Shin Megami Tensei IV Skills Guide IV: Damascus Claw - Dream Needle

After a long wait from the previous game in the series, Shin Megami Tensei IV is finally available on the Nintendo 3DS. This marks the first time a main entry of the series gets released on a portable console, but that doesn’t mean that the game has been toned down or made any easier. SMTIV has enough content to keep you occupied for a long time.

Shin Megami Tensei IV comes with all the features that players have come to expect from the series and more. The menu system has been tweaked, with the exploration and battle system having also been improved. Returning fans will  be treated to new gameplay options, and cool new extras which utilize the unique 3DS capabilities.

The Karma system from previous entries of the series has also returned: depending on your alignment, Neutral, Chaos, or Law, you’ll slightly change the story of the game.

Demon recruiting and fusing is also available once again. While demon recruiting has been in the series pretty much since the beginning, demon fusion is a more recent gameplay feature that has now become a staple of the series. Through demon fusion, you’ll be able to acquire new demons that cannot be obtained in any other way. During the fusion process, you’ll also be able to make the new demon inherit some of the skills of the demons used in the fusion. You’ll not only get a new demon, but a demon that is even better than the ones that can be recruited on the field.

Feeling confused yet? Well, prepare yourself, as this is just the beginning!  Shin Megami Tensei IV features several different gameplay mechanics for a new comer to get lost in. First time players, while hungry for some new role playing, will be completely unaware of the dangers the Shin Megami series is known for. The difficulty level certainly doesn’t help to ease first time players into its many mechanics, and may leave you ultimately feeling lost and frustrated.

This is where we come in. We will be helping you get through the game, by explaining the games basic, as well as some of the more advanced systems found in Shin Megami Tensei IV.

Skills are one of the most important elements in the game, or in any role playing game: thanks to these special attacks you will be able to heal your wounds, deal elemental damage, strike enemies with status ailments and more. All demons learn different skills so it’s better to know what a certain skill does before investing time and EXP powering up a certain demon.

• “D” Skills

Damascus Claw
7 MP
1 enemy
1-3 medium Phys attacks.

Deadly Wind
22 MP
1 enemy
Severe Force attack.

Death’s Door
10 MP
All enemies
Weak Almighty attack that reduces HP to 1 if target is Sick.

Debilitate
50 MP
All enemies
Decreases attack/defense/hit/evade rate.

Dekaja
10 MP
All enemies
Removes status buffs.

Dekunda
10 MP
All allies
Removes status debuffs.

Desperate Hit
40 MP
Multi-enemies
1-5 weak Almighty attacks.

Dia
5 MP
1 ally
Heals HP.

Diarahan
16 MP
1 ally
Fully heals HP.

Diarama
9 MP
1 ally
Greatly heals HP.

Die for Me!
45 MP
All enemies
Dark instant kill; Very high success.

Doping
45 MP
All allies
Increase party max HP by 30%.

Dormina
4 MP
1 enemies
Inflicts the Sleep ailment.

Draconic Reaction
0 MP
Self
Greatly increases hit/evade rate.

Drain Fire
0 MP
Self
Drains Fire attacks.

Drain Phys
0 MP
Self
Drains Phys attacks.

Dream Fist
9 MP
1 enemy
Weak Phys attack. Inflicts Sleep.

Dream Needle
9 MP
1 enemy
Weak Gun attack. Inflicts Sleep