Summary
If theShin Megami Tenseifranchise is known for one thing, it’s for being incredibly difficult. While thePersonagameshave always been a little more accessiblein terms of difficulty, mainlineSMThas developed a reputation for being very volatile, where even normal battles can end in a game over if the player isn’t careful.
Of course, while normal encounters can be dangerous on their own, the true challenge inShin Megami Tenseiis easily the bosses.Shin Megami Tenseibosses always have a variety of powerful attacks and skills, and if the player’s demon roster isn’t built up well enough, they might find themselves up against an insurmountable mountain. Here are some of the hardest bosses in mainlineShin Megami Tensei, not including spin-off series likePersonaorDevil Survivor.
Minotaur is one of the first really tough boss fights encountered duringShin Megami Tensei 4. A physical powerhouse, Minotaur stands in the way of any Samurai who attempt to leave the kingdom of Mikado.
Minotaur’s strengths lie in its powerful physical attacks, many of which can hit multiple targets. In addition, Walterhas a chance of joining the battle and hitting Minotaur with Agi, giving it a free smirk to eradicate the player on its next turn. While many bosses are stronger than Minotaur, its early appearance can make it a stumbling block for inexperienced players.
Matador is one of the most infamous bosses from theShin Megami Tenseifranchise, appearing as one of the many menorah holders inShin Megami Tensei 3. Despite his early appearance in the game, his boss battle demands strong familiarity with the game’s mechanics, making him a nightmare for newcomers.
Matador’s signature ability is Red Capote, which buffs Matador’s agility to the maximum. This makes him very hard to hit, requiring players to either buff themselves or diligently apply speed debuffs for the battle to stay even. With powerful attacks like Andalucia and the use of Focus to power up physical attacks, Matador is a terrifying opponent to anyone unfamiliar with the franchise.
6Metatron
The Mighty God’s Greatest Angel
Metatron is one of the last bosses fought in the True Demon Path ofShin Megami Tensei 3.An angel known as the Voice of God, Metatron descends while the Demi-fiend is journeying through the Labyrinth of Amala to keep him from meeting up with Lucifer.
Metatron has powerful Expel-type attacks, with Holy Wrath and Mahamaon having powerful effects on demons weak to the element. Fire of Sinai is similarly powerful, dealing large amounts of almighty damage to random targets. While not the most dangerous foe, Metatron is certainly not to be underestimated.
Vishnu-Flynn is a unique boss, as it is the combined form of Krishna and the brainwashed Flynn, the protagonist of the originalShin Megami Tensei 4.Krishna assumes this form while fighting Nanashi out of desperation, and he is truly a terrifying foe.
Vishnu-Flynn has access to several unique skills, including Light Nandaka and Dark Nandaka. Both attacks deal piercing damage and make the target weak to the opposite element. He also has access to the powerful Antichthon, which can debilitate targets when he is smirking.
Shekinah is a unique boss that only appears at the end of the new routes available inShin Megami Tensei: Strange Journey Redux. The true form of the Three Wise Men, Shekinah appears after obtaining all of the power created by the Divine Fruits of the Womb of Grief and replaces Mem Aleph as the final boss.
Shekinah’s main difficulty lies in how she frequently changes affinities, with each one based on the divine fruits found by the protagonist during their journey through the Womb of Grief. With a variety of powerful moves and deadly skills, Shekinah is an incredibly difficult challenge.
3YHVH
The Manifestation Of Law Itself
YHVH is the God of Law, as well as the True Final Boss ofShin Megami Tensei 4: Apocalypse. The God who currently presides over the human world,YHVH has created a false warbetween Chaos and Law to ensure his rule is never disrupted.
YHVH has a large collection of powerful skills, including those that can instakill one target, drain a party of their MP, or even remove Press Turns. YHVH is such a dangerous opponent that the player needs to use two parties to defeat him.
Shiva isan optional boss that can be foughtduring the events ofShin Megami Tensei 5. The leader of Bethel India, Shiva bides his time as the other gods battle for the right to create the new world, planning only to destroy it so that it can be recreated.
Shiva is the most powerful boss in the game, and while he does have powerful attacks like Tandava, that is not what makes this boss so difficult. Instead, his difficulty comes from how he summons other Hindu demons to help him in battle, essentially having his own party. Alongside powerful skills like Impaler’s Animus that can give his attacks piercing, Shiva is a terror to fight indeed.
1Lucifer
The Almighty Lord Of Demons
Lucifer is the final bossof Shin Megami Tensei 3’s True Demon Pathand one of the most difficult bosses in the franchise’s history. The great Demon Lord of Hell, Lucifer hoped to raise the Demi-fiend into a demon capable of standing up against God’s army.
Lucifer has max stats, already making him quite the deadly challenge. In addition, he has a variety of attacks, with the most dangerous being Root of Evil, which has a variety of random effects ranging from reducing the party’s health by a certain percentage or inflicting an ailment. Intense preparation is necessary to defeat this legendary foe.
