How to Beat Samael: Samael Weakness and Strategies

This is a guide to Samael, 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 Samael, Samael's weaknesses, and best strategies against this boss!

Samael Articles
How to Beat Samael	How to Fuse Samael

Samael Pre-Battle Guide

Recommended Magatama	Iyomante
Recommended Level	85 or higher

Strengths and Weaknesses

Weaknesses

Weaknesses
None, but Magic attacks can go a long way

Samael does not have any elemental weakness, however, using Magic attacks is useful for dealing damage.

Strengths

Attacks	Almighty, Ailments, Fire
Void	Light, Dark, Ailments
Support	Dekunda, Dekaja, Rakukaja, Beast Eye
Passive	Retaliate

Samael utilizes multi-target Almighty, Ailments, and Fire attacks. It will usually alternate between Almighty and Ailments most of the time, so we recommend summoning demons that can block Ailments, as well as raising your defense/evasion rate against Almighty.

Samael voids Light, Dark, and Ailments, so never use these types of attacks as you'll only be wasting your turn. Likewise, it has Retaliate, so we recommend avoiding using Phys attacks as Samael can execute a counterattack.

The enemy has four Support skills including Dekunda, Dekaja, Rakukaja, and Beast Eye which grants Samael two extra turns.

Best Demons to Use Against Samael

Best Demons to Use
Loki	Unicorn	Pisaca
Matador	Hell Biker	Red Rider
Black Rider	Scathach	Loa
Garuda	Mother Harlot	Vishnu

How to Beat Samael

Summon Demons with the Highest Mag or Vit Stat

We recommend summoning your demons with the highest Mag or Vit stat as you'll be utilizing mostly Magic attacks in this battle and would need to be able to withstand Samael's Almighty attacks. A Mag stat of at least 23 and a Vit stat of at least 20 can help you win this fight easily.

Use Magic Attacks Except for Light, Dark, Ailments

Samael can block Light, Dark, and Ailments, but get comfortable using other Magic attacks as Samael cannot block them.

Buff Your Magic Attacks but Don't Overinvest

Samael has Dekaja which negates your party's -kaja effects. It is fine to buff your attacks but don't overinvest or Samael will simply cancel it all out in a single turn.

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.

Best Buff and Debuff Skills

Use a Magic Mirror or Makarakarn

Samael uses Ailment and Fire skills, so we highly recommend using a Magic Mirror or activating Makarakarn to Repel the enemy's Magic attacks to cut off their turns.

You may obtain a Magic Mirror in Rag's Jewelry.

Rag's Jewelry Shop

Don't Overinvest in Debuffing

Samael has Dekunda which negates your Debuffs on it. It is fine to debuff Samael but you shouldn't overinvest or it 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.

Avoid Using Phys Attacks

Samael has Retaliate, so we recommend avoiding using Phys attacks as Samael can execute a counterattack.

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