Badges make a return in Mario and Luigi: Dream Team. As in the previous installment, Mario and Luigi can each equip one badge at any given time. When combined, two badges create a unique combo effect, useful in battles. Mario and Luigi each have six badge slots, resulting in 36 possible combos. Some badges are provided during your adventure and others must be purchased at specail badge shops located in Pi’illo Castle, Dozing Sands, and Wakeport.
Purchasing badges is purely optional, and they’re not cheap. So before buying any badges, study the different badge combos available. There’s no need to purchase badges that produce combo effects you’re not interested in. Instead, find the combo effects you want, then purchase the two badges necessary to produce the desired effect. But not all badges are available at the outset.
The badges you equip and the badge effects you use largely comes down to personal preference. But here’s a list of five badges you won’t want to do without.
1. Mush Badge
Where to Obtain: Acquired in Pi’illo Castle
Luigi’s Mush Badge is obtained for free, shortly before battling Smoldergeist in Pi’illo Castle. While it’s one of the first badges acquired, the Mush Badge remains one of the most powerful, particularly if you’re interested in restoring HP and BP. When combined with Mario’s Starter Badge, the Mush Badge’s effect restores 30% of each brother’s HP. Or combine it with the Expert Badge to restore 80% of each brother’s HP as well as revive any KO’d brother and cure status effects!
2. Strike Badge
Where to Obtain: Badge Shop (for 200 coins)
Luigi’s Strike Badge is available at any of the three badge shops shortly after obtaining the Bronze and Guard Badges from Dozing Sands. This is an offensive-based badge, giving you the opportunity to dish out damage to one or multiple enemies. When combined with Mario’s Starter Badge, the effect hits one enemy for 30 damage. But if combined with a more powerful badge, like Mario’s Expert Badge, the effect hits all enemies for 160 damage! This makes this badge extremely useful during boss battles.
3. Master Badge
Where to Obtain: Badge Shop (for 600 coins)
Mario’s Master Badge is available fairly early during the adventure, soon after obtaining the Bronze and Guard Badges from Dozing Sands. It’s a bit pricey at this stage in the game, but you won’t be disappointed with the results. When combined with Luigi’s Guard Badge the effect creates a barrier that prevents Mario and Luigi from taking damage for six turns. Or combine it with the Miracle Badge to gain more EXP from enemies; trigger the effect just before defeating a boss.
4. Expert Badge
Where to Obtain: Badge Shop (for 2,000 coins)
Mario’s Expert Badge is available at badge shops after defeating the Elite Trio in Dreamy Driftwood Shore. While this badge isn’t cheap, it’s well worth the price, providing a variety of powerful effects when combined with any of Luigi’s badges. Combine it with the Guard Badge and trigger its effect to prevent Mario or Luigi from being KO’d for three turns. Or combine it with the Virus Badge to make all foes dizzy.
5. Miracle Badge
Where to Obtain: Badge Shop (for 2,000 coins)
Like Mario’s Expert Badge, Luigi’s Miracle Badge isn’t cheap and can only be purchased after defeating the Elite Trio in Dreamy Driftwood Shore. But the effects produced by this badge are nothing short of miraculous. Combine it with the Silver Badge to revert Mario and Luigi’s status to the previous turn, returning consumed items and canceling status effects. Or pair it with the Gold Badge to stop time temporarily, preventing all enemies from moving. This is a fun badge to play around with, so find a combo that best fits your play style.
So there’s five of our favorite badges. For more information on badges, including prices, locations, and a listing of all 36 combos, check out the Mario and Luigi: Dream Team Prima Official Guide.
Published: Aug 9, 2013 10:24 pm