How to Beat Kagutsuchi: Kagutsuchi Weakness and Strategies

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

Kagutsuchi Pre-Battle Guide

Recommended Magatama	Masakados, Kailash, Vimana, Djed
Recommended Level	88 or higher

Ideally, you should equip a Magatama that boosts Vit and Str or Mag. However, if you are following the True Demon Ending route, you'll be facing Lucifer immediately after defeating Kagutsuchi, and so we recommend wearing either Masakados, Djed, or Vimana to protect yourself from Curse and Nerve attacks.

First Form Strengths and Weaknesses

First Form Weaknesses

Weaknesses
None, but using Phys and Magic attacks go a long way

Kagutsuchi does not have any elemental weakness, however, using boosted Phys or Magic attacks is effective in dealing sufficient amounts of damage.

First Form Strengths

Attacks	Vast Light, Fire, Ice, Elec, Force, Almighty, Normal Almighty Attack
Void	Light, Dark, Ailments
Support	Dekunda, Dekaja, Phase Shift

In its first form, Kagutsuchi utilizes an undodgeable Almighty skill called Vast Light which is activated only during a Full Moon. This attack costs Kagutsuchi 2 turns.

Likewise, it uses multi-target Fire, Ice, Elec, Force, and Almighty attacks. Furthermore, its normal attack is of an Almighty element instead of the usual Phys.

Kagutuschie voids Light, Dark, and Ailments. It also has three Support skills in its first form which includes Dekunda, Dekaja, and Phase Shift.

Kagtuschi's Defense rate is influenced by the moon cycle. Kagutsuchi uses Phase Shift to shift the moon cycle forward by 2 phases.

The table below illustrates the moon phase, the damage modifier, and the amount of damage Kagutsuchi receives during specific moon phases.

Moon Phase	Amount of Damage Kagutsuchi Receives
New Moon	200% of total damage
2/8	150% of total damage
Half	100% of total damage
6/8	75% of total damage
Full Moon	50% of total damage

Second Form Strengths and Weaknesses

During the second phase of the battle, Kagutsuchi takes on its second form; and the moon phase is fixed at a Full Moon, however, the damage Kagutsuchi receives remains at 100% of total damage.

Second Form Weaknesses

Weaknesses
None, but Phys and Magic attacks go a long way

Kagutsuchi does not have any elemental weakness, however, using boosted Phys and Magic attacks is effective in dealing sufficient amounts of damage.

Second Form Strengths

Attacks	Infinite Light, Fire, Ice, Elec, Force, Almighty, Normal Almighty Attack
Void	Light, Dark, Ailments
Support	Dekunda, Dragon Eye

Kagutsuchi's second form utilizes an undodgeable, massive Almighty skill called Infinite Light. This attack costs Kagutsuchi 2 turns.

Likewise, it uses multi-target Fire, Ice, Elec, Force, and Almighty attacks. Its normal attack is of an Almighty element instead of the usual Phys, and now becomes a multi-target attack.

Kagutsuchi voids Light, Dark, and Ailments. It also has two Support skills in its second form, which includes Dekunda and Dragon Eye which grants Kagutsuchi four extra turns.

Best Demons to Use Against Kagutsuchi

Best Demons to Use
Shiva	Dante	Amaterasu
Metatron	Vishnu	Mot
Mada

How to Beat Kagutsuchi

Learn Endure or Summon Demons that Have Endure or the Highest Vit Stat

We highly recommend learning the skill Endure to survive Kagutsuchi's Vast Light and Infinite Light in both phases of the battle.

If, however, you (or your demons) cannot learn Endure, we recommend boosting Vit to have the HP reflect between 860HP~999HP as RNG can sometimes pull at least 855+ damage from Infinite Light.

How to Learn Endure: Demons and Magatama with Endure

Always Top Up HP before Kagutsuchi Casts Vast Light / Infinite Light

General Tip

Topping up your HP to full is crucial before Kagutsuchi casts Vast Light / Infinite Light. In the event Endure fails to work, you may still be able to survive if you have a maxed health of at least 860+HP.

First Phase

Kagutsuchi can only activate Vast Light during a Full Moon phase, so make sure to heal up by moon phase 6/8 before the enemy shifts the moon phase to full.

Second Phase

During the second phase where the moon is permanently fixed at Full Moon, you’ll get a round of breather after Kagutsuchi casts Infinite Light. Make sure to top up your health during this 'breather' round.

Use Attack Buffs Until Limit is Reached

We recommend stacking up Tarukaja or Makakaja until the skill reaches its limit. Kagutsuchi is tanky but using boosted attacks deals sufficient amounts of damage to Kagutsuchi.

First Phase

Ideally, you'd want to cast buffs until the skill has reached its limit. Do this before the moon phase reaches Full Moon in the first phase, as Kagutsuchi will take only 50% damage.

Second Phase

Having attacks boosted to the max is also ideal in the second phase, as Kagutsuchi has around 40,000HP. Moreover, you need not worry about Dekaja during the second phase.

Cast Debilitate Until Limit is Reached

Debilitate is the ideal debuff to have during this battle as it can lower all foes' Attack/Defense/Evasion/Hit Rate in a single turn. Cast this spell until it has reached its limit to maximize the effect it has on the enemy, especially during the Full Moon phase in Phase 1 of battle.

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 decrease its chances of dodging your attacks.

Best Buff and Debuff Skills

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 is ideal in situations where you do not have 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