Shin Megami Tensei V offers one of the most intricate systems for party customization in any RPG, making demon fusion a core component of optimizing your team. Understanding how to leverage this system can lead to creating incredibly powerful demons capable of carrying you through even the hardest difficulties. In this guide, we’ll explore how to master demon fusion and maximize your demons’ potential.

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1. Unlock Key Miracles for Fusion Optimization

Miracles provide crucial enhancements for your demons. Here are the most important ones for maximizing fusion potential:

A. Warrior’s Conception

• Effect: Grants additional stats based on the level and power of component demons.
• Recommendation: Unlock this as soon as possible for substantial stat boosts during fusion.

B. Unforgotten Memories

• Effect: Provides experience to newly fused demons based on the levels of the component demons.
• Note: While helpful for leveling demons quickly, it’s unclear if it grants the same stat bonuses as normal level-ups.

C. Summoner’s Hospitality

• Effect: Reduces the cost of summoning demons from the compendium.
• Benefit: Makes it easier and cheaper to summon powerful component demons for fusion.

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2. Master the Prayer Miracles for Stat Growth

The Prayer Miracles add +1 to a specific stat for every level-up (up to 20 levels post-fusion). Unlock all five to ensure maximum stat gains during level-ups.

• Key Benefits:
  • Grants a potential +8 to stats per level-up.
  • Maximizes the effectiveness of every level gained, making even low-level demons competitive.

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3. Power Leveling Component Demons

A. Utilize Mitama Encounters

• Goal: Hunt Mitama for large EXP boosts. They can be rare but are worth seeking out for the substantial experience they offer.
• Tip: Use Aeros’ Magatsuhi Skill to double EXP at the end of battles for even faster leveling.

B. Use Grimoires Efficiently

• Grimoires grant instant level-ups if the demon is lower level than Nahobino.
• Strategy: Save these for your key fusion components to maximize their stats through additional level-ups.

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4. Strategic Component Fusion

When fusing a powerful demon, focus on using high-level and well-leveled component demons to maximize stats:

Case Study: Creating a Strong Eden

• Goal: Fuse a powerful Eden by enhancing component parts (Parvati, Huapo, Ame no Uzume).
• Process:
  1. Fuse high-level demons to create powerful versions of Parvati, Huapo, and Ame no Uzume.
  2. Level these components using Mitama encounters and Grimoires.
  3. Fuse the enhanced components to create a much stronger Eden with boosted stats.

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5. Essence Fusion for Skill Optimization

Essence Fusion allows any demon to inherit skills from an essence:

Key Strategies:

• Transfer high-damage skills and unique buffs/heals.
• Replace redundant or low-damage skills with powerful elemental spells.
• Prioritize skills that complement the demon’s innate affinities.

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6. Focus on Key Skills and Passives

Certain skills are universally powerful and should be prioritized:

Recommended Skills:

• Golden Apple: Unique to Eden, provides powerful healing and buffs.
• Critical Zealot: Ensures crits for guaranteed press turns.
• Enduring Soul: Grants a safety net in difficult fights.

Passive Stacking:

• Stack Pleromas (elemental damage boosts) for your primary damage type.
• Utilize Critical or Almighty Pleromas for physical attackers.

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7. Efficient Demon Compendium Management

Key Tips:

• Register powerful, leveled-up demons to the compendium for later use.
• Use Summoner’s Hospitality to save on costs when resummoning demons for fusion.
• Withdraw lower-level versions when levels don’t impact fusion results to save money.

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8. Advanced Tips for High-Level Play

A. Special Fusions

• Special fusions can pull stats from multiple component demons, making them stronger.
• Optimize all components before fusing for maximum results.

B. Targeted Buffs and Debuffs

• Prioritize multi-target buffs and debuffs for efficiency.
• Stack Rakunda and Tarunda to maximize damage output and minimize damage taken.

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Conclusion: Build Your Perfect Demon Army

By mastering fusion strategies, utilizing key miracles, and optimizing skill selection through essence fusion, you can create a party of demons that are nearly unstoppable. Focus on:

• Boosting stats through miracles and level-ups.
• Selecting optimal skills for each role (damage, support, tank).
• Efficient compendium management to save money and resources.

With these strategies, even the toughest bosses on hard mode will fall before your perfectly crafted demon army. Good luck, and happy fusing!