How to Get Essences | Essence Fusion Guide

This is a guide on how to get Essences in Shin Megami Tensei V. Read on to learn about how to get Essences via leveling up demons, opening chests, buying them from Gustave's shop, and clearing quests.

How to Get Essences

Leveling Up Demons

Leveling up demons can result in receiving that demon's Essence. Note that Essences change as demons level up since their skills will change.

Clearing Quests

Since certain Demons are locked behind quests, it follows that you will need to clear quests to unlock that Demon for fusion in order to get their Essence.

Found in Chests

Some essences can be obtained by opening chests in the overworld, furhter incentivising exploration. If you see a chest on the map, it's always worth checking out since it may have a useful Essence.

Can be Purchased from Gustave

After progressing to a certain point in the game, Gustave's stock will expand and you will be able to buy certain Essences from him in exchange for Macca. Note that you can only hold one of the same type of Essence at a time.

How to Use Essences

Fuse Essences and Learn That Demon's Skills

Once you have an Essence, it can be used via Essence Fusion and applied to the main character or other demons, allowing them to inherit the skills or affinities of the given Demon's Essence being applied. This allows a higher level of freedom and customization for different builds.

Inherit a Demon's Affinity

At the start of the game, you will only be able to gain skills from the essence of the demon you're fusing with. However, once you learn the Divine Amalgamation miracle, you'll start to be able to take over the essence's affinity instead. This is highly valuable in countering certain bosses in the game.

Best Miracles Tier List

What are Essences?

Demon's Essence That Contains Their Skills and Affinities

Essences are spirits infused with a demon's abilities. Essences contain a demon's Skills and Affinities allowing the main character to inherit these abilities.

Shin Megami Tensei V (SMT 5) Related Guides

Tips and Tricks | Beginner's Guide

Game Mechanics

Press Turn System Guide	Battle System Explained
List of Difficulty Modes	How to Fuse Demons
List of Affinities	Effects of Skill Potential
List of Status Ailments	How to Use Magatsuhi Skills
Moon Phases Effects	How to Fast Travel
Interactable Objects	How to Get Essences
All Miman Locations

Stat and Build Guides

All Stats Explained	Best Nahobino Builds
Strength	Vitality
Magic	Agility
Luck

Farming Guides

How to Level Up Fast	How to Farm Macca
How to Farm Glory	How to Farm Mitamas

Tips and Tricks

Best Names for the Nahobino	Best Demons to Use
Best Miracles Tier List	All Abscesses Locations
All Cironnup Locations	All Aogami Essence Locations
List of Special Fusions

FAQ

Apsaras or Leanan Sidhe	What Carries Over in NG+
Principality or Lilim	Should You Eat the Golden Apple?
Black Frost or Dionysus	Where to get the Horn of Plenty
How to Get Dragon Scales	Should You Spare Khonsu?
Futsunushi or Adramelech