Dominate the demonic hordes in Shin Megami Tensei V: Vengeance! This comprehensive guide dives deep into the world of demon recruitment, fusion, and strategic team building. From unlocking every one of the 277 demons to crafting optimized builds, we’ll equip you with the knowledge to conquer even the toughest challenges. Whether you’re a seasoned summoner or a newcomer to Da’at, prepare to unleash the full potential of your demon army!
Before diving into the intricacies of fusion, let’s cover the basics of demon management. Shin Megami Tensei V: Vengeance boasts a roster of 277 demons, each belonging to one of 44 distinct races, ranging from the ethereal Avian and fierce Beast to the godlike Deity and enigmatic Wilder. These demons aren’t just adversaries; they’re your key to survival and victory.
You’ll acquire these allies through a combination of negotiation (talking your way into their services), fusion (combining existing demons to create new ones), subquest completion (earning unique demons as rewards), and DLC packs (expanding your roster with exclusive additions).
The Compendium is your digital demon library. Every demon you encounter is recorded here, allowing you to resummon them later for a fee based on their level and skills. Think of it as your personal demonic insurance policy—a crucial tool for rebuilding your team after tough battles or experimenting with different fusion combinations.
Mastering the Art of Demon Fusion: Recipes for Power
Fusion is the heart of demon collection in SMT V: Vengeance. It’s a strategic process, not just random mixing and matching. Think of it as demonic alchemy, where careful combinations unlock immense power. Four primary fusion types exist:
Dyad Fusion: Experimentation and Discovery
Dyad Fusion is your basic fusion method. Choose any two demons, combine them, and see what emerges! The resulting offspring inherits a blend of skills and stats from its parents. While unpredictable, Dyad Fusion encourages experimentation and can lead to unexpected discoveries. Fusion calculator tools can help predict the outcome, offering a touch of control in this otherwise chaotic process.
Special Fusion: Unlocking Legendary Power
Special Fusions are the key to acquiring the most powerful demons in Vengeance. These fusions require specific ingredients (demons) and often have prerequisites, such as story progression, completed subquests, or even specific DLC. Unlocking these exceptional demons is a rewarding experience, offering significant advantages in battle.
Here’s a glimpse at a few Special Fusions (research ongoing):
Demon Name
Required Demons
Unlock Condition
Lucifer
Currently being researched
Currently being researched
Masakado
Currently being researched
Currently being researched
Anansi
Currently being researched
Currently being researched
Onyankopon
Currently being researched
Currently being researched
Reverse Fusion: Targeted Acquisition
Reverse Fusion allows you to work backward. Select a desired demon, and the game reveals the necessary ingredients for its creation. This takes the guesswork out of acquiring specific demons, essential for filling gaps in your team or pursuing particular builds.
Reverse Compendium Fusion: Reclaiming Lost Power
Reverse Compendium Fusion adds another layer to the system. This allows you to recreate demons using those currently registered in your Compendium, offering further flexibility and encouraging strategic roster management.
Skill Inheritance: Shaping Your Demons
Skill inheritance is crucial for maximizing your demons’ potential. During fusion, you can select which skills are passed down from the “parent” demons to their offspring. This allows you to tailor their skill sets, creating demons with custom abilities perfectly suited to your playstyle. Demons have affinities for certain skill types, making some skills easier to inherit than others. Essences, obtainable through various means, can grant access to even more skills, further expanding customization options.
Fusion Accidents: Embracing the Unexpected
Occasionally, a fusion can go “wrong,” resulting in a Fusion Accident. These rare occurrences produce unpredictable results, sometimes leading to the creation of exceptionally rare and powerful demons. Some believe factors like the full moon may influence their likelihood, but research is ongoing.
Subquests and Unlocks: Expanding Your Roster
Beyond fusion, subquests are a vital source of unique demons. These quests range from simple fetch tasks to challenging boss battles. Completing them often rewards you with demons unavailable through other means. Some of the most elusive demons are locked behind post-game content, possibly requiring specific story choices or completion on higher difficulties. For example, evidence suggests that Abdiel (Fallen) is likely tied to specific narrative decisions and beating the main game.
Tier List Tango: Navigating Demon Rankings
Tier lists provide a general overview of demon effectiveness. However, they’re not absolute; a demon’s utility depends on your playstyle, team composition, and the specific challenges you face. Some early-game powerhouses might fall behind later, while others shine in specific scenarios.
Recommended Demons by Stage:
This table provides a starting point for building your team (note: ongoing research suggests these rankings might shift based on new strategies and community discoveries):
Game Stage
Demon
Strengths
Likely Role
Early Game
Mermaid
Stormcaller’s Song
Support/Offensive Caster
Angel
Humble Blessing, Hama, Agi
Healer/Support Caster
Fortuna
Force, Support, Light, Buff
Support/Buffer
Mid Game
Yoshitsune
Hassou Tobi, Pierce Armor
Physical Attacker
King Frost
King Bufala
Ice-focused Attacker
Lahmu
Ice, Force, Dark, Almighty, Physical, Curses
Versatile Attacker/Debuffer
Surt
Physical, Fire
Fire-focused Physical Attacker
Late Game
Dominion
Resistances, Magic, Buff
Support/Buffer
Lakshmi
Light, Force, Healing, Buff
Healer/Support Caster
Odin
Resistances, Gungnir
Powerful Physical Attacker
Shiva
Physical, Almighty, Tandava
Extremely Powerful Physical Attacker
Mara
All-around powerhouse
Strong in various areas
New Faces and DLC Delights: Expanding the Demonic Roster
Shin Megami Tensei V: Vengeance introduces new demons with unique skills and abilities, shaking up existing strategies. DLC packs further expand your options, offering powerful allies like the Celtic god Dagda. While their utility is currently under debate among players, they undoubtedly bring new dimensions to team building.
Mitama Farming: Boosting Your Demons
Mitamas are spectral entities found throughout Da’at. Defeating them grants EXP, Macca, and Glory, crucial for powering up your demons. While they serve as valuable resources, they cannot be recruited. Knowing the best locations and times to farm specific Mitama types can significantly accelerate your demon’s growth.
Building the Ultimate Demon Team: Synergy and Strategy
Collecting demons is just the beginning. The true challenge lies in building a cohesive team. Consider roles, skill synergy, and elemental coverage. A well-balanced team, not just a collection of powerful individuals, is the key to success. Don’t be afraid to experiment, and remember, challenge runs (low-level, no-fusion) can force you to explore new strategies and uncover hidden potential in less commonly used demons.
This guide provides a comprehensive foundation for mastering the world of demons in Shin Megami Tensei V: Vengeance. The true depth of the system, however, lies in continuous exploration and discovery. So, embrace the challenge, experiment with different combinations, and forge your own path to victory!
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