How to Recruit a Sage in Dragon Quest 3 Remake Guide

Alina7 days ago

Key Takeaways:

The Sage class combines powerful offensive and healing magic, making it one of the most versatile roles in Dragon Quest III HD-2D Remake.
There are two main ways to unlock the Sage class: obtaining the Words of Wisdom item or levelling a Gadabout to 20.
Additional Words of Wisdom can be found later in the game, allowing for multiple Sages in your party.

Dragon Quest III HD-2D Remake has brought new life to a timeless classic, but one thing remains unchanged: the appeal of the Sage class. This versatile and powerful class is a fan favorite due to its ability to learn both offensive and healing spells. In this guide, we’ll dive into what makes the Sage such a valuable asset, explore the two ways to unlock the Sage vocation, and provide tips on making the most of this powerhouse class.

Why Choose a Sage for Your Party?

The Sage is a unique class in Dragon Quest III, combining the best qualities of both Pilgrims (healers) and Magic Users (offensive spellcasters). This dual capability makes them exceptionally versatile, as they can support the team with healing and buffs while also dealing significant magic damage. In terms of attributes, the Sage has moderate physical stats better than most magic-focused classes and a wide array of equipment options. Essentially, they are the ultimate jack-of-all-trades, similar to the Hero but with a stronger emphasis on magic.

Due to their rare combination of abilities, recruiting a Sage isn’t straightforward. Here’s a breakdown of the steps you need to follow.

How to Unlock the Sage Class

There are two primary methods for unlocking the Sage class in Dragon Quest III HD-2D Remake. Let’s look at both methods in detail.

Method 1: Finding the Words of Wisdom in the Tower of Transcendence

The first and most common way to unlock the Sage class is by obtaining the Words of Wisdom, a special item that allows any character above level 20 to switch to the Sage vocation at Alltrades Abbey.

Step-by-Step Guide to Finding the Words of Wisdom:

Travel to Alltrades Abbey: After progressing through the storyline and gaining permission to pass through Nordy’s Grotto, head northeast of Baharata to reach Alltrades Abbey. Here, you can change any character’s class once they reach level 20, though the Hero’s class cannot be changed.
Head to the Tower of Transcendence: The Tower of Transcendence lies north of Alltrades Abbey. Be prepared, as this area is filled with strong monsters, including Metal Slimes, which offer high XP for newly re-classed characters.
Navigate the Tower:
- Start by heading to the top-left corner of the tower’s first floor and taking the staircase to the second floor.
- Carefully cross a tightrope to reach the third floor. Slow movement is recommended to avoid falling.
- You’ll encounter a portal that teleports you back to the first floor, near three staircases. Take the middle one to reach the second floor again.
- Follow the southern path and keep climbing until you reach the fifth floor, where you’ll find another tightrope marked with a red flag.
- Walk along this rope and jump off near the flag to reach a broken section of the floor.
- From here, descend using the staircase on your left until you reach a treasure chest containing the Words of Wisdom.

With the Words of Wisdom in hand, you’re ready to head back to Alltrades Abbey and transform one of your party members into a Sage.

Method 2: Recruiting a Gadabout from Patty’s Tavern

If you prefer a more challenging (and somewhat comical) approach, you can also unlock the Sage class by recruiting a Gadabout and levelling them to 20. Gadabouts are often considered the “joke” class in Dragon Quest III, as their behaviour in battle is unpredictable and sometimes outright useless. However, once a Gadabout reaches level 20, they can freely become a Sage without the need for the Words of Wisdom.

Pros and Cons of the Gadabout Method:

Pros: This method allows you to save the Words of Wisdom for another character. In theory, you could build a party with multiple Sages if you’re willing to endure the chaotic nature of Gadabouts.
Cons: Gadabouts come with high Luck stats but tend to lack other useful attributes. Playing with a team of Gadabouts until level 20 can be difficult, as they lack the consistency and utility of other classes.

Additional Words of Wisdom: Unlocking Multiple Sages

If you want to add a second Sage to your team, there are ways to obtain additional Words of Wisdom as you progress in the game. Here’s how to find another copy.

Location 2: Rimuldar in the Dark World

Near the end of the game, your party will enter the Dark World, where you’ll encounter the town of Rimuldar. Here, there’s a second copy of the Words of Wisdom hidden away.

Locate Rimuldar: Once you reach the Dark World, find the town of Rimuldar.
Search a Dresser: In a house near the weapon shop, open the dresser to find another Words of Wisdom.

This allows you to turn a second character into a Sage, making your party even more formidable for the final challenges of the game.

Advanced Strategy: The Post-Game Sage

Dragon Quest III HD-2D Remake has additional content after you’ve restored light to the Dark World. In the post-game, you’ll have the opportunity to unlock a third, even more powerful Sage by completing a series of tough challenges.

Return to the Dragon Queen’s Castle: After completing the main storyline, head to the Castle of the Dragon Queen and take the portal to a mysterious floating island known as ???.
Navigate the Cave: This dungeon features familiar layouts from previous areas and is filled with dangerous monsters, including those capable of casting spells like Thwack (instant KO).
Reach Cloudsgate Citadel: At the end of the cave, you’ll arrive at Cloudsgate Citadel. Climb to the top to face Xenlon, the most powerful enemy in the game.

Defeating Xenlon for the Ultimate Sage Power:

Defeating Xenlon in a limited number of turns will grant you a wish. By completing this challenge multiple times, you can unlock a new item called “More Guns ‘n’ Buns,” which allows you to transform characters into a Sage as many times as you want.
Note: By this point, your party will likely be powerful enough that adding a Sage might not be necessary, but it’s a nice option for completionists.

Tips for Using a Sage Effectively

Once you have your Sage, here’s how to get the most out of them:

Equip Wisely: Sages have access to a broad range of equipment. Choose gear that maximizes their survivability, as they will be a critical part of both your offense and defense.
Mix Magic with Melee: While the Sage’s magic is their main strength, don’t overlook their decent physical attack capabilities. Equip them with strong weapons to allow them to contribute in physical attacks when MP is low.
Build a Balanced Team: A Sage can cover both offensive and defensive roles, allowing you to replace a dedicated healer or damage-dealer. Balance your team with other classes that complement the Sage’s versatility.
Level Up Fast: Since switching to the Sage class resets your character to level 1, take advantage of high XP areas (like fighting Metal Slimes in the Tower of Transcendence) to quickly level them up.

FAQs

Q1: Can I make more than one character a Sage?

Yes, but you’ll need multiple Words of Wisdom or a Gadabout to reach level 20. Alternatively, you can access post-game content to gain more Words of Wisdom through Xenlon.

Q2: Does a Sage retain spells from previous classes?

Yes! When changing to the Sage class, your character will keep all previously learned spells, making them even more powerful from the start.

Q3: Is it worth switching my Hero to a Sage?

The Hero’s class cannot be changed, but the Hero already has access to a mix of spells and good physical stats, so they’re similar in versatility to a Sage.

Q4: Is there any downside to switching a character to Sage?

The main drawback is that the character will revert to level 1, though they keep their spells and abilities. This can temporarily weaken them, but they’ll quickly catch up.

The Sage is an exceptional class in Dragon Quest III HD-2D Remake, offering unparalleled flexibility and power. Whether you choose to unlock the Sage by finding the Words of Wisdom or levelling up a Gadabout, adding a Sage to your team can significantly enhance your party’s strength.