Post-Game Content

Congratulations, hero! You've vanquished Hargon and the formidable Archfiend Malroth, and brought peace back to Midenhall. While Dragon Quest II, particularly its original NES and Game Boy Color iterations, doesn't feature extensive new storylines or areas after the credits roll like modern RPGs, there are still a few significant challenges and ultimate rewards for those dedicated enough to fully master the game. This section will guide you through maximizing your party's potential and uncovering the most powerful equipment available.

Maximizing Your Party's Power

Even after defeating Malroth, your characters can continue to grow stronger. The maximum level in Dragon Quest II is Level 50. Reaching this cap for all three characters will make them incredibly powerful, capable of effortlessly dispatching even the toughest foes.

Recommended Grinding Spots

Efficient experience point (EXP) and gold farming is key to reaching maximum levels and affording the best gear.

• Hargon's Castle: The monsters within Hargon's Castle (especially the upper floors and the throne room area) offer excellent experience points and gold. Enemies like Gold Orcs, Metal Slimes, and various high-tier demons provide substantial rewards.
• Cave to Rhone: The monsters in the Cave to Rhone are also very strong and provide substantial experience. This area is particularly good for encountering Metal Babbles (Metal King Slimes in later versions), which yield massive EXP.
• World Map Encounters (Rhone Area): The desolate plains and mountains surrounding the Cave to Rhone and Hargon's Castle feature high-level monster groups that can be efficiently farmed. Be wary of powerful enemies like Gigantes and Bullwongs.

Optimal Equipment Acquisition

While some of the best equipment is obtained during the main quest, there are a few ultimate items that require specific steps to acquire, significantly boosting your party's strength.

The Legendary Erdrick's Sword

The most powerful weapon in the game, Erdrick's Sword, is a legendary blade that can only be wielded by the Prince of Midenhall. Obtaining it requires careful exploration and the collection of specific key items.

• Wielder: Prince of Midenhall
• Attack Power: +100 (significantly higher than any other weapon)
• Prerequisites:
  • Eye of Rubiss: Obtained from the Spirit of Rubiss in the Tower of Rubiss after using the Charm of Rubiss.
  • Moon Crest: Found in the Tower of the Moon.
• Walkthrough:
  1. Locate the Sea Cave: Sail your ship to the Sea Cave, located south of the town of Beran.
  2. Navigate the Sea Cave: Traverse the treacherous Sea Cave. This dungeon is filled with powerful monsters and requires careful navigation.
  3. Find the Pedestal: In the deepest part of the Sea Cave, you will find a pedestal.
  4. Use the Eye of Rubiss: Stand before the pedestal and use the Eye of Rubiss. This will reveal a hidden passage or staircase.
  5. Proceed to the Altar: Follow the newly revealed path to an altar.
  6. Use the Moon Crest: At the altar, use the Moon Crest. This will cause the legendary Erdrick's Sword to appear.
  7. Claim Your Reward: Equip the sword to the Prince of Midenhall and witness his attack power skyrocket!
• Why it's useful: Erdrick's Sword boasts the highest attack power in the game, making your Prince of Midenhall an unstoppable force. It trivializes most remaining random encounters and provides a satisfying sense of accomplishment for completing this challenging quest.

Other Top-Tier Equipment

Ensure all your characters are equipped with the best possible gear. Some of these items are found during the main quest, but are listed here for completeness in optimizing your party.

Note: The "Water Flying Clothes" are not an item in Dragon Quest II. The "Water Robe" is a powerful piece of armor for magic-users.

Spell Mastery and Item Usage

Continue to use your magic-users' spells to gain proficiency and ensure they have enough MP for prolonged battles. Stock up on healing items like Medical Herbs and Antidotes, and don't forget utility items like Wings of the Wyvern for quick travel or Holy Water to repel weaker enemies.

Final Boss Rematch (NES/GBC Versions)

While there isn't a "new game plus" or a secret boss beyond Malroth in the traditional sense, some players enjoy challenging the final boss again with their fully leveled and equipped party. This provides a true test of how powerful your heroes have become.

• Location: Hargon's Castle, followed by the realm of Malroth.
• Objective: Defeat Hargon and then the Archfiend Malroth with your optimized party.
• Strategy Tips:
  • Prince of Midenhall: With Erdrick's Sword, he becomes your primary damage dealer. Focus on physical attacks.
  • Prince of Cannock: Utilize his healing spells (Healmore, Healall) and support spells (Defense, Increase). He can also deal decent physical damage with the Light Sword.
  • Princess of Moonbrooke: Her offensive magic (Explodet, Lightning) will be devastating. Ensure she has ample MP. Use her healing spells as a backup.
  • Malroth's Weakness: Malroth is susceptible to the Stopspell (Silence) spell, which can prevent him from casting his powerful offensive magic. The Prince of Cannock or Princess of Moonbrooke can attempt to cast this.
  • Recommended Loadout: Ensure everyone has the best possible armor. Stock up on Medical Herbs and potentially a few Magic Water items for your spellcasters.

While Dragon Quest II doesn't feature extensive new storylines in its post-game, the pursuit of ultimate power, the acquisition of legendary equipment like Erdrick's Sword, and the satisfaction of fully optimizing your party offers a rewarding experience for those who wish to truly master the game. Good luck, heroes!