Skills (Dragon Quest IX)
Skills in Dragon Quest IX are awarded using a points based system that is tied to character level. As a character gains levels, they may apply a certain number of skill points toward class-specific skills. For full lists of each different skill type, see Lists of skills in Dragon Quest IX.
Earning Skill Points
For each character class, a total of 200 skill points can be earned by growing from level 1 to 99. These points are distributed in a bell curve over the span of levels.
Applying Skill Points
For each class, only a subset of skills are available to be improved using skill points. This means that strategy must be applied in order to maximize the capabilities of a character as they gain levels and change classes.
Classes/Skills Matrix
This table does not include skills which are available to only a single class or the Hero skills.
| Class | Sword | Spear | Staff | Knife | Shield | Claws | Whip | Fan | Axe | Hammer | Fisticuffs | Wand | Bow | Boomerang |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Warrior | X | X | X | X | ||||||||||
| Thief | X | X | X | X | ||||||||||
| Minstrel | X | X | X | X | ||||||||||
| Priest | X | X | X | X | ||||||||||
| Martial Artist | X | X | X | X | ||||||||||
| Mage | X | X | X | X | ||||||||||
| Gladiator | X | X | X | X | ||||||||||
| Armamentalist | X | X | X | X | ||||||||||
| Paladin | X | X | X | X | ||||||||||
| Ranger | X | X | X | X | ||||||||||
| Sage | X | X | X | X | ||||||||||
| Luminary | X | X | X | X |