Zoma is a blue demon dressed in the golden robes of an emperor and wearing a purple cape that attaches to his shoulders in large horizontal pads. A red, white, and black banner covers his torso as well as his knees, and wraps around his neck as a large collar. His face is skeletal with tight skin and an open nasal cavity. His helmet is huge compared to his head, featuring a massive eye in the center and two large, upwards curving horns on both sides.
Zoma is a demon of unfathomable power, whose sorcery is so great that he was able to imprison the kingdom of Alefgard in a shroud of eternal night. Due to this, he was able to sustain himself on the despair of the people trapped within, bolstering his physical might to the point that he was able to shatter a sword made of Orichalcum, albeit after a prolonged effort of three years. His incredible strength is supported by a mastery of ice magic and freezing breath, and it is said that the very air becomes chilled by his mere presence. Zoma is also the first boss in the series to make use of the infamous Disruptive Wave technique, stripping his enemies of any support spells.
The Archfiend resides in his Citadel south-east of Tantegel, where he gorges himself on the fear and despair of the land’s inhabitants, cloaking himself in an nigh upon impenetrable shroud of darkness that no spell can pierce. However, Zoma is weakened by the Sphere of Light and the shroud is destroyed when the ball is used in battle. Upon being defeated by the Hero (as well as Terry in Monsters), Zoma mockingly congratulates his vanquisher, but warns that his death will not bring an end to the world's suffering, and that a new evil shall arise to take his place long after the Hero has died. He is proven correct that the darkness yet to come will throw Alefgard into despair, but failed to realize that the lineage of heroes will resurface to restore light to the world once more.
Near the end of the game, Zoma is revealed to be the master of the archfiend Baramos, whom had been previously alluded to as the final boss to the game. Upon the death of his main and chief servant, Zoma's voice roars throughout the throne room of Aliahan castle, stating his intent to plunge the "world of light" into darkness and that the Hero is a fool for assuming that he had won peace. This proclamation sends the King of Aliahan into a deep despair, forbidding the Hero and company from speaking of Zoma.
Zoma is on the basement floor of his castle along with three sub-bosses--the King Hydra along with the soul and skeleton of Baramos. He approaches and berates the Hero prior to allowing his three subordinates to fight the Hero's party before him.
Remove his Shroud of Shadows immediately with the Sphere of Light; without it, Zoma is immune to nigh upon everything you can throw at him. His breath and ice magic is more powerful, and his physical ability is also quite powerful . On top of this, he will regenerate 90~110 HP per round, minimizing any damage players can inflict between healing sessions. This form is so powerful that it has become a challenge among III's players to slay the fiendish overlord without the Sphere of Light.
Once the shield is removed, Zoma's defensive capabilities will plummet considerably: Sap, Zap, and all forms of fire will hit 100% of the time, and his regeneration will be nixed. Woosh spells also have a 30% chance to connect. The Hero/Warrior should be Oomphed at all times. If the Hero isn’t physically attacking, he should be casting Kazap for extra damage. This is slightly risky though, for if the battle goes south, Omniheal may be necessary, and the Hero needs to have enough MP to cast it. The Warrior should also have a Staff of resurrection as a Hail Mary. The Sage/Priest should continually cast Multiheal, and, as extra insurance, have a Sage's staff as backup for when they run out of MP. The Mage/Sage (although a Sage is recommended), should use the Sage's stone when the Priest’s Multiheal isn’t enough to fully heal the party, and otherwise spam Kafrizzle. Keep this strategy up, and taking a few turns to heal every now and then, and one should be able to best the hellish demon. NOTE: The preceding strategymay not work if the player’s party is under level 45.
A demonic despot who wishes to turn the world to dust with his own hands. He devours despair and feasts on fear, stopping only to wash it down with the saltiest tears of sadness
Zoma appeared once more as the final boss of the III scenario section. He could also be challenged with Zoma keys at Legendary, Giga-Legendary, and Fiend difficulties.
Zoma was introduced in the first card pack as a legendary rare card and he appears on the artwork of several cards, as well. As a reference to his original appearance in Dragon Quest III, Zoma has his Dark Robes when he is summoned on the field and a Sphere of Light is placed on top of the opponent's deck. This made him immune to all attacks and card effects until the enemy leader used the Sphere, which would cost 4 MP to use. Zoma appeared on another card in the 7th card pack, "Strange Tale of Light and Darkness" under the name "Great Demon Lord Zoma". He appeared as a boss in the Solo Battle Adventure in the Zoma's Castle level and on another card in the 2nd card pack after the game's name changed to Rivals Ace as "King of Destruction Zoma".
Zoma first appeared in the game as the boss of Chapter 5 of the Dragon Quest III event held from March to May 2020, as well as a special mega version that can be challenged by multiple players.
Zoma is a S-rank monster of the ??? family during the original Dragon Quest III event, appearing on his own banner alongside Boss troll. He can be faced in the event quest Chapter 5, Episode 4: Archfiend Zoma, as well as his own boss battle. Zoma can also participate in Skelegon's Battle Road as a party member. He also appears in the True Dragon Quest III event and there he can be faced in a Score Challenge in The Battle of Zoma's Castle and he could be faced as a boss during the Fiendish Onslaught at the game's half-year anniversary. He can be scouted by the player by redeeming their Dark Lord/Hero Meeting Ticket S, as well as any limited banner.
Zoma is depicted with an inconsistent number of fingers. He was originally depicted having four fingers in his hands, but newer games (including remakes) instead show five fingers instead. Dragon Quest Tact still depicts him having four fingers though.
In the original version of III, Zoma's Shroud of Shadows uses his normal colour pallet and his weakened state uses the bleaker colours due to a glitch. This error was corrected in the Super Famicom remake.
It is speculated that this was not an error, and that Zoma was meant to take a different form once the Sphere of Light is used. This is supported by concept art found in Dragon Quest Illustrations that depicts a monster reminiscent of the hellspawn next to Zoma, and Yuji Horii's remarks that the ROM for III was completely full by the end of development. If this speculation is true, then it is possible that the duller colour scheme was chosen to signify that the fiend was weakened due to there not being enough room for a new sprite on the cartridge.
Zoma (ゾーマ Zōma)
Unused concept art for Zoma, possibly after the Sphere of Light is used on him.
Famicom art from Dragon Quest III.
Sprite in DQM1·2.
Monsters: Joker model
Icon in Monsters 2: 3D.
Battle Road Victory cut-in
Zoma in X.
35th Anniversary boss challenge.
Appearance in Stars.
Official art for Kenshin Dragon Quest.
Zoma in Rivals.
Cameo apperance in the Loyalty to Demon Lord card along with a Lesionnaire and a Dark dullahan in Rivals.
Zoma as he appears in Tact.
Tact artwork.
Chapter 5 of Walk's Dragon Quest III event.
Zoma in Walk.
Zoma, from the Sofubi Monster merchandise line by Square Enix.
Metal figurine.
Densetsu no Maō plush toy.
