February 1, 2022|

Filed under: Editorial, Speculation, Super Smash Bros. Series

Dream Smasher: Demi-fiend

I promised a couple of people a few months ago that I’d be making a full Demi-fiend moveset, starting from my Special Moves that I discussed in the Shin Megami Tensei All Content video. I am now finally delivering, sorta. This set has been done for a year, I just put off the strenuous task of gathering GIFs and images. With that finally done, let us march onward, to where today’s character awaits.

Who is Demi-fiend?

Demi-fiend is the protagonist of Shin Megami Tensei III: Nocturne. He was killed in the aftermath of an apocalyptic event, and subsequently revived with the abilities of a demon, while still retaining his human form. He uses the power of Magatama, bug-like creatures that he ingests to gain their abilities, in order to become all powerful. This incarnation of Demi-fiend is the King Demi-fiend featured in games following Nocturne, as it is the state you can reach if you max out all Magatama.

Importance to Nintendo and the Series

Shin Megami Tensei III: Nocturne is not only a landmark title for RPGs, but single-handedly saved ATLUS from going under. Demi-fiend himself is an incredibly iconic and unique design that would set him apart from his currently featured JRPG contemporaries.

Design and Colors

Demi-fiend is adorned with tattoos that glow bright blue, almost like an electrical current. He was designed to be a “digital Devilman” and his design is very striking due to it. His alts boasts colors representing various characters from the series he hails from. In addition, his last two alts have him take on the attire he wears at the start of the game in Maniax, which you can wear for the whole game in New Game Plus. Look at that drip.

Blue	Yellow	Green	White and Blue	Navy and Orange	Red and White	Gray	Dark Green


Default	Aleph	Nanashi	Law	Chaos	Infernal Akira	Human	The Hero

In addition, whenever Demi-fiend is at a high percentage of damage, his tattoos will become red. This effect only occurs when one Demi-fiend is in play, as otherwise telling the first five alts apart would become too difficult.

How Would He Play?

Demi-fiend is a heavy hitter, delivering each blow packing immense power. He fights with his fists, but he also has access to magic and an energy blade. Making use of his wide array of abilities, he is a chaotic force to reckon with on the battlefield.

Not only does he fight mano-a-mano, but he can also shoot lasers out of his eyes and deal damage by screaming, which is hella metal. He has access to the mega laser Freikugel, a notoriously devastating attack that he always brings with him.

I’ve prioritized moves that Demi-fiend retains in his returning appearances for his moveset, but there are still plenty of other moves here.

Here are Demi-fiend’s stats:

Can they crawl: No
Can they wall jump: No
How many jumps do they have: 2
Is there any exclusive abilities they have*: Yes (Press Turn, Buff and Debuff)
Weight Class: B
Height Class: C
Speed Class: D
*alike Peach’s float

(for a more detailed look at the stats check this link here)

Final Aesthetics


Series Icon	Stock Icon	Kirby Hat

Demi-fiend’s specialized HUD will show how many ‘turns’ he has remaining, and if he is buffed.

In addition, there is another icon that will appear if a character is debuffed.

Moveset

Move Name & Action

Description

Entrance

Demi-fiend is already standing on the stage. He turns around, eyes glowing, like his entrance in Shin Megami Tensei V.

Idle 1

Demi-fiend stands straight. This is his idle from Nocturne.

Idle 2

Demi-fiend strikes his pose from the promotional art. This is also his idle from Shin Megami Tensei V.

Idle 3

Pixie comes out and keeps Demi-fiend company for a while.

Sleeping

The pose he takes before he wakes up after the Conception.

Crouch

Demi-fiend crouches. He stays alert and ready.

Walking

Demi-fiend inches toward the enemy at a steady pace. This walk is seen in the True Demon Ending of Nocturne.

Running

Demi-fiend breaks out into a jog. This is his only movement animation from Nocturne.

Damage

Demi-fiend flinches, like his taking damage animation from Nocturne.

Shield

Demi-fiend holds his arm out in front of him, the pose he does when conjuring all basic magic attacks including shields.

Parry

Demi-fiend crosses his arms and eats the blow, taking no damage.

Dodge

Demi-fiend rolls to the side, taking an alert stance when his feet hit the ground.

Spot Dodge

Demi-fiend’s entire body slides to the side and back, unmoving.

Jump

Demi-fiend leaps from the ground. His double jump has him spin in the fetal position, similar to the SMT Nocturne commercial.

Air Dodge

Demi-fiend flips in the air with little effort.

Neutral Special

Focus

Demi-fiend buffs himself, causing his next attack to do 2.5x damage.

Demi-fiend will have an arrow on his UI signifying his buff.

Buffs cannot be stacked.

Down Special

War Cry

Demi-Fiend lets out a scream that debuffs opponents in a radius around him, causing their attack to drop to 1/4th. The debuff lasts for 10 seconds, and cannot be stacked. This does not affect their knockback potential. Enemies debuffed will have a down arrow on their UI.

Special Ability

Press Turn

To balance out the usage of these moves, Demi-fiend will have Magatamas representing his remaining usage of the moves. These are based on the Press Turn battle system of the SMT games. Each move uses one icon, but they can be regained by KO-ing opponents.

Additionally, any icons not used during a stock will carry over to the next, with a maximum of eight. Carried-over stocks will be overlaid on the regular four, being differently colored, and using them will reveal the icon underneath.

When Demi-fiend has no Press Turn icons, his specials change to Demon Summoning. Demi-fiend can act independently of demons after summoning them unless they or he is holding on to them. Demi-fiend’s Demon Summoning Side and Up Specials remain constant no matter if he has Press Turn or not.

Neutral Special 2

Pixie

Without Press Turn icons, Demi-fiend summons Pixie to perform Zio, having a bolt of electricity come from her fingertips with short reach. It has very little impact and mostly functions as a tool to allow Demi-fiend to close the gap between him and his foe.

Down Special 2

Cu Chulainn

Without Press Turn icons, Cu Chulainn is summoned. He performs a Force maneuver by twirling his lance to create a gust of air, blowing foes away. It can make for a funny edgeguarding tool, as well.

Side Special

Jack Frost

Demi-fiend summons Jack Frost to perform Bufu.

In the air, Jack Frost hangs on Demi-Fiend’s back while launching his attack.

Up Special

Jack-o’-Lantern/

Agi

Demi-fiend uses Jack-o’-Lantern to ascend, holding onto his cloak with only one hand.

On the ground, Jack-o’-Lantern uses Agi behind Demi-Fiend.

Final Smash

Freikugel/

Gaea Rage

If far, Freikugel: Demi-fiend sparks violently and shoots a powerful beam of Almighty energy out of his face.

If close, Gaea Rage: Demi-fiend causes the ground around him to crack and release a burst of pure Almighty energy. This instantly kills enemies at above 100% damage.

Neutral

Attack

The standard physical attack animation from Nocturne.

Dash Attack

Lunge

Demi-fiend lunges forward with his entire body.

Forward-Tilt

Heat Wave

Demi-fiend conjures an energy sword and slashes it to the ground.

Up-Tilt

Magma Axis

The Demi-fiend creates a huge explosion of fire magic above his head, but stops short of unleashing its full power.

Down-Tilt

Iron Claw

Demi-fiend makes his hand into a claw and swipes at the ground with it.

Forward Smash

Deadly Fury

Demi-fiend conjures an enemy sword and takes an iaido stance, and unleashes it in a quick draw, knocking his foe away. The sword dissipates from his hand during the attack cooldown.

Up Smash

Javelin Rain

Demi-fiend convulses, unleashing javelins of pure Almighty energy that shoot out in an arc.

This is based on the Digital Devil Saga version of this move, which uses the correct animation.

Down Smash

Xeros-Beat

The Demi-fiend roundhouse kicks, launching Almighty projectiles around him.

This is based on the DDS version of this move, which uses the correct animation.

Neutral-Air

Radiance

Demi-fiend unleashes a burst of energy around him.

Forward-Air

Hell Gaze

Demi-fiend shoots a line of piercing Death energy out of his glare.

Back-Air

Hellfire

Demi-fiend unleashes an explosion behind him, propelling him forward and enemies away.

Up-Air

Shock

Demi-fiend conjures a ball of lightning above him.

Down-Air

Hades Blast

Demi-fiend drops to the ground with brutal force, slamming his fist into the ground.

Grab

Demi-fiend pulls his enemy close with his right arm.

Pummel

Demi-fiend switches hand, holding his enemy with his left hand to blast the enemy with physical energy point-blank. He will remain in this pose until the fighter breaks free or is thrown.

Forward Throw

Divine Shot

Demi-fiend repositions away from the enemy and shoots a burst of demonic energy out of his left hand, blasting the foe away. He then reels back from recoil, almost as if his arm became a gun.

Back Throw

Tornado

Demi-fiend whirls his opponent around him in a tornado and then launches them away. So long.

Up Throw

Bolt Storm

Demi-fiend throws his foe up and then electrocutes them with his hand, which blasts them further upward.

Down Throw

Ice Breath

Demi-fiend slams his foe into the ground and then screams in their face, freezing them with ice-cold breath and launching their frozen body straight up with the sheer power of his vocal chords.

Floor Attack

Demi-fiend flips back to his feet.

Edge Attack

Evil Gaze

Demi-fiend gives his opponent the death glare while climbing over the ledge, shooting a beam of death energy out of his eyes.

Up Taunt

Pixie flies around Demi-fiend.

Side Taunt

Jack-o’-Lantern comes out and does a spook.

Down Taunt

Jack Frost comes out and waves.

Losing Animation

Demi-fiend faces away from the camera, looking directly at the player.

Victory Pose 1

Demi-fiend walking towards the screen shrouded in shadow. After his name appears on the screen he becomes fully obscured by darkness, with only glowing red eyes and his tattoos visible. The eyes of his many demons start opening in the darkness. Based on the True Demon Ending of Nocturne.

When using a Human costume you will only be able to see the whites of his eyes.

Victory Pose 2

Demi-fiend uses Chaotic Will, his ultimate attack, as the camera pulls in on his face. It fades away to black, with only his glowing gold eyes visible.

When using a Human costume you will only be able to see the whites of Demi-fiend’s eyes.

Victory Pose 3

Demi-fiend and his party of four all strike a victory pose. The camera pulls away to black, leaving only the glowing red eyes of the party visible.

When using a Human costume you will only be able to see the whites of Demi-fiend’s eyes.

Victory Theme

For the victory theme, I have made a tune based on the Shin Megami Tensei 1 Level Up Theme.

Closing Thoughts

And there we have it. This is my Demi-fiend moveset. I thank you for reading! The images in the article are clickable, and lead to the original files, so make sure to check out the illustrations we did in full detail! I am considering doing a Dream Smasher for the Nahobino, so let me know if that’s something you’d be interested in. And, speaking of putting off stuff for a year because the process of capturing GIFs was so strenuous, expect something… motivating soon.