How to Beat Aciel: Aciel Weakness and Strategies

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

Aciel Articles
How to Beat Aciel	Aciel Stats and Skills

Aciel Pre-Battle Guide

Strengths and Weaknesses

Weaknesses

Aciel does not have any elemental weakness, however, using both but Phys and Magic attacks is useful for dealing damage.

Strengths

Aciel utilizes Almighty attacks including Mana Drain and Sol Niger, a multi-target attack that reduces foes' HP to 1. Likewise, it also uses Phys attacks, so we highly recommend to always use an Attack Mirror or Tetrakarn to avoid situations where all it takes for Aciel to kill you is by attacking after it drops your HP to 1.

Aciel can reflect Dark and absorb Light and Ailment skills, so never use these types of attacks as you'll only be wasting your turn. It also has three Support skills including Dekaja, Dekunda, and Dragon Eye which grants Aciel four extra turns.

Best Demons to Use Against Aciel

Best Demons to Use
Oni	Daisoujou	Hell Biker
Kali	Red Rider	Black Rider
Dominion	Throne	Amaterasu
Ose

How to Beat Aciel

Always Dedicate a Turn to Use an Attack Mirror or Tetrakarn Against Sol Niger

Aciel uses Sol Niger, a multi-target attack that reduces foes' HP to 1. Likewise, it also uses Phys attacks, so we highly recommend to always use an Attack Mirror or Tetrakarn to avoid situations where all it takes for Aciel to kill you is by attacking after it drops your HP to 1.

You may obtain an Attack Mirror in Rag's Jewelry.

Rag's Jewelry Shop

Buff Your Attacks But Don't Overinvest

Aciel has Dekaja which negates all your party's buffs. It is fine to still buff yourself and your allies but don't overdo it or Aciel will simply cancel it out in a single turn.

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.

Don't Overinvest in Debuffing

Aciel has Dekunda which negates your Debuffs on it. It is fine to debuff Aciel but you shouldn't overinvest or Aciel will simply cancel it all out in a single turn.

Use Tarunda or War Cry to lower its Phys/Magic Attacks. You will take less damage if you debuff its attacks. Use Rakunda to lower its defense, to make it more vulnerable to your attacks.

Alternatively, you can use Fog Breath or Sukunda as these debuffs will decrease its chance of dodging your attacks.

No Resistance Against Phys Attacks

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

No Resistance Against Magic Attacks Except for Light, Dark, and Ailments

Aciel reflects Dark, and absorbs Light and Ailments. However, be comfortable using other elemental Magic attacks as Aciel cannot block or counter these.

Have At Least One Dedicated Healer in Your Party

Summon demons that have Dia, Media, or the skill's other variants, so your party can restore HP as you move along the 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