How to Beat Ahriman: Ahriman Weakness and Strategies

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

Ahriman Pre-Battle Guide

Recommended Magatama	Gaea, Vimana, Adama
Recommended Level	80 or higher

We recommend equipping Magatama that boosts Vit by at least +4.

First Form Strengths and Weaknesses

Weaknesses

Weaknesses
None

Ahriman, in its first form, does not have any elemental weakness, and the attack types you can use will be dictated by Ahriman.

Strengths

Attacks	Fire, Ice, Force, Elec, Hell's Call (Instakill)
Reflect	Light, Dark
Void	Ailments

Ahriman uses both single-target and multi-target Magic attacks. Likewise, Ahriman has Hell's Call an instakill that it uses on an enemy that goes against battle rules in the first phase.

Ahriman reflects Light and Dark, and voids Ailments, so don't use these skills as you'll only be wasting your turn.

Second Form Strengths and Weaknesses

Weaknesses

Weaknesses
None, but Phys attacks can go a long way

Ahriman, in its second form, does not have any elemental weakness, however, using buffed Phys attacks is highly recommended.

Strengths

Attacks	Apocalypse (Almighty), Megidolaon, Phys
Reflect	Light, Dark
Void	Ailments
Support	Dekunda, Dekaja

Ahriman uses multi-target Almighty and Phys attacks. We highly recommend summoning your demons with the highest Vit stats to survive its chain of attacks.

Ahriman reflects Light and Dark, voids Ailments, and has two Support skills including Dekunda and Dekaja which he seldom uses. On that note, buff your party and debuff Ahriman until you've reached the limit of the buff/debuff spells.

Best Demons to Use Against Ahriman

Best Demons to Use
Black Rider	Shiva	Dante
Amaterasu	Flauros	Metatron
Lakshmi	Skadi	Vishnu

How to Beat Ahriman

First Phase

Ahriman will kick it off with a game! In the first phase, Ahriman will dictate which skills are forbidden.

Summon Demons with the Highest Vit Stat

We recommend summoning your demons with the highest Vit stats to survive Ahriman's heavy Magic attacks and Phys attack. A Vit stat of at least 23 is good.

There will be moments where Ahriman forbids Healing and items, so your only option is to be a tank and mitigate the damage until the ban is lifted.

Use the First Few Turns to Buff Attacks Until Limit is Reached

The buffs carry over to the Second Phase of the battle.

Ahriman will usually ban Phys skills in the first round, so take this opportunity to use Magic skills to stack your buffs. Ideally, you'd also want the buff skill to reach its limit.

We highly recommend using multi-target buffs such as Makakaja or Tarukaja to boost the entire party. Keep in mind Ahriman's rules and wait for the opportune moment to unload the boosted attack of your choosing.

Follow Ahriman's Rules

Ahriman will be playing a game in the first phase wherein he'll dictate which attack types are either banned or can be used.

You have to strictly follow the rules, or else you'll be hit with Hell's Call, an instakill that Ahriman uses on an enemy that goes went against battle rules. So, unless you have Endure, play by the rules.

Second Phase

In the second phase, Ahriman will unveil its second form and will now utilize multi-target Almighty and Phys attacks.

Always Top Up Your Party's HP

Always top up HP to full to survive Ahriman's Apocalypse + Megidolaon/Phys combo. Remember to do this before it's Ahriman's turn to attack.

Get One Ally to Cast Debuffs As Often As You Can

We highly recommend using Debilitate on Ahriman to lower its Attack/Defense/Evasion/Hit Rate all in a single turn.

Alternatively, you can use Tarunda or War Cry to lower its Phys/Magic Attacks. Use Rakunda to lower its defense, or you can use Fog Breath or Sukunda as these debuffs will decrease its chances of dodging your attacks.

Best Buff and Debuff Skills

General Tips

Here are a few general tips for this two-phase boss fight. You'll find out about passive skill exploits and multi-target healing.

Learn Counterattack Skills

Passive counterattack skills such as Avenge, Counter, or Retaliate will come in handy as you can perform a heavy counterattack (more so if you have stacked Tarukaja) on Ahriman if it decides to use a Phys attack on you. Deal as much damage as you can in any way.

Have a Dedicated Healer that Has Multi-Target Healing

Summon a demon that has Prayer, Mediarahan, or Mediarama, 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