Shin Megami Tensei V: Vengeance

Balms cannot be grinded for in Shin Megami Tensei V: Vengeance. There is a fixed number available in each new playthrough, and while they can be found from search points, these are fixed, one-time discoveries.

About Navigators and Search Points

Search points are fixed locations within each area of a region. Navigators can reveal some of these points when you approach them. There are two main types of search points:

• Fixed Types: These always yield the same items, including rare ones like Balms. They are a one-time occurrence per playthrough and do not respawn (be brought back to life at a checkpoint after death). Fixed types also include Mitama (special demons) spawns, which can be used for easy Mitama drops and can be re-attempted via save scumming (reloading your save file) if they escape. Fixed points reset in New Game Plus (NG+).
• Random Types: These provide a random item from a specific pool when searched. Save scumming will likely change the results. The item pool varies between random search points, and may rarely include Mitama encounters or normal enemy encounters. Regions like Odaiba and Taito have many random spots with a good chance for rare items. Chiyoda and Taito are the only regions with search points that yield jewels like diamonds.

To grind random search spots, fast travel to a distant area within the same region (e.g., from Tamachi to Odaiba or vice versa). The results from a search point are influenced by RNG (random number generation), which can be affected by factors like the time elapsed since saving, previously searched points, battles fought, and moon phase. If you are not getting desired results, try waiting before interacting with the search spot, or leave and re-enter the area to reset it. Some random pools also contain enemy encounters, particularly in Taito and Chiyoda, with some spots having up to three encounter variants and one item drop.

Mitama are not part of the random search spots pool but have a set chance to occur in all search spots, with certain navigators greatly increasing this rate. Normal enemy encounters are not directly related to navigators, but some can make results more likely.

Navigators

There are six different navigators in Shin Megami Tensei V: Vengeance, with five active at any given time:

• Amanozako: Acquired early in the game. Has no special qualities and becomes unavailable after certain late-game quests.
• Jack O' Lantern: Acquired in the second region, Fairy Village. Has the highest rate of enemy encounters, making him useful for Mitama farming. He can cause enemy spawns frequently but can be inconsistent; Decarabia is an alternative if he is not working.
• Hua Po: Acquired early in the third region via a quest. Some players report increased Incense drops, but testing has not confirmed this outside of fixed search points. She may find elemental shards and gems more easily from random spots.
• Yatagarasu: Acquired in the fourth region through a quest. May find Sutras and Aogami essences (in Odaiba) more easily. Notably, Yatagarasu can completely prevent enemy encounters from random search points.
• Atavairas: Acquired by completing his quest in Minato and then speaking to him in Odaiba. Becomes available when Amanozako leaves. He has a decent rate of Sutra drops, primarily increases Macca found, and often finds Gems.
• Decarabia: Found near the end of the third region. Requires payment of 40,000 Macca. While some report a high battle rate, it is lower than Jack O' Lantern's. Decarabia has a high Mitama encounter rate, easily spawning Mitama groups, and frequently spawns four red Mitama in Odaiba.

Other Sections:

• Introduction
• General Tips and Advice
• Definitive Grinding Guide/Explaining Navigators and Search points
• Balms and other fixed Search point locations
• Talisman Locations List
• Shops
• Demon Compendium
• Credits

This guide provides general tips and advice for Shin Megami Tensei V: Vengeance, covering exploration, resource management, quest completion, and character building.

Exploration Tips:

• Always check search points and vending machines for resources.
• Save petrified demons, Gospels, and Grimoires for the endgame.
• Find all Miman in each region during a single playthrough, as they reset between playthroughs.
• Complete as many quests as possible, returning later for difficult ones. Some quest chains unlock new fusions and the hidden 4th ending.
• Talk to NPCs, as some may offer items or talismans.
• Initiate combat by attacking demons before they notice you to gain the first turn.
• Utilize the brief window after winning or running from a fight to reposition and attack other demons.
• Collect talismans to unlock new Magatsuhi skills.
• Engage challenging foes once you reach the appropriate level.
• Avoid learning mastery miracles early on; focus on other useful miracles and save mastery for super bosses or endgame.

Building the Nahobino:

This section offers opinions on character builds based on experience.

Early Game (Magic Build):

• Focus all skill points into Magic.
• Equip elemental single-attack spells of varying elements, prioritizing the strongest available via essences.
• Delegate healing, buffing, and debuffing to other demons.
• Maintain this build until at least level 20, though it remains reliable throughout the game.

Super Bosses (Strength Build):

• Shift stat point allocation solely to Strength until it reaches 140-150.
• Continue using elemental skills as a magic user; a pure strength build may lack necessary skills early on.
• Elemental Draco Strike skills are strength-based but have a limited lifespan.

Late Game Builds:

• Magic Build: Focus on severe single-attack elemental spells for every element, plus utility skills like Great Mana Spring.
• Strength Build: This build is powerful and effective against most enemies. Essential skills/essences include Murakumo (from Aogami Type 0 essence), High Almighty Pleroma, Almighty Pleroma, Critical Zealot, Critical Aura, Great Mana Spring/Great Life Spring, Enduring Soul, and Abyssal Mask.

Affinity and Resistances:

• Affinity choices depend on the situation and enemy attack types.
• For late game and super bosses, consider using Sandalphon's essence to equip Repel Force instead of Great Life Spring, or Vishnu to equip Repel/Drain Fire.
• The goal for super bosses is to have Null Phys and no weaknesses, with as many resistances as possible.