Monster recruitment: Difference between revisions

[[File:DQVI monster companions.jpg|right|thumb|350px|The cast of {{DQ6}} along with several monstrous mates.]]

Introduced in {{DQ5}}, the recruitment of bested beasts has appeared in some capacity in nearly every title in the series since 1992.

Specifically, the system is present in every even-numbered title beginning with {{DQ6}}.

Monster recruitment was simplistic in its original inception, being a fixed percentage that could not be changed by the player. If multiple recruitable {{MFamilies}}s appear in the same encounter, only the final felled foe will have a chance to join the {{Hero 5}}. In the [[Nintendo DS]] and [[cell phone]] versions, {{MFamilies}} allies will only alternate between two lines of dialogue during [[Party Chat]], as opposed to the fuller conversations of human characters.

As of 2019, the [[Cell phone]] ports saw the addition of the [[Monster magnet]] accessory for the the {{Hero 5}}, which when equipped can increase the odds of a {{MFamilies}} joining up by one rank. This is likely due to the release of {{Your Story}}, which would have attracted a new audience to the title and such players would have desired an easier time collecting {{MFamilies}}s.

! Sprite !! Monster Name !!{{SFC}} !! {{PS2}} !! {{DS}} & Phone !! Tame Rate !! Level required

| [[File:ArchdemonMUG DQV DS.png]] || {{Archdemon R}} || No || No || Yes || {{fraction|1|64}} ||30

| [[File:BadappleMUG DQV DS.png]] || {{Bad apple R}} || No || Yes || Yes || {{fraction|1|4}}||7

| [[File:Barbatos_DS_mugshot.png]] || {{Barbatos R}} || Yes || Yes || Yes || {{fraction|1|256}} ||41

| [[File:BattlepipMUG DQV DS.png]] || {{Battle pip R}} || No || Yes || Yes ||{{fraction|1|16}} ||7

| [[File:BeastmasterMUG DQV DS.png]] || {{Beastmaster R}}  || No || Yes || Yes ||{{fraction|1|4}} ||30

| [[File:BlizzybodyMUG DQV DS.png]] || {{Blizzybody R}} || No || Yes || Yes ||{{fraction|1|64}} || 26

| [[File:Bomboulder_DS_mugshot.png]] || {{Bomboulder R}}  || Yes || Yes || Yes ||{{fraction|1|256}} || 30

| [[File:BrownieMUG DQV DS.png]] || {{Brownie R}}  || Yes || Yes || Yes || {{fraction|1|4}} ||7

| [[File:ChimaeraMUG DQV DS.png]] || {{Chimaera R}} || Yes || Yes || Yes || {{fraction|1|16}} ||15

| [[File:ConkererMUG DQV DS.png]] || {{Conkerer R}} || No || Yes || Yes || {{fraction|1|32}} ||27

| [[File:ConkjurerMUG DQV DS.png]] || {{Conkjurer R}} || No || Yes || Yes || {{fraction|1|32}} ||27

| [[File:ConkuisitorMUG DQV DS.png]] || {{Conkuisitor R}}  || No  || Yes || Yes ||{{fraction|1|32}} ||27

| [[File:ConkuistadorMUG DQV DS.png]] || {{Conkuistador R}}  || No || Yes || Yes ||{{fraction|1|32}} ||27

| [[File:Cross_eye_DS_mugshot.png]] || {{Cross eye R}}  || Yes || Yes || Yes ||{{fraction|1|32}} ||9

| [[File:CureslimeMUG DQV DS.png]] || {{Cureslime R}} || Yes || Yes || Yes ||{{fraction|1|64}} ||16

| [[File:Dracky_DS_mugshot.png]] || {{Dracky R}} || Yes || Yes || Yes ||{{fraction|1|4}} ||7

|[[File:Drag goof DS mugshot.png]] || {{Drag-goof R}}  || Yes || Yes || Yes ||{{fraction|1|16}} ||18

| [[File:Dwight_DS_mugshot.png]] || [[Dwight]] || No || Yes || Yes || N/A || N/A

| [[File:Epipany DS mugshot.png]] || {{Epipany R}}  || No || Yes || Yes ||{{fraction|1|16}} ||7

| [[File:Fandangow_DS_mugshot.png]] || {{Fandangow R}}  || Yes || Yes || Yes ||{{fraction|1|32}} ||9

| [[File:Fat rat DS mugshot.png]] || {{Fat rat R}}  || No || Yes || Yes ||{{fraction|1|2}} || 7

| [[File:Flamethrower DS mugshot.png]] ||  {{Flamethrower R}} || No || Yes || Yes ||{{fraction|1|64}} ||16

| [[File:Funghoul DS mugshot.png]] || {{Funghoul R}}  || No || Yes || Yes || {{fraction|1|16}} ||7

| [[File:Ghost DS mugshot.png]] || {{Ghost R}}  || No || Yes || Yes ||{{fraction|1|2}}||7

| [[File:Gigantes DS mugshot.png]] || {{Gigantes R}} || Yes || Yes || Yes ||{{fraction|1|32}}||34

| [[File:Golem DS mugshot.png]] || {{Golem R}} || Yes || Yes || Yes ||{{fraction|1|4}}||25

| [[File:Goodybag DS mugshot.png]] || {{Goodybag R}}  || Yes || Yes || Yes ||{{fraction|1|16}}||16

| [[File:Great dragon DS mugshot.png]] || {{Great dragon R}}  || Yes || Yes || Yes ||{{fraction|1|64}}||35

| [[File:Grudgerigar DS mugshot.png]] || {{Grudgerigar R}} || Yes || Yes || Yes ||{{fraction|1|32}}||9

| [[File:Hades helm DS mugshot.png]] || {{Hades' helm R}}  || No || Yes || Yes ||{{fraction|1|64}}||29

| [[File:Hawk man DS mugshot.png]] || {{Hawk man R}} || No || Yes || Yes ||{{fraction|1|32}}||23

| [[File:Healslime DS mugshot.png]] || {{Healslime R}} || Yes || Yes || Yes ||{{fraction|1|32}}||7

| [[File:Hellion DS mugshot.png]] || {{Hellion R}} || Yes || Yes || Yes ||{{fraction|1|32}}||23

| [[File:Hoodlum DS mugshot.png]] || {{Hoodlum R}} || Yes || Yes || Yes ||{{fraction|1|16}}||25

| [[File:Hulagan DS mugshot.png]] || {{Hulagan R}} || No || Yes || Yes ||{{fraction|1|16}}||9

| [[File:Hyperanemon DS mugshot.png]] || {{Hyperanemon R}} || Yes || Yes|| Yes ||{{fraction|1|64}}||41

| [[File:Jailcat DS mugshot.png]] || {{Jailcat R}} || No || No || Yes || {{fraction|1|16}} || 7

| [[File:Killing machine DS mugshot.png]] || {{Killing machine R}}  || Yes || Yes || Yes ||{{fraction|1|256}}||34

| [[File:King cureslime DS mugshot.png]] ||  {{King cureslime R}} || Yes || Yes || Yes ||{{fraction|1|64}}||28

| [[File:King slime DS mugshot.png]] || {{King slime R}} || Yes || Yes || Yes ||{{fraction|1|64}}||10

| [[File:Liquid metal slime2.png]] || {{Liquid metal slime R}} || Yes || Yes || Yes ||{{fraction|1|256}}||20

| [[File:Magic marionette DS mugshot.png]] || {{Magic marionette R}} || Yes || Yes || Yes ||{{fraction|1|32}}||12

| [[File:Man o war DS mugshot.png]] || {{Man o' war R}}  || Yes || Yes || Yes ||{{fraction|1|2}}||18

| [[File:Mandrake marshal DS mugshot.png]] || {{Mandrake marshal R}}  || Yes || Yes || Yes ||{{fraction|1|32}}||32

| [[File:Metal slime3.png]] || {{Metal slime R}} || No || Yes || Yes ||{{fraction|1|256}}||7

| [[File:Minidemon DS mugshot.png]] || {{Minidemon R}} || Yes || Yes || Yes ||{{fraction|1|32}}||20

| [[File:Moosifer DS mugshot.png]] || {{Moosifer R}} || Yes || Yes || Yes ||{{fraction|1|32}}||30

| [[File:Mudraker DS mugshot.png]] || {{Mudraker R}}  || No || Yes || Yes ||{{fraction|1|4}}||11

| [[File:Old man of the sea DS mugshot.png]] || {{Old man of the sea R}} || Yes || Yes || Yes ||{{fraction|1|32}}||25

| [[File:Orc king DS mugshot.png]] || {{Orc king R}}  || Yes || Yes || Yes ||{{fraction|1|4}}||21

| [[File:Pip fighter DS mugshot.png]] || {{Pip fighter R}}  || No || Yes || Yes ||{{fraction|1|16}}||7

| [[File:Pocus poppet DS mugshot.png]] || {{Pocus poppet R}}  || No || Yes || Yes||{{fraction|1|16}}||10

| [[File:Powie yowie DS mugshot.png]] || {{Powie yowie R}} || Yes || Yes || Yes ||{{fraction|1|32}}||7

| [[File:Prestidigitator DS mugshot.png]] || {{Prestidigitator R}}  || Yes || Yes || Yes ||{{fraction|1|4}}||10

|  || [[Rebjørn]]  || No || Yes || Yes ||N/A||N/A

| [[File:Restless armour DS mugshot.png]] || {{Restless armour R}}  || No || Yes || Yes ||{{fraction|1|64}}||10

| [[File:Revaulting horse DS mugshot.png]] || {{Revaulting horse R}} || Yes || Yes || Yes ||{{fraction|1|16}}||27

| [[File:Rockbomb DS mugshot.png]] || {{Rockbomb R}}  || Yes || Yes || Yes ||{{fraction|1|64}} ||15

| [[File:Rotten apple.png]] || {{Rotten apple R}}  || No || Yes || Yes ||{{fraction|1|2}}||7

| [[File:Saber DS mugshot.png]] ||  [[Saber]] || Yes || Yes || Yes ||N/A ||N/A

| [[File:Samigina DS mugshot.png]] || {{Samigina R}}  || Yes || Yes|| Yes ||{{fraction|1|32}} ||20

| [[File:DQ5-NDS-SLIME-MUGSHOT.png]] || {{Slime R}}  || Yes || Yes || Yes ||{{fraction|1|2}} ||7

| [[File:Slime knight DS mugshot.png]] || {{Slime knight R}}  || Yes || Yes || Yes ||{{fraction|1|4}} ||7

| [[File:SmallfryMUG DQV DS.png]] || {{Small fry R}}  || Yes || Yes || Yes ||{{fraction|1|16}} ||7

| [[File:SnowbirdMUG DQV DS.png]] || {{Snowbird R}}  || Yes || Yes || Yes ||{{fraction|1|32}} ||34

| ||  [[Starkers]] || No || Yes || Yes ||N/A || N/A

| [[File:TickingtimeburrmMUG DQV DS.png]] || {{Ticking timeburrm R}}  || Yes || Yes || Yes ||{{fraction|1|32}} ||7

| [[File:Walking corpse1.png]] || {{Walking corpse R}} || Yes || Yes || Yes ||{{fraction|1|32}} ||7

| [[File:Warhog.png]] || {{Warhog R}} || Yes || Yes || Yes ||{{fraction|1|32}} ||28

| [[File:Wax murderer.png]] || {{Wax murderer R}}  || No || Yes || Yes || {{fraction|1|16}} ||7

| [[File:Wiz pip.png]] || {{Wiz pip R}} || No || Yes || Yes || {{fraction|1|16}} ||7

In the original {{SFC}} version of {{VI}} monster recruitment worked identically to {{V}}, though someone in the {{Party 6}} must be a [[Monster Master]] for the chance to activate. When the {{DS}} version (and subsequent [[Cell phone]] porta) were produced, this mechanic was retired in favor of "Slime Buddies": {{Slime}}s players could interact with in towns and dungeons like {{NPC}}s who would join the {{Party 6}} once certain conditions were met as was the case with [[Lizzie]]. These {{Slime}}s are not treated as full characters, however, and thus lack the detailed [[Party Chat]] of humans and [[Lizzie]].

In both versions of the game, any recruited {{Slime}} may enter into the gladiatorial contests at [[Slimopolis]].

| [[File:Dq6batteringramsnes.png|48px|center]] || {{Damned ram R}} || {{fraction|1|16}} || 4

| [[File:Bosstroll DQVI SNES.gif|68px|center]] || {{Boss troll R}} || {{fraction|1|16}} || 5

| [[File:Dg6chimaerasnes.png|48px|center]] || {{Dreamaera R}} || {{fraction|1|32}} || 4

| [[File:Furrat.gif|48px|center]] || {{Feralball R}} || {{fraction|1|4}} || 1

| [[File:Windmage.gif|58px|center]] || {{Gustbluster R}} || {{fraction|1|64}} || 3

| [[File:Dq6highdjinkssnes.png|58px|center]] || {{High djinks R}} || {{fraction|1|256}} || 8

| [[File:Dq6 king slime.png|48px|center|]] || [[Kingsley|King slime]] || {{fraction|1|64}} || 5

| [[File:Dq6LMSsnes.png|48px|center]] || [[Mercury|Liquid metal slime]] || {{fraction|1|256}} || 6

| [[File:Dq6lipssnes.png|48px|center]] || {{Lips R}} || {{fraction|1|64}} || 1

| [[File:Dq6mudmannequainsnes.png|48px|center]] || {{Mud mannequin R}} || {{fraction|1|64}} || 2

| [[File:Dq6overkillingmachinesnes.png|58px|center]] || {{Overkilling machine R}} || {{fraction|1|64}} || 7

| [[File:DQ6-SFC-SLIME.png|center]] || [[Goober|Slime]] || {{fraction|1|2}} || 1

| [[File:Dq6slimeknightsnes.png|42px|center]] || [[Goowain|Slime knight]] || {{fraction|1|4}} || 2

| [[File:Supertensk.gif|48px|center]] || {{Sluggernaut R}} || {{fraction|1|4}} || 3

| [[File:Dq6walkingcorpsesnes.png|48px|center]] || {{Walking corpse R}} || {{fraction|1|32}} || 2

===Available in the DS & phone versions===

| [[File:Goowain mugshot.png]]  || [[Goowain]] || [[Howcastle]]

| [[File:Healie mugshot.png]] || [[Healie]] || [[Clearvale]]

| [[File:Spot mugshot.png]] || [[Spot (DQ6)|Spot]] || [[Castle Graceskull]]

| [[File:Kinglsey mugshot.png]] || [[Kingsley]] || [[Château de Sass]]

| [[File:Goober mugshot.png]] || [[Goober]] || [[Slimopolis]]

| [[File:Lizzie mugshot.png]] || [[Lizzie]] || [[Arkbolt]]

| [[File:Curie mugshot.png]] || [[Curie]] || [[Suite dreams]]

| [[File:Shelley mugshot.png]] || [[Shelley]] || [[Underwater Inn]]

|-

| [[File:Mercury mugshot.png]] || [[Mercury]] || [[Suite dreams]]

Monster recruitment is not present in the seventh game; instead, {{MFamilies}}s will sojourn off to a sort of wild life reserve called the [[Monster Meadows]] that is unlocked during the normal course of the game. Once there, they can be spoken to in their natural habitat as if they were {{NPC}}s, though only one line of dialogue will be spoken. The [[Animal Magnetism]] skill makes taming these beasts much easier than in previous games, being the first time a player has direct influence on the probability in a numbered title.  

Additionally, defeated {{MFamilies}}s will occasionally drop [[Monster Heart]]s. These function similarly to the [[Dragonic Diligence]] and [[Liquid Metal Mind]] scrolls from {{VI}}, and allow the character holding them to take on monster-based vocations at {{Alltrades Abbey 6}}. The main difference is that a character's sprite will change into the corresponding monster once the vocation is mastered.

*In the {{3DS}} remake, the character will immediately become a monster after using a heart.

In the {{PS2}} version of the game, players will notice several {{MFamilies}}s wandering the overworld. These infamous beasties prove '''much''' more capable than their randomly encountered counterparts, but once the player pays a visit to [[Morrie]]'s place they can join the party. This allows the monsters to enter the competition in [[Morrie's Place|Morrie's Monstrous Pit]], and through the use of the [[Call Team]] skill they may be summoned into battle for 3 or more turns. All recruited {{MFamilies}}s grow more powerful as the {{Hero 8}}'s Level rises, and do not need to gain battle {{exp}}erience themselves.

*In the [[Nintendo 3DS]] port, all {{MFamilies}}s are visible in the overworld, with the [[infamous monster]]s being given distinctive icons.

===Available in all versions===

[[Archer]], [[Archfiend (Recruit)|Archfiend]], [[Arges]], [[Big Al]], [[Bishop (Recruit)|Bishop]], [[Bladewolf]], [[Blizag Jr]], [[Bones (Recruit)|Bones]], [[Brickman]], [[Brontes]], [[Bush-W]], [[Capers]], [[Clio]], [[Cowboy]], [[Curer (Recruit)|Curer]], [[Cybot]], [[Deadnoble (Recruit)|Deadnoble]], [[Dolldrums]], [[Doug]], [[Dumbking]], [[Fat cat]], [[Faunus]], [[Flameman]], [[Fletch]], [[Foul fowl]], [[Frillsaur]], [[Goldman (Recruit)|Goldman]], [[Gryphus]], [[Hackzilla]], [[Hazel (Recruit)|Hazel]], [[Healer (Recruit)|Healer]], [[Hev]], [[Hoodwink]], [[Hori (Recruit)|Hori]], [[Hork (Recruit)|Hork]], [[Jack Frost]], [[Jewelbag (Recruit)|Jewelbag]], [[Jockey]], [[Klub kong]], [[Lonely Joe]], [[McHammer]], [[Mechabubo]], [[Metabble (Recruit)|Metabble]], [[Metaly (Recruit)|Metaly]], [[Moppet]], [[Mornstar]], [[Nightwing]], [[Nohi]], [[Octurion]], [[Orcus]], [[Orrid]], [[Pa Troll]], [[Potbelly]], [[Roborg]], [[Robster]], [[Sagittari]], [[Salsa]], [[Scorpius]], [[Seasaw]], [[Sippy]], [[Skeledoid]], [[Slurpy]], [[Smiles]], [[Snap Case]], [[Spike]], [[Spot (DQ8)|Spot]], [[Squiggles]], [[Steropes]], [[Stoneman (Recruit)|Stoneman]], [[Sugi]], [[Talos]], [[Torchman]], [[Tori]], [[Trick Bag (Recruit)|Trick Bag]], [[Twiggy]]

Certain {{MFamilies}}s can be recruited by players beginning in version 2.0, which saw the return of the [[Monster Master]] vocation to the series after nearly 14 years of absence. Version 2.1 added the [[Item Master]] vocation and it's selection of monsters. The former tames organic {{MFamilies}}s, while the latter handles [[Material family|living objects]] and [[Machine family|robots]], with each having 15 species to choose from.

Taming itself is fairly simple, but players must perform research on the species they want prior to the encounter. This is done in the form of obtaining zoological books on {{MFamilies}}s or user manuals for machines, and using one as an item in battle to unlock the scouting attack for that particular breed. This attack creates a base 10% chance to capture the {{MFamilies}} once it falls. The skill does not need to be the final blow of the battle; as long as it has been used over the course of the encounter the chance to recruit the beast is established. Once tamed, the {{MFamilies}} can join the player immediately or be sent off to the monster bar where most scouting books are obtained, and one character can store up to 24 {{MFamilies}}s at the pub.

Monsters that have joined players are controlled through A.I. dependent on their [[Personality|personality]] and essentially serve as [[party]] members for times when the player's friends and comrades are offline. Monsters have a Level cap of 50, but can undergo a process similar to a [[Revocation]] to further raise their stats. The equipment pool of a given {{MFamilies}} is fixed and cannot be changed, but gear can be shared between the {{MFamilies}} and master: for example a [[Monster Master]] and Hacksaurus can simultaneously wield the same [[Kaiser axe]] in a battle for the sake of player convenience. New to the series is the concept of bonding, a hidden stat that denotes the level of attachment a {{MFamilies}} has to its master and is raised by fighting together. Once this stat is maxed out, a {{MFamilies}} will follow a character regardless of their {{vocation}}.

! Monster Name !! Version available !! Weapon !! Armor !! Book

|[[Chimaera]] || 2.0 || Wands || Robes || Casino prize

|[[Dracky]] || 2.3 || Heavy wands || Robes || Monster battle road prize

|[[Great sabrecat]] || 4.1 || Claws || Clothes || Monster drop

|[[Hacksaurus]] || 2.0 || Axes || Metal armor || Casino prize

|[[Healslime]] ||2.0 || Wands ||Robes || Sold at tavern

|[[Imp]] || 2.2 ||Spears || Robes ||Sold at tavern

|[[Jailcat]] || 2.0 || Claws || Robes || Monster drop

|[[Mandrake major]] || 2.0 || Swords || Metal armor || Sold at tavern

|[[Meowgician]] || 2.0 || Heavy wands || Robes || Sold at tavern

|[[Mischievous mole]] || 2.0 || Staves || Clothing || Monster drop

|[[Slime]] ||2.0 ||Boomerangs || Clothes || Sold at tavern

|[[Slime knight]] || 2.0 ||Swords || Metal armor || Sold at tavern

|[[Small fry]] || 2.2 || Claws || Clothes || Sold at tavern

|[[Teeny sanguini]] || 2.0 || Wands || Robes || Sold at tavern

! Monster Name !! Version available !! Weapon !! Armor !! Book

|[[Fromage Fray]] || 2.1 || Heavy wands || Robes || Sold at tavern

|[[Golem]] || 2.1 || Greatswords || Metal armor || Sold at tavern

|[[Goodybag]] || 2.1 || Fans || Robes || Casino prize

|[[Harmour]] || 2.1 || Swords || Metal armor || Casino prize

|[[Ham hatwitch]] || 2.1 || Heavy wands || Robes || Monster drop

|[[Hellbound horror]] || 2.3 || Axes || Clothes || Sold at tavern

|[[Killing machine]] || 2.2 || Greatswords|| Metal armor || Sold at tavern

|[[Magic marionette]] || 2.2 || Knives || Clothes || Sold at tavern

|[[Mecha-mynah]] || 2.1 || Claws || Clothes || Sold at tavern

|Needle man || 2.1 || Knives || Clothes || Sold at tavern

|[[Pocus poppet]] || 4.2 || Boomerangs || Clothes || Monster drop

|[[Prancing pillar]] || 2.1 || Fans || Clothes || Sold at tavern

|[[Restless armour]] || 2.1 || Swords || Metal armor || Sold at tavern

|Wardrobe mimic || 2.4 || Bows || Robes || Sold at tavern

While monsters retain a base chance to join the player upon defeat as in previous games, the chance can be greatly enhanced by using Monster munchies in battle.  

*In {{Joker 2}}, tossing a bundle of [[Beastie bites]] at the foe will raise the chance by a flat 10%.

{{DQV}}

{{DQVI}}

{{DQVII}}

{{DQVIII}}

{{DQX}}

{{DQMI}}

{{DQBII}}

{{DQMII}}