Editing Monster recruitment

[[File:DQVI monster companions.jpg|right|thumb|350px|The cast of {{DQ6}} along with several monstrous mates.]]
Introduced in {{DQ5}}, the recruitment of bested beasts has appeared in some capacity in nearly every title in the series since 1992.

Specifically, the system is present in every even-numbered title beginning with {{DQ6}}.

=={{DQ5}}==
Monster recruitment was simplistic in its original inception, being a fixed percentage that could not be changed by the player. If multiple recruitable {{MFamilies}}s appear in the same encounter, only the final felled foe will have a chance to join the {{Hero 5}}. In the [[Nintendo DS]] and [[cell phone]] versions, {{MFamilies}} allies will only alternate between two lines of dialogue during [[Party Chat]], as opposed to the fuller conversations of human characters.

As of 2019, the [[Cell phone]] ports saw the addition of the [[Monster magnet]] accessory for the the {{Hero 5}}, which when equipped can increase the odds of a {{MFamilies}} joining up by one rank. This is likely due to the release of {{DQYS}}, which would have attracted a new audience to the title and such players would have desired an easier time collecting {{MFamilies}}s.


{| class="wikitable"
|-
! Sprite !! Monster Name !!{{SFC}} !! {{PS2}} !! {{DS}} & Phone !! Tame Rate !! Level required !! Recruitment locations
|-
| [[File:ArchdemonMUG DQV DS.png]] || {{Archdemon R}} || No || No || Yes || {{fraction|1|64}} ||30 || Mantleplace
|-
| [[File:BadappleMUG DQV DS.png]] ||  {{Bad apple R}} || No || Yes || Yes || {{fraction|1|4}}||7 || Faerie Lea, Dwarf's Den
|-
| [[File:Barbatos_DS_mugshot.png]] || {{Barbatos R}}  || Yes || Yes || Yes || {{fraction|1|256}} ||41 || Estark's Labyrinth
|-
| [[File:BattlepipMUG DQV DS.png]] || {{Battle pip R}}  || No || Yes || Yes ||{{fraction|1|16}} ||7 || Faerie Lea
|-
| [[File:BeastmasterMUG DQV DS.png]] || {{Beastmaster R}}  || No || Yes || Yes ||{{fraction|1|4}} ||30 || Mantleplace
|-
| [[File:BlizzybodyMUG DQV DS.png]] || {{Blizzybody R}}  || No || Yes || Yes ||{{fraction|1|64}} || 26 || Estuary Sanctuary
|-
| [[File:Bomboulder_DS_mugshot.png]] || {{Bomboulder R}}  || Yes || Yes || Yes ||{{fraction|1|256}} || 30 || Neverglade, Talon Tower, Estark's Labyrinth
|-
| [[File:BrownieMUG DQV DS.png]] || {{Brownie R}}  || Yes || Yes || Yes || {{fraction|1|4}} ||7 || Whealbrook Adit, Fortuna area, Talon Tower area
|-
| [[File:ChimaeraMUG DQV DS.png]] ||  {{Chimaera R}} || Yes || Yes || Yes || {{fraction|1|16}} ||15 || Mount Magmageddon
|-
| [[File:ConkererMUG DQV DS.png]] ||  {{Conkerer R}} || No || Yes || Yes || {{fraction|1|32}} ||27 || Neverglade area, Stairway to Zenithia area
|-
| [[File:ConkjurerMUG DQV DS.png]] ||  {{Conkjurer R}} || No || Yes || Yes || {{fraction|1|32}} ||27 || Neverglade area, Stairway to Zenithia area
|-
| [[File:ConkuisitorMUG DQV DS.png]] || {{Conkuisitor R}}  || No  || Yes || Yes ||{{fraction|1|32}} ||27 || Neverglade area, Stairway to Zenithia area
|-
| [[File:ConkuistadorMUG DQV DS.png]] || {{Conkuistador R}}  || No || Yes || Yes ||{{fraction|1|32}} ||27 || Neverglade area, Stairway to Zenithia area
|-
| [[File:Cross_eye_DS_mugshot.png]] || {{Cross eye R}}  || Yes || Yes || Yes ||{{fraction|1|32}} ||9 || Abovitall Tower, Scary Lair, Zoomingale Tunnel
|-
| [[File:CureslimeMUG DQV DS.png]] ||  {{Cureslime R}} || Yes || Yes || Yes ||{{fraction|1|64}} ||16 || Dominicus' Dominion area, Cataract Caves, Helmunaptra area
|-
| [[File:Dracky_DS_mugshot.png]] ||  {{Dracky R}} || Yes || Yes || Yes ||{{fraction|1|4}} ||7 || Coburg area, Fortuna area, 
|-
|[[File:Drag goof DS mugshot.png]] || {{Drag-goof R}}  || Yes || Yes || Yes ||{{fraction|1|16}} ||18 || Gotha Path, Gotha area
|-
| [[File:Dwight_DS_mugshot.png]] || [[Dwight]]  || No || Yes || Yes || N/A || N/A || Dwarf's Den (3rd generation)
|-
| [[File:Epipany DS mugshot.png]] || {{Epipany R}}  || No || Yes || Yes ||{{fraction|1|16}} ||7 || Faerie Lea
|-
| [[File:Fandangow_DS_mugshot.png]] || {{Fandangow R}}  || Yes || Yes || Yes ||{{fraction|1|32}} ||9 || Coburg area
|-
| [[File:Fat rat DS mugshot.png]] || {{Fat rat R}}  || No || Yes || Yes ||{{fraction|1|2}} || 7 || Talon Tower area
|-
| [[File:Flamethrower DS mugshot.png]] ||  {{Flamethrower R}} || No || Yes || Yes ||{{fraction|1|64}} ||16 || Helmunaptra area, Mount Magmageddon
|-
| [[File:Funghoul DS mugshot.png]] || {{Funghoul R}}  || No || Yes || Yes || {{fraction|1|16}} ||7 || Coburg area, Zoomingale area, Whealbrook area, Fortuna area
|-
| [[File:Ghost DS mugshot.png]] || {{Ghost R}}  || No || Yes || Yes ||{{fraction|1|2}}||7 || Porgie Estate
|-
| [[File:Gigantes DS mugshot.png]] ||  {{Gigantes R}} || Yes || Yes || Yes ||{{fraction|1|32}}||34 || Nadiria, Estark's Labyrinth
|-
| [[File:Golem DS mugshot.png]] ||  {{Golem R}} || Yes || Yes || Yes ||{{fraction|1|4}}||25 || Lofty Peak area, summoned by Metal dragons and Muddy hands. 
|-
| [[File:Goodybag DS mugshot.png]] || {{Goodybag R}}  || Yes || Yes || Yes ||{{fraction|1|16}}||16 || Mount Magmageddon, Cataract Caves
|-
| [[File:Great dragon DS mugshot.png]] || {{Great dragon R}}  || Yes || Yes || Yes ||{{fraction|1|64}}||35 || Nadiria, Estark's Labyrinth
|-
| [[File:Grudgerigar DS mugshot.png]] || {{Grudgerigar R}}  || Yes || Yes || Yes ||{{fraction|1|32}}||9 || Coburg castle dungeon, Fortuna area
|-
| [[File:Hades helm DS mugshot.png]] || {{Hades' helm R}}  || No || Yes || Yes ||{{fraction|1|64}}||29 || Diggery Pokery, Mantleplace
|-
| [[File:Hawk man DS mugshot.png]] ||  {{Hawk man R}} || No || Yes || Yes ||{{fraction|1|32}}||23 || Knightmare Towers
|-
| [[File:Healslime DS mugshot.png]] || {{Healslime R}}  || Yes || Yes || Yes ||{{fraction|1|32}}||7 || Abovitall Tower, Faerie Lea
|-
| [[File:Hellion DS mugshot.png]] ||  {{Hellion R}} || Yes || Yes || Yes ||{{fraction|1|32}}||23 || Knightmare Towers
|-
| [[File:Hoodlum DS mugshot.png]] || {{Hoodlum R}} || Yes || Yes || Yes ||{{fraction|1|16}}||25 || Stairway to Zenithia, Lofty Peak area, Central Continent
|-
| [[File:Hulagan DS mugshot.png]] ||  {{Hulagan R}} || No || Yes || Yes ||{{fraction|1|16}}||9 || Abovitall Tower, Hay area
|-
| [[File:Hyperanemon DS mugshot.png]] || {{Hyperanemon R}}  || Yes ||  Yes|| Yes ||{{fraction|1|64}}||41 || Estark's Labyrinth
|-
| [[File:Jailcat DS mugshot.png]] ||  {{Jailcat R}} || No || No || Yes || {{fraction|1|16}} || 7 || Fortuna area
|-
| [[File:Killing machine DS mugshot.png]] || {{Killing machine R}}  || Yes || Yes || Yes ||{{fraction|1|256}}||34 || Nadiria, Estark's Labyrinth
|-
| [[File:King cureslime DS mugshot.png]] ||  {{King cureslime R}} || Yes || Yes || Yes ||{{fraction|1|64}}||28 || Stairway to Zenithia
|-
| [[File:King slime DS mugshot.png]] || {{King slime R}}  || Yes || Yes || Yes ||{{fraction|1|64}}||10 || Helmunaptra area, Dominicus' Dominion area
|-
| [[File:Liquid metal slime2.png]] || {{Liquid metal slime R}}  || Yes || Yes || Yes ||{{fraction|1|256}}||20 || Central Continent, Gotha Path, Riteof Passage, Knightmare Towers, Ancient Ruins area (G3), Mantleplace, Nadiria, Estark's Labyrinth,
|-
| [[File:Magic marionette DS mugshot.png]] || {{Magic marionette R}}  || Yes || Yes || Yes ||{{fraction|1|32}}||12 || Mostroferrato area, Scuttlebutt area
|-
| [[File:Man o war DS mugshot.png]] || {{Man o' war R}}  || Yes || Yes || Yes ||{{fraction|1|2}}||18 || Ocean
|-
| [[File:Mandrake marshal DS mugshot.png]] || {{Mandrake marshal R}}  || Yes || Yes || Yes ||{{fraction|1|32}}||32 || Talon Tower, Crocodilopolis, Estark's Labyrinth
|-
| [[File:Metal slime3.png]] || {{Metal slime R}}  || No || Yes || Yes ||{{fraction|1|256}}||7 ||Whealbrook Adit (G2), Abovitall Tower, Scary Lair, Cataract Caves, Dominicus' Dominion, Neverglade, Nadiria, Estark's Labyrinth 
|-
| [[File:Minidemon DS mugshot.png]] ||  {{Minidemon R}} || Yes || Yes || Yes ||{{fraction|1|32}}||20 || Gotha Path, Knightmare Towers
|-
| [[File:Moosifer DS mugshot.png]] ||  {{Moosifer R}} || Yes || Yes || Yes ||{{fraction|1|4}}||30 || Neverglade, Talon Tower
|-
| [[File:Mudraker DS mugshot.png]] || {{Mudraker R}}  || No || Yes || Yes ||{{fraction|1|4}}||11 || Scary Lair
|-
| [[File:Old man of the sea DS mugshot.png]] || {{Old man of the sea R}}  || Yes || Yes || Yes ||{{fraction|1|32}}||25 || Ocean
|-
| [[File:Orc king DS mugshot.png]] || {{Orc king R}}  || Yes || Yes || Yes ||{{fraction|1|4}}||21 || Gotha area, Riteof Passage
|-
| [[File:Pip fighter DS mugshot.png]] || {{Pip fighter R}}  || No || Yes || Yes ||{{fraction|1|16}}||7 || Faerie Lea
|-
| [[File:Pocus poppet DS mugshot.png]] || {{Pocus poppet R}}  || No || Yes ||  Yes||{{fraction|1|16}}||10 || Scary Lair, Zoomingale outskirts, Lodestar Harbor outskirts
|-
| [[File:Powie yowie DS mugshot.png]] || {{Powie yowie R}}  || Yes || Yes || Yes ||{{fraction|1|32}}||7 || Coburg area
|-
| [[File:Prestidigitator DS mugshot.png]] || {{Prestidigitator R}}  || Yes || Yes || Yes ||{{fraction|1|4}}||10 || Scary Lair area, Fairy Lea, Lodestar Harbor area, Zoomingale area
|-
|  || [[Rebjørn]]  || No || Yes || Yes ||N/A||N/A || The Pothold
|-
| [[File:Restless armour DS mugshot.png]] || {{Restless armour R}}  || No || Yes || Yes ||{{fraction|1|64}}||10 || Scary Lair area, Abovitall Tower, Zoomingale area
|-
| [[File:Revaulting horse DS mugshot.png]] || {{Revaulting horse R}}  || Yes || Yes || Yes ||{{fraction|1|16}}||27 || Central Continent
|-
| [[File:Rockbomb DS mugshot.png]] || {{Rockbomb R}}  || Yes || Yes || Yes ||{{fraction|1|64}} ||15 || Mount Magmageddon, Knightmare Towers
|-
| [[File:Rotten apple.png]] || {{Rotten apple R}}  || No || Yes || Yes ||{{fraction|1|2}}||7 || Coburg area
|-
| [[File:Saber DS mugshot.png]] ||  [[Saber]] || Yes || Yes || Yes ||N/A ||N/A || Roundbeck
|-
| [[File:Samigina DS mugshot.png]] || {{Samigina R}}  || Yes ||  Yes|| Yes ||{{fraction|1|32}} ||20 || Gotha area, Riteof Passage, Knightmare Towers
|-
| [[File:DQ5-NDS-SLIME-MUGSHOT.png]] || {{Slime R}}  || Yes || Yes || Yes ||{{fraction|1|2}} ||7 || Whealbrook Adit, Fortuna outskirts, Dominicus Dominion, Desert near Talon Tower
|-
| [[File:Slime knight DS mugshot.png]] || {{Slime knight R}}  || Yes || Yes || Yes ||{{fraction|1|4}} ||7 || Fortuna area, Coburg area
|-
| [[File:SmallfryMUG DQV DS.png]] || {{Small fry R}}  || Yes || Yes || Yes ||{{fraction|1|16}} ||7 || Fortuna area, Coburg area
|-
| [[File:SnowbirdMUG DQV DS.png]] || {{Snowbird R}}  || Yes || Yes || Yes ||{{fraction|1|32}} ||34 || Nadiria
|-
|  ||  [[Starkers]] || No || Yes || Yes ||N/A || N/A || Estark's Labyrinth -Stark Raving T'N'T board
|-
| [[File:TickingtimeburrmMUG DQV DS.png]] || {{Ticking timeburrm R}}  || Yes || Yes || Yes ||{{fraction|1|32}} ||7 || Whealbrook area, Fortuna area
|-
| [[File:Walking corpse1.png]] || {{Walking corpse R}}  || Yes || Yes || Yes ||{{fraction|1|32}} ||7 || Coburg castle dungeon, Whealbrook Adit
|-
| [[File:Warhog.png]] || {{Warhog R}}  || Yes || Yes || Yes ||{{fraction|1|32}} ||28 || Diggery Pokery, Talon Tower, Mantleplace
|-
| [[File:Wax murderer.png]] || {{Wax murderer R}}  || No || Yes || Yes || {{fraction|1|16}} ||7 || Porgie Estate
|-
| [[File:Wiz pip.png]] || {{Wiz pip R}}  || No || Yes || Yes || {{fraction|1|16}} ||7 || Faerie Lea
|-
|}

=={{DQ6}}==
In the original {{SFC}} version of {{VI}} monster recruitment worked identically to {{V}}, though someone in the {{Party 6}} must be a [[Monster Master]] for the chance to activate. When the {{DS}} version (and subsequent [[Cell phone]] ports) were produced, this mechanic was retired in favor of "Slime Buddies": {{Slime}}s players could interact with in towns and dungeons like {{NPC}}s who would join the {{Party 6}} once certain conditions were met as was the case with [[Lizzie]]. These {{Slime}}s are not treated as full characters, however, and thus lack the detailed [[Party Chat]] of humans and [[Lizzie]].

In both versions of the game, any recruited {{Slime}} may enter into the gladiatorial contests at [[Slimopolis]].

===Available in the SFC version===
{| class="wikitable"
|-
! Sprite !! Monster Name !! Tame Rate !! Rank required 
|-
| [[File:Dq6batteringramsnes.png|48px|center]] || {{Damned ram R}} || {{fraction|1|16}} || 4
|-
| [[File:Bosstroll DQVI SNES.gif|68px|center]] || {{Boss troll R}} || {{fraction|1|16}} || 5
|-
| [[File:Dg6chimaerasnes.png|48px|center]] || {{Dreamaera R}} || {{fraction|1|32}} || 4
|-
| [[File:Furrat.gif|48px|center]] || {{Feralball R}} || {{fraction|1|4}} || 1
|-
| [[File:Windmage.gif|58px|center]] || {{Gustbluster R}} || {{fraction|1|64}} || 3
|-
| [[File:Dq6healslimesnes.png|32px|center]] || [[Healie|Healslime]] || {{fraction|1|16}} || 2
|-
| [[File:Dq6highdjinkssnes.png|58px|center]] || {{High djinks R}} || {{fraction|1|256}} || 8
|-
| [[File:Dq6 king slime.png|48px|center|]] || [[Kingsley|King slime]] || {{fraction|1|64}} || 5
|-
| [[File:Dq6lesserdemonsnes.png|68px|center]] || {{Lesser demon R}} || {{fraction|1|4}} || 3
|-
| [[File:Dq6LMSsnes.png|48px|center]] || [[Mercury|Liquid metal slime]] || {{fraction|1|256}} || 6
|-
| [[File:Dq6lipssnes.png|48px|center]] || {{Lips R}} || {{fraction|1|64}} || 1
|-
| [[File:Dq6mudmannequainsnes.png|48px|center]] || {{Mud mannequin R}} || {{fraction|1|64}} || 2
|-
| [[File:Dq6overkillingmachinesnes.png|58px|center]] || {{Overkilling machine R}} || {{fraction|1|64}} || 7
|-
| [[File:Dq6rockbombsnes.png|48px|center]] || {{Rockbomb R}} || {{fraction|1|32}} || 4
|-
| [[File:DQ6-SFC-SLIME.png|center]] || [[Goober|Slime]] || {{fraction|1|2}} || 1
|-
| [[File:Dq6slimeknightsnes.png|42px|center]]  || [[Goowain|Slime knight]] || {{fraction|1|4}} || 2
|-
| [[File:Supertensk.gif|48px|center]] || {{Sluggernaut R}} || {{fraction|1|4}} || 3
|-
| [[File:Dq6walkingcorpsesnes.png|48px|center]] || {{Walking corpse R}} || {{fraction|1|32}} || 2
|}

===Available in the DS & phone versions===
{| class="wikitable"
|-
! Sprite !! Monster Name !! Location
|-
| [[File:Goowain mugshot.png]]  || [[Goowain]] || [[Howcastle]]
|-
| [[File:Healie mugshot.png]] || [[Healie]] || [[Clearvale]]
|-
| [[File:Spot mugshot.png]] || [[Spot (DQ6)|Spot]] || [[Castle Graceskull]]
|-
| [[File:Kinglsey mugshot.png]] || [[Kingsley]] || [[Château de Sass]]
|-
| [[File:Goober mugshot.png]] || [[Goober]] || [[Slimopolis]]
|-
| [[File:Lizzie mugshot.png]]  || [[Lizzie]] || [[Arkbolt]]
|-
| [[File:Curie mugshot.png]] || [[Curie]] || [[Suite Dreams]]
|-
| [[File:Shelley mugshot.png]] || [[Shelley]] || [[Underwater Inn]]
|-
| [[File:Mercury mugshot.png]] || [[Mercury]] || [[Suite Dreams]]
|-
|}

=={{DQ7}}==
Monster recruitment is not present in the seventh game; instead, {{MFamilies}}s will sojourn off to a sort of wild life reserve called the [[Monster Meadows]] that is unlocked during the normal course of the game. Once there, they can be spoken to in their natural habitat as if they were {{NPC}}s, though only three lines of dialogue will be spoken. The [[Animal Magnetism]] skill makes taming these beasts much easier than in previous games, being the first time a player has direct influence on the probability in a numbered title. 

Additionally, defeated {{MFamilies}}s will occasionally drop [[Monster Heart]]s. These function similarly to the [[Dragonic Diligence]] and [[Liquid Metal Mind]] scrolls from {{VI}}, and allow the character holding them to take on monster-based vocations at {{Alltrades Abbey 6}}. The main difference is that a character's sprite will change into the corresponding monster once the vocation is mastered.
*In the {{3DS}} remake, the character will immediately become a monster after using a heart.

=={{DQ8}}==
In the {{PS2}} version of the game, players will notice several {{MFamilies}}s wandering the overworld. These infamous beasties prove '''much''' more capable than their randomly encountered counterparts, but once the player pays a visit to [[Morrie]]'s place they can join the party. This allows the monsters to enter the competition in [[Morrie's Place|Morrie's Monstrous Pit]], and through the use of the [[Call Team]] skill they may be summoned into battle for 3 or more turns. All recruited {{MFamilies}}s grow more powerful as the {{Hero 8}}'s Level rises, and do not need to gain battle {{exp}}erience themselves.
*In the [[Nintendo 3DS]] port, all {{MFamilies}}s are visible in the overworld, with the [[infamous monster]]s being given distinctive icons.

===Available in all versions===
{|
|- 
| width="50%" align="{{{align|left}}}" valign="{{{valign|top}}}" style="border:0"|
*[[Archer]]
*[[Archfiend (Recruit)|Archfiend]]
*[[Arges]]
*[[Big Al]]
*[[Bishop (Recruit)|Bishop]]
*[[Bladewolf]]
*[[Blizag Jr]]
*[[Bones (Recruit)|Bones]]
*[[Brickman]]
*[[Brontes]]
*[[Bush-W]]
*[[Capers]]
*[[Clio]]
*[[Cowboy]]
*[[Curer (Recruit)|Curer]]
*[[Cybot]]
*[[Deadnoble (Recruit)|Deadnoble]]
*[[Dolldrums]]
*[[Doug]]
*[[Dumbking]]
*[[Fat cat]]
*[[Faunus]]
*[[Flameman]]
*[[Fletch]]
*[[Foul fowl]]
*[[Frillsaur]]
*[[Goldman (Recruit)|Goldman]]
*[[Gryphus]]
*[[Hackzilla]]
*[[Hazel (Recruit)|Hazel]]
*[[Healer (Recruit)|Healer]]
*[[Hev]]
*[[Hoodwink]]
*[[Hori (Recruit)|Hori]]
*[[Hork (Recruit)|Hork]]
*[[Jack Frost]]
*[[Jewelbag (Recruit)|Jewelbag]]
*[[Jockey]]
| width="50%" align="{{{align|left}}}" valign="{{{valign|top}}}" style="border:0"|
*[[Klub kong]]
*[[Lonely Joe]]
*[[McHammer]]
*[[Mechabubo]]
*[[Metabble (Recruit)|Metabble]]
*[[Metaly (Recruit)|Metaly]]
*[[Moppet]]
*[[Mornstar]]
*[[Nightwing]]
*[[Nohi]]
*[[Octurion]]
*[[Orcus]]
*[[Orrid]]
*[[Pa Troll]]
*[[Potbelly]]
*[[Roborg]]
*[[Robster]]
*[[Sagittari]]
*[[Salsa]]
*[[Scorpius]]
*[[Seasaw]]
*[[Sippy]]
*[[Skeledoid]]
*[[Slurpy]]
*[[Smiles]]
*[[Snap Case]]
*[[Spike]]
*[[Spot (DQ8)|Spot]]
*[[Squiggles]]
*[[Steropes]]
*[[Stoneman (Recruit)|Stoneman]]
*[[Sugi]]
*[[Talos]]
*[[Torchman]]
*[[Tori]]
*[[Trick Bag (Recruit)|Trick Bag]]
*[[Twiggy]]
|}

=={{DQ10}}==
Certain {{MFamilies}}s can be recruited by players beginning in version 2.0, which saw the return of the [[Monster Master]] vocation to the series after nearly 14 years of absence. Version 2.1 added the [[Item Master]] vocation and it's selection of monsters. The former tames organic {{MFamilies}}s, while the latter handles [[Material family|living objects]] and [[Machine family|robots]], with each having 15 species to choose from.

Taming itself is fairly simple, but players must perform research on the species they want prior to the encounter. This is done in the form of obtaining zoological books on {{MFamilies}}s or user manuals for machines, and using one as an item in battle to unlock the scouting attack for that particular breed. This attack creates a base 10% chance to capture the {{MFamilies}} once it falls. The skill does not need to be the final blow of the battle; as long as it has been used over the course of the encounter the chance to recruit the beast is established. Once tamed, the {{MFamilies}} can join the player immediately or be sent off to the monster bar where most scouting books are obtained, and one character can store up to 24 {{MFamilies}}s at the pub.

Monsters that have joined players are controlled through A.I. dependent on their [[Personality|personality]] and essentially serve as [[party]] members for times when the player's friends and comrades are offline. Monsters have a Level cap of 50, but can undergo a process similar to a [[Revocation]] to further raise their stats. The equipment pool of a given {{MFamilies}} is fixed and cannot be changed, but gear can be shared between the {{MFamilies}} and master: for example a [[Monster Master]] and Hacksaurus can simultaneously wield the same [[Kaiser axe]] in a battle for the sake of player convenience. New to the series is the concept of bonding, a hidden stat that denotes the level of attachment a {{MFamilies}} has to its master and is raised by fighting together. Once this stat is maxed out, a {{MFamilies}} will follow a character regardless of their {{vocation}}. 

{| class="wikitable"
|-
!  Monster Name !! Version available !! Weapon !! Armour !!  Book
|-
|[[Brownie]] || 2.4 || Hammers || Heavy armour || Monster battle road prize
|-
|[[Chimaera]] || 2.0 || Wands || Robes || Casino prize
|-
|[[Dracky]] || 2.3 || Heavy wands || Robes || Monster battle road prize
|-
|[[Great sabrecat]] || 4.1 || Claws || Clothing || Monster drop
|-
|[[Hacksaurus]] || 2.0 || Axes || Heavy armour || Casino prize
|-
|[[Healslime]] ||2.0 || Wands ||Robes || Sold at tavern
|-
|[[Imp]] || 2.2 ||Spears || Robes ||Sold at tavern
|-
|[[Jailcat]] || 2.0 || Claws || Robes || Monster drop
|-
|[[Mandrake major]] || 2.0 || Swords || Heavy armour || Sold at tavern
|-
|[[Meowgician]] || 2.0 || Heavy wands || Robes || Sold at tavern
|-
|[[Mischievous mole]] || 2.0 || Staves || Clothing || Monster drop
|-
|[[Slime]] ||2.0 ||Boomerangs || Clothing || Sold at tavern
|-
|[[Slime knight]] || 2.0 ||Swords || Heavy armour || Sold at tavern
|-
|[[Small fry]] || 2.2 || Claws || Clothing || Sold at tavern
|-
|[[Teeny sanguini]] || 2.0 || Wands || Robes || Sold at tavern
|-
|}


{| class="wikitable"
|-
!  Monster Name !! Version available !! Weapon !! Armor !! Book
|-
|[[Bambooligan]] || 2.1 || Spears || Heavy armour || Sold at tavern
|-
|[[Fromage Fray]] || 2.1 || Heavy wands || Robes || Sold at tavern
|-
|[[Golem]] || 2.1 || Greatswords || Heavy armour || Sold at tavern
|-
|[[Goodybag]] || 2.1 || Fans || Robes || Casino prize
|-
|[[Harmour]] || 2.1 || Swords || Heavy armour || Casino prize
|-
|[[Hat hamwitch]] || 2.1 || Heavy wands || Robes || Monster drop
|-
|[[Hellbound horror]] || 2.3 || Axes || Clothing || Sold at tavern
|-
|[[Killing machine]] || 2.2 || Greatswords|| Heavy armour || Sold at tavern
|-
|[[Magic marionette]] || 2.2 || Knives || Clothing || Sold at tavern
|-
|[[Mecha-mynah]] || 2.1 || Claws || Clothing || Sold at tavern
|-
|Needle man || 2.1 || Knives || Clothing || Sold at tavern
|-
|[[Pocus poppet]] || 4.2 || Boomerangs || Clothing || Monster drop
|-
|[[Prancing pillar]] || 2.1 || Fans || Clothing || Sold at tavern
|-
|[[Restless armour]] || 2.1 || Swords || Heavy armour || Sold at tavern
|-
|Wardrobe mimic || 2.4 || Bows || Robes || Sold at tavern
|-
|}

=={{DQB2}}==
On explorer's shores after [[Skelkatrez]], one can recruit {{MFamilies}}s with [[Monster munchies]]. When a {{MFamilies}} that can be tamed is defeated, there is a chance that it will stand up instead of fading away and a thirty second timer will begin to count down--the munchies must be used in this period or the {{MFamilies}} will become annoyed and go away.

Tamed monsters join the residents of the Island of Awakening as {{NPC}}s, who go about their daily routines as the other islanders do, and some have special effects: the [[Chimaera]]s can be ridden to fly, the [[Powie yowie]] can be given an ice lolly to spread snow, the [[Liquid metal slime]] will play tag once a day for 100 hearts, etc.

{| class="wikitable"
|-
! Monster Name !! Location !! Gimmick
|-
|Bloody Hand || Unholy Holm || Plays with islanders<br>crafts items at workstations
|-
|Brownie || Iridescent Island ||Demolishes blocks marked with a smashing sign
|-
|Chimaera || Blossom Bay || Flying mount
|-
|Corpse Corporal || Laguna Perfuma ||Bartender
|-
|Cosmic Chimaera || Rimey Reef ||Flying mount
|-
|Ghoul || Rimey Reef ||Bartender
|-
|Gold Golem || Coral Cay ||Can use terraforma tiles<br>Melee mount
|- 
|Golem || Sunny Sands (one per visit) ||Can use terraforma tiles<br>Mount
|-
|Great Sabrecub || Blossom Bay ||Double-jump mount
|-
|Great Sabrecat || Soggy Skerry ||Double-jump mount
|-
|Hammerhood || Sunny Sands ||Demolishes blocks marked with a smashing sign
|-
|Healslime || nearly all Explorer's Shores ||Casts Heal in battle<br>Bartender
|-
|Hocus Chimaera || Iridescent Island ||Flying mount
|-
|Hunter Mech || Rimey Reef ||Farmer
|- 
|Killing Machine || Laguna Perfuma ||Farmer
|-
|Living Statue || Rimey Reef (one per visit) ||Produces dyes at stain extractors
|-
|Liquid Metal Slime || Laguna Perfuma ||Plays tag
|- 
|Muddy Hand || Soggy Skerry ||Plays with islanders<br>crafts items at workstations
|-
|Powie Yowie || Rimey Reef ||Feed ice lollies to freeze ground
|-
|She-Slime || Sunny Sands ||Double-jump mount
|-
|Slime || Blossom Bay ||Double-jump mount
|-
||Stone Golem || Iridescent Island (one per visit) ||Can use terraforma tiles<br>Melee mount
|-
|Stone Guardian || Unholy Holm || Produces dyes at stain extractors
|-
|Walking Corpse || Soggy Skerry ||Bartender
|}


==''[[Dragon Quest Monsters|Dragon Quest Monsters 1]]'' & ''[[Dragon Quest Monsters 2|2]]''==
While monsters retain a base chance to join the player upon defeat as in previous games, the chance can be greatly enhanced by using Monster munchies in battle. 

=={{DQMJ}} series==
Recruitment is implemented via the ''Scout'' option in the battle menu. When selected, the player's team of {{MFamilies}}s will perform a group assault on the target to impress the {{MFamilies}} into joining. The percentile chance is displayed onscreen, and can easily reach 100% if the group's sum attack power is high enough. However, if the enemy is too durable then the assault can easily leave the player with a big fat 0%--it is imperative to apply [[Oomph]] and [[Sap]] to raise the chances even higher.
*In {{Joker 2}}, tossing a bundle of [[Beastie bites]] at the foe will raise the chance by a flat 10%.

==Gallery==
<center><gallery>
DQV Recruitment refference guide.png|Level requirements and percentages in {{V}}.
Cobi_Tara_and_monster_husbandry.png|[[Tara]] & [[Cobi]] demonstrating the day-to-day obligations of raising monsters; it isn't all just battles
</gallery></center>

{{Series_mechanics}}

{{DQV}}
{{DQVI}}
{{DQVII}}
{{DQVIII}}
{{DQX}}
{{DQMI}}
{{DQBII}}
{{DQMII}}

[[Category: Game mechanics]]
[[category:Recurring elements]]