Mad cap: Difference between revisions

|games = ''[[Dragon Quest II]]''<br/>''[[Dragon Quest III]]''<br/>''[[Dragon Quest VII]]''<br/>''[[Dragon Quest VIII]]''<br/>

|effect = Reduces [[MP]] required for magic

The '''Mad cap''' is a rather unique headgear mainly found in the early entries of the ''[[Dragon Quest (series)|Dragon Quest]]'' series that cuts the cost of spells. Its name is a pun based on the term "madcap".

The mad cap is a wide-brimmed pointed blue hat of the same kind typically worn by wizards and witches in fiction. It has a band of yellow cloth around it with a red gemstone in the center. The hat's most distinctive feature is the series of eyes with vertical pupils with yellow sclera and either red or orange pupils running up the length of the hat.

The hat reduces [[MP]] consumption in battle by 25% (rounded up) and provides a [[Defense]] of +4 (+8 in the remakes.)

They are dropped by [[Tyrannodactyl|Tyrannodactyls]], [[Pazuzu]], and [[Hargon]] with a rate of {{fraction|1|128}}, and at a rate of {{fraction|1|16}} by [[Liquid Metal Slime]]s in the remakes. Fortunately, each of the remake versions also feature a mad cap obtainable in a chest found in the [[Cave to Rendarak]]. It is the only helmet equippable by the [[Prince of Cannock]] and the [[Princess of Moonbrooke]].

[[Image:MysteriousHat.png|left|200px|thumb|A female Priest wearing the hat. The mad cap is characterized by a series of eyes running along the front.]]

 

The hat reduces [[MP]] consumption by 25% (rounded up) as before, and provides [[Defense]] of +8. They are dropped by [[Firn fiend]] with a rate of 1/128, and may be equipped by [[priest]]s, [[mage]]s, [[merchant]], [[gadabout]]s, and [[sage]]s, as well as [[thief|thieves]] in remake versions. The MP reduction rate can be combined with the [[Glombolero]] for extra-economic casting. Because of the minuscule drop rate and the absence of any chests that contain the topper, it is '''strongly''' recommended to bring a thief when attempting to snag one.

Returning after a long absence, the Mad Cap can be equipped by everyone except for [[Kiefer]], increases defence by +8, style by +5, and now cuts [[MP]] costs by '''50%'''. One can be found in the [[Cave to Another World]] and more can be acquired by winning them as prizes from the Lucky Panel at the [[Casino]]s found at [[Buccanham]] and [[The Haven|the Haven]].

In the 3DS remake, a superior hat called the '''Raving Mad Cap''' is available for the above mentioned characters. It increases defence by +13, style by +8, and cuts spell costs by '''75%'''. Unfortunately, the game's programming does not allow this to stack with the [[Sage]] and [[Druid]] MP discounts due to only selecting the best reduction rate instead of adding them.  The cap is available upon the first completion of the [[DLC Tablet]] ''True Steel'' by defeating the [[Überkilling machine]]

The Mad cap only appears in the 3DS port of ''Dragon Quest VIII'', being available in the bonus dungeon. It may be equipped by everyone, meaning that if the Hero has mastered his Courage skillset, he can cast [[Omniheal]] for a scant '''14MP'''. It bolsters defence by +32.

In a 1998 interview, ''[[Pokémon]]'' creator Satoshi Tajiri revealed that his frustrations over obtaining the Mad Cap were one of the main inspirations for the data exchanging feature his series would become famous for. To wit, he explained he felt a great deal of envy when his childhood friend (and Pocket Monster illustrator) Ken Sugimori managed to get two of them on his save file, and had absolutely no way to share the unneeded one with Tajiri.

Image:DQIII Mad cap.png|The mad cap from ''Dragon Quest III''

Image:ChainSickleMadCap.jpg|The mad cap as featured in the [[Dragon Quest Legend Items Gallery]]