Uploaded February 2018 | Updated September 2026, 2 weeks ago
We Have Explosive
**This is a low level challenge run of SMT: Digital Devil Saga. There's only one rule this time round - no gaining EXP outside of forced encounters**
30 gameplay hours (and uh, 3000 real life hours) later, and the saga continuums. To recap, I spent a long time AP grinding with Heat and Argilla - I decided this was okay as they're gone for this dungeon and are autolevelled to the party average when they return anyway. I just had to stop before they hit level 26 and 25 respectively. This isn't really necessary for the main story, but may well end up being crucial for the optional bosses. This particular segment is nice and simple, the only real effect my grinding had is that Serph can use Maragion instead of relying on Fire Bombs.
Naga x3 - About 250 HP. Keep an elec shield up so Gale doesn't get snagged and hit them with fire spells, as you can see Maragion + Maragi puts them just in eating range with this setup.
Taown x2 - Around 250 HP again. They're weak to earth if you have any Magni Bombs, but you don't need em.
Chatterskull x3 - Around 250 HP, and a really dumb fight. They can easily take someone out in the first round, but you need to end it ASAP if you want to eat them all or they'll blow themselves up with Death March. Maragion + Maragi is the way to go again.
Gurr + Phantom x2 - Around 280 and 240 HP respectively. Keep a death shield up at all times. 2 Maziongas from Cielo puts them in good eating range, an additional Maragi from Gale helps that weakling Serph devour the phantoms.
Sui-Ki x3 - 500 HP. Another fight where they can just straight up murder you in round 1, but it's plain sailing after that as long as you keep an ice shield up.
**List of mantras I mastered**
Heat and Argilla learned AP Divide ASAP so the rest of the gang could share the love.
Heat - Holy Beast, Ogre, Raksas, Priestess, Maiden, Protection, Adamant, Kichijyo, Angel, Thrones, Vidya Raja, Cherubim, Holy Leader, Spirit, Ice Spirit, Queen (equipped before leaving)
Argilla - Holy Beast, Adamant, Dragon Lord, Earth Shrine, Angel, Hiten, Earth Temple, Kichijyo, Thrones, Sky Dragon, Vidya Raja, Cherubim, Holy Leader (started), Seraphim (equipped before leaving)
Serph - Kichijyo, Fierce Spirit, Fire Lord, Vidya Raja, Holy Leader (started)
Gale - Holy Beast, Protection, King, Ice Spirit, Ice Demon, Angel, Adamant, Spirit (started)
Cielo - Karma, Protection, Adamant, Kichijyo, Vidya Raja, Holy Leader (started)
We Have Explosive
**This is a low level challenge run of SMT: Digital Devil Saga. There's only one rule this time round - no gaining EXP outside of forced encounters**
30 gameplay hours (and uh, 3000 real life hours) later, and the saga continuums. To recap, I spent a long time AP grinding with Heat and Argilla - I decided this was okay as they're gone for this dungeon and are autolevelled to the party average when they return anyway. I just had to stop before they hit level 26 and 25 respectively. This isn't really necessary for the main story, but may well end up being crucial for the optional bosses. This particular segment is nice and simple, the only real effect my grinding had is that Serph can use Maragion instead of relying on Fire Bombs.
Naga x3 - About 250 HP. Keep an elec shield up so Gale doesn't get snagged and hit them with fire spells, as you can see Maragion + Maragi puts them just in eating range with this setup.
Taown x2 - Around 250 HP again. They're weak to earth if you have any Magni Bombs, but you don't need em.
Chatterskull x3 - Around 250 HP, and a really dumb fight. They can easily take someone out in the first round, but you need to end it ASAP if you want to eat them all or they'll blow themselves up with Death March. Maragion + Maragi is the way to go again.
Gurr + Phantom x2 - Around 280 and 240 HP respectively. Keep a death shield up at all times. 2 Maziongas from Cielo puts them in good eating range, an additional Maragi from Gale helps that weakling Serph devour the phantoms.
Sui-Ki x3 - 500 HP. Another fight where they can just straight up murder you in round 1, but it's plain sailing after that as long as you keep an ice shield up.
**List of mantras I mastered**
Heat and Argilla learned AP Divide ASAP so the rest of the gang could share the love.
Heat - Holy Beast, Ogre, Raksas, Priestess, Maiden, Protection, Adamant, Kichijyo, Angel, Thrones, Vidya Raja, Cherubim, Holy Leader, Spirit, Ice Spirit, Queen (equipped before leaving)
Argilla - Holy Beast, Adamant, Dragon Lord, Earth Shrine, Angel, Hiten, Earth Temple, Kichijyo, Thrones, Sky Dragon, Vidya Raja, Cherubim, Holy Leader (started), Seraphim (equipped before leaving)
Serph - Kichijyo, Fierce Spirit, Fire Lord, Vidya Raja, Holy Leader (started)
Gale - Holy Beast, Protection, King, Ice Spirit, Ice Demon, Angel, Adamant, Spirit (started)
Cielo - Karma, Protection, Adamant, Kichijyo, Vidya Raja, Holy Leader (started)
