Feeling overwhelmed by a surprise boss attack or bogged down by countless random encounters? Dragon Quest VII Reimagined is a classic turn‑based JRPG with modern quality‑of‑life enhancements, but mastering its combat is the key to a smooth, strategic adventure.
This guide goes beyond “just hitting attack” — you’ll learn smart automation tactics, enemy exploitation, powerful Monster Hearts usage, and boss‑beating strategies that seasoned players rely on.
1. Core Combat Philosophy: Efficiency & Control
Combat in Dragon Quest VII Reimagined balances fast battles and deliberate boss fights. Enemies appear on the field, letting you avoid unnecessary engagements or score “Field Strikes” for instant victories against weaker foes.
Auto‑Battle: When to Use It, and When Not To
The game’s auto‑battle and tactics options are more powerful and intelligent than typical JRPG AI — but using them correctly makes all the difference.
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Fight Wisely: Best default tactic for most regular encounters. Characters will balance offense, defense, healing, and exploit weaknesses intelligently.
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Show No Mercy: High damage output, but quickly drains MP and can leave your party vulnerable, especially in long dungeon runs.
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Focus on Healing: Keeps characters alive, but can cause fights to drag as AI prioritizes survival over offense.
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Fast/Ultra Fast Battle Speed: Adjust this in settings to make combat feel far less grindy — animations are nice, but time is precious.
Pro Tip: Auto‑battle is excellent for grinding, but switch to manual control when facing elite enemies and story bosses.
2. Know Your Enemies: Weaknesses & Combat Cues
Understanding enemy resistances and vulnerabilities turns long battles in your favor.
Enemy Weakness Indicators
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👍 Thumbs Up: Super effective — this attack will deal bonus damage.
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👎 Thumbs Down: Resistance — reduced damage.
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❌ X: No effect — skip these entirely.
Use the Analyze command when available — it reveals weaknesses that carry between battles and make enemy planning easier.
3. Monster Hearts: Passive Power That Transforms Battles
One of the most overlooked but game‑changing systems in Reimagined is Monster Hearts — accessories dropped by elite “Vicious” enemies with unique passive effects.
Why Monster Hearts Matter
Monster Hearts grant powerful passive abilities that reduce micromanagement, boost stats, and enhance combat support.
Top Monster Hearts for Every Stage
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Metal Slime Heart: +20% experience — master vocations faster.
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Gold Golem Heart: +50% gold income — great for gear and items.
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Cactiball Heart: Reflects physical damage — exceptional in boss fights with heavy hits.
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Auto‑Healing Hearts: Trigger healing items or MP restoration when stats drop to critical levels — invaluable during long battles.
Pro Tip: Equip Monster Hearts strategically — defensive hearts for tanks, auto‑healing for frontlines, and experience boosters on characters learning new vocations.
4. Vocations & Moonlighting: Strategic Party Synergy
Combat success isn’t just about tactics — your party composition and vocations define your long‑term power.
Moonlighting — The Game Changer
Moonlighting lets characters equip two vocations simultaneously, combining abilities, spells, and stat bonuses from both.
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Hybrid Builds: Warrior + Mage = strong physical and magic output.
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Defensive Support: Priest + Paladin = durable healer and defender in one.
Experiment with combos that cover weaknesses and enhance strengths.
5. Boss Battles: Strategy Over Stats
Regular fights are about automation and efficiency. Boss battles require manual control and tactical precision.
Universal Boss Strategy Checklist
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Buff & Debuff: Use spells that increase party defense or lower boss attack early.
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Target Priorities: Clear summoned minions with AoE skills (e.g., Sizz, Crackle) before focusing the main boss.
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Anticipate Fury Turns: Some bosses change behavior mid‑fight — often best to Defend when cues change.
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Shop Smart: Buy armor, helmets, and shields before prioritizing weapons for better survivability.
6. Applied Strategy Examples
Mild Bunch — Alltrades Abbey
A four‑enemy boss fight teaches crowd management.
Plan:
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Cast AoE magic to soften all foes.
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Use debuff spells (like Fizzle) on the biggest threat.
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Focus attacks to reduce numbers quickly.
Hackrobat — L’Arca’s Grotto
A trio boss fight early in the game:
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Buff defense and heal consistently.
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Main damage dealers (magic or skill attacks) target weak points.
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Stay topped up — Hackrobat can attack twice in one turn.
7. Pro‑Tips for Long‑Term Mastery
Fast Vocation Leveling
Fight monsters that run away — Field Strikes on weak enemies award you vocation points without entering battle.
Manage “Let Loose” Smarter
Turn off Use Let Loose Immediately during auto‑battle to save big abilities for tough encounters.
Explore for Sparkles & Seeds
Gold Sparkles and stat‑boosting Seeds are one‑time, world‑found resources — don’t skip them.
Final Thoughts
By combining smart automation, enemy insight, Monster Heart optimization, and strategic boss planning, you’ll be fully equipped to tackle everything Dragon Quest VII Reimagined throws your way. Combat mastery here isn’t about button mashing — it’s about making every choice count.
- Dragon Quest VII Reimagined – Official Page (Square Enix)
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