Dragon Quest XI S Equipment Guide: Best Weapons and Armor for Late Game Bosses

by RPG Site Staff on 27 September, 2019

Grinding for levels is one way to brute force your way through any obstacle in Dragon Quest XI: Echoes of an Elusive Age. However, things will go a lot easier when trying to tackle those Post-Game challenges such as the true final boss or the trials at the Wheel of Harma if you go in with some of the best gear available. In order to get most of this gear, not only will you have to become well acquainted with Drustan's Labyrinth and the Trials found within, but also with the Fun-Sized Forge.

With a little practice and some gold on hand before you get started, most of these weapons are not too terribly difficult to obtain. We've come up with a list of the best weapons of each weapon type, along with their stats and where to get them.

Trying to wrap up optional bosses or other trophies deep into Dragon Quest XI? Check out our guides on Earning Gold and EXP Quickly, Best Party Setups, and How to Find Every Costume

Evolutionary Weapons - Unique Craftable Weapons

Before we get started into the specific best weapons of any type, we have to discuss a series of weapons often called "Evolutionary Weapons". These are some of the best weapons in the game that can only be obtained by making incremental upgrades by using the Fun-Sized Forge. This is beyond just upgrading a weapon to +3, but rather evolving each weapon completely multiple times before arriving at some of the game's top tier equipment.

In order to upgrade each of these weapons at each step, you'll need to find the appropriate Recipe Book. While you can't fully upgrade these weapons until very very late in the postgame, they can be a huge help to defeating the true final boss. Here's where to find all the appropriate recipes and starting form of each weapon:

A Hero's Book of Basic Weapons: Found in a chest at the Tower of Lost Time

A Hero's Book of Better Weapons: Found in a chest at the Eerie Valley section of the Disciple's Trial, at the very south near the wall of light.

A Hero's Book of Brilliant Weapons: Rewarded once all five wishes are made at the end of Trial Island

---

Stardust Sword: Found in a chest in the Final Dungeon, or at the First Forest - Whale Way Station if missed

Deft Dagger: Reward for turning in 65 Mini Medals to the Academie

Meteroang: Found in a chest in the Manglegrove - Whale Way Station

Bright Staff: Reward for clearing the Wheel of Harma's Third Trial in 15 or fewer moves

Poker (Spear): Found in a chest in the Final Dungeon, or at the First Forest - Whale Way Station if missed

Gringham Whip: Trade for 750,000 tokens at the Octagonia casino

Beastmaster Claws: Reward for clearing the Wheel of Harma's Third Trial in 20 or fewer moves

Bad Axe: Chest found at The Battleground

The Best Weapons in Dragon Quest XI: Echoes of an Elusive Age

With that out of the way, here's the list of the best gear in Dragon Quest XI and how to get it. Note that for the purposes of the stats shown, I am using the "+3" version if applicable, assuming the item has been reworked using Perfectionist Pearls. Most of the best gear in the game is crafted, and some Recipe Books are more useful than others when it comes to crafting the best gear possible. Here's the best Recipe Books you'll want to grab (in addition to the ones above) if you want to get started crafting great gear.

Big Hitters of the Battlefield: Found in a chest in the Luminary's Trial

If I Could Turn Back Time: Found in a chest in the Luminary's Trial

Ye Manifold Methods of Might Drustan: Found in a chest in the Luminary's Trial

Making Things with Metal Kings: Reward for trading in 110 Mini Medals to the Academie

Orichalcum: Ore Blimey: Reward for clearing the Wheel of Harma's Final Trial

Best Swords

Supreme Sword of Light: See our Swordsmith of Light Trophy Guide
- Attack 196
- Charm 100
- 3% Chance to remove enemy buffs.
- Deals Lightning Damage
- Cures an ally of negative status if used as an item
- Hero only

Hypernova Sword: Final form of the evolutionary sword Stardust Sword
- Attack 196
- Charm 50
- 24% Chance to reduce enemy defense

Hell Sabre: Rare Drop/Steal from Barbatos
- Attack 176
- Erik Only

Drustan's Sword: Chest in the Luminary's Trial
- Attack 185
- Enemies more likely to attack the owner during battles
- Eighth Party Member only

Sword of Judgment: Craft using Recipe Book: Ye Manifold Methods of Might Drustan or rare drop from A3G15
- Attack 171
- 8% chance to reduce enemy attack

Metal King Sword: Craft from Recipe Book: Making Things with Metal Kings
- Attack 183
- +1 Damage to Metal enemies

Shamshir of Light: Craft from Recipe Book: Big Hitters of the Battlefield or rare drop from Noble Dragon
- Attack 180
- Charm 46
- Sylvando Only

Best Greatswords

Brilliant Blade: Reward for completing the Wheel of Harma's Final Trial in 30 moves or fewer
- Attack 353
- Parry 11%
- Charm 100
- Deals Light Damage

Metal King Gooreatsword: Craft from Recipe Book: Making Things with Metal Kings
- Attack 324
- Parry 3%
- +1 Damage to Metal enemies

Berserker's Blade: Purchase at Cobblestone for 45000 gold, or rare drop from Spawny Devil
- Attack 315
- Parry 3%
- 8% chance to dazzle enemies
- 10% chance to Oomph at the start of battle

Legate's Blade: Crafted from Recipe Book: Orichalcum: Ore Blimey
- Attack 281
- Parry 3%
- Critical 8%

Skysteed Sword: Awarded for winning the Diificult Platinum Cup Horse Race mini-game or a rare steal from Malicious Tantamount
- Attack 238
- Parry 5%
- Charm 72
- 10% chance to remove enemy buffs on hit

Best Knives

Dynamo Dagger: Final form of the evolutionary dagger Deft Dagger.
- Attack 176
- Evasion 1%
- Chance of Surprise Attack increased by 5%

Timeshear: Craft from Recipe Book: Big Hitters of the Battlefield
- Attack 162
- Agility 42
- 10% to stop time on attack
- Erik Only

El Stupendo: Craft from Recipe Book: Big Hitters of the Battlefield
- Attack 160
- Evasion 3%
- Deftness 15
- Charm 36
- Sylvando Only

Knife of Strife: Buy in rebuilt Cobblestone for 40,000 gold
- Attack 162

Best Boomerangs

Galaxarang: Final form of the evolutionary boomerang Meteorang
- Attack 141
- Charm 40
- Deals Lightning Damage

Metal King Goomerang: Craft from Recipe Book: Making Things with Metal Kings
- Attack 129
- +1 Damage to Metal enemies

Hunter's Moon: Craft from Recipe Book: Big Hitters of the Battlefield
- Attack 125
- Charm 37
- Deals full damage to all enemies

Best Wands

Sceptre of Time: Craft from Recipe Book: If I Could Turn Back Time. Upgrades the Rusty Sceptre acquired through the story
- Magical Mending 70
- Magical Might 19
- Attack 88
- MP Absorb 8
- 100% Chance to start with Alma Mater
- 10 MP Healed per turn

Naughty Stick: Awarded for clearing the Wheel of Harma's Fourth Trial
- Attack 1
- 50% Chance to Critical

Faerie King's Cane: Awarded for clearing the Wheel of Harma's Final Trial in 35 moves or fewer
- Magical Mending 75
- Magical Might 20
- Attack 94
- MP Absorb 8
- -10% Damage Taken
- 25 HP restored each turn

Cane of Compassion: Purchase at rebuilt Cobblestone for 36,000
- Magical Mending 68
- Magical Might 19
- Attack 86
- MP Absorb 8
- 4% chance to not consume MP on cast
- 50% chance to start battle with Caster Sugar

Get-up-and-Glow Stick: Rare drop from Grey Gordon
- Magical Mending 65
- Magical Might 17
- Attack 75
- MP Absorb 7
- Deals Light Damage

Best Heavy Wands

Aurora Staff: Final form of the evolutionary staff Bright Staff
- Magical Might 100
- Magical Mending 80
- Attack 112
- MP Absorb 16
- 100% Chance to remove enemy buffs

Staff of Eternity: Craft from Recipe Book: Big Hitters of the Battlefield
- Magical Might 94
- Magical Mending 47
- Attack 103
- MP Absorb 15
- Acceleratle when used as an item

Rod of Paradise: Purchase from rebuilt Cobblestone for 30,000 gold
- Magical Might 89
- Magical Mending 76
- Attack 100
- MP Absorb 15
- 3% Critical spell increase

Staff of Resurrection: Purchase from Trial Island for 45,000 gold or rare drop from Great Dragon
- Magical Might 86
- Magical Mending 76
- Attack 100
- MP Absorb 15
- Casts Zing when used as an item

Best Spears

Split-Pot Poker: Final form of the evolutionary spear Poker
- Attack 266
- Parry 3%
- Charm 90
- Attacks cannot be blocked or parried by enemies.

Heaven's Talon: Craft from Recipe Book: Big Hitters of the Battlefield
- Attack 244
- Parry 3%
- Charm 74
- Deals Light Damage
- 25% of Damage Dealt restored as HP
- Jade Only

Metal King Spear: Craft from Recipe Book: Making Things with Metal Kings
- Attack 251
- Parry 3%
- +1 Damage to Metal enemies
- 12% chance to beguile slime enemies

Sacred Spear: Craft using Recipe Book: Ye Manifold Methods of Might Drustan
- Attack 232
- Parry 6%
- 20% chance to start battle with Alma Mater

Best Whips

Uber Gringham Whip: Final form of the evolutionary whip Grindham Whip
- Attack 194
- Charm 40
- Deals Full Damage to all enemies

Hellbeast's Leash: Craft from Recipe Book: Big Hitters of the Battlefield
- Attack 180
- 6% chance to freeze enemies in fear
- +20% damage to Dragons

Anchor of Rancour: Buy from rebuilt Cobblestone for 36,000 gold
- Attack 175
- Critical 4%
- 10% chance of Oomph at battle start

Best Claws

Xenlon Claws: Final form of the evolutionary claw Beastmaster Claws
- Attack 118
- Critical 5%
- Charm 50
- +20% damage to Dragons

Deicimators: Craft from Recipe Book: Big Hitters of the Battlefield
- Attack 108
- Critical 5%
- Charm 56
- 15% chance to not consume MP
- Jade Only

Frostfire Fingers: Rare steal from Master Moosifier
- Attack 106
- Critical 8%

Orichalcum Claws: Crafted from Recipe Book: Orichalcum: Ore Blimey
- Attack 94
- Critical 5%
- Charm 48

Best Axes

Galaxy Axe: Final form of the evolutionary whip Bad Axe
- Attack 196
- Max MP +20
- Charm 50
- 24% to reduce enemy attack power

Kairos Cleaver: Craft from Recipe Book: Big Hitters of the Battlefield
- Attack 182
- Critical 3%
- Agility 15

Aristocrat's Axe: Purchase from rebuilt Cobblestone for 48,000 gold
- Attack 180
- Max MP +20
- 8% chance to not consume MP
- +10% damage to Demons

Best Shields

Erdwin's Shield: Reward for turning in 100 Mini Medals to the Academie
- Defence 93
- Block 10%
- 25% Fire, Ice, and Dark Reduction
- 10 MP restored per turn

Metal King Shield: Craft from Recipe Book: Making Things with Metal Kings
- Defence 86
- Block 10%
- 10% Elemental Damage Reduction

Soul Sucker: Craft using Recipe Book: Ye Manifold Methods of Might Drustan
- Defence 83
- Black 10%
- 10% Elemental Damage Reduction

Best Greatshields

Drustan's Shield: Found in a chest in the Hoarder's Keep area of the Sage's Trial
- Defence 94
- Block 14%
- Charm 50
- 25% Elemental Damage Reduction
- 25 HP restored per turn
- Eighth Party Member Only

Goddess Shield: Purchase from Trial Island for 42,000 gold
- Defence 75
- Block 13%
- Magical Mending 35
- Charm 29
- 10% Elemental Damage Reduction

Ruinous Shield: Rare steal from Headless Norseman
- Defence 62
- Block 13%
- Magical Might 31
- 50% Dark Damage Reduction

Best Armor and Accessories

Admittedly this section is going to be a little light. Mainly because for most of the party, the best armor sets are also their final costumes, so our Costume Guide already goes most of the way in getting some of the best gear in the game. The unique costume accessories are also some of the best possible for those characters. This section just wraps up a couple armor and accessory pieces not covered by the costume guide. Here's some of the Recipe Books you'll want to grab.

The Stuff of Legend: Awarded for clearing the Black Cup at the Horse Race Mini-game on Easy

Styles for All Seasons: Reward for trading in 80 Mini Medals to the Academie

Badges of Honour: Found behind an Ultimate Key Door in Sniflheim Castle's basement

King of the Rings: Found in the Cruel Crypt section of the Disciple's Trial

Best Hats

Spring Breeze Hat: Crafted from Recipe Book: Styles for All Seasons
- Defence 59
- Magical Might 21
- Magical Mending 43
- 25% Bedazzlement Protection

Summer Cloud Hat: Crafted from Recipe Book: Styles for All Seasons
- Defence 59
- Magical Might 28
- Magical Mending 35
- 25% Insta-Death Protection

Autumn Shower Hat: Crafted from Recipe Book: Styles for All Seasons
- Defence 59
- Magical Might 34
- Magical Mending 28
- 25% Confuse Protection

Winter Sky Hat: Crafted from Recipe Book: Styles for All Seasons
- Defence 59
- Magical Might 43
- Magical Mending 22
- 25% Sleep Protection

Best Helmets

Heavenly Helm: Crafted from Recipe Book: The Stuff of Legend or rare drop from Badonis
- Defence 73
- 20% Poison Protection
- 20% Insta-Death Protection
- 20% Bedazzlement Protection
- 20% Confusion Protection

Metal King Helm: Trade 1,000,000 tokens at the Octagonia Casino (not worth it) or rare steal from Red Giant (maybe worth it)
- Defence 74
- 20% Sleep Protection
- 20% Insta-Death Protection
- 20% Spell-Sealing Protection

Best Armour

Exotoga: Craft using Recipe Book: Ye Manifold Methods of Might Drustan
- Defense 138
- 25% Elemental Damage Reduction
- 35% Sleep Protection
- 35% Paralysis Protection
- 35% Poison Protection

Metal King Armour: Purchase at rebuilt Cobblestone for 98,000 gold, one free behind Ultimate Key Door on Insula Occidentalis, rare steal from Vicious Metal Dragon
- Defence 148
- 25% Elemental Damage Reduction

Legendary Armor: Crafted from Recipe Book: The Stuff of Legend or rare steal from Labradrake
- Defence 141
- 25% Fire Reduction
- 25% Ice Reduction
- 3 HP Regen when moving
- 3 MP Regen when moving

Seraph's Robe: Craft using Recipe Book: Ye Manifold Methods of Might Drustan
- Defence 120
- Magical Might 47
- Magical Mending 47
- 25% Elemental Damage Reduction
- 50% Insta-Death Protection

Best Accessories

Meteorite Bracer: Chest in the Final Dungeon, crafted from Recipe Book: Orichalcum: Ore Blimey
- Agility 200

Monarchic Mark: Crafted from Recipe Book: Badges of Honour
- Defence 13
- Magical Might 35
- Magical Mending 35

Catholicon Ring: Crafted from Recipe Book: King of the Rings
- Defence 10
- 50% Sleep/Confuse Protection
- 50% Poison/Venom/Bedazzle Protection
- 50% Poison/Turn-Skip Protection

Goddess Ring: Crafted from Recipe Book: King of the Rings
- Defence 10
- Magical Mending 15
- 2 MP Regen when moving
- 50% Sleep Protection
- 50% Confusion Protection
- 50% Paralysis Protection