Demon Compendium Completion

Register every demon in Shin Megami Tensei IV's Demon Compendium with expert strategies for recruitment and fusion. Achieve 100% completion.

Achieving 100% Demon Compendium completion in Shin Megami Tensei IV is a monumental task, but incredibly rewarding. This guide will break down the strategies and specific steps required to register every last demon, ensuring you don't miss any unique or elusive entries.

General Strategies for Compendium Completion

• Recruit Everything: Whenever you encounter a new demon in battle, attempt to recruit it. Even if you don't plan to use it, registering it in the Compendium is the first step.
• Fuse Liberally: Fusion is your primary tool for creating new demons. Experiment with different combinations. Always register a newly fused demon before using it for further fusion.
• Demon Whispers: Pay attention to Demon Whispers. Some demons learn unique skills that are useful for fusion fodder or for specific boss fights, making them worth registering even if they're not rare.
• Macca Management: Completing the Compendium can be expensive, especially when recalling high-level demons for fusion. Prioritize quests that offer significant Macca rewards, and consider selling excess relics.
• Save Often: Before attempting complex fusions or risky demon negotiations, save your game. This allows you to reload if a fusion doesn't yield the desired result or if a negotiation fails spectacularly.

Unlockable Demons from Quests

Many demons are not found in the wild and can only be unlocked or obtained through specific quests. These often include powerful unique demons or those tied to the game's narrative and alignment choices.

Demons Unique to Alignment and New Game+

Certain powerful demons are locked behind your alignment choices (Law, Chaos, Neutral) and are only accessible on specific playthroughs or during a New Game+ cycle. To register all of these, you'll need to complete the game multiple times, pursuing different alignment paths.

• Law-Exclusive Demons: These typically appear on the Law route. Examples include certain Archangels or divine beings. Ensure you follow the Law path by making choices that favor order and tradition.
• Chaos-Exclusive Demons: These are found on the Chaos route. Look for powerful fiends or destructive entities. Make choices that promote freedom and individual will to pursue this path.
• Neutral-Exclusive Demons: The Neutral route often features unique demons that embody balance. This path requires careful navigation of choices to avoid leaning too heavily towards Law or Chaos.
• New Game+ Exclusives: Some demons, particularly those related to the "True Demon Ending" or other post-game content, may only become available after completing the game once and starting a New Game+. This often includes super-bosses or their fused forms.

Demons Unique to DLC Quests

Several demons are exclusively obtained through downloadable content (DLC) quests. If you aim for 100% completion, purchasing and completing these quests is mandatory.

• "Clipped Wings 1 & 2": These quests unlock the ability to fuse certain powerful demons, often requiring specific items dropped by the quest bosses. For example, completing "Clipped Wings 1" might grant access to fuse a high-tier demon like Metatron.
• "For the World of Order/Chaos/Neutral": These DLC quests often provide unique demons or special fusion recipes that are not available in the base game. Check the specific quest descriptions for details on the demons they unlock.
• Challenge Quest Demons: Some DLC challenge quests introduce entirely new demons as bosses or rewards. Be prepared for tough battles and ensure you register them post-victory.

Demons Unlocked From Other Challenge Quests

Beyond DLC, numerous standard Challenge Quests will unlock new demons for fusion or negotiation. Always check the rewards for these quests.

• "Hunter Tournament" Series: Completing various tiers of the Hunter Tournament quests often unlocks powerful demons for fusion. For instance, winning the final tournament might make a demon like Masakado available.
• "The Rebirth of the Great Overlord": This quest, and others like it, often involve defeating a unique boss demon. Upon victory, that demon (or a related one) typically becomes available for fusion.
• "A Grimoire for the Gaian": Quests involving specific item collection or demon hunting can also unlock new entries. Always talk to the quest giver after completion to ensure any new fusion options are registered.

Demons Unlocked From Other Main Quests

The main story progression itself will naturally unlock many demons. Pay close attention to events that introduce new demon races or powerful boss encounters.

• Boss Demons: Most major boss demons you defeat in the main story will become available for fusion shortly after their defeat. Examples include demons like Minotaur, Medusa, or Lilith.
• Story-Related Events: Certain plot points, such as gaining access to new areas or completing significant narrative arcs, can expand the pool of demons you can encounter or fuse.

Fiend Hunting: The Basics

Fiends are a special category of extremely rare and powerful demons that only appear under specific conditions. Hunting them is crucial for 100% Compendium completion.

• Rarity: Fiends have a very low encounter rate. Be prepared for extensive grinding.
• Specific Locations: Each Fiend has a designated spawn location. You must be in the correct area for them to appear.
• Moon Phases: Many Fiends are tied to specific moon phases. Pay attention to the moon cycle displayed on the top screen. For example, some might only appear during a New Moon or Full Moon.
• "Whispers of Death": When a Fiend is present on the map, you will often hear a distinct, eerie sound effect and the screen may briefly distort. This is your cue to search diligently.
• Preparation: Fiends are incredibly tough. Ensure your party is well-equipped, your demons have strong resistances, and you have plenty of healing items like Chakra Pots and Balms of Rising.

Completing the Demon Compendium is a testament to your dedication as a Samurai. Good luck, and may your fusion experiments be fruitful!