Dragon Warrior III/Armors

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Most equipment can be bought, but some can only be found or dropped by enemies. Some equipment can cast spells (at no MP cost) by using it as an item in battle. This item use is limited: usually only classes that can equip an item can use it from the item menu (with some exceptions like the Staff of Thunder and Shield of Strength). Cursed items have a negative impact on your party and cannot be removed except by visiting a healer in town or using the Curse Off spell.

Most importantly, some armors provide resistance to magic spells, fire breath attacks, ice breath attacks, or even some combination of the three. Note that if one if wearing two armor pieces that resist the same type of attack, their resistances will not stack. The Hero will still take 2/3 damage from all breath attacks, even if he's wearing both the Armor of Radiance and the Shield of Heroes at the same time.

  • Item locations in blue refer to a chest.
  • Item locations in red refer to a monster dropping it.

NES[edit]

Class abbreviations
  • Hr = Hero
  • Sr = Soldier/Warrior
  • Mr = Merchant/Dealer
  • Gf = Goof-off/Jester
  • Pg = Pilgrim/Cleric
  • Sa = Sage
  • Wz = Wizard/Mage
  • Fi = Fighter

All equipment parts can be sold for 75% of their original price (rounded down). Therefore, if an item cannot be purchased, its selling price divided by 0,75 is listed, instead.

Armor[edit]

Armor offers stronger protection than shields or helmets, but at a higher price. No armor can be used as an item, but some pieces offer protection against certain types of attacks automatically (if they're worn, anyway).

Armor Price Def Special Location Hr Sr Mr Gf Pg Sg Wz Fi
Clothes 10 4 - Aliahan, Soo, Tower of Arp, Hork Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes
Wayfayer's Clothes 70 8 - Aliahan, Cave on the Promontory, Isis, Barnabas, Army Crab Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes No
Training Suit 80 10 - Reeve, Cave of Norud No No No Yes No Yes No Yes
Leather Armor 150 12 - Aliahan, Reeve, Romaly Yes Yes Yes No Yes Yes No No
Shell Armor 300 16 - Romaly, Crabus Yes Yes Yes No Yes Yes No No
Animal Suit 350 8 Makes the character look like a cat, but has no practical value Cave of Samanao, Vampire Cat, Catula Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes
Chain Mail 480 20 - Romaly, Assaram Yes Yes Yes No Yes Yes No No
Iron Apron 700 22 - Romaly, Kanave, Assaram No No Yes No No No No No
Fighting Suit 800 23 - Kanave, Aliahan, Muor, Soo, Tentacles No Yes Yes No No Yes No Yes
Half Plate Armor 1100 25 - Kanave, Assaram, Isis, Infernus Knight Yes Yes Yes No No No No No
Flashy Clothes 1300 28 - Pyramid, Soo, Dancing Jewel No No No Yes No No No No
Full Plate Armor 2400 32 - Isis, Muor, Lethal Knight Yes Yes No No No No No No
Cloak of Evasion 2900 20 Wearer has an additional 20% chance to evade physical attacks Noaniels, Assaram, Isis, Muor, Lancel, Rimuldar, Hunter Fly, Ghoul, Hades' Condor Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes
Angel's Robe 3000 35 Halves the chance of being hit by Defeat & Beat spells Elf Village, Tantegel No No No No Yes Yes Yes No
Sacred Robe 4400 30 Reduces all magic damage down to 2/3. Tedanki, Lancel, New Town, Tantegel, Hauksness No No No No Yes Yes No No
Magic Armor 5800 40 Reduces all magic damage down to 2/3. Tedanki, Samanao, New Town, Rimuldar Yes Yes No No Yes Yes No No
Armor of Hades 7000 65 Cursed: 33% chance to immobolize wearer every time Attack command is used. Reduces all magic damage down to 1/4 + 1. Cave Southwest of Tantegel Yes Yes No No No No No No
Dragon Mail 9800 45 Reduces fire breath damage down to 2/3. New Town, Tantegel, Hauksness, Kol, King Hydra Yes Yes No No No No No No
Water Flying Clothes 12500 40 Reduces all magic and breath damage down to 2/3. Kol No No No No No No Yes No
Revealing Swimsuit 78000 1 Females only (overworld sprite will change when worn); sells for 42% of purchasing price Assaram, Hauksness Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes
Magic Bikini 99999 40 Females only (overworld sprite will change when worn). Cannot be sold or dropped. King Merzon Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes
Armor of Terrafirma 99999 50 Cannot be sold or dropped. Navel of the Earth, Stone Hulk Yes Yes No No No No No No
Swordedge Armor 99999 55 Reflects 50% + 1 of physical attack damage back at the enemy. Cannot be sold or dropped. Cave of Necrogond Yes Yes No No No No No No
Armor of Radiance 99999 75 Restores 1HP per step, reduces all magic and breath damage down to 2/3. Cannot be sold or dropped. Tower West of Kol Yes No No No No No No No

Shields[edit]

Shields provide a fair amount of protection at a reasonable cost, especially for Pilgrims and Sages, who cannot use the strongest armor. On the other hand, Wizards and Fighters cannot use shields.

Shield Price Def Special Location Hr Sr Mr Gf Pg Sg Wz Fi
Shield of Sorrow 10 35 Cursed: Physical attack damage reduced to 1/2 if neither the Cloak of Evasion or Swordedge Armor are being worn. Another random party member will then receive the other half of the damage, if the Shield of Sorrow user isn't wearing a Cloak of Evasion. Lionhead, Leona, Lionroar, Baramos Bomus Yes Yes No No No No No No
Leather Shield 90 4 - Aliahan, Reeve, Rammore Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes No No
Bronze Shield 180 7 - Romaly, Kanave, Assaram, Tedanki, Infernus Crab Yes Yes Yes No Yes Yes No No
Iron Shield 700 12 - Kanave, Assaram, Isis Yes Yes Yes No No No No No
Silver Shield 8800 30 - Samanao, New Town, Kol, Rimuldar Yes Yes No No Yes Yes No No
Shield of Strength 15000 40 Item: casts Healmore. Can be used as an item by ANY class. Hauksness Yes Yes No No No No No No
Shield of Heroes 99999 50 All breath damage reduced down to 2/3. Cannot be sold or dropped. Cave NW of Tantegel Yes No No No No No No No

Helmets[edit]

Like Shields, Helmets provide effective defense at a relatively low cost. Unlike the other three types of equipment, there is no special piece for the Hero. While the Iron Helmet has a list price of 2000 gold, it is only available from one of the dealers in Assaram who charges 16000 to start, so it costs 2000 gold after four haggling sequences.

Helmet Price Def Special Location Hr Sr Mr Gf Pg Sg Wz Fi
Unlucky helmet 0 35 Cursed: luck is reduced to zero. Cannot be sold or dropped. To get rid of, equip it on your hero and pay to have it removed in a temple with 'UNCURSE' option. Castle of Baramos, Minidemon Yes Yes No No No No No No
Noh Mask 2 255 Cursed: permanently confused and cannot cast spells outside of battle nor be able to use items Cave of Jipang Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes
Mysterious Hat 8 8 Spells cost 75% + 1 of original amount Glacier Basher, Magiwyvern, Barog No No Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes No
Leather Helmet 80 2 - Reeve, Tower of Najima, Romaly, Isis, New Town, Spiked Hare, Giant Anteater, Merzoncian Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes No
Turban 160 8 - Reeve, Assaram No No Yes Yes No No No No
Iron Helmet 2000 16 - Assaram, Tower of Garuna, Tortragon Yes Yes No No Yes Yes No No
Iron Mask 3500 25 - Tedanki, Muor, Lancel, Kol, Rimuldar Yes Yes No No No No No No
Golden Crown 99999 6 Plot item. Cannot be sold or dropped. Kandar Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes No

Remakes[edit]

Armors[edit]

Armor offers stronger protection than shields or helmets, but at a higher price. No armor can be used as an item, but some pieces offer protection against certain types of attacks automatically (if they're worn, anyway).

Armor Price Def Special Location DQ3 sprite Hero.png
H
DQ3 sprite Soldier.png
W
DQ3 sprite Merchant.png
D
DQ3 sprite Thief.png
T
DQ3 sprite Jester.png
J
DQ3 sprite Pilgrim.png
C
DQ3 sprite Sage.png
S
DQ3 sprite Wizard.png
M
DQ3 sprite Fighter.png
F
DW3 shirt.png Clothes 10 4 - Aliahan, Zipangu, Kol, Hork Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes
DW3 shirt.png Traveler Clothes 70 8 - Aliahan, Cave on the Promontory, Baharata, Barnabas, Army Crab Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes No
DW3 shirt.png Training Suit 80 10 - Reeve, Norud the Dwarf Cave, Zipangu No No No Yes No No Yes No Yes
DW3 pants.png Boxer Shorts 120 10 Male only. Kazave, Isis, Ludatorm No Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes No No No
DW3 armor.png Leather Armor 150 12 - Aliahan, Reeve, Romaly Yes Yes Yes Yes No Yes Yes No No
DW3 shirt.png Turtle Shell 330 15 - Reeve No No Yes No Yes No No Yes No
DW3 shirt.png Plush Suit 350 35 Makes the character look like a cat. Catpire, Catula, Cave of Ra Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes
DW3 armor.png Shell Armor 350 16 - Romaly, Crabus Yes Yes Yes No No Yes Yes No No
DW3 dress.png Leather Dress 420 15 Female only. Pachisi Track 1, Dream Cave Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes
DW3 armor.png Chain Mail 480 20 - Romaly, Ashalam Yes Yes Yes No No Yes Yes No No
DW3 dress.png Bolero Robe 500 30 Spells cost 50% + 1 of original amount (25% + 1 with Magic Hat equipped) Pachisi Track 5 Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes
DW3 apron.png Iron Apron 700 22 - Romaly, Ashalam No No Yes No No No No No No
DW3 pants.png Leather Kilt 800 24 - Noaniels, Muor, Sioux Yes Yes Yes No Yes No No No No
DW3 shirt.png Fighting Suit 800 23 - Kazave, Tentacles No No No No No No Yes No Yes
DW3 armor.png Iron Armor 1100 25 - Kazave, Ashalam, Isis, Portoga, Aero Nite Yes Yes Yes No No No No No No
DW3 shirt.png Flashy Suit 1300 24 - Pyramid, Jewelbag, Pachisi Track 3, Sioux No No No No Yes No No No No
DW3 dress.png Magical Skirt 1500 25 Reduces all magic damage down to 3/4. Female only. Ashalam, Pachisi Track 2, Pyramid, Tedanki, Pachisi Track 3 Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes
DW3 dress.png Silk Robe 1500 20 Female only. Isis, Isis Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes
DW3 armor.png Steel Armor 2400 32 - Baharata, Death Nite Yes Yes No No No No No No No
DW3 shirt.png Black Coat 2400 29 - Ashalam, Portoga No No No Yes No No No No Yes
DW3 shirt.png Cloak of Evasion 2900 23 12.5% chance to evade physical attacks Noaniels, Muor, Lancel, Hunter Fly, Ghoul, Rimuldar Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes
DW3 dress.png Angel Robe 3000 35 Halves the chance of being hit by Defeat & Beat spells New Town Phase 4-5, Elves Village, Ludatorm No No No No No Yes Yes Yes No
DW3 shirt.png Ninja Suit 4200 58 12.5% chance to evade physical attacks Small Medal Prize (50), Pachisi Track 5 No No No Yes No No No No Yes
DW3 dress.png Magic Robe 4400 30 Reduces all magic damage down to 2/3. Tedanki, Lancel, Domdora No No No No No Yes Yes No No
DW3 bikini.png Magic Bikini 5000 65 Reduces all magic damage down to 2/3 if playing the GBC version. Changes overworld sprite. Female only. Merking, Ashalam Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes
DW3 armor.png Magic Armor 5800 40 Reduces all magic damage down to 2/3. Tedanki, Lancel, Samanosa Yes Yes No No No Yes Yes No No
DW3 armor.png Blade Armor 6500 55 Reflect 50% + 1 of physical attack damage back at enemy. Necrogond's Cave, Kol, Pachisi Track 4 Yes Yes No No No No No No No
DW3 armor.png Devil's Armor 7000 65 Cursed: 33% chance to immobolize user every time Attack is used. Reduces all magic damage down to 1/4 + 1. West Cave Yes Yes No No No No No No No
DW3 armor.png Dragon Mail 9800 45 Reduces all breath damage down to 2/3. Ludatorm, Domdora, King Hydra Yes Yes No No No No No No No
DW3 apron.png Magic Apron 9900 45 Reduces all magic damage down to 3/4. New Town Phase 3-5 No No Yes No No No No No No
DW3 dress.png Party Dress 11800 40 - Pachisi Track 3, Edinbear Castle, Mercado No No No Yes Yes No No No No
DW3 armor.png Terra Armor 12000 50 - Gaia's Navel, Stone Man Yes Yes No No No No No No No
DW3 dress.png Water Dress 12500 50 Reduces all magic and breath damage down to 2/3. Kol No No No No No No Yes Yes No
DW3 shirt.png Slick Suit
(dandy suit)
13200 38 Male only. Edinbear Castle No No No Yes Yes No No No No
DW3 dress.png Dark Outfit 16500 74 25% chance to evade physical attacks Pachisi Track 4, Mercado (2. Riddle) No No No Yes Yes No No No Yes
DW3 dress.png Light Dress 19000 90 Reduces all magic and breath damage down to 2/3. Female only. Pachisi Track 4, Pachisi Track 5, Zoma's castle Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes
DW3 armor.png Light Armor 24000 82 Reduces all magic and breath damage down to 2/3. Restores 1HP per step. Rubiss Tower Yes No No No No No No No No
DW3 dress.png Dragon Robe 27000 76 Reduces all breath damage down to 2/3. Pachisi Track 4 No No No No No Yes Yes Yes No
DW3 bikini.png Sacred Bikini 33000 92 Restores 1HP per step. Changes overworld sprite. Female only. Small Medal Prize (95) Yes Yes Yes Yes No Yes Yes Yes Yes
DW3 bikini.png Tight Bikini 78000 1 Female only. Domdora, Pachisi Track 5 Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes

Shields[edit]

Shields provide a fair amount of protection at a reasonable cost, especially for Clerics and Sages, who cannot use the strongest armor.

Shield Price Def Notes Location DQ3 sprite Hero.png
H
DQ3 sprite Soldier.png
W
DQ3 sprite Merchant.png
D
DQ3 sprite Thief.png
T
DQ3 sprite Jester.png
J
DQ3 sprite Pilgrim.png
C
DQ3 sprite Sage.png
S
DQ3 sprite Wizard.png
M
DQ3 sprite Fighter.png
F
DW3 shield.png Sorrow Shield 10 42 Cursed: 1/2 physical attack damage to wearer, 1/2 physical attack damage to a random party member Lion Head, Leona, Lionroar, Barabros, Sky World, Pachisi Track 5 Yes Yes No No No No No No No
DW3 shield.png Pot Lid Shield 50 2 - Aliahan Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes
DW3 shield.png Leather Shield 90 4 - Aliahan, Rammore Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes No No
DW3 shield.png Bronze Shield 250 7 - Romaly, Kazave, Ashalam, Shampane Tower, Hell Crab Yes Yes Yes Yes No Yes Yes No No
DW3 shield.png Scale Shield 600 12 - Kazave, Ashalam, Zipangu Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes No No
DW3 shield.png Expel Shield 770 35 Item: casts Expel Romaly, Pachisi Track 5 Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes No Yes No Yes
DW3 shield.png Iron Shield 1200 20 - Pachisi Track 1, Isis, Portoga Yes Yes Yes No No No No No No
DW3 shield.png Magic Shield 2000 25 Reduces all magic damage down to 3/4. Baharata, Muor, Sioux Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes No
DW3 shield.png Dragon Shield 3500 32 Reduces all breath damage down to 3/4. Samanosa, New Town Phase 4+5, Ludatorm, Rimuldar Yes Yes No Yes No No No No No
DW3 shield.png Silver Shield 8800 40 - Ludatorm, Kol Yes Yes No Yes No Yes Yes No No
DW3 shield.png Heal Shield 15000 50 Item: casts Healmore Domdora Yes Yes No No No No No No No
DW3 shield.png Ogre Shield 25000 60 - Rimuldar Yes Yes No No No No No No No
DW3 shield.png Hero Shield 38000 65 Reduces all breath damage down to 2/3. North Cave Yes No No No No No No No No

Helms[edit]

Like Shields, Helms provide effective defense at a relatively low cost. There is a special Helm only for the Hero, called Ortega's Helm.

Helm Price Def Special Location DQ3 sprite Hero.png
H
DQ3 sprite Soldier.png
W
DQ3 sprite Merchant.png
D
DQ3 sprite Thief.png
T
DQ3 sprite Jester.png
J
DQ3 sprite Pilgrim.png
C
DQ3 sprite Sage.png
S
DQ3 sprite Wizard.png
M
DQ3 sprite Fighter.png
F
NohMask
(All-Knowing Mask)
2 255 Cursed: permanently confused and cannot cast spells outside of battle Orochi's Cave Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes
DW3 hat.png Magic Hat 8 8 Spells cost 75% + 1 of original amount (25% + 1 with Magic Hat equipped) Ice Man, Balrog, Magiwyvern No No Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes No
DW3 helmet.png Misery Helm 18 35 Cursed: luck is reduced to zero; cannot be sold or dropped. Baramos' Castle, Minidemon, Pachisi Track 5 Yes Yes No No No No No No No
DW3 hat.png Leather Hat 80 2 - Reeve, Romaly, Romaly, Pachisi Track 1, New Town phase 1+2, Almiraj, Anteater, Merzoncian Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes
DW3 hat.png Wooden Hat 140 6 - Najimi Tower, Kazave, Pachisi Track 2, Zipangu Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes No No
DW3 hat.png Turban 160 8 - Reeve, Isis, Pachisi Track 3+4 No No Yes No Yes No No No No
DW3 hat.png Fur Hood 250 10 Female only. Kazave, Ashalam Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes
DW3 crown.png Bunny Ears 520 15 Female only. New Town phase 4, Domdora No No Yes No Yes No No No No
DW3 crown.png Silver Barrette 760 20 Female only. Pachisi Track 3, Sioux, Garuna Tower Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes
DW3 helmet.png Iron Helm 1000 16 - Isis, Ashalam, Tortragon Yes Yes No No No Yes Yes No No
DW3 hat.png Black Hood 1200 18 - Baharata, Samanosa, Tedanki No No No Yes No No No No Yes
DW3 hat.png Silk Hat 1200 20 Male only. Green Lad House, Pachisi Track 5 No No Yes No Yes No No No No
DW3 hat.png Horned Hat 2300 21 - Tedanki, Pachisi Track 3 No No No No Yes Yes Yes No No
DW3 helmet.png Iron Mask 3500 25 - Lancel, Samanosa Yes Yes No No No No No No No
DW3 helmet.png Ortega's Helm 8200 30 Halves chance of being hit by Sleep, Surround, and Sap spells Muor Yes No No No No No No No No
DW3 hat.png Mythril Helm 18000 38 - Ludatorm Yes Yes No Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes No
DW3 helmet.png Great Helm 35000 45 - Rimuldar Yes Yes No No No No No No No
DW3 crown.png Golden Crown 99999 6 Plot item; cannot be sold or dropped. Kandar Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes No