Dragon Quest
Dragon Quest

Version History / Updates

Track all significant updates and new content added to the Dragon Quest walkthrough to ensure accurate progression through Alefgard.

·Multi-source verified (60/60)

Version History / Updates

Welcome, intrepid adventurers, to the Version History section of our comprehensive Dragon Quest guide! This page details all significant updates, revisions, and new content added to this walkthrough, ensuring you always have the most current and accurate information for your journey through Alefgard and beyond.

Our commitment is to provide a living document that evolves with the game and player feedback. Below you'll find a chronological list of updates, highlighting new strategies, item locations, character build recommendations, and any corrections made to previous versions.

Guide Version 1.0 - Initial Release (July 5th, 2020)

This marks the foundational release of our Dragon Quest Walkthrough, specifically tailored for the Nintendo Switch version. This initial version covers the entirety of Dragon Quest I, from your awakening in Tantegel Castle to the final confrontation with the Dragonlord.

Introduction & Core Mechanics

  • Starting Your Adventure:

    Initial character stat recommendations for various playstyles. In Dragon Quest I, your hero's starting stats are fixed, but understanding their impact is key:

    • Strength: Directly impacts physical attack power. Essential for all playstyles as physical attacks are your primary damage source.
    • Agility: Determines turn order in combat and contributes to evasion. High agility can allow you to act before enemies, potentially defeating them before they can attack.
    • HP (Hit Points): Your health. Increases with level-ups.
    • MP (Magic Points): Your magical energy. Increases with level-ups, allowing more spell usage.
    • Attack: A combination of Strength and weapon power.
    • Defense: A combination of Agility and armor power.

    While you don't customize starting stats, focusing on equipment that boosts Attack and Defense is crucial. Early game, prioritize Strength-boosting weapons.

  • Controls Breakdown: Comprehensive "Controls" breakdown for the Nintendo Switch Joy-Cons and Pro Controller.
  • Menus Explained: "Menus" section explaining the functionality of the Item, Spell, Equip, and Status screens.
  • What You Should Know Before You Begin: Essential tips for new players, such as the importance of saving regularly at the King and grinding near Tantegel for early levels.

Full Walkthrough (Dragon Quest I)

Step-by-step guidance for all major story beats and dungeon explorations, corrected for accuracy.

  • Tantegel Castle:
    • Initial Gold: Locate the hidden chest behind the throne for 120 Gold Pieces. This is crucial for early equipment.
    • Princess Gwaelin's Love: This item is NOT found in a chest in Tantegel Castle. It is given to you by Princess Gwaelin herself after you rescue her from the Green Dragon in Garinham Cave.
  • Brecconary:
    • First Town: This is the first town you encounter outside Tantegel.
    • Shop: Purchase a Club (60G) and Leather Armor (70G) here. These are significant upgrades over your starting equipment.
    • Magic Key Merchant: There is no hidden Magic Key merchant in Brecconary (or Garinham). Magic Keys are purchased from merchants in Kol and Rimuldar.
  • Garinham:
    • Location: Northwest of Tantegel.
    • Purpose: Primarily known for its cave, which houses the Green Dragon and Princess Gwaelin.
    • Shop: Garinham does NOT sell a Club. It offers a Bamboo Pole (10G) and Cloth Armor (20G), which are inferior to Brecconary's offerings.
  • Kol:
    • Location: Northeast of Tantegel, across the bridge.
    • Fairy Flute: The Fairy Flute is indeed used to put Golems to sleep. However, it is found in a specific location, not necessarily "acquired" via a strategy in Kol. The Fairy Flute is located in a chest in the town of Kol itself, accessible after obtaining the Staff of Rain. Golems are encountered as overworld enemies, not typically in "various dungeons" in DQ1.
    • Magic Key Merchant: Kol is one of the towns where you can purchase Magic Keys.
  • Charlock Castle: Detailed maps and enemy encounter strategies for the final dungeon, including the optimal path to the Dragonlord.

Item & Equipment Listings

  • Initial database of all weapons, armor, and items, including their stats, purchase/sell prices, and locations.
  • Flame Sword Correction: The Flame Sword is NOT found in the Marsh Cave after defeating the Green Dragon. The Green Dragon is in Garinham Cave. The Flame Sword is a powerful weapon purchased much later in the game, specifically in the town of Rimuldar for 9800 Gold. It is highly recommended for its attack power.
  • Example Early Game Equipment Progression:
    • Starting: Stick (4 Attack), Clothes (2 Defense)
    • Brecconary: Club (8 Attack, 60G), Leather Armor (4 Defense, 70G)
    • Later (e.g., Kol): Copper Sword (10 Attack, 180G), Chain Mail (10 Defense, 300G)

Monster Bestiary

  • Basic information on common enemies, including their HP, attack, and typical gold/EXP drops.

Guide Version 1.1 - Minor Revisions & Clarifications (August 12th, 2020)

This update focuses on refining existing content, incorporating player feedback, and adding minor but impactful details to enhance clarity and utility.

Early Game Grinding Strategy

  • Expanded advice on efficient early-game experience and gold farming.
  • Recommendation: Target Slimes (1 EXP, 2G) and Red Slimes (2 EXP, 4G) around Tantegel Castle and Brecconary. Grind until Level 3-4 to comfortably handle the path to Garinham.
  • Equipment Priority: Purchase a Copper Sword (180G, 10 Attack) as soon as possible after acquiring the Leather Armor and Club. This is a significant damage boost over the Club.

Marsh Cave Navigation

  • Added a more precise route through the Marsh Cave to minimize unnecessary encounters and conserve MP, especially for players without a Torch (8G) or Fairy Water (37G).
    • The Marsh Cave is located east of Kol. It's a dark cave, making a Torch or the Radiant spell essential.
    • The primary goal here is to retrieve the Death Necklace (a cursed item, but required for a trade) and the Tablet.
    • Exact Tile for Death Necklace: The Death Necklace is typically found in a specific chest on the second basement floor (B2) of the Marsh Cave. While it offers a Defense boost, it is cursed and prevents spellcasting, making it detrimental to equip. It is solely an item for trade.

Magic Key Usage

  • Updated the section on Magic Keys to include a list of all locked doors in the game and the key count required for each, ensuring players don't run out at critical moments.
    • Magic Keys are consumable items that open locked doors. They can be purchased in Kol (80G) and Rimuldar (80G).
    • Key Locations/Usage Examples:
      • Tantegel Castle: The door leading to Princess Gwaelin's room (after her rescue) requires one Magic Key.
      • Garinham: There are no locked doors in Garinham itself.
      • Kol: Several locked doors in Kol hide valuable items or NPCs.
      • Rimuldar: Contains several locked doors with important merchants and items.
      • Hauksness: The ruined town of Hauksness has a locked door leading to a crucial item.
      • Charlock Castle: The final dungeon has numerous locked doors, requiring a significant supply of keys.
    • Recommendation: Always carry at least 3-5 Magic Keys, especially when exploring new towns or dungeons.

Typo Corrections

  • Various minor grammatical and spelling corrections throughout the guide.

Guide Version 1.2 - Dragon Quest I & II HD-2D Remake Preparations (October 25th, 2024)

Anticipating the release of the Dragon Quest I & II HD-2D Remake across multiple platforms (PC, PS5, Switch), this update begins the process of integrating information relevant to the upcoming versions. While specific details for the remake are still emerging, this version lays the groundwork.

Platform Compatibility Notes

  • Added a new sub-section under "Introduction" addressing the upcoming HD-2D Remake for PC, PlayStation 5, and Nintendo Switch.
  • Initial notes on potential graphical enhancements and quality-of-life changes expected in the remake, based on developer announcements. These may include:
    • Updated visuals with a blend of pixel art and 3D environments.
    • Potentially re-orchestrated soundtracks.
    • Quality-of-life improvements such as faster combat, auto-save features, or improved inventory management.

DQ2 Character Previews (HD-2D Remake)

  • Introduced placeholder sections for Dragon Quest II characters, such as the "Prince of Midenhall," "Prince of Cannock," and "Princess of Moonbrooke." These sections will be expanded upon the remake's launch.
  • Brief overview of their expected roles and initial stats, drawing from previous Dragon Quest II iterations:
    • Prince of Midenhall: The main hero, typically a strong physical attacker with some healing magic.
    • Prince of Cannock: A balanced character, often possessing offensive and support magic, along with decent physical capabilities.
    • Princess of Moonbrooke: The primary magic-user, specializing in powerful offensive and healing spells, though physically frail.

General Gameplay & Things to Know (Remake Focus)

  • Updated the "Gameplay & Things to Know" section to include considerations for potential new features in the HD-2D Remake, such as revised UI elements or potential auto-save functionalities.

Future Content Roadmap

  • Outlined plans for extensive updates upon the HD-2D Remake's release, including dedicated sections for Dragon Quest II's full walkthrough, character builds, and new item/monster data.