The vocation system in DRAGON QUEST VII Reimagined transforms how you build your party, offering unprecedented customization through a tiered job system and innovative moonlighting mechanics. You'll discover that mastering all vocations unlock pathways creates the most powerful party combinations in the series.
How the New Vocation Tiers Work
The revamped system introduces four distinct vocation tiers that fundamentally change character progression. Each party member starts with a unique Starter Vocation that levels automatically from the beginning, ensuring you're always gaining valuable abilities before reaching Alltrades Abbey.
Here's how the tier structure breaks down:
Pro Tip: Unlike previous versions, you'll start earning vocation experience immediately through each character's unique starter class, giving you a significant head start on progression.
The key difference from earlier Dragon Quest VII versions lies in the structured progression system. You can't simply grind your way to advanced vocations - you must strategically master prerequisite jobs to unlock higher tiers.
Dragon Quest VII Reimagined Guide: Vocation System
Mastering the Moonlighting System
The revolutionary moonlighting feature allows you to equip two vocations simultaneously once you reach the appropriate story milestone. This system becomes available after specific story events and completely changes how you approach party building.
Moonlighting Combinations
Spell-Focused Builds:
- Mage + Sage for maximum magical damage
- Priest + Druid for ultimate healing support
Physical Powerhouses:
- Warrior + Gladiator for devastating melee attacks
- Champion + Hero for legendary combat prowess
Hybrid Specialists:
- Armamentalist + Paladin for magical warrior builds
- Sailor + Pirate for versatile support options
The beauty of moonlighting lies in its flexibility. You'll level both equipped vocations simultaneously, making it much easier to meet the requirements for advanced tier unlocks. This addresses one of the biggest complaints from the original - the tedious grind to access high-level jobs.
Important
You can only moonlight after reaching Alltrades Abbey and progressing through specific story events. Plan your early vocation choices accordingly.
Moonlighting setup screen
Advanced Vocation Unlock Requirements
Unlocking advanced vocations requires strategic planning and patience. Each advanced job demands mastery of multiple intermediate vocations, creating meaningful progression paths.
Confirmed Advanced Vocations
Hero Vocation:
- Worked-Up Ability: Mark of the Hero
- Effect: Grants access to exclusive legendary abilities
- Requirements: Master multiple intermediate combat vocations
Champion Vocation:
- Worked-Up Ability: Divide
- Effect: Creates two doppelgangers for triple-damage attacks
- Requirements: Master Gladiator and other combat-focused vocations
Druid Vocation:
- Specialization: Nature magic and healing
- Requirements: Master Mage and Priest vocations
The unlock requirements encourage you to experiment with different vocation combinations rather than rushing toward a single goal. This creates more diverse character builds and party compositions throughout your journey.
Advanced job requirements
Monster Hearts and Vicious Monster Strategy
The monster vocation system has been completely reimagined through Monster Hearts - powerful accessories dropped by Vicious Monsters. These formidable enemies appear throughout the world with distinctive auras, signaling their increased difficulty and valuable rewards.
Monster Heart Benefits
Monster Hearts function as accessories that grant unique abilities:
- Grody Gumdrops Heart: Provides panoramic protection, nullifying all attacks once every three turns
- Slime Heart: Boosts resistance to status effects
- Dragon Hearts: Enhance elemental damage output
Warning
Vicious Monsters are significantly more powerful than regular enemies. Come prepared with proper equipment and strategy before engaging them.
Vicious Monster Hunting Tips
Preparation Strategy:
- Level your party to appropriate levels for each region
- Stock up on healing items and MP restoration
- Equip status protection accessories
- Consider vocation combinations that complement each other
Combat Approach:
- Focus fire on one Vicious Monster at a time
- Use buffs and debuffs strategically
- Save powerful abilities for critical moments
- Don't hesitate to retreat and regroup if necessary
The Monster Heart system maintains the spirit of monster vocations while streamlining the mechanics. Instead of transforming into monsters, you gain their powers through equipped hearts, allowing for more flexible character builds.
Dragon Quest VII Reimagined Guide: Vocation System
Early Game Vocation Recommendations
Your initial vocation choices set the foundation for your entire adventure. Here's how to maximize efficiency in the early stages:
Starting Character Builds
Arus (Hero):
- Primary: Warrior for combat fundamentals
- Secondary: Sailor for utility spells
- Goal: Build toward Champion or Paladin
Maribel:
- Primary: Mage for offensive magic
- Secondary: Priest for healing support
- Goal: Progress toward Sage or Druid
Ruff:
- Primary: Thief for speed and utility
- Secondary: Warrior for combat skills
- Goal: Develop into Gladiator or specialized fighter
For more detailed character progression strategies, check out our Dragon Quest VII Reimagined Early Game Party Builds guide that covers optimal skill development paths.
Tip
Focus on mastering 2-3 beginner vocations completely before attempting intermediate jobs. The stat bonuses from mastery provide permanent benefits that compound throughout your adventure.
The key insight is that all vocations unlock through deliberate progression rather than random grinding. Every battle should contribute toward your long-term vocation goals, making each encounter meaningful for character development.
This comprehensive vocation system transforms Dragon Quest VII Reimagined into a deeply strategic experience where your job choices matter more than ever. Master the moonlighting mechanics, hunt down those powerful Monster Hearts, and create the ultimate party composition for your adventure through time.