the story
- Leveling up is minimal
- Collect only essential items
- You can only change jobs once
Route for intensive play
**Estimated completion time:**80-100 hours
Replay element:
- Protect all 121 stray monsters
- Collected all 130 small medals
- Conquer the Battle Road
- All characters Lv.99
- Complete the strongest equipment
Frequently Asked Questions Q&A
Q1: Can you enjoy Dragon Quest for the first time?
A: Completely enjoyable! The tutorial is thorough and the game is designed for beginners.
Q2: How many hours does it take to clear?
A: It takes 30 to 40 hours to clear the story, and if you play the game you can enjoy it for over 100 hours.
Q3: Is it difficult?
A: Normal difficulty is moderate difficulty. If you get stuck, raise the level and it will be solved.
Q4: When should you change jobs?
A: Recommended after clearing the story. There’s no need to rush.
Q5: Can heroes change jobs?
A: No. Hero is a special occupation.
Q6: What personality traits do you recommend?
A: We recommend “Ippiki Wolf” for the attacker and “Zunoumeiseki” for the wizard.
Q7: What is the difference between the smartphone version and the Switch version?
A: Basically the same. The Switch version is easy to use.
Q8: Is there an online element?
A: None. Enjoy completely offline.
Summary: Master Dragon Quest 3 Remake!
Dragon Quest III HD-2D Remake is a masterpiece RPG that is still loved by many players as of January 2026. We have delivered strategy information to help you enjoy the legendary adventure revived with beautiful HD-2D graphics in the best possible way.
Summary of main points of this article:
- The strongest after clearing is thief x 2 + sage x 2
- Easy and strongest is monster user x 4
- Hayabusa’s sword and beast mode are the strongest
- The most efficient way to hunt 8 stray metals on Slime Island
- The magical call is so strong that you can even defeat the secret boss
For those who are about to play: First, enjoy the story. You can change jobs and level up after clearing the game. The most important thing is to enjoy the adventure at your own pace.
For those who want to play: Develop the strongest party with the aim of defeating the secret boss and completing all elements. The sense of accomplishment of repeatedly changing jobs and creating your ideal character is exceptional.
If you play in the order of “III → I → II” along with the upcoming Dragon Quest 1 & 2 remakes, a surprising development will be waiting for you. If you clear Dragon Quest 3, please try playing the sequel!
*The information in this article is as of January 2026. Contents may change due to updates.
