Walkthrough Notes and Important Tips

Follow vital walkthrough notes and tips for Shin Megami Tensei IV. Learn survival strategies and key mechanics for navigating the dangerous world.

Welcome, Samurai! This section provides crucial advice and actionable steps to navigate the treacherous world of Shin Megami Tensei IV. Pay close attention to these notes to ensure your survival and success.

General Survival Strategies

• Exploration is Key: Always thoroughly explore each new area. Hidden items, optional conversations, and even secret passages often contain valuable resources or lore.
• Conserve Resources: MP and HP are precious, especially early on. Avoid unnecessary battles if you're low on healing items or your demons are weakened. Use your StreetPass feature to gain free healing and items from other players.
• Save Frequently: The world of SMT IV is unforgiving. Utilize every save point (usually found near terminals or major quest hubs) to avoid losing significant progress.
• Understand the Press Turn System: This is the core combat mechanic. Exploiting enemy weaknesses grants extra turns, while hitting resistances or missing attacks can cost you turns. Always aim for weaknesses!
• Demon Negotiation: Don't just fight every demon. Negotiating can save you Macca and even net you powerful allies. Pay attention to their personalities and respond accordingly.

Early Game Progression: Mikado & Naraku

Your journey begins in Mikado, a seemingly peaceful kingdom. However, your true test lies beneath, in the demon-infested Naraku.

Mikado Initial Steps

1. Samurai Initiation: Follow the initial story beats, which will lead you through the Samurai initiation ritual.
2. First Training: Engage in the mandatory training battles. This is your introduction to the combat system. Pay attention to the tutorials!
3. Equipment Check: Before heading into Naraku, visit the Mikado Store. While your initial funds are limited, consider purchasing a few Medicine or Chakra Drop items if available.

Navigating Naraku

Naraku is your first major dungeon and a significant challenge. Be prepared.

• Demon Encounters: Expect to encounter demons like Napaea, Pixie, and Centaur. Napaea is weak to Fire, Pixie to Gun, and Centaur to Ice. Recruit them if possible; they make excellent early-game allies.
• Item Locations:
  • First Floor: Look for a chest containing (1) Chakra Drop near the entrance.
  • Second Floor: A hidden path often leads to a chest with (3) Dis-Poison. Essential for dealing with early poison-inflicting demons.
  • Third Floor: You'll find (1) Revival Bead in a chest, a crucial item for reviving fallen party members.
• Boss Strategy (Minotaur): The first major boss in Naraku is the Minotaur.
  • Weakness: Minotaur is weak to Ice attacks. Ensure you have demons with Bufu skills (like a recruited Pixie) or Ice-based attack items.
  • Strategy: Focus on exploiting his Ice weakness to gain Press Turns. Guard when he charges up for powerful physical attacks. Keep your HP high and use Chakra Drops on your Bufu-user if they run low on MP.
  • Recommended Level: Aim for your protagonist to be around Level 8-10 before challenging him.

Kiccigiorgi & Beyond

After Naraku, you'll reach Kiccigiorgi. This area serves as a brief respite before your next major objective.

• Quest Hub: Kiccigiorgi often has new Challenge Quests available from the Hunter Association. These are excellent for gaining experience, Macca, and valuable items. Prioritize completing them.
• Terminal Access: Utilize the Terminal to save your game, heal your party, and access the Demon Compendium. Register powerful demons you've fused or recruited to easily resummon them later.
• Stock Up: Before venturing further, ensure you have a good supply of Medicine, Chakra Drop, and Revival Bead from the local store. The challenges ahead will demand it.