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Dragon Quest 1 HD-2D Remake (DQ1)

Final Boss Guide: How to Beat the Dragonlord

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Dragon Quest 1 - Dragonlord

Dragonlord is the final boss in Dragon Quest 1 HD-2D Remake (DQ1). Read on to learn how to beat the Dragonlord, and see an overview of its stats, skills, as well as the best equipment to wear during battle!

Erdrick Trilogy Attention! This page contains major spoliers for Dragon Quest 1 HD-2D Remake! Continue reading on at your own risk.

How to Beat Dragonlord

Jump to A Section!
First Form Second Form

Dragonlord First Form Strategy

Aim for Level 40 or Higher

Defeat Monsters At Your Level

It’s best to reach Level 40 before taking on the Dragonlord, since this is the game’s final showdown. You’ll unlock Kazap at Level 35, a key spell for this battle. Grinding to Level 40 also ensures your stats are at their peak before entering the fight.

EXP Farm: How to Level Up Fast

Mitigate Fire Damage

Dragon Mail

The Dragonlord’s go-to moves are Fire Breath attacks, so it’s crucial to gear up for fire resistance. Equip fire-resistant equipment to completely nullify the damage, the Dragon Mail and Asbestos Earrings. These will protect you in both phases of the fight.

Counter Status Ailments With Banishing Bell

Monarch of Medals

The Dragonlord occasionally uses Fizzle or Snooze to silence or put you to sleep. Counter this by equipping the Banishing Bell, which completely negates status effects cast by enemies.

Erdrick's Helm can also nullify status effects but since the Duplic Hat is more suited for this battle, the Banishing Bell can do the negating for you.

You can obtain the Banishing Bell by trading 20 Mini Medals with the Monarch of Medals at the Citadel.

All 40 Mini Medal Locations and Rewards

Dragonlord Can Attack Twice Per Turn

The Dragonlord is capable of attacking twice per turn, so healing and timing are key. Use Wild Side to boost your speed and also attack twice each turn. Reapply it whenever the buff wears off.

If you’ve got the Duplic Hat, you can also cast spells twice per turn, though this only applies to spells, not abilities.

List of All Equipment

Duplic Hat Lets You Cast Spells Twice

The Duplic Hat doubles your spell casts, making it a game-changer here. Kazap is the most effective spell against Dragonlord's first form, so make full use of it while your MP lasts.

Dragonlord's Attacks Increases at 50% HP

Dragonlord

Once the Dragonlord drops to 50% HP, he begins charging up his attacks, doubling his spell damage for two turns. Use this window to defend and recover MP rather than going on the offensive.

Save MP for the Second Phase

Keep in mind that this fight has two phases, and you won’t get a break to recover HP or MP in between. Make sure to conserve your MP early on. Use Focus Pocus or Defend to restore it as needed, so you’ll have enough fuel for the next round.

Dragonlord Second Form Strategy

Analyze the Dragonlord Attack Patterns During the Second Battle

1 Normal Attack
Adds Shout if 50% and below HP
2 2 Buff Spells (Accelerate, Kabuff, Oomph, or Multiheal)
3 Heavy Attack x2
4 Normal Attack + Inferno
Inferno becomes Scorch if 50% HP and below
5 Normal Attack + Kasizz
Kasizz becomes Kafrizz if 50% HP and below
6 Asses the situation (won't do anything)
Becomes Heavy Attack if 50% HP and below
7 Kasizz + Inferno
Becomes Scorch + Kafrizz if 50% HP and below
8 Asses the situation (won't do anything)
9 Shout x2 (May inflict Fear)
10 Cycle back to the first move.

In his second form, Dragonlord cycles through a predictable set of attacks. Watch his buffs and spell order carefully to anticipate damage spikes.

When his HP drops below half, his elemental attacks become far more punishing, so defense and recovery timing matter more than ever.

Utilize the Defending Champion Ability

Ability MP Unlock Effect
Defending Champion 2 Lv. 16 Significantly reduces the damage taken from all attacks.

When Dragonlord buffs himself twice in a row, it’s a perfect cue to use Defending Champion. This skill dramatically reduces incoming damage, especially during his buffed turns.

All Buffing Spells and Abilities

Defend to Regain MP

Defend

With the Star Sigil, defending also restores MP. When you notice Dragonlord stacking buffs, prepare to Defend so you’ll absorb less damage and regain valuable MP at the same time.

Use Wild Side + Dragon Slash Combo to Defeat Dragonlord

Double Dragon Slash

Once the second form appears, Dragonlord becomes resistant to Kazap, so magic’s off the table. Instead, use the Wild Side + Dragon Slash combo (or its soupe up version, Double Dragon Slash) for multiple attacks per turn, Dragonlord is especially weak to this combo since he is a dragon type enemy.

Dragonlord Skills and Abilities

All Dragonlord Abilities and Effects

Abilities Description
Attack Physical Attack, may have a chance to Critical.
Heavy Attack Heavy attack, used after buffing himself.
Kabuff Buffs own Attack and Defence.
Accelerate Temporarily raises its Speed, can attack twice per turn.
Multiheal Heals a moderate amount of HP
Oomph Temporarily raises its Attack.
Inferno Fire Breath attack.
Kasizz Fire elemental spell.
Scorch Heavy Fire Breath attack.
Kafrizz Heavy Fire elemental spell.
Shout Can inflict Fear on the Hero.

Dragonlord Overview

Dragonlord Stats and Information

First Form
Second Form
Dragonlord Dragonlord
Recommended Level Boss HP
Level 40 ~3200
Dragonlord Dragonlord's True Form
Recommended Level Boss HP
Level 40 ~4800

The Game's Final Boss

Fight Dragonlord

You can find Dragonlord inside the Dragonlord's Castle and is the final boss of the game. Make sure you’re prepared since this fight can drag you on if you aren't on a high enough level yet!

Dragonlord's Castle and Final Boss

Has Two Forms

Second Form

After the first phase, Dragonlord reveals his true dragon form and immediately launches into the second battle. You won’t get a chance to heal or change equipment in between, so make sure you’re ready before triggering the fight.

Best Build and Equipment

Recommended Equipment and How to Get

Equipment Description and How to Get
Erdrick's Sword Strongest sword in the game.
Found inside a treasure chest in B1 of the Dragonlord's Castle.
Erdrick's Shield Reduces damage against all spells and breath attacks incurred from enemies.
Get inside a treasure chest in Weeping Isle.
Dragon Mail Reduces damage from fire and ice breath.
Purchase in Cantlin.
Duplic Hat Enables you to cast spells twice.
Found in a Secret Spot that appears after the events in the Shrine of Rain.
Banishing Bell Accessory that nullifies all status effects.
Exchange 20 Mini Medals at the Citadel of the Monarch of Medals.
Asbestos Earrings Reduces damage from fire attacks and spells.
Found in a Sparkly Spot southwest of Damdara.

Dragon Quest 1 HD-2D Remake Related Guides

DQ1-2 - Bosses
List of Bosses

List of All Bosses

Robbin Robbin 'Ood Sorcerer Sorcerer Knight Errant Knight Errant
Green Dragon Green Dragon Mirage Mirage Golem Golem
Spiketail Spiketail Knight Aberrant Knight Aberrant Goregoyle Goregoyle
Armageddon Armageddon Dragonlord Dragonlord

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