The Magatama system is the lifeblood of Shin Megami Tensei III, though it's admittedly difficult to fully understand and utilize on a first playthrough. Players can equip one Magatama at a time in lieu of weapons, armor, or accessories – influencing your stats along with which skills you learn upon leveling up.
Magatama are broken down into three types: Neutral, Light, and Dark. Shin Megami Tensei III’s Dark Magatama are some of the strongest in the game and hidden all throughout the Vortex World. Anyone who wants to survive Shin Megami Tensei III is going to want some Dark Magatama.
Marogareh
Marogareh is a Dark based Magatama and the first players will obtain in Shin Megami Tensei III. Marogareh is unlocked as part of the story and is the only Magatama with a hidden skill. Completing the Labyrinth of Amala unlocks Pierce, an incredibly useful passive skill that lets you overwhelm most enemy resistances. Marogareh raises the following stats:
- Strength +2
- Magic +1
- Vitality +2
- Agility +1
- Luck +1
Marogareh teaches the following skills upon leveling up:
- Lunge | Lv. 3
- Analyze | Lv. 4
- Life Bonus | Lv. 6
- Berserk | Lv. 10
- Counter | Lv. 20
- Pierce
All of Marogareh’s learnable skills are useful for early Strength builds, but its greatest asset is ultimately Pierce (good luck getting the True Demon Ending without it).
Shiranui
Shiranui is a Fire based Magatama that voids Fire, is weak to Force, and can be purchased from the Shibuya Junk Shop for 3000 Macca. Shiranui raises the following stats:
- Magic +5
- Agility +4
Shiranui teaches the following skills:
- Fire Breath | Lv. 9
- Fire Boost | Lv. 14
- Taunt | Lv. 19
- Anti-Fire | Lv. 23
While Shiranui’s stat spread goes a long way in the early-game (and is especially useful for Magic builds), the learnable skills just don’t do enough heavy lifting.
Anathema
Anathema is a Curse based Magatama that voids Death, is weak to Expel, and is unlocked by beating Ose at the True Core of the Assembly of Nihilo. Anathema raises the following stats:
- Magic +8
- Vitality +2
- Agility +1
- Luck +1
Anathema teaches the following skills:
- Mana Drain | Lv. 28
- Anti-Death | Lv. 32
- Mamudo | Lv. 35
- Evil Gaze | Lv. 38
- Mamudoon | Lv. 49
The stat buff from Anathema will turn any competent Magic build into a powerhouse even if the learnable skills aren’t the most useful in the grand scheme of things.
Miasma
Miasma is an Ice based Magatama that voids Ice, is weak to Fire, and can be found by beating Mizuchi in the Kabukicho Prison. Miasma raises the following stats:
- Strength +2
- Magic +5
- Vitality +2
- Agility +2
- Luck +2
Miasma teaches the following skills:
- Wild Dance | Lv. 31
- Void Ice | Lv. 45
- Glacial Blast | Lv. 52
- Ice Drain | Lv. 60
Since Void Ice is learned at a relatively early level and Glacial Blast is a relatively powerful magical skill, Miasma goes a long way for Magic builds.
Muspell
Muspell is a Status based Magatama that resists Nerve and Mind. Unlike most Magatama, Muspell requires a few steps to unlock. First, beat Mara at the Shibuya Shopping Center. After completing the Obelisk, return to the Shibuya Shopping Center on a Full Kagutsuchi. Once there, speak to the nearby Manakin and tell them to Hurry It Up to unlock your Magatama. Muspell raises the following stats:
- Magic +8
- Vitality +7
Muspell teaches the following skills:
- Tentaroo | Lv. 49
- Makajamon | Lv. 53
- Xeros-Beat | Lv. 56
All things considered, Muspell isn’t worth the amount of work needed to obtain it. The Magatama’s stat buffs are noteworthy, but all three skills leave something to be desired. Xeros-Beat is at least useful for Strength builds.
Satan
Satan is a Magic based Magatama that voids Death, is weak to Expel, and is unlocked by beating Black Frost at the Kabukicho Prison. Satan raises the following stats:
- Strength +2
- Magic +8
- Vitality +1
- Agility +1
- Luck +4
Satan teaches the following skills:
- Jive Talk | Lv. 51
- Void Death | Lv. 55
- Mana Aid | Lv. 58
- Charisma | Lv. 60
- Deadly Fury | Lv. 65
Satan is a fantastic Magatama for any build. Skills like Jive Talk and Charisma made Demon Negotiation much easier, Mana Aid is ideal for Magic builds, and Deadly Fury is one of the best skills you can learn for a Strength build.
Gundari
Gundari is a Force based Magatama that absorbs Force, is weak to Electricity, and is unlocked by beating Bishamon at the North Temple. Gundari raises the following stats:
- Strength +4
- Magic +1
- Vitality +2
- Agility +9
- Luck +3
Gundari teaches the following skills:
- Wind Cutter | Lv. 64
- Force Drain | Lv. 66
- Spiral Viper | Lv. 72
Like Satan, Gundari is a valuable Magatama for any build. The Electricity weakness is hard to overlook, but Wind Cutter is a powerful Magic attack and Spiral Viper is one of the best skills for a Strength build in the game. Plus, more Agility is always a good thing.
Gaea
Gaea is a Physical based Magatama that resists Physical attacks and is weak to Force, Expel, and Death. Gaea can be unlocked in the Mantra Headquarters, behind a door which requires 24 Strength to open. Gaea raises the following stats:
- Strength +10
- Vitality +10
Gaea teaches the following skills:
- Deathbound | Lv. 61
- Avenge | Lv. 69
- Gaea Rage | Lv. 74
- Attack All | Lv. 76
Gaea is an all around powerhouse of a Magatama, buffing Strength builds to astronomical levels and teaching some deadly skills.