Editing Dragon Quest IX: Sentinels of the Starry Skies (section)

==New features==
===Co-op Mode===
Co-op mode consists of up to 4 [[Nintendo DS]] systems linking together using local wireless (similar to Pictochat) to play together. The 3 guests join the host system's world and can go anywhere which the host has explored. Guests are not required to stay with the host, but rather can wander wherever they like. Battles can be fought as a group with the host having the ability to summon the other players into a battle using the '[[Call to Arms]]' command.

Guest players are given a special 'Watchers Wing' item which allows them to teleport back to their own world at any time except whilst in battle or cutscene. Players can leave multiplayer at any time by speaking to [[List of characters in Dragon Quest IX#Pavo|Pavo]] at [[Quester's Rest]].

===WiFi Shop===
''Dragon Quest IX'' featured an online WiFi shop which can be accessed from [[Quester's Rest]]. This shop sells items and treasure maps which the player can purchase. The contents of the shop vary each week from player to player, so 2 different players will likely have different items for sale each week. [[Nintendo]] and [[Square Enix]] have used the shop to distribute special bonuses such as {{Party 9}} members from past games appearing as guests in the [[Quester's Rest]], such as [[Carver]] from {{Dragon Quest VI}}, and treasure maps which lead to caves featuring past bosses, such as [[Zoma]] and [[Dragonlord]]. The WiFi shop can be accessed by talking to [[Sellma]] at [[Quester's Rest]]. The WiFi shop is the only multiplayer mode that uses WAN internet rather than the {{DS}}-to-{{DS}} wireless. The service ended on May 20, 2014, but can still be accessed by modifying DNS settings to force the {{DS}} to connect to a fan run recreation of the server.

===Tag Mode===
Tag Mode is ''Dragon Quest IX'''s passive wireless mode which is active only when the {{DS}} is placed into sleep mode. Tag mode is activated by speaking to [[Erinn]] at [[Quester's Rest]] and selecting the 'Canvass for guests' option. While in tag mode, ''Dragon Quest IX'' looks for other ''Dragon Quest IX'' games and exchanges data with them.

When data is exchanged, a clone of the main character from each game is placed in the other player's Quester's Rest. This cloned character holds an item which can then be received by talking to him/her. The clone then continues to stay in the upper floors of [[Quester's Rest]] unless dismissed by the player. Using tag mode like this, players can exchange various items including equipment and treasure maps with other ''Dragon Quest IX'' players.

Tag mode was wildly popular in Japan, breaking several records for most players communicating wirelessly while playing a video game. Treasure maps in particular were highly sought after as some were extremely rare with special items/equipment, while others contained excellent enemies for building levels. Tag mode, however, was dependent on the number of other ''Dragon Quest IX'' players using tag mode in any local area.

===Character customization===
As per Level-5's commitment, the player has an incredible degree of control when [[Character customization|customizing characters]]. Several different faces, skin colours, hairstyles, can be edited by the player, as well as all weapons and armours appearing on the character model. Nearly all aspects of a character can be customized aside from their physique.

===Quest system===
Every town and city features citizens who need the Celestrian's help, signified by a [[List of quests in Dragon Quest IX|blue icon over their head]]. These side missions can range from handing over specific items to defeating monsters under unusual circumstances, but always yield rich rewards for the player in exchange. 

===Grotto system===
The aforementioned dungeons are {{Grotto}}s, randomly generated areas that are based on themes such as caverns, tidal caves, and so forth. grottos are discovered by sharing treasure maps with other players and by advancing the story of the main game. These dungeons are the best way to find the most powerful gear and items available, but are also home to incredibly powerful legacy bosses and original fiends created for the game.

===Expanded alchemy system===
While introduced in the previous game, alchemy is greatly enhanced in ''IX'' to the degree of being a new system altogether. Countless new items have been introduced as ingredients for combinations, with several areas of the overworld dedicated to providing these materials for the player. Nearly every piece of gear either having a direct upgrade or being used as part of the recipe for a different item altogether. Due to there being no wagon, the [[Quester's Rest]] [[inn]] houses the [[Krak Pot]], a living alchemical chamber that can instantaneously process materials into new items.

===Regenerating items and treasure chests===
Items found in the usual pots, dressers, bookshelves, and materials found on the overworld are now marked with a blue glimmer to gain a player's attention. These glimmers will recover once a few real world hours pass, allowing players to more easily acquire resources for alchemy.