How to Become a Sage in Dragon Quest III HD-2D Remake

When it comes to vocations in Dragon Quest III HD-2D Remake, only one rivals the Hero in terms of power and versatility. If you want to tackle the toughest challenges of the game, you’re going to want to bring a Sage along for the ride. Wielding a wide array of powerful magic spells, they can tip the balance of any battle. The Sage vocation is the only one in the game that requires special conditions to unlock. If you want to know how to become a Sage in Dragon Quest III HD-2D Remake, we’ve got the details.

How do you become a Sage in Dragon Quest III HD-2D Remake?

First of all, you’ll need to have at least reached the point of the game where vocation changes are open to you. If you haven’t at least found the Alltrades Abbey, you’re not ready to become a Sage. Beyond that, there are two different routes to unlocking the Sage vocation. The simplest way is to reach level 20 with a character using the Gadabout vocation. The other way is to get your hands on the Words of Wisdom item. If you want to change a non-Gadabout vocation to a Sage, the Words of Wisdom will let it be. There’s also one more secret method, which we’ll outline last of all.

What’s the best way to level up a Gadabout to 20?

Gadabouts are troublesome party members. You never quite know what the results of their actions will be. If you’re new to Dragon Quest III HD-2D, you might want to wait until your party is at a higher level before using a Gadabout. It’s much easier to tolerate their shenanigans when the other three party members can carry things. Just take them to the highest-level area you’re comfortable fighting in, or head to the Tower of Transcendence and hope you run into some Metal Slimes. A few run-ins with those timid titans will take you to 20 in no time. Now head back to the Alltrades Abbey and change that Gadabout into a Sage!

Where are the Words of Wisdom?

If you don’t want to go the Gadabout route, the next thing to do is seek out the Words of Wisdom. You can find this item in the Tower of Transcendence, but it’s not as easy as simply climbing to the peak. Make your way up the tower until you reach a rope stretching between two sections with a red flag hanging off of it. Stand on top of that flag and then bravely step off the rope. You’ll fall onto a crumbling section of the tower where you should once again jump down, this time into the broken part in the middle.

Follow the path from here and you’ll eventually find a chest containing the Words of Wisdom item. Take it back to the Alltrades Abbey and you’ll be able to change any character of level 20 or higher into a Sage. Choose wisely, because it will disappear after one use. You won’t find another Words of Wisdom until very, very late in the game.

Editor’s Note: There will be spoilers for the late game and post-game of Dragon Quest III HD-2D Remake from here.

After you’ve reached the Dark World, you’ll find another Words of Wisdom in a rather innocuous place. In the town of Rimuldar, you’ll find the item hidden in a dresser in a house. All you have to do is search the dresser and this valuable item will be yours. Of course, you’ll now have to bust a high-level character down to a level one Sage, but they should catch up in a hurry. Just go scoot around fighting near end-game monsters for a bit and they’ll be all set.

What’s the final way to become a Sage?

The final means of becoming a Sage can be found in the post-game. You’ll have to climb the Citadel Tower and battle the ultimate boss, Xenlon. If you can best it in a set number of turns, it will grant a wish for you. Keep fighting Xenlon again and again, making sure to do it quickly so that you can request a wish. Once you’ve exhausted all of the wishes on offer, go fight Xenlon one more time. You’ll be given a simple choice: a copy of Guns ‘n’ Buns, and a copy of More Guns ‘n’ Buns. Friend, you’ll be wanting More Guns ‘n’ Buns. This item allows you to change vocations to a Sage as many times as you want, acting as an unlimited Words of Wisdom. Not that you’ll actually need it at this point. Hey, mountains are there to be climbed.

Dragon Quest III HD-2D Remake is available on Nintendo Switch, Sony PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC via Steam.