Complete Guide to Recruiting Matilda (Fourth Party Member) in Dragon Quest 2 HD-2D Remake

The Fourth Party Member Mystery

If you’ve been following the marketing for Dragon Quest I & II HD-2D Remake, you probably noticed something interesting: promotional materials showed a four-person party for Dragon Quest 2, not the traditional three-member team from the original release.

This wasn’t a mistake or marketing sleight-of-hand—Dragon Quest 2 HD-2D Remake genuinely features a fourth party member, and that member is Matilda, the Princess of Cannock. While she makes a brief appearance early in your adventure, recruiting her permanently requires completing a specific questline centered around the town of Beran.

Let me walk you through everything you need to know about adding this powerful new character to your team.

Who Is Matilda?

Matilda, the Princess of Cannock, isn’t entirely new to Dragon Quest 2’s story—she played an important role in the original game. However, this HD-2D remake elevates her from a supporting character to a fully playable fourth party member, complete with unique abilities, spells, and combat capabilities.

Why Matilda matters:

• She’s the closest thing to a Thief class in Dragon Quest 2 Remake
• Extremely high Luck stat enables frequent critical hits
• Access to versatile abilities and spells
• Makes a noticeable difference in your party’s combat effectiveness
• Adds strategic depth with her unique skill set

Once you recruit Matilda permanently, your party composition becomes significantly more flexible, and challenging encounters become much more manageable.

Prerequisites: What You Need Before Recruiting Matilda

You can’t just recruit Matilda immediately—there are story milestones you must reach first.

Step 1: Recruit Your First Two Party Members

Before you can even think about adding Matilda, you need to assemble the initial three-person party:

First party member: Caradoc, the Prince of Cannock
Second party member: Peronel, the Princess of Moonbrooke

These recruitments happen naturally through the main story. If you haven’t found both of these characters yet, continue following the primary questline until they join your team.

Step 2: Obtain the Ship

The game’s first major milestone after forming your three-person party is acquiring a ship from the people of Rippleport. This is a mandatory story objective that you cannot skip.

Where this happens: Rippleport
What to do: Follow the main quest objectives in this town until you successfully obtain your ship

Once you have sailing capability, the world opens up significantly. You’ll gain access to multiple new destinations, and the path to recruiting Matilda becomes available.

Important note: You cannot recruit Matilda permanently until after you’ve obtained the ship. She does briefly join your party earlier in the game, but that’s a temporary story moment—this guide focuses on making her a permanent member.

When Should You Recruit Matilda?

After obtaining your ship, you’ll see several destination markers if you have that feature enabled:

• Tantegel
• Beran (where Matilda is recruited)
• Burrowell
• Zahan

Here’s the crucial detail: Beran is significantly more challenging than anything you’ve faced up to this point in the game.

Recommended Level Range

For Normal difficulty: Level 12-15 minimum
For Dragon/Draconian difficulty: Level 15-20 recommended

The Beran questline includes a boss fight that can be quite punishing if you’re underleveled or unprepared. Don’t rush into this area immediately after getting your ship unless you’re confident in your party’s strength.

Strategic Timing Options

Option 1 – Recruit Matilda immediately:

• Pros: Get the fourth party member as soon as possible, unlock her abilities early
• Cons: Harder fight, might require multiple attempts, need to be well-prepared
• Best for: Experienced players comfortable with challenge, those playing on Normal difficulty

Option 2 – Complete other quests first:

• Pros: Gain more levels and better equipment, easier boss fight
• Cons: Miss out on having Matilda for earlier content
• Best for: Players on harder difficulties, those who want to minimize risk
• Recommended route: Complete Tantegel or Zahan quests first, then tackle Beran

My recommendation: Unless you’re playing on Draconian difficulty or significantly underleveled, it’s worth attempting Beran relatively early. Matilda’s contributions to your party are substantial, and having her for more of the game increases her overall value.

Complete Beran Questline Walkthrough

Once you’ve decided to pursue Matilda’s recruitment, here’s exactly what you need to do.

Arriving at Beran

Sail your ship to Beran and dock at the port. The town is accessible via water routes, so navigate carefully.

Upon entering Beran: Your party members will request to split up and explore the town individually. Accept this proposal to proceed with the quest.

This split-up mechanic is part of the questline structure—don’t worry, you’re not actually losing control of your party permanently.

Meeting Caradoc at the Docks

With your party temporarily separated, navigate to the southern docks of Beran.

Who to find: Caradoc, the Prince of Cannock
What happens: Speaking with him triggers the next phase of the quest

This conversation sets up the dramatic sequence that follows.

The Brute Bat Boss Fight

After your conversation with Caradoc, events will transpire that lead to a boss encounter in front of the church.

Boss: Brute Bat
Location: In front of Beran’s church
Difficulty: Moderate to challenging depending on your level

Combat tips for the Brute Bat:

• Make sure you have plenty of healing items before the fight
• Use your strongest offensive abilities and spells
• Keep your HP above safe thresholds (similar strategies to other challenging encounters)
• The fight is winnable at the recommended levels, but demands attention

Critical story moment: At the end of this battle, Caradoc will be poisoned by the Brute Bat. This isn’t something you can prevent—it’s a scripted story event that drives the rest of the questline.

Tending to the Poisoned Prince

After the boss fight, Caradoc will be taken to the Beran Inn with the help of the local priest.

Your next objective: Travel to Cannock and speak with Caradoc’s parents (the King and Queen)

Unfortunately, despite being his parents and ruling over an entire kingdom, they won’t have a solution to his condition. This conversation is necessary to progress the quest, but don’t expect a cure here.

After speaking with them: Return to Beran immediately.

Matilda’s First Appearance

When you arrive back in Beran, you’ll encounter Princess Matilda for the first time in this questline.

Where she appears: Around the town, frantically questioning townspeople
What she’s doing: Desperately searching for information about a cure for her brother’s poison

Speak with her to trigger a conversation, then return to where Caradoc is resting with the priest.

Learning About Yggdrasil’s Arbour

During your conversation with the priest, you’ll learn about a mystical location called Yggdrasil’s Arbour.

Key information revealed:

• There’s a special tree at this location
• The tree produces Yggdrasil’s Leaf, which can cure any ailment
• The forest has a “Lost Woods” mechanic with fog that causes players to become disoriented
• The priest provides you with Forest’s Favor, a key item that dispels the fog

If you previously attempted to explore Yggdrasil’s Arbour without Forest’s Favor, you know how frustrating the fog mechanic can be. With this item, navigation becomes straightforward.

Where to find Yggdrasil’s Arbour: The priest will mark it on your map (check your world map for the location)

Journey to Yggdrasil’s Arbour

Board your ship and sail to Yggdrasil’s Arbour. With Forest’s Favor in your possession, the fog will be cleared and you can navigate normally.

Upon arrival: Matilda will rejoin your party automatically, though you won’t have direct control over her actions yet. She’s there for story purposes during this segment.

Navigation tips:

• The area isn’t particularly difficult in terms of enemy encounters
• Make your way through the forest following the path
• Your destination is Yggdrasil itself—the great tree at the heart of the arbour

At the tree: Interact with Yggdrasil to obtain Yggdrasil’s Leaf, the cure you need for Caradoc.

Returning to Beran – The Final Step

With Yggdrasil’s Leaf in hand, return to Beran and head back to the inn where Caradoc is being treated.

Speak to the priest to trigger the healing sequence. After a brief cutscene and dialogue, Caradoc will be restored to full health.

The reward: Both Caradoc and Matilda will permanently rejoin your party as active members. You now have a full four-person team, complete with Matilda’s unique abilities and high Luck stat.

Congratulations—you’ve successfully recruited the fourth party member!

Matilda’s Combat Role and Abilities

Now that you have Matilda in your party, let’s talk about what makes her special.

The Thief Archetype

Dragon Quest 2 doesn’t have traditional class systems, but Matilda fills the role typically associated with Thief or Rogue classes in other JRPGs.

Key characteristics:

• Extremely high Luck stat – This translates to frequent critical hits in combat
• Versatile spell list – Access to both offensive and support magic
• Useful abilities – Unique skills that complement the rest of your party
• Good agility – Often acts early in turn order

Why Matilda Makes Your Party Stronger

The difference between a three-person party and a four-person party with Matilda is substantial:

Offensive advantages:

• More attacks per round means faster enemy elimination
• Critical hit frequency adds significant burst damage
• Additional spell-caster provides more magical firepower

Strategic flexibility:

• Four party members allow for more diverse tactics
• Can dedicate one character to pure healing while others attack
• Matilda’s versatility lets her fill gaps in your strategy

Survivability:

• Damage spread across four targets instead of three
• More actions per turn for healing and buffing
• Better equipped to handle enemy group attacks

Resource efficiency:

• Fights end faster, conserving MP and healing items
• Critical hits from Matilda can eliminate threats before they act
• More sustainable for dungeon exploration

Optimal Party Composition

With Matilda recruited, your full party lineup is:

1. Hero (Prince of Midenhall) – Well-rounded protagonist
2. Caradoc (Prince of Cannock) – Magic-focused character
3. Peronel (Princess of Moonbrooke) – Healing and support specialist
4. Matilda (Princess of Cannock) – High-Luck critical attacker with versatile skills

This composition covers all the essential roles: tanking, healing, magic damage, and physical damage with critical potential.

Tips for Using Matilda Effectively

To get the most out of your new party member:

Leverage her Luck stat:

• Position Matilda to attack enemies with high HP first
• Critical hits deal massive damage and can eliminate threats instantly
• Her critical rate is significantly higher than other party members

Utilize her spell versatility:

• Learn which spells she has access to and plan accordingly
• She can fill in when Caradoc or Peronel are low on MP
• Don’t pigeonhole her into one role—she’s meant to be flexible

Equipment considerations:

• Prioritize weapons that benefit from her high attack frequency
• Don’t neglect defense—she still needs to survive to deal damage
• Consider removing any cursed equipment before major fights

Battle positioning:

• Let her target weakened enemies for execution with crits
• Use her abilities to exploit enemy weaknesses
• Coordinate with other party members for combo potential

Why You Should Recruit Matilda ASAP

The guide has made this point several times, but it bears repeating: recruiting Matilda as soon as you reasonably can is worth the effort.

Reasons to prioritize her recruitment:

1. Combat power spike – Your party becomes noticeably stronger immediately
2. Better progression – Future content becomes easier with four members
3. More options – Strategic flexibility makes challenging encounters manageable
4. Experience efficiency – She levels up alongside your party, maintaining usefulness
5. Completion value – Using her throughout more of the game maximizes her contribution

The only reason to delay is if you’re genuinely underleveled or unprepared for the Brute Bat fight. Otherwise, make Beran your first priority after obtaining the ship.

Additional Resources for Dragon Quest 2

If you’re looking to optimize your Dragon Quest 2 playthrough:

• Learn about Mini-Medals and Tombola Tickets for powerful rewards
• Master curse removal and Benediction services to avoid equipment issues
• Check out our Dragon Quest 1 & 2 HD-2D Remake review for overall impressions

Final Thoughts

Recruiting Matilda transforms Dragon Quest 2 HD-2D Remake’s combat from a three-person affair into a true party-based experience. Her addition isn’t just a novelty—it’s a meaningful enhancement that makes the game more strategic, more flexible, and ultimately more enjoyable.

The Beran questline might seem daunting at first, especially if you attempt it right after getting your ship, but the payoff is absolutely worth it. Between the Brute Bat boss fight, the journey to Yggdrasil’s Arbour, and the dramatic conclusion, you’re in for a memorable sequence that enriches the overall narrative.

Once Matilda joins your party permanently, you’ll wonder how you ever managed with just three members. Her critical hits, versatile abilities, and high Luck stat make her an invaluable asset throughout the rest of your adventure.

Quick recap of the recruitment process:

1. Obtain your ship from Rippleport (mandatory story progression)
2. Level up to at least 12-15 (higher for harder difficulties)
3. Sail to Beran and accept the party split-up
4. Meet Caradoc at the southern docks
5. Defeat the Brute Bat boss in front of the church
6. Visit Cannock to speak with Caradoc’s parents
7. Return to Beran and encounter Matilda
8. Receive Forest’s Favor from the priest
9. Travel to Yggdrasil’s Arbour and obtain Yggdrasil’s Leaf
10. Return to Beran and cure Caradoc to permanently recruit both siblings

Ready to expand your party and take on Alefgard’s challenges with your full four-person team? Grab that ship, level up appropriately, and set sail for Beran. The Princess of Cannock awaits, and your adventure is about to get a whole lot more interesting.

You can experience this content yourself by picking up Dragon Quest I & II HD-2D Remake on Steam or your platform of choice. Happy adventuring!