Shin Megami Tensei players about to try their first Megami Tensei game probably know it's similar to the Persona series. After all, Megami Tensei is more or less about defeating an unstoppable force with the help of demons and other spirits, right? Thing is, behind the franchise's seemingly typical RPG premises lie rather complex games with memorable mechanics and gameplay.

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Unfortunately, fans also do know Megami Tensei for its rather difficult mechanics. As such, newcomers who pick up any SMT title might find some early parts a bit overwhelming for their liking. However, a few tips can help steer any SMT newcomer to the right track.

10 Expecting A Friendship Mechanic

Expecting friends - Shin Megami Tensei Newcomer Mistakes

Players who tried Persona should find any SMT to be familiar in terms of its basic premise. In these games, the world (usually Japan) faces certain destruction, and it's up to the player to make pacts with otherworldly creatures to save it. In Persona, the protagonist gains benefits the more they build their relationships. Given the less apocalyptic Persona, these friends are usually schoolmates that get dragged into the main story.

Unfortunately, the lack of a more in-depth relationship element in SMT might put off some players. In more notable SMT games such as Nocturne, it's complex morality mechanics with various factions that determine the outcome of the story. In SMT, it's not necessarily about the "friends they make along the way," but rather the moral implications of choices in the game.

9 Wanting A Capture Device

Forgetting negotiation - Shin Megami Tensei Newcomer Mistakes

Sadly, fans of "monster-type" games like Pokemon or even Digimon might find monster acquisition a chore in SMT games. After all, there are multiple ways of obtaining demons in any Megami Tensei title. Simply relying on an SMT title's "basic" acquisition process can result in weaker or more generic demons, something the games usually punish in the long term.

Instead, players should maximize special acquisition mechanics. For instance, earlier titles offer Demon Negotiation mechanics, where some demons pause battle to talk with the player. If players choose the right answers or give them the right items, they can recruit that demon into their party. In other installments, Devil Auctions exist where players bid to get a demon they want.

Likewise, players should stay wary of special mechanics involved as well. For instance, in Devil Summoner titles, the Moon Phase matters greatly in the kind of devils that players can get.

8 Ignoring The Moon Phase

Forgetting about the moon - Shin Megami Tensei Newcomer Mistakes

While not all Megami Tensei games feature the lunar phases, players who do play entries that include the Moon Phase System should make it a second nature to look them up. In major SMT titles, the Moon Phase is a huge aspect of passive effects in the game. It's so important to the point where combat effects can be more powerful or much weaker depending on the phase of the moon the battle occurs.

If a newcomer will play a Megami Tensei title with the Moon Phase System, they need to check if they affect certain elements in the game. Moon Phase can affect the strength of monster types in battle, what type of elements are prevalent in combat, or what type of monsters spawn in dungeons. Likewise, Moon Phases can affect fusion successes or even what items some shops sell.

7 Hesitating To Exploit Combat Mechanics

Forgetting about mechanics - Shin Megami Tensei Newcomer Mistakes

There are always those players that think "exploiting" a combat mechanic means cheating, especially in RPGs. However, in Megami Tensei, the earlier a player realizes they can exploit a combat mechanic, the better for them. In fact, it's as though the game pushed up difficulty precisely for players to tinker with their primary combat mechanics in the first place.

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For instance, Nocturne's Press Turn Combat system can seem unnecessarily complex at first. After all, every action costs a part of the team's available icons, making each decision crucial in battle. To circumvent this, players can take turns earlier with high initiatives (via Agility), have weaker demons debuff opponents, and ensure they reserve heavier actions to their powerhouses.

6 Building Combat Around Attacks And Spells

Relying on attacks - Shin Megami Tensei Newcomer Mistakes

Granted, each SMT game has fundamental combat mechanics that revolve around basic attacks and even spells, forming the physical/magical dichotomy of most RPG combat. However, players who rely too much on glass cannon mages or robust tanks will find the midgame transition in SMT a pain to handle. Wait, but what else should players build their strategies upon?

Essentially, what happens behind the scenes in SMT matters just as much as actual combat. In SMT, elemental resistances as well as buffing and debuffing can make a huge difference in combat. Players who find early-game bosses difficult means the game is nudging them to experiment with these passive mechanics.

5 Not Capitalizing Buffing, Debuffing

Ignoring buffs - Shin Megami Tensei Newcomer Mistakes

Players who get a bit lost on which combat aspects to prioritize in battle need to remember to highlight their party's strengths. Party members have their preferred attacks; therefore, how can players boost the potency of said attacks? This is where buffing/debuffing comes in.

Whereas some other RPGs have a "beat 'em first so there's no need for buffs" approach, SMT sessions live and die based on these mechanics. In terms of offense, boosting hit chance results in higher accuracy, while boosting attack power increases overall damage. Likewise, boosting dodge increases survivability, while increasing defense improves damage soaking. Of course, lowering these stats on opponents makes them weaker and more vulnerable to damage.

4 Not Prioritizing Resistances, Immunities

Not fixing resistances - Shin Megami Tensei Newcomer Mistakes

As with other RPGs, demons in Megami Tensei games have their fair share of damage resistances. Players who know their RPGs likely have an idea how this works: attacks against enemies of weaker resistances garner bonuses, and being attacked by a stronger affinity means getting more damage. In Persona, this system generally works the same way.

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In certain SMT games, being on the wrong end of Resistances and special Reflect, Drain, and Null effects garner harsh punishments. In some Megami Tensei titles, getting hit with these effects means losing a turn, and an enemy getting a freebie can wipe out the entire party.

3 Ignoring The Fusion Mechanic

Not doing fusion - Shin Megami Tensei Newcomer Mistakes

Players compare SMT's "demon recruitment" system with Pokemon. However, whereas Pokemon have evolutions and an EXP curve, weaker demons in SMT quickly get obsolete once they reach maximum level. Players who get too attached to their "demon pals" will likely realize they're useless in more difficult battles. Instead, players should take full advantage of an SMT game's fusion mechanic.

When two demons undergo fusion, they most likely result in a new type of creature. Moreover, since this demon came as a result of fusion, it's likely that they will "inherit" passive characteristics from their parents. These come in the form of combat effects or elemental resistances that the resulting type of demon wouldn't normally have.

2 Fighting Bosses With Sheer Power

Not analyzing bosses - Shin Megami Tensei Newcomer Mistakes

RPG fans know this feeling – sometimes, facing a difficult boss means it's time to get to "that area" and just start grinding for a higher level. In Megami Tensei, facing a difficult boss means, well, that the boss is difficult. And the best way to defeat these bosses is to literally go around them. Players who try to get through bosses with sheer power will find the grind frustrating, especially if they realize that the best way to go against any SMT boss is to exploit their gimmick.

When players face a difficult boss, they need to identify their schtick. These come in the form of unseen elemental resistances, attack rotations, or even preferred strategies. Once players get a handle on these things, it's a matter of using the right set of buffs and demons.

1 Playing Favorites With Demons

Playing favorites - Shin Megami Tensei Newcomer Mistakes

Players who play favorites with their demons will have a hard time in the endgame, especially if they keep their preferences towards a special rank, category, or elemental affinity. Remember, demon fusions can be strong, but they will still be toast if they lack particular characteristics that work against certain bosses.

In turn, it might not hurt to level up demons of various affinities and categories, just in case they end up being useful in battle. It's this strategic approach to party management that can make Megami Tensei games extra challenging – but worthwhile – to players.

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