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The Netherworld is full of demons desperate to see the full power of the Nahobino inShin Megami Tensei 5: Vengeance. While most demons are itching for a fight, some would rather challenge your intellect. Like the Nozuchi in West Shinbashi, a demon who’s prepared a series of challenging riddles.
The Beastly Battle of Wits sub-quest puts your sleuthing skills to the test as you solve three riddles from Nozuchi. Thanks to this demon’s short temper, you’ll also need to prepare for a battle after the last riddle. Luckily, it won’t take an ace detective to strike one of Nozuchi’s many weaknesses.
Where To Find Nozuchi
You can find Nozuchinorth of the Kamiyacho Layline Fount.Continue past the destroyed buildingsinto the northwest corner of the map, near the highway. Instead of climbing up the highway,keep moving north to find a Magatsu Rail.
Ride the Magatsu Railto reach an area where Nozuchi sits at the end of a path.Speak with Nozuchi and accept his challengeto be presented with your first riddle.
How To Complete Beastly Battle Of Wits
Nozuchi’s first riddle is a question,“What path do you take to return?“The answer to this is"An empty path.”
Nozuchi’s second riddle requires you todecipher a poem to find his Sangaku Beads.The beads are foundon a hill west of the Shiba Layline Fount.Move to the southeast corner of the hill,the beads will appear as a sparkling itemon the ground.
Nozuchi’s final riddle asks you to move him somehow.The only way to get Nozuchi to move is by attacking him, which will initiatea battle with the demon.
Dormina
Dia
Before the battle, head to the World of Shadows anduse an Essenceto gain resistance to Force skills.UsePixie, Kodama, or Sandman Essenceto obtain resistance to Force attacks. ASudama Essence can grant full immunityto force attacks.
While you’re in the World of Shadows,pick up some demons with high Magic stats.Nozuchi and Kodamashare weaknesses to Fire and Ice, so you’ll have access to plenty of demons that work well in this fight.Ativaras and Mermaid are great choicesdue to their high Magic and unique skills: Stormcaller Song and Mirage Shot.
Nozuchi’s innate skill, Tempest, has achance of causing him to counter with a Medium force attackwhen hit with attacks he resists.Stick to magic-based skillsto avoid triggering Tempest.
At the beginning of the battle,focus on eliminating the Kodama, so they can’t healthe party. When it’s just Nozuchi left,go all-out with Fire and Iceattacks. If you have a full Magatsuhi gauge, you canlay down more pressure with Omagatoki: Critical.
Reward
After defeating Nozuchi, you’ll complete the sub-quest andreceive a Virtuous Neutral Periapt.This itemunlocks access to the Magatsuhi Skill Omagatoki: Momentum, which adds another Press Turn Icon for every defeated enemy.
Shin Megami Tensei 5
WHERE TO PLAY
Shin Megami Tensei 5 continues the long-running Atlus series by introducing new characters, returning demons, and the same RPG elements that players have come to know and love.
