Shin Megami Tensei 5 Vengeance is an enhanced and updated version of the original Shin Megami Tensei 5, featuring new mechanics, new storylines, and new demons. The game was originally a Switch exclusive, but the release of Vengeance has spread Shin Megami Tensei 5 to all consoles and platforms, allowing more people to experience the newest entry in this landmark JRPG series.

For a lot of new players, Shin Megami Tensei 5 Vengeance will be their first experience with the game, and maybe even the franchise as a whole. There are many demons players can interact with to make up their party, which might be overwhelming for new players. Here are some of the best early game demons to recruit and fuse in Shin Megami Tensei 5 Vengeance.

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8 Neko Shogun

An Adorable Demon With Strong Support Abilities

Shin Megami Tensei 5 V Neko Shogun

Neko Shogun is one of the first demons the Nahobino will be able to fuse during Shin Megami Tensei 5 Vengeance's early game. It is a member of the Wargod race, and that race's Magatsuhi skill will be one of (if not the) first Magatsuhi skills the Nahobino gains access to during the game. Having a demon of that race on hand is a good idea.

Neko Shogun's strengths are in healing and support, vital skills for a game as treacherously difficult as the Shin Megami Tensei series. With skills like Sukunda and Rakunda, Neko Shogun can weaken stronger enemies, making fights against them much easier.

7 Angel

A Classic Demon With A Renewed Design

Shin Megami Tensei 5 V Angel

Angel is a classic demon in the Shin Megami Tensei franchise, though it sports a new design for Shin Megami Tensei 5. Nevertheless, it remains a mainstay of the games. The Nahobino will most likely get a chance to summon it during the events of the early game.

Angel is a classic healer-type demon, sporting useful skills like Dia, Patra, and Recarm. It also has access to a rare unique skill, Humble Blessing, which gives players early access to a group healing spell. This makes Angel a very useful demon to have on hand.

6 Mermaid

A Beautiful Demon With A Frosty Demeanor

Shin Megami Tensei 5 V Mermaid

As players start understanding the system and combat of the Shin Megami Tensei games, they'll eventually start looking for demons that can either serve as strong physical or magical attackers. One of the best early game magic-focused demons is Mermaid.

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Mermaid's greatest strength lies in her magical attacks, especially thanks to her relatively strong magic stat. Her unique skill, Stormcaller Song, deals multiple ice attacks on random foes. This makes it a good pick against bosses who are weak to ice, like the Hydra.

5 Aitvara

A Strong Fire-Breathing Dragon

Shin Megami Tensei 5 V Aitvaras

Aitvaras is a demon of the Drake race that can be found in the second half of the first area, Minato. It is one of the strongest fire-using demons in the area, so players looking for a strong fire user should seek it out.

Aitvaras's most useful asset is its unique skill, Mirage Shot, which does medium fire damage and inflicts Mirage on a target. With Fire Gestalt boosting the demon's fire attacks, Aitvaras's fire damage becomes especially deadly in the early game.

4 Leanan Sidhe

A Seductive Muse With Mastery Over Ailments

Shin Megami Tensei 5 V Leanan Sidhe

While Leanan Sidhe is a relatively high level for the area she appears in, it is possible to recruit her without having to reach her level. A certain quest will allow the player to get her for free if you take her side. Since she can be recruited at a level that might dwarf any demons the Nahobino can recruit or fuse, she is a strong ally indeed.

Leanan Sidhe has a varied skillset, featuring Dark-element attacks, the healing spell Media, and the charm-inflicting Marin Karin. Her passive ability Curse Siphon restores her MP if she inflicts an ailment, allowing her to stay in the fight for longer.

3 Archangel

A Divine Jack-of-all-trades

Shin Megami Tensei 5 V Archangel

Archangel is another demon of the Divine race, one that the Nahobino won't be able to use until the end of the first area. Even so, it is a relatively powerful demon with balanced stats, making it useful in a variety of situations.

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Archangel sports a variety of useful skills, such as the group-hitting physical attack Heat Wave and medium-strength fire skill Agilao. While it may not excel in one particular area, its balance allows it to prosper in a variety of situations.

2 High Pixie

A Potent Magical Attacker

Shin Megami Tensei 5 V High Pixie

High Pixie is the first special fusion the Nahobino will have access to, though it will be quite some time before they manage to actually attempt the fusion. Still, it is highly recommended to do so once players have the necessary demons and level. The demon sports an incredibly high magic stat, making them a potent elemental attacker.

With access to electric and force skills, High Pixie can do some incredible damage while also healing in a pinch. With Concentrate pushing her damage even further, it's likely that many players will come to rely on High Pixie for magical damage all the way to the beginning of the next area.

1 Rakshasa

A Physical Attacker With A Powerful Utility

Shin Megami Tensei 5 V Rakshasa

With a base level of 20, Rakshasa is likely to be one of the last demons the Nahobino manages to fuse in the first area. With a base Strength stat of 25, it is one of the most powerful physical attackers in the game up to that point.

Rakshasa's main strength isn't in its stats, however. Near the end of the first area, the Nahobino can gain access to the Jaki race's Magatsuhi skill Rasetsu Feast, which Rakshaka can use. The skill immediately debuffs all targets to their lowest stats. This is an incredibly potent skill, and can trivialize even the more difficult boss fights.

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