Image by Destructoid

How to Catch Monsters in Dragon Quest 3 HD-2D Remake

It's time to assemble your dream team!

A feature not present in any of the game’s previous versions, Dragon Quest 3 HD-2D Remake allows players to catch— or recruit— friendly monsters during their journey, as well🌼 as battle with them for the chance of getting large sums oꦅf gold and exclusive items.

Recommended Videos

But although you will get your first monster after being introduced to the mechanic by Monty, the game features a massive array of 121 monsters. To help you rescue them all, here’s how to catch monsters in Dragon Quest 3 HD-2D Remake.

How to Catch Monsters in Dragon Quest 3 HD-2D Remake

After coming face to face with any type of friendly monster in Dragon Quest 3 HD-2D Remake, you will be able to recruit them by simply getting close, which will prompt your hero to calm them down and tell them about Monty’s Monster menagerie. As some monsters will run away after spotting you, I recommend getting a Monster Wrangler in your party as soon as possible, as they will allow you to approach all monsters without trouble and get new abilities based on how many you rescue.

Player learning how to rescue monsters in Dragon Quest 3
Screenshot by Destructoid

After acquiring a monster, or a few if you wish to be 100% sure, you can take them to battle by heading to any of the arenas located across the world and then talking to its set receptionist. The first arena you can find will be located in Roma๊ria.

How to Level Up Your Monsters in DQ 3 HD-2D Remake

The monster inventory screen in Dragon Quest 3 HD-2D.
Screenshot by Destructoid

Raising the level of your monsters is a must if you plan on challenging the higher ranks in the arenas, but unlike your party, they won’t level up by winning matches. Instead, you will only be able to increase their level and have them unlock new abilities by recruiting more monsters of the same type.

The above also means that species with a larger variety of friendly monsters, such as the slimes, will have a higher ceiling when compared to, for example, the Spiked Hare seen in the image above. So that you can make your monsters unstoppable early on and glide past the ranks, I highly recommend that you check out our All Friendly Monster Locations in Dragon Quest 3 guide.

How to Get the Monster Wrangler Vocation in Dragon Quest 3

There are currently two ways to get a party member with the Monster Wrangler vocation in Dragon Quest 3 HD-2D, with the first one being by visiting the receptionist on the second floor of Patty’s Party Planning Place. If you want to build the world’s most dangerous Wrangler by switching the vocation of one of your party members, you will then be able to do so by visiting the Abbot of Alltrades Abbey. Keep in mind, however, that you will only be able to change a character’s vocation after they reach level 20.


Destructoid is supported by our audience. When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn a small affiliate commission. Learn more about our Affiliate Policy
More Stories To Read
Author
Image of Franklin Bellone Borges
Franklin Bellone Borges
An avid RPG fan, and someone who cannot seem to stop spending money while playing his favorite gacha games, Franklin began writing about games in 2018 and has since then been living the dream of working with what he loves. He joined the Destructoid team in May 2024 as a Contributing Writer and can always be found either thinking about Final Fantasy VII or eagerly waiting for news on Kingdom Hearts IV.