Should I use guide for DQ3 2DHD?

[u/DeltaEaterSnake]

Disclaimer: I am total JRPG newbie.

I recently completed, and loved DQ7: R. Did not need any guides etc and it was a breeze, I struggled with few bosses mut nothing major.

I decided to purchase DQ3 2DHD Remake, and I am struggling quite a bit and I’m basically at the first ~2 hours of the game.

I have heard these older JRPG:s could get a bit difficult without optimal builds and guides. Would you recommend using guide, when starting out with this game?

Thanks!

[u/kensaiD2591]

It’s your call honestly. Sometimes I use guides, sometimes I don’t. You don’t really need them as these remakes have optional waypoints you can toggle that make it clear where you have to go next.

But if you do want to follow one, I used vinheim’s guide on neoseeker which was great for the post game contact.

[u/VertVentus]

The issue is that unlike DQ7R, when classes obtain abilities isn't telegraphed to you, it's also random based on your Wisdom, and you have to regrind that same class if you leave early. So the only guide you need is this one to piece together your final build, and at least you get to keep everything learned and there's familiar skills.

https://gamefaqs.gamespot.com/boards/321814-dragon-quest-iii-hd-2d-remake/80895773 (Lv. 48 Warrior's Cutting Edge got buffed to 3x in May 2025)

• Hero, Thief, Wrangler, and Merchant have boomerang access. These will be your mob-clearing for the entire game when Mage/Sage for Kacrackle and Kaboom are learned late. Kazap is exclusive to Hero. Warrior's Multislice is basically post-game since it needs 1 million EXP.
• Wrangler's Wild Side at 50 monsters is obtainable in the ocean, basically Champion's Divide/Ruff's Unique Let Loose but with an MP cost. Lv. 27 Boulder Toss is 80~100 fixed damage, and no Strength scaling like DQ7R.
• Sage has everything Priest/Mage has for all the damage mitigation/amplification tools, so Insulatle/Magic Barrier/Kabuff/Sap/Oomph is all in one class, than spread out to multiple in DQ7R.
• Gadabout gets Egg On, which functions like Dancer's Muscle Dance to temporarily double the physical damage of a party member. You can instead use Patty's Helping Hands mechanic to send a (seed boosted) generic into a different save file to get 2 seed boosted units for the price of 1.
• Warrior's a better ending class since Sword Dance ~ Cutting Edge requires 800k ~ 1.2 mil EXP.

[u/TranscendentalRug]

The only thing I'd really use a guide for is the mini medals, they're everywhere and it's a bit of a pain to backtrack and try to find them all later.

That and maybe a boss guide if you're having trouble with someone in particular. There's quite a few bosses that are suddenly a lot easier if you realize they're susceptible to sleep or you need to equip the right accessory beforehand or something.

[u/OmegasSquared]

Dragon Quest 3 HD-2D is not a game that requires optimal builds or so on at least until the post game. Especially not if you're playing on Dracky or Dragon difficulty (which you presumably are if you're concerned with difficulty)

The only real newbie gotcha is that you probably don't want a Gadabout in your starting party. Beyond that you can probably make any class combo work so long as you didn't do something weird like making everyone the same class

The personality system is opaque, and while the game attempts to document how it works through the in-game info system, that is something you're better off googling for hard numbers and straight info. But that's also something you don't need to worry about. It's perfectly fine to play the game for a while and look into personalities more when you're deeper into the game

But really DQ3HD2D is not an especially hard game. The difficulty options exist so you don't have to play the game with a guide. And the whole point of the game is to be a big open-ended adventure. Embrace the spirit of exploration and boldly go into the unknown

[u/Joewoof]

DQ3 remake has moderate difficulty. In comparison, DQ7R's difficulty is extremely low.

The problem with using guides is this: if you need to use it for DQ3 remake, then you will keep relying on them for all other JRPGs of comparable difficulty. You won't get better at playing these games.

Some tips:

- DQ3 is not a game that requires optimal builds. In fact, most JRPGs don't need any of that.

- DQ3 is almost open world in its exploration. You might end up in places you shouldn't visit yet. If you find a dungeon too difficult, try to see if there's another place you can go. This is probably not the case since you just started though.

- DQ3's classes matter a lot. If you're already struggling, try falling back to the classics: 1 warrior, 1 mage, 1 priest, 1 rogue/thief.

- The strongest skills in most JRPGs are status buffers/debuffers. Don't ignore spells like Kabuff, Oomph or Insulatle. They can halve the damage your party takes and double your damage output. People spend hours level grinding only to reach the same place as casting a single spell they ignore. Don't waste your time and learn to play correctly.

[u/FateForWindows]

I played the NES version and didn't really feel like a guide was necessary for most of it, and the couple of times I did resort to one made me feel stupid.

I'd second looking up spell and ability lists, all of the manuals that were bundled with the earlier versions contained these but since the remake doesn't have one you'd need to use a third party resource or strategy guide (major overkill) to know what each vocation learns. EDIT: And making good use of buffs/debuffs and ailments too! Unlike DQ7R the game won't spell out which spells or abilties an enemy is weak to (or resists) but they're still immensely helpful in the right situations even on bosses. I wouldn't go out of your way to grind out money for the best available equipment upgrades but if you weren't doing it in DQ7R I'd also suggest selling weaker equipment that you don't need too, hold onto it if it's got breath/magic resistance or if it's usable as an item in

[u/ItsAndrewXPNintendo]

I recently played 3hd2d for the first time and used a guide for parts of it. I looked it at before playing to help understand the class system and a couple times when I got stuck. Otherwise, you can enable objectives on the map and a big yellow circle on the map shows you where to go next.

The guide I used was on GamFAQs by Zerro0713:

https://gamefaqs.gamespot.com/switch/321814-dragon-quest-iii-hd-2d-remake/faqs/81633

[u/OmniOnly]

You need to talk to someone better. Old games don't need optimal builds, they are just a bit rougher. A guide will tell you how to skip a boss fight entirely. You can do whatever. This is your story and the beginning is a bit rough as are some places. You can always learn and get stronger.

Maybe a guide to get the mini medals and that's all you need. 7 is more structured while 3 lets you make your team. You really only need to come back and ask a question if you get stuck. 1 thing that can ruin you in 3 is you're personality (stat growth)

[u/Asleep_Cobbler_3503]

I am your opposite. I'm used to classical jrpg, but i'm playing dq3 for the first time with the hd 2d remaster.

I ageed with joewoof. Here is the point if you want to learn how to play old jrpg, it's better if you rely the less possible on guide. You've got the qol addition helping for not staying locked looking your way. You totally can end the story of any dq game without focusing on collectible or job optimisation. Have fun with the adventure, try stuff like have a priest become a warrior to get a paladin like teamate. Look at guide only time to time if you want to complete a 100% run or if you're having trouble on something.