How to Beat Orthrus: Orthrus Weakness and Strategies

This is a guide to Orthrus, a mini-boss in Shin Megami Tensei III HD Remaster (SMT Nocturne) for the Nintendo Switch, Steam, and PS4. Read on to know how to beat Orthrus, Orthrus' weaknesses, and best strategies against this boss!

Orthrus Articles
How to Beat Orthrus	Orthrus Stats and Skills

Orthrus Pre-Battle Guide

Strengths and Weaknesses

Weaknesses

Orthrus is weak towards Ice and will be highly susceptible to Ice attacks. Exploit this weakness as much as you can, bring along demons that have Ice skills.

Strengths

Orthrus utilizes Fire attacks. He will use both single-target and multi-target Fire attacks, so don't summon demons that have Fire weakness!

Likewise, Orthrus Absorbs Fire, Voids Nerve and Mind attacks, and Resists Curse. We suggest avoiding using these types of attacks as they will be useless against Orthrus.

Best Demons to Use Against Orthrus

Best Demons to Use
Nozuchi	Momunofu	Inugami
Ame-no-Uzume

How to Beat Orthrus

Dedicate At Least One Turn to Debuff Orthrus

Use Rakunda to lower Orthrus’ defense, in order to make it more vulnerable to your attacks. Alternatively, you can use Fog Breath or Sukunda as these debuffs will decrease Orthrus’ chance of dodging your attacks.

Use Tarunda or War Cry to lower its Phys/Magic Attacks. You will take less damage if you debuff its attacks.

Buff Allies Before Attacks

Use a buff like Focus or Tarukaja before using a Phys attack. This allows you to maximize your Phys Attack’s damage output in the short turns you get.

Use a buff like Makakaja before using a Magic skill. This allows you to maximize your Magic Attack's damage output in the short turns you get.

No Resistance Against Phys Attacks

Orthrus has no resistance against Phys Attacks, so don't hesitate to to use these types of attacks on it.

No Resistance Against Magic Attacks Except for Fire, Nerve, Mind, and Curse

Orthrus has resistane to Fire, Nerve, Mind, and Curse attacks, but be comfortable using other elemental Magic attacks, especially Ice as this is Orthrus' weakness.

Equip Shiranui to Null Fire and Bring Demons That Can Block Fire

Orthrus relies on Fire attacks, and equipping Shiranui will enable Demi-Fiend to Null Fire. Likewise, bring along demons that can Block Fire.

You'll be able to cut off Orthrus' turns if you block his attacks.

Summon Demons with Ice Attacks

As Orthrus' weakness is Ice, bring Demons that have Ice attacks to exploit its weakness. This way, you'll damage Orthrus further and secure extra turns for your party.

Don't Summon Demons Weak to Fire

Orthrus utilizes Fire attacks. He will use both single-target or multi-target Fire attacks, so don't summon demons that have Fire weakness!

Have At Least One Dedicated Healer in Your Party

Summon demons that have Dia or Media so your party can restore HP as you move along battle. This will be ideal especially in situations wherein you have no available Recovery items on hand.

Shin Megami Tensei 3: Nocturne Related Boss Guides

Boss Guides

Story Boss Guides

Story Bosses
Forneus	Specter
Thor	Berith
Ose	Kaiwan
Mizuchi	Moirae Sisters
Specter (2nd Encounter)	Girimekhala
Sakahagi	Specter (3rd Encounter)
Aciel	Skadi
Albion and Zoas	Gabriel, Raphael and Uriel
Futomimi	Mot
Mitra	Samael
Ahriman	Noah
Thor (2nd Encounter)	Baal
Lucifer	Kagutsuchi

Maniax / Chronicles Only Boss Guides

Matador	Daisojou
Dante	Hell Biker
White Rider	Red Rider
Black Rider	Pale Rider
Dante (2nd Encounter)	Mother Harlot
Trumpeter	Beelzebub
Metatron

Mini-Boss Guides

Troll	Orthrus
Yaksini	Eligor
Koppa Tengu and Incubus	Naga
Surt	Mada

Optional Bosses

Nekomata	Oni
Fuu-Ki	Kin-Ki
Sui-Ki	Ongyo-Ki
Black Frost