In Dragon Quest games, equipment management plays a vital role in optimizing character performance, and understanding how to remove or unequip accessories like the Cover Ring is essential for players aiming to adapt their strategies. The Cover Ring, depending on the version of the game you’re playing, typically affects combat behavior often by forcing the wearer to protect weaker allies. While this can be helpful in certain scenarios, it may not always be ideal. Knowing when and how to remove the Cover Ring can help you better control your team’s behavior in battle, switch to more powerful items, or adjust your tactical loadout.
Understanding the Cover Ring
What is the Cover Ring?
The Cover Ring is a type of accessory found in various Dragon Quest titles, particularly in later entries like Dragon Quest XI. It grants a special passive effect that causes the equipped character to automatically defend weaker allies during combat. This effect is especially useful for tank characters or those with high defense and HP stats, allowing them to absorb damage on behalf of others.
When is the Cover Ring Useful?
This accessory can be strategically useful in the following scenarios:
- When facing bosses with high-damage attacks.
- When protecting low-HP spellcasters or support units.
- When building a defensive party composition where one character serves as the tank.
Drawbacks of Keeping the Cover Ring Equipped
Despite its usefulness, the Cover Ring isn’t always optimal. Reasons to remove it include:
- You want the character to focus on offense rather than defense.
- You need to equip a different accessory that better suits the next encounter.
- You no longer require the auto-cover effect because your party is well-balanced.
How to Remove the Cover Ring
Via the Equipment Menu
The most straightforward way to remove the Cover Ring is through the equipment or gear menu. Here’s a step-by-step guide to doing it:
- Open the in-game main menu.
- Navigate to the Equipment or Gear section.
- Select the character currently wearing the Cover Ring.
- Scroll to the accessory slot (usually labeled Accessory 1 or Accessory 2).
- Select the Cover Ring and choose the Remove or Unequip option.
Once unequipped, the accessory will return to your inventory, and the character will no longer have the auto-cover effect in battle.
Using the Tactics Menu
In some versions of Dragon Quest, particularly Dragon Quest XI, players can manage gear and tactics simultaneously through the tactics menu:
- Open the main menu and select Tactics.
- Choose Equipment & Skills.
- Select the character and navigate to the accessory slot.
- Remove the Cover Ring or replace it with another item.
This approach is especially handy when preparing for specific fights or customizing roles before entering dungeons or boss areas.
Swapping the Cover Ring with Other Accessories
Popular Alternatives
If you’re removing the Cover Ring, you might want to consider replacing it with another accessory that better supports your strategy. Some popular alternatives include:
- Agility Rings Increase turn order speed.
- Magic-Boosting Charms Improve spellcasting effectiveness.
- HP/MP Recovery Accessories Regenerate health or mana after turns.
- Status-Resist Rings Guard against debuffs like sleep or paralysis.
Swapping accessories depending on your needs allows for better control over your party’s performance and can make difficult encounters more manageable.
Situational Use of the Cover Ring
When to Re-Equip It
There may be times when re-equipping the Cover Ring is beneficial again, especially if:
- You’re facing a boss with area-of-effect damage that targets weak allies.
- Your support characters are frequently getting knocked out early.
- You’ve changed your party composition and need to reinforce protection.
Combining with Defensive Buffs
The Cover Ring becomes even more effective when paired with buffs or abilities such as:
- Defending Champion Reduces damage taken.
- Kabuff Raises party defense.
- Forbearance A skill that stacks well with Cover effects.
Using these in conjunction can create a nearly unbreakable frontline character capable of absorbing massive damage.
Inventory Management Tips
Keep Accessories Organized
It’s easy to lose track of accessories like the Cover Ring if your inventory becomes cluttered. To prevent confusion:
- Sort your gear by type or effect.
- Use storage chests if available in your game version.
- Regularly sell or discard outdated accessories.
Label Favorites
Some versions of the game allow players to mark certain items as favorites or favorites to equip. Use this to keep track of essential gear like the Cover Ring so you can find it quickly when needed again.
Impact on Battle Strategy
Without the Cover Ring
Once removed, the character will no longer automatically protect others. This shift means your entire formation could become more vulnerable unless compensated with other strategies. Adjustments may include:
- Positioning healers more cautiously.
- Increasing the use of defensive buffs on weaker allies.
- Assigning a new tank role to another party member.
With the Cover Ring
Keeping the Cover Ring equipped changes combat dynamics significantly. It introduces a semi-automatic support element to one of your characters, allowing you to divert damage efficiently. However, it also means less freedom in action selection for that character, especially in AI-controlled tactics.
Final Considerations
Weighing Pros and Cons
Ultimately, whether or not to remove the Cover Ring in Dragon Quest depends on your playstyle and the challenges you’re facing. If you’re going into fast-paced, offense-heavy fights, the ring might limit your damage output. On the other hand, defensive fights or high-risk boss battles may call for its protection benefits.
Experiment and Adapt
Don’t hesitate to try different setups by equipping and removing the Cover Ring based on the situation. Dragon Quest games reward flexible thinking, and mastering your gear management can mean the difference between victory and defeat in many battles.
By learning how to remove the Cover Ring and swap it strategically, you gain more control over your party’s effectiveness, allowing you to overcome stronger enemies and progress confidently through the world of Dragon Quest.