Protagonist Builds

Build your protagonist in Shin Megami Tensei IV with Magic, Dexterity, or Strength builds focusing on MAG, DEX, or STR stats for distinct playstyles.

Your protagonist is the core of your party, and their stat distribution significantly impacts your playstyle. While you can respec later in the game (via certain Challenge Quests), it's best to have a clear direction from the start. Here are some common and effective builds:

1. Magic Build (Mage):

• Focus Stats: Primarily Magic (MAG), secondary Agility (AGI), tertiary Luck (LCK).
• Playstyle: Relies on elemental spells (Agi, Bufu, Zio, Garu) and healing/support magic. Excellent for exploiting enemy weaknesses and gaining Press Turns.
• Key Skills: Focus on acquiring several elemental spells, healing spells (Mediarama, Mediarahan), and support skills (Dekaja, Dekunda). Spirit Drain/Mana Aid are useful for MP management.
• Pros: High damage output against most enemies, good healing capabilities, versatile.
• Cons: Can be MP-intensive, physical-resistant enemies are a challenge.

2. Dexterity Build (Gunner):

• Focus Stats: Primarily Dexterity (DEX), secondary Agility (AGI), tertiary Luck (LCK).
• Playstyle: Specializes in gun attacks, which are non-elemental and can hit multiple targets. High critical hit rate.
• Key Skills: Gun skills (Blast Arrow, Grand Tack, Myriad Arrows), Charge, Critical Eye, Phys Pierce.
• Pros: Consistent damage, good against enemies with no elemental weaknesses, high critical rate.
• Cons: Less versatile than magic for exploiting weaknesses, some enemies resist gun attacks.

3. Strength Build (Physical Attacker):

• Focus Stats: Primarily Strength (STR), secondary Agility (AGI), tertiary Luck (LCK).
• Playstyle: Focuses on powerful physical attacks. Can be very strong but often relies on critical hits or specific skills to gain Press Turns.
• Key Skills: Physical skills (Lunge, Hades Blast, Desperate Hit), Charge, Phys Pierce, Endure/Enduring Soul.
• Pros: High single-target damage, can be very powerful with the right skills.
• Cons: More susceptible to missing, often requires specific demons for support, can be MP-intensive for powerful skills.

For beginners, a Magic or Dexterity build is often recommended due to their versatility in exploiting weaknesses or providing consistent damage. Always ensure you have enough Agility to act early in battle.