Editing Hero (Dragon Quest VIII)

{{Character
|Name=Hero
|Game=''[[Dragon Quest VIII]]''
|Image=[[File:DQVIII_Hero_artwork.png|240px|center]]
|Sprite=
|Japanese name=主人公
|Roumaji=Shujinkō
|Title= Captain of the Guard
|Class=Hero
|Race= {{spoiler|start}}Half-human, half-Dragovian{{spoiler|end}}
|Age=20
|Family= {{spoiler|start}}[[Eltrio]] (father)<br>[[Xia]] (mother)<br>Chen Mui (grandfather)<br>King [[Clavius]] (uncle)<br>Prince [[Charmles]] (cousin), [[Medea]] (potential wife),<br> [[Trode]] (potential father-in-law),<br> [[Jessica]] (potential wife) Rosalind (potential mother-in-law){{spoiler|end}}
|}}
The '''Hero of Dragon Quest VIII''' is a 20 year-old low-ranking royal guardsman at [[Trodain|Castle Trodain]], before becoming a refuge of the kingdom in the prologue of ''[[Dragon Quest VIII]]''. He was one of the small band who survived [[Dhoulmagus]]' deadly attack, along with King [[Trode]], [[Princess Medea|Medea]] and his pet mouse, [[Munchie]]. As is the series' tradition, the Hero is a silent protagonist whom the player is meant to project themselves upon, using him as an avatar to explore and interact with the game's world.

The Hero is a versatile character, as equally proficient in armed combat as he is in using healing spells and support magic. His preferred weapons are [[sword]]s, [[spear]]s and [[Boomerang weapon family|boomerang]]s.

==Appearance and Personality==
Due to his aforementioned status as a silent protagonist, very little can be said of the man's character that isn't decided by the player. That being said, the youth has demonstrated a remarkably humane nature in certain cutscenes. This is most apparent in the flashback to his meeting with Yangus, who accidentally broke the rope bridge that he was blocking while attempting to extort money from King Trode. Instead of letting the bellicose bandit fall to his death, the former guard pulled him to safety despite Trode's considerable umbrage.

In contrast to heroes of previous games, this Hero dresses very casually and historically coherent, wearing a saffron overcoat with a blue tunic, simple red bandana, and plain grey trousers with brown boots.

==Background==
{{Spoiler|start}}He is the son of [[Eltrio]] and [[Xia]], making him half-[[human]] and half-[[Dragovian]]. This union came about when the latter became curious of the human world, and decided to explore it. After encountering Eltrio, Xia fell in love with the young man and spent much time with him. Unfortunately, her father Chen Mui did not approve of the joining of human and Dragovian, feeling that the two races could never develop true love between them, and forced his daughter back to the Dragovian Sanctuary. Some time after this, the body of Eltrio was found near the sanctuary's outskirts, having braved the immense dangers alone to reach his beloved. The death of her loved devastated Xia, and day by day her very life force began to fade. Before joining Eltrio in the afterlife, however, Xia delivered their child in the sanctuary. The boy would live among the Dragovians for several years as the council of elders debated what to do with the anomaly, until one day it was decided that his memories would be sealed, and that he would be banished from his people. His grandfather, realizing the youth was his last connection to his daughter, begged for permission to accompany his grandson. It was decided that he could do so, but only if he took the form of a innocuous mouse, and never spoke a word to him.

One day while exploring the forest outskirts of the castle, Princess Medea of Trodain finds the young boy collapsed with a fever with the help of Munchie. The young princess pleads with King Trode to help the boy since he could die out in the woods. Eventually, the castle guards bring the Hero back in order to nurse him back to health. Medea stays at his bedside until he awakes, and the two would become close friends afterwards.

As the son of Eltrio, the Hero is also the nephew of [[Clavius|King Clavius]] of [[Argonia]]. This blood connection is what enables him to superseded Prince [[Charmles]] in the right to marry the heir to Trodain. By the end of the game, he has become captain of the guard and, depending on the player's actions in the 3DS version, is either the son-in-law of King Trode after marrying Princess Medea or the son-in-law of Rosalind Albert after marrying Jessica.{{spoiler|end}}

An amnesiac since his early youth, the Hero grew up in Castle Trodain, eventually serving as a guard for some time before the events of the prologue took place. For much of ''Dragon Quest VIII'', the hero journeys with his faithful mouse friend, Munchie, [[Trode|King Trode]], [[Medea]], and [[Yangus]]. The hero is eventually joined by [[Jessica]] and [[Angelo]], enlisting their aid in pursuing and confronting the wicked [[Dhoulmagus]].

==Munchie==
[[File:DQVIII Munchie.png|thumb|250px|Munchie]]
The Hero carries around his pet, Munchie, wherever he goes. A highly intelligent Pig-Rat, Munchie is capable of entering small spaces and exploring areas the party would otherwise have no access to. If you give Munchie [[List of cheeses in Dragon Quest VIII|cheese items]], he gains special abilities. Munchie rides in the pocket of the Hero's coat most of the time. Munchie will show his [[Chen Mui|true significance]] only after the game.

==Stats==
{| style="width:65%; height:100px; text-align:center" border="1" 
|-<---!Headings are up first.!---> style="font-weight:bold; background:#A3AB47"
| Attribute || Starting Stats || Maximum Stats
|- style="font-weight:normal"
| Level || 1 || 99
|-
| HP || 22 || 806
|-
| MP || 0 || 478
|-
| Strength || 8 || 400
|-
| Agility || 6 || 200
|-
| Resilience || 6 || 215
|-
| Wisdom || 5 || 366
|-
| Initial gear ||colspan=2|[[Soldier's sword]], [[Plain clothes]], [[Bandana]]
|}
*the Hero also has a 25% resistance to zap

==Abilities==
===Sword===
{|width="100%" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="2" border="1" style="text-align:center"
|width="20%" valign="top" style="background:#4682B4"|'''<font color="#ffffff">Name</font>'''
|width="5%" valign="top" style="background:#4682B4"|'''<font color="#ffffff">MP</font>'''
|width="10%" valign="top" style="background:#4682B4"|'''<font color="#ffffff">Points</font>'''
|width="5%" valign="top" style="background:#4682B4"|'''<font color="#ffffff">Target</font>'''
|width="5%" valign="top" style="background:#4682B4"|'''<font color="#ffffff">Tension</font>'''
|width="50%" valign="top" style="background:#4682B4"|'''<font color="#ffffff">Info</font>'''
|width="15%" valign="top" style="background:#4682B4"|'''<font color="#ffffff">Oomph</font>'''
|-
!bgcolor="#fa8072"|Attack +5
| --
|4
| --
|no
|Increase the sword attack +5.
|no
|-
!bgcolor="#fa8072"|[[Dragon Slash]]
|0
|9
|one
|yes
|Inflicts 150% damage on dragons (otherwise normal damage).
|yes
|-
!bgcolor="#fa8072"|[[Flame Slash]]
|0
|15
|one
|yes
|Inflicts 130% damage (reduced if enemy is resistant to fire).
|yes
|-
!bgcolor="#fa8072"|Attack +10
| --
|22
| --
|no
|Increase attack by ten when a sword is equipped.
|no
|-
!bgcolor="#fa8072"|[[Metal Slash]]
|0
|30
|one
|yes
|Inflicts 1~2 damage to metal slimes.
|no
|-
!bgcolor="#fa8072"|Attack +15
| --
|40
| --
|no
|Increase attack by fifteen when a sword is equipped.
|no
|-
!bgcolor="#fa8072"|Critical Hit rate up
| --
|40
| --
|no
|Increase the critical hit rate from 1/64 to 1/32.
|no
|-
!bgcolor="#fa8072"|[[Falcon Slash]]
|0
|52
|one
|yes
|Slashes one enemy twice, each cut dealing 75% damage for 150% total.
|First hit
|-
!bgcolor="#fa8072"|Attack +25
| --
|66
| --
|no
|Increases attack by twenty five when a sword is equipped.
|no
|-
!bgcolor="#fa8072"|[[Miracle Slash]]
|4
|82
|one
|yes
|Inflicts 125% damage and restores HP by 50% of damage inflicted.
|yes
|-
!bgcolor="#fa8072"|[[Gigaslash]]
|20
|100
|group
|yes
|Inflicts up to 207~239 damage to each member of a group.
|no
|-
!bgcolor="#fa8072"|[[Gigagash]]
|20
|100*
|group
|yes
|Inflicts up to 271~331 damage to each member of a group.
|
no
|}
*Requires 100 points in both swords and courage

===Spear===
{|width="100%" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="2" border="1" style="text-align:center"
|width="20%" valign="top" style="background:#4682B4"|'''<font color="#ffffff">Name</font>'''
|width="5%" valign="top" style="background:#4682B4"|'''<font color="#ffffff">MP</font>'''
|width="10%" valign="top" style="background:#4682B4"|'''<font color="#ffffff">Points</font>'''
|width="5%" valign="top" style="background:#4682B4"|'''<font color="#ffffff">Target</font>'''
|width="5%" valign="top" style="background:#4682B4"|'''<font color="#ffffff">Tension</font>'''
|width="50%" valign="top" style="background:#4682B4"|'''<font color="#ffffff">Info</font>'''
|width="15%" valign="top" style="background:#4682B4"|'''<font color="#ffffff">Oomph</font>'''
|-
!bgcolor="#fa8072"|Attack +5
|0
|3
| --
|no
|Increase attack by five when a spear is equipped.
|no
|-
!bgcolor="#fa8072"|[[Mercurial Thrust]]
|0
|7
|one
|yes
|Strike first at 80% power.
|yes
|-
!bgcolor="#fa8072"|[[Thunder Thrust]]
|3
|12
|one
|yes
|25% for a critical hit, 25% for a normal stab, 50% to miss altogether.
|no
|-
!bgcolor="#fa8072"|Attack +10
|no
|18
| --
|no
|Increase attack by ten when equipped with a spear.
|no
|-
!bgcolor="#fa8072"|[[Multithrust]]
|4
|25
|random
|yes
|Skewers 3~4 targets at half strength per jab.
|first hit
|-
!bgcolor="#fa8072"|Critical Hit rate up
|no
|40
|auto
|no
|Increase the critical hit rate from 1/64 to 1/32.
|no
|-
!bgcolor="#fa8072"|Clean Sweep
|0*
|45
|group
|yes
|Strike/rock element with decreasing damage range: 80% -> 64% -> 56% -> 40% -> 25% -> 16%.<br>Chance for [[Demon spear]]'s effect to trigger on each enemy.
|first hit
|-
!bgcolor="#fa8072"|Lightning Thrust
|0
|59
|one
|no
|More powerful version of Thunder Thrust, 50% to land a critical hit.
|no
|-
!bgcolor="#fa8072"|Attack +25
| --
|77
| --
|no
|Increases attack by twenty five when equipped with a spear.
|no
|-
!bgcolor="#fa8072"|[[Lightning Storm]]
|25
|100
|all
|yes
|Inflicts 190-220 damage to all enemies.
|no
|}
*Clean Sweep costs 2 MP in the 3DS version.
===Boomerang===
{|width="100%" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="2" border="1" style="text-align:center"
|width="20%" valign="top" style="background:#4682B4"|'''<font color="#ffffff">Name</font>'''
|width="5%" valign="top" style="background:#4682B4"|'''<font color="#ffffff">MP</font>'''
|width="10%" valign="top" style="background:#4682B4"|'''<font color="#ffffff">Points</font>'''
|width="5%" valign="top" style="background:#4682B4"|'''<font color="#ffffff">Target</font>'''
|width="5%" valign="top" style="background:#4682B4"|'''<font color="#ffffff">Tension</font>'''
|width="50%" valign="top" style="background:#4682B4"|'''<font color="#ffffff">Info</font>'''
|width="15%" valign="top" style="background:#4682B4"|'''<font color="#ffffff">Oomph</font>'''
|-
!bgcolor="#fa8072"|[[Crosscutter Throw]]
|2
|6
|all
|yes
|The first enemy is hit twice. Strike/rock element.
|first hit
|-
!bgcolor="#fa8072"|Attack +5
| --
|12
| --
| --
|Increases attack by five when a boomerang is equipped.
| --
|-
!bgcolor="#fa8072"|[[Power Throw]]
|4
|18
|all
|yes
|80% strength, but damage does not decrease per bonked monster. Strike/rock element.
|first hit
|-
!bgcolor="#fa8072"|Attack +10
| --
|25
| --
| --
|Increases attack by ten when a boomerang is equipped.
| --
|-
!bgcolor="#fa8072"|[[Firebird Throw]]
|6
|32
|all
|yes
|36-44 fire damage to all enemies.
|no
|-
!bgcolor="#fa8072"|Attack +15
| --
|40
| --
| --
|Increases attack by fifteen when a boomerang is equipped.
| --
|-
!bgcolor="#fa8072"|[[Power Throw|Super Throw]]
|4
|52
|all
|yes
|120% damage, does not decrease per monster. Strike/rock element.
|first hit
|-
!bgcolor="#fa8072"|Attack +20
| --
|66
| --
| --
|Increase the boomerang attack +20.
| --
|-
!bgcolor="#fa8072"|[[Starburst Throw]]
|8
|82
|all
|yes
|76-84 [[bang]] damage to all enemies.
|no
|-
!bgcolor="#fa8072"|[[Gigathrow]]
|15
|100
|one
|yes
|Inflicts up to 233~284 zap damage to a single enemy.
|no
|}

===Fisticuffs===
{|width="100%" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="2" border="1" style="text-align:center"
|valign="top" width="20%" style="background:#4682B4"|'''<font color="#ffffff">Name</font>'''
|valign="top" width="5%" style="background:#4682B4"|'''<font color="#ffffff">MP</font>'''
|valign="top" width="10%" style="background:#4682B4"|'''<font color="#ffffff">Points</font>'''
|valign="top" width="5%" style="background:#4682B4"|'''<font color="#ffffff">Target</font>'''
|valign="top" width="5%" style="background:#4682B4"|'''<font color="#ffffff">Tension</font>'''
|valign="top" width="50%" style="background:#4682B4"|'''<font color="#ffffff">Info</font>'''
|valign="top" width="15%" style="background:#4682B4"|'''<font color="#ffffff">Oomph</font>'''
|-
!bgcolor="#fa8072"|Attack +5
| --
|4
| --
| --
|Increases attack by five when unarmed.
| --
|-
!bgcolor="#fa8072"|[[Defending Champion]]
|0
|11
|self
|yes
|More powerful defending action (damage reduced by 90%).
|no
|-
!bgcolor="#fa8072"|[[Stone's Throw]]
|0
|17
|group
|yes
|8-20 strike/rock damage to a group of enemies.
|no
|-
!bgcolor="#fa8072"|[[Knuckle Sandwich]]
|2
|24
|one
|no
|Inflicts 150% points of strike/rock damage.
|yes
|-
!bgcolor="#fa8072"|Attack +20
|no
|33
|auto
|no
|Increases attack by twenty when unarmed.
|no
|-
!bgcolor="#fa8072"|[[Thin Air]]
|2
|42
|all
|yes
|Inflicts up to 108~132 points of damage on all enemies.
|no
|-
!bgcolor="#fa8072"|Critical Hit rate up
|no
|52
|auto
|no
|Increase the critical hit rate from 1/64 to 1/32.
|no
|-
!bgcolor="#fa8072"|[[Multifists]]
|0
|70
|random
|yes
|Four random swings at 33% power each.
|first hit
|-
!bgcolor="#fa8072"|[[Boulder Toss]]
|4
|82
|all
|yes
|Inflicts 72-104 strike/rock damage on all enemies.
|no
|-
!bgcolor="#fa8072"|Attack +50
| --
|100
| --
| --
|Increases attack by fifty when unarmed.
| --
|}

===Courage===
{|width="100%" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="2" border="1" style="text-align:center"
|width="20%" valign="top" style="background:#4682B4"|'''<font color="#ffffff">Name</font>'''
|width="5%" valign="top" style="background:#4682B4"|'''<font color="#ffffff">MP</font>'''
|width="10%" valign="top" style="background:#4682B4"|'''<font color="#ffffff">Points</font>'''
|width="5%" valign="top" style="background:#4682B4"|'''<font color="#ffffff">Target</font>'''
|width="5%" valign="top" style="background:#4682B4"|'''<font color="#ffffff">Tension</font>'''
|width="50%" valign="top" style="background:#4682B4"|'''<font color="#ffffff">Info</font>'''
|width="15%" valign="top" style="background:#4682B4"|'''<font color="#ffffff">Oomph</font>'''
|-
!bgcolor="#fa8072"|[[Zoom]]
|1
|8
|party
|no
|Teleports player to entrance of known location (outdoors only).
|no
|-
!bgcolor="#fa8072"|[[Tingle]]
|2
|16
|party
|no
|Cures party of sleep and parlyzed status changes.
|no
|-
!bgcolor="#fa8072"|[[Fizzle]]
|4
|28
|group
|no
|Prevents enemy group from using magic.
|no
|-
!bgcolor="#fa8072"|[[Holy Protection]]
|3
|40
|party
|no
|Random encounters with enemies whose level is lower than the hero are avoided.
|no
|-
!bgcolor="#fa8072"|[[Zap]]
|6
|48
|all
|yes
|Inflicts up to 72~88 damage on all enemies.
|no
|-
!bgcolor="#fa8072"|MP discount
| --
|56
| --
| --
|Reduces the MP cost to 3/4.
| --
|-
!bgcolor="#fa8072"|[[Kamikazee]]
|1
|70
|all
|no
|The Hero sacrifices himself to deal high damage to all enemies.
|no
|-
!bgcolor="#fa8072"|[[Omniheal]]
|36
|82
|party
|no
|Restores full HP to all party members.
|no
|-
!bgcolor="#fa8072"|MP discount
|no
|90
|auto
|no
|Reduces the MP cost to 1/2.
|no
|-
!bgcolor="#fa8072"|[[Kazap]]
|15
|100
|group
|yes
|Inflicts up to 180~220 damage to a group of monsters.
|no
|-
!bgcolor="#fa8072"|[[Gigaslash]]
|20
|100
|group
|yes
|Inflicts up to 207~239 damage to each member of a group.
|yes
|-
!bgcolor="#fa8072"|[[Gigagash]]
|20
|100*
|group
|yes
|Inflicts up to 271~331 damage to each member of a group.
|no
|}
*Requires 100 points in both swords and courage

===Magic===
{|width="100%" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="2" border="1" style="text-align:center"
|width="20%" valign="top" style="background:#4682B4"|'''<font color="#ffffff">Name</font>'''
|width="5%" valign="top" style="background:#4682B4"|'''<font color="#ffffff">MP</font>'''
|width="10%" valign="top" style="background:#4682B4"|'''<font color="#ffffff">Level</font>'''
|width="5%" valign="top" style="background:#4682B4"|'''<font color="#ffffff">Target</font>'''
|width="5%" valign="top" style="background:#4682B4"|'''<font color="#ffffff">Tension</font>'''
|width="50%" valign="top" style="background:#4682B4"|'''<font color="#ffffff">Info</font>'''
|-
!bgcolor="#fa8072"|[[Heal]]
|2
|3
|one
|yes
|Restores 30-40 HP to one character.
|-
!bgcolor="#fa8072"|[[Squelch]]
|2
|4
|one
|no
|Cures one character of poison and envenomation.
|-
!bgcolor="#fa8072"|[[Evac]]
|2
|6
|party
|no
|Teleports player back to dungeon entrance.
|-
!bgcolor="#fa8072"|[[Sizz]]
|4
|11
|group
|yes
|Inflicts up to 29~35 fire damage on each member of a group.
|-
!bgcolor="#fa8072"|[[Midheal]]
|3
|18
|one
|yes
|Restores 75-90 HP to one character.
|-
!bgcolor="#fa8072"|[[Sizzle]]
|6
|20
|group
|yes
|Inflicts up to 53~62 fire damage on each member of a group.
|-
!bgcolor="#fa8072"|[[Fullheal]]
|6
|27
|one
|no
|Restores all HP to one character.
|-
!bgcolor="#fa8072"|[[Zing]]
|8
|29
|one
|no
|Revives a dead character with 50% of HP (50% success rate).
|-
!bgcolor="#fa8072"|[[Kasizzle]]
|10
|32
|group
|yes
|Inflicts up to 150~170 fire damage on each member of a group.
|-
!bgcolor="#fa8072"|Dragon Soul
|64
|65/70*
|one
|yes
|Inflicts 420~520 non-elemental damage to one enemy.
|}
*Dragon Soul is learned at level 70 in the 3DS version and deals 375~450 damage.

==Equipment==
{{VersionTabs|Weapons|{{CharacterEquipmentList|header|title=Dragon Quest VIII|subtitle=All|equipmentType=Weapon}}
{{CharacterEquipmentList|entry|item=[[Cypress Stick]]|statModifier=Attack +4}}
{{CharacterEquipmentList|entry|item=[[Soldier's Sword ]]|statModifier=Attack +8}}
{{CharacterEquipmentList|entry|item=[[Stone Sword]]|statModifier=Attack +12}}
{{CharacterEquipmentList|entry|item=[[Copper Sword]]|statModifier=Attack +13}}
{{CharacterEquipmentList|entry|item=[[Boomerang]]|statModifier=Attack +19}}
{{CharacterEquipmentList|entry|item=[[Ye Olde Sword of Erdrick]] (3DS only)|statModifier=Attack +20}}
{{CharacterEquipmentList|entry|item=[[Iron Lance]]|statModifier=Attack +24}}
{{CharacterEquipmentList|entry|item=[[Edged Boomerang]]|statModifier=Attack +27}}
{{CharacterEquipmentList|entry|item=[[Long Spear]]|statModifier=Attack +30}}
{{CharacterEquipmentList|entry|item=[[Reinforced Boomerang]]|statModifier=Attack +32}}
{{CharacterEquipmentList|entry|item=[[Steel Broadsword]]|statModifier=Attack +35}}
{{CharacterEquipmentList|entry|item=[[Falcon Blade]]|statModifier=Attack +37}}
{{CharacterEquipmentList|entry|item=[[Holy Lance]]|statModifier=Attack +39}}
{{CharacterEquipmentList|entry|item=[[Platinum Sword]]|statModifier=Attack +40}}
{{CharacterEquipmentList|entry|item=[[Battle Fork]]|statModifier=Attack +42}}
{{CharacterEquipmentList|entry|item=[[Razor Wing Boomerang]]|statModifier=Attack +42}}
{{CharacterEquipmentList|entry|item=[[Dream Blade]]|statModifier=Attack +43}}
{{CharacterEquipmentList|entry|item=[[Partisan]]|statModifier=Attack +44}}
{{CharacterEquipmentList|entry|item=[[Rusty Old Sword]]|statModifier=Attack +45}}
{{CharacterEquipmentList|entry|item=[[Swallowtail]]|statModifier=Attack +53}}
{{CharacterEquipmentList|entry|item=[[Zombiesbane]]|statModifier=Attack +54}}
{{CharacterEquipmentList|entry|item=[[Über Falcon Blade]]|statModifier=Attack +55}}
{{CharacterEquipmentList|entry|item=[[Bastard Sword]]|statModifier=Attack +61}}
{{CharacterEquipmentList|entry|item=[[Flametang Boomerang]]|statModifier=Attack +63}}
{{CharacterEquipmentList|entry|item=[[Sandstorm Spear]]|statModifier=Attack +67}}
{{CharacterEquipmentList|entry|item=[[Dragonsbane]]|statModifier=Attack +72}}
{{CharacterEquipmentList|entry|item=[[Zombie Slayer]]|statModifier=Attack +65}}
{{CharacterEquipmentList|entry|item=[[Double-edged Sword]]|statModifier=Attack +76}}
{{CharacterEquipmentList|entry|item=[[Über Double-edged Sword]]|statModifier=Attack +76}}
{{CharacterEquipmentList|entry|item=[[Miracle Sword]]|statModifier=Attack +80}}
{{CharacterEquipmentList|entry|item=[[Dragon Slayer]]|statModifier=Attack +83}}
{{CharacterEquipmentList|entry|item=[[Demon Spear]]|statModifier=Attack +86}}
{{CharacterEquipmentList|entry|item=[[Blizzard Blade]]|statModifier=Attack +90}}
{{CharacterEquipmentList|entry|item=[[Metal Wing Boomerang]]|statModifier=Attack +90}}
{{CharacterEquipmentList|entry|item=[[Über Miracle Sword]]|statModifier=Attack +95}}
{{CharacterEquipmentList|entry|item=[[Hero Spear]]|statModifier=Attack +100}}
{{CharacterEquipmentList|entry|item=[[Dragovian Sword]]|statModifier=Attack +107}}
{{CharacterEquipmentList|entry|item=[[Liquid Metal Sword]]|statModifier=Attack +118}}
{{CharacterEquipmentList|entry|item=[[Metal King Spear]]|statModifier=Attack +120}}
{{CharacterEquipmentList|entry|item=[[Dragovian King Sword]]|statModifier=Attack +137}}
{{CharacterEquipmentList|note|text=}}
{{CharacterEquipmentList|footer}}|Helmets|
{{CharacterEquipmentList|header|title=Dragon Quest VIII|subtitle=All|equipmentType=Helmet}}
{{CharacterEquipmentList|entry|item=[[Bandana]]|statModifier=Defense +1}}
{{CharacterEquipmentList|entry|item=[[Leather Hat]]|statModifier=Defense +3}}
{{CharacterEquipmentList|entry|item=[[Turban]]|statModifier=Defense +8}}
{{CharacterEquipmentList|entry|item=[[Feathered Cap]]|statModifier=Defense +9}}
{{CharacterEquipmentList|entry|item=[[Iron Helmet]]|statModifier=Defense +16}}
{{CharacterEquipmentList|entry|item=[[Bronze Helmet]]|statModifier=Defense +20}}
{{CharacterEquipmentList|entry|item=[[Hermes' Hat]]|statModifier=Defense +20}}
{{CharacterEquipmentList|entry|item=[[Mercury's Bandana]]|statModifier=Defense +23}}
{{CharacterEquipmentList|entry|item=[[Iron Mask]]|statModifier=Defense +25}}
{{CharacterEquipmentList|entry|item=[[Pirate's Hat]]|statModifier=Defense +30}}
{{CharacterEquipmentList|entry|item=[[Platinum Headgear]]|statModifier=Defense +30}}
{{CharacterEquipmentList|entry|item=[[Iron Headgear]]|statModifier=Defense +32}}
{{CharacterEquipmentList|entry|item=[[Hades' Helm]]|statModifier=Defense +33}}
{{CharacterEquipmentList|entry|item=[[Mythril Helm]]|statModifier=Defense +38}}
{{CharacterEquipmentList|entry|item=[[Great Helm]]|statModifier=Defense +45}}
{{CharacterEquipmentList|entry|item=[[Dragovian Helm]]|statModifier=Defense +50}}
{{CharacterEquipmentList|entry|item=[[Sun Crown]]|statModifier=Defense +52}}
{{CharacterEquipmentList|entry|item=[[Metal king Helm]]|statModifier=Defense +55}}
{{CharacterEquipmentList|note|text=}}
{{CharacterEquipmentList|footer}}|Armor|
{{CharacterEquipmentList|header|title=Dragon Quest VIII|subtitle=All|equipmentType=Armor}}
{{CharacterEquipmentList|entry|item=[[Plain Clothes]]|statModifier=Defense+4}}
{{CharacterEquipmentList|entry|item=[[Wayfarer's Clothes]]|statModifier=Defense+7}}
{{CharacterEquipmentList|entry|item=[[Leather Armour]]|statModifier=Defense+11}}
{{CharacterEquipmentList|entry|item=[[Scale Armour]]|statModifier=Defense+17}}
{{CharacterEquipmentList|entry|item=[[Bronze Armour]]|statModifier=Defense+24}}
{{CharacterEquipmentList|entry|item=[[Iron Armour]]|statModifier=Defense+32}}
{{CharacterEquipmentList|entry|item=[[Full Plate Armour]]|statModifier=Defense+39}}
{{CharacterEquipmentList|entry|item=[[Silver Mail]]|statModifier=Defense+50}}
{{CharacterEquipmentList|entry|item=[[Magic Armour]]|statModifier=Defense+55}}
{{CharacterEquipmentList|entry|item=[[Dragon Mail]]|statModifier=Defense+60}}
{{CharacterEquipmentList|entry|item=[[Spiked Armour]]|statModifier=Defense+68}}
{{CharacterEquipmentList|entry|item=[[Platinum Mail]]|statModifier=Defense+72}}
{{CharacterEquipmentList|entry|item=[[Alistair's Armour]]|statModifier=Defense+80}}
{{CharacterEquipmentList|entry|item=[[Sacred Armour]]|statModifier=Defense+84}}
{{CharacterEquipmentList|entry|item=[[Mirror Armour]]|statModifier=Defense+92}}
{{CharacterEquipmentList|entry|item=[[Liquid Metal Armour]]|statModifier=Defense+101}}
{{CharacterEquipmentList|entry|item=[[Dragovian Armour]]|statModifier=Defense+110}}
{{CharacterEquipmentList|entry|item=[[Metal King Armour]]|statModifier=Defense+120}}
{{CharacterEquipmentList|note|text=}}
{{CharacterEquipmentList|footer}}|Shields|
{{CharacterEquipmentList|header|title=Dragon Quest VIII|subtitle=All|equipmentType=Shields}}
{{CharacterEquipmentList|entry|item=[[Leather Shield]]|statModifier=Defense+4}}
{{CharacterEquipmentList|entry|item=[[Scale Shield]]|statModifier=Defense+7}}
{{CharacterEquipmentList|entry|item=[[Bronze Shield]]|statModifier=Defense+10}}
{{CharacterEquipmentList|entry|item=[[Iron Shield]]|statModifier=Defense+15}}
{{CharacterEquipmentList|entry|item=[[Light Shield]]|statModifier=Defense+17}}
{{CharacterEquipmentList|entry|item=[[Steel Shield]]|statModifier=Defense+22}}
{{CharacterEquipmentList|entry|item=[[Magic Shield]]|statModifier=Defense+27}}
{{CharacterEquipmentList|entry|item=[[Dragon Shield]]|statModifier=Defense+30}}
{{CharacterEquipmentList|entry|item=[[Ice Shield]]|statModifier=Defense+33}}
{{CharacterEquipmentList|entry|item=[[Power Shield]]|statModifier=Defense+38}}
{{CharacterEquipmentList|entry|item=[[Mirror Shield]]|statModifier=Defense+43}}
{{CharacterEquipmentList|entry|item=[[Ogre Shield]]|statModifier=Defense+45}}
{{CharacterEquipmentList|entry|item=[[Silver Shield]]|statModifier=Defense+48}}
{{CharacterEquipmentList|entry|item=[[Ruinous Shield]]|statModifier=Defense+50}}
{{CharacterEquipmentList|entry|item=[[Thanatos' Shield]]|statModifier=Defense+55}}
{{CharacterEquipmentList|entry|item=[[Dragovian Shield]]|statModifier=Defense+60}}
{{CharacterEquipmentList|entry|item=[[Metal King Shield]]|statModifier=Defense+65}}
{{CharacterEquipmentList|note|text=}}
{{CharacterEquipmentList|footer}}|Accessories|
{{CharacterEquipmentList|header|title=Dragon Quest VIII|subtitle=All|equipmentType=Accessories}}
{{CharacterEquipmentList|entry|item=[[Agility Ring]]|statModifier=Agility +15}}
{{CharacterEquipmentList|entry|item=[[Argon Ring]]|statModifier=Attack +20<br>Agility +20}}
{{CharacterEquipmentList|entry|item=[[Catholicon Ring]]|statModifier=Defence +15}}
{{CharacterEquipmentList|entry|item=[[Devil's Tail]]|statModifier=Agility +10}}
{{CharacterEquipmentList|entry|item=[[Dragon Scale]]|statModifier=Defence +5}}
{{CharacterEquipmentList|entry|item=[[Elevating Shoes]]|statModifier=Agility +5}}
{{CharacterEquipmentList|entry|item=[[Full moon Ring]]|statModifier=Defence +10}}
{{CharacterEquipmentList|entry|item=[[Goddess Ring]]|statModifier=Wisdom +20}}
{{CharacterEquipmentList|entry|item=[[Gold Bracer]]|statModifier=Defence +4}}
{{CharacterEquipmentList|entry|item=[[Gold Ring]]|statModifier=Defence +10}}
{{CharacterEquipmentList|entry|item=[[Gold Rosary]]|statModifier=Wisdom +5}}
{{CharacterEquipmentList|entry|item=[[Gospel Ring]]|statModifier=Defence +5}}
{{CharacterEquipmentList|entry|item=[[Holy Talisman]]|statModifier=Defence +10}}
{{CharacterEquipmentList|entry|item=[[Life Bracer]]|statModifier=Defence +5<br>Max HP +30}}
{{CharacterEquipmentList|entry|item=[[Meteorite Bracer]]|statModifier=Agility +50}}
{{CharacterEquipmentList|entry|item=[[Mighty Armlet]]|statModifier=Attack +15}}
{{CharacterEquipmentList|entry|item=[[Prayer Ring]]|statModifier=Defence +5}}
{{CharacterEquipmentList|entry|item=[[Recovery Ring]]|statModifier=Defence +15}}
{{CharacterEquipmentList|entry|item=[[Ring of Awakening]]|statModifier=Defence +10}}
{{CharacterEquipmentList|entry|item=[[Ring of Clarity]]|statModifier=Defence +10}}
{{CharacterEquipmentList|entry|item=[[Ring of Immunity]]|statModifier=Defence +10}}
{{CharacterEquipmentList|entry|item=[[Ring of Truth]]|statModifier=Defence +10}}
{{CharacterEquipmentList|entry|item=[[Ruby of Protection]]|statModifier=Defence +15}}
{{CharacterEquipmentList|entry|item=[[Scholar's Specs]]|statModifier=Wisdom +15}}
{{CharacterEquipmentList|entry|item=[[Skull Ring]]|statModifier=Agility +15}}
{{CharacterEquipmentList|entry|item=[[Slime Earrings]]|statModifier=Defence +4}}
{{CharacterEquipmentList|entry|item=[[Sorcerer's Ring]]|statModifier=Wisdom +10<br>Max MP +30}}
{{CharacterEquipmentList|entry|item=[[Strength Ring]]|statModifier=Attack +5}}
{{CharacterEquipmentList|entry|item=[[Templar's Ring]]|statModifier=Defence +5}}
{{CharacterEquipmentList|entry|item=[[Templar Captain's Ring]]|statModifier=Attack +10<br>Wisdom +10}}
{{CharacterEquipmentList|entry|item=[[Titan Belt]]|statModifier=Attack +10}}
{{CharacterEquipmentList|entry|item=[[Tough Guy Tattoo]]|statModifier=Attack +8}}
{{CharacterEquipmentList|footer}}}}

==Skill Tips==
'''Swords''' pay off if you are in pursuit of metal monsters, with ''Metal Slash'' (30 points) being particularly useful. If you accumulate 100 points in swords and courage you learn the almighty gigagash, although this takes quite some time to achieve.

'''Spears''' are ideal for hunters of metal monsters in particular, with ''Thunder Thrust'' (12 points) and ''Lightning Thrust'' (59 points). The ''Multithrust'' (25 points) is also worth a try against single enemies.

'''Boomerangs''' are a real boon in the beginning of the game because they attack all enemies. Later, however, this skill becomes less useful (over 40 points: ''Attack + 15), so it is advisable to switch to developing different skills.''

'''Fisticuffs''' is largely ineffectual to the other skills, although some actions are worth a try like ''Thin Air'' (42 points). The Hero can only make a real impression when he learns ''Attack + 50'' (100 points).

'''Courage''' is extremely useful as a means of learning traits that reduce MP consumption (at 56 and 90 points). Don't ignore the advanced attacks either (''Zap'', 48 points and ''Kazap'' at 100 points), or the ''Omniheal'' spell at 82 points.

'''Suggested Strategies:''' Learn Courage up to 8 points (''Zoom'') initially, then learn Boomerangs up to 40 points (''Attack + 15'') followed by courage up to 100. Next, increase your Swords skill to 66 (''Attack + 25'') or Spears up to 59 (''Critical Hit'').

Another option would be to forgo Boomerangs altogether and start by dividing points equally between Swords and Courage (up to Swords 66), then switching to Spears and Courage.

However, since you come across some extremely effective spears in the opening stages of the game, you may prefer to concentrate on mastering spears from the outset.

==Trivia==
* In the PS2 version of the game, when the hero's tension is maxed, his appearance changes drastically. His bandana flies off and his hair spikes up, making him resemble Super Saiyan Son Goku of ''Dragon Ball Z'' fame. This little feature was added to the Western release of the game, as a shoutout to fans of Toriyama's work.
* Munchie is an obtainable monster in ''[[Dragon Quest Monsters: Joker 2|Dragon Quest Monsters: Joker 2 Professional]]''.

==Gallery==
<center><gallery>
Image:Dq8 Hero.jpg|
Image:DQVIII_Hero_front.png|
Image:DQVIII_Hero_back.png|
Image:DQVIII Hero Face.png|
Image:DQVIII_Hero_concepts.png|
Image:DQVIII Hero High Tension.png|
Image:Dragon-quest-VIII-Dragovian Hero.jpg|Hero's transformation.
Image:Munchie.png|Munchie
Image:Munchie_pose.png|
Image:Dragovian equipment set 3ds.JPG|Hero wearing the [[Dragovian Equipment]].
Image:DQVIII Metal King Equipment.jpg|Hero wearing the [[Metal king armour]], [[Metal king shield|shield]] and [[Metal king helm|helm]].
Image:DQVIII Hero Gothic.jpg|Hero wearing the [[Gothic mitre]] and [[Gothic vestment]] ([[Nintendo 3DS|3DS Version]] only.).
</gallery></center>

==Videos==
{{#ev:youtube|g3m85MFHjS8|250}}''[[Dragon Quest: Monster Battle Road Victory]]'' finishing move

{{Hero}}
{{DQVIII}}
[[Category:Dragon Quest VIII characters]]
[[Category:Party members]]