One of the rare excitements that I have in the Shin Megami Tensei and Persona series these days is when there is a brand new creature that I recruit that I’ve never seen before. Sadly, most of the demons are recycled through both franchises at this point with few visual changes. But the focus of this Adramelech guide is still one demon that is fresh in my mind, at least, due to his few inclusions to date.
Adramelech might not be the most attractive demon around, but oh, how I appreciate how gaudy and unabashedly crazy its design of it is. This is one demon that I’ve only encountered in about three games so far from Atlus. Still, he already sticks out in my mind as an unforgettable monster. He has a couple of exciting story moments and much more that I will cover in this Adramelech guide.
Bottom Line Up Front
Adramelech is one of Satan’s servants and one of hell’s leaders. In the Shin Megami Tensei and Persona series, though, he is a drag queen horseman who adores makeup and his peacock feathers. Without a doubt, Adramelech has one of the most memorable demon designs in the series.
He is only featured in a few SMT and Persona titles to date. However, he plays a massive role in a couple of games’ stories that propelled his popularity to the roof. He is also one of the higher-level monsters you can use as part of your party.
Adramelech Overview
Part of the reason why I want to see Atlus branch out and make more Personas and demons is that it is capable of such intriguing designs and characters. We have seen it time and time again, but the problem is that Atlus is still so hung up on monsters that were made roughly 30 years ago, if not more.
So, we keep having the same old demons in every game that we use. That’s fine, I mean, it works for Pokemon, but there needs to be a better mixture of new creatures. Enter Adramelech, a demon that, technically, has been around for about 30 years.
The problem is that he wasn’t in many games nor that well-known until recently. His design is extravagant, and he’s brimming with personality, making for one of the more memorable creatures. Even if you dislike him, you’ll find it impossible to forget about this demon.
Adramelech is the epitome of the creativity of Atlus in every single way, from his appearance to his inclusion in the main story of the games themselves. I find that sometimes the problem with the demons is that they talk in the games, but they have such rare moments in the story.
You’ll have these missed opportunities where we could have found out more about the monster’s lore or their personality. Thankfully, Adramelech is one of the few exceptions to this rule. He made his presence known in a couple of the games, and there is no doubting his flashy nature.
What players will find, though, is that it isn’t easy to add Adramelech to your party if you like what he has going on. Unfortunately, not only is he in very few games, but he is generally one of the higher-level demons you find or fuse. It’s too bad because he’s a real treat when you get to know him.
Horrifying But Lovable Appearance Explained
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I have a love-hate relationship with Adramelech’s design. On the one hand, he is the drag queen of the SMT and Persona games that I never knew I needed. On the other hand, the more that I stare at his appearance, the absolute creepier he becomes.
Right now, staring at the screenshot that I shared of him from Shin Megami Tensei V, I am probably going to have some very bizarre nightmares tonight. The general idea of his design is mixing together a bunch of animal parts in disturbing ways and somehow making something beautiful in the process.
Taking some cues from the lore appearance of the actual Adramelech from religious beliefs, he is a mix of creatures. For starters, we have the horse or possible donkey head that is draped in makeup and looking the finest that I have ever seen a pony in my life. He even has an adorable little hat.
Where it gets a little weird is the human body that is underneath the horse’s head. I mean, this guy is packing some serious abs right here, and it is not only making me jealous but a little bit concerned at the same time. He has a minimal level of clothing on the bottom half, too, leaving little to the imagination, for sure.
What is easy to miss on the bottom half of Adramelech is the chicken feet that he literally has. They add another Frankenstein’s monster touch to this demon design. But I saved the best for last in the most immediately recognizable part of the entire character design: the wings.
Adramelech takes his costume to a whole new level with the peacock feathers that he has in the back. They are a gorgeous and vibrant green color, and I would otherwise appreciate their gaudy nature. That is if I didn’t stare at his design long enough to realize that there are countless eyes on the feathers staring into your soul.
Adramelech is so unlike any other demon design to date. Though he is a bit older, there is such a high level of detail and creativity that shows the potential for what Atlus could do if it branched out and started making more newer characters in its games. Here’s hoping that we get more terrifying but lovable demons like Adramelech.
Origins
Adramelech is one of the many demons that have been adopted into some Judeo-Christian lore. The idea is that he was one of the gods that were worshipped by the people living in a city called Sepharvaim. As the Jewish religion expanded, gods from smaller towns like these were demonized.
Over time, the lore surrounding Adramelech deepened, and we learned more about his connection to the underworld. He is known for many titles and roles in hell, including being the chancellor of the forsaken pit of flame and despair.
Adramelech is among the highest-ranking officials in all of the underworld, falling just below Satan in terms of leadership. He appeared in the famous Paradise Lost poem, where he was given even more details about his character. His origins connect him to other popular Personas, including Beelzebub, Satan, and Lucifer.
Key Moments in the Series
While Adramelech might be a newer demon to some players, including myself, he has been around for quite some time. It just so happens that he’s been in a few games and those earlier titles weren’t too noteworthy for the demon.
However, that all changed with the arrival of Shin Megami Tensei IV: Apocalypse. This is my favorite game in the entire SMT series, even after playing the most recent game, and it is due to its heavy emphasis on its characters and amazing storyline.
As such, here is your spoiler warning. Seriously, suppose you like some story in your games. In that case, Apocalypse is the only game in the SMT series that truly nailed this aspect, in my opinion. Adramelech is the very first demon that you meet in the entire game.
At this point, Nanashi, the player you play as, and his friends run into this demon and his minions as Tokyo falls apart. Unfortunately, Nanashi watches as Adramelech murders his friends right in front of him and is then killed as well.
Thankfully, that isn’t the end of Nanashi as he comes back due to the help of the demon Dagda. With his newfound powers, he is able to push back against Adramelech and his minions. Still, the chancellor of hell is able to escape and live to fight another day.
Much later on in the main story of SMT IV: Apocalypse, Nanashi finally gets his revenge for the very beginning of the monumental JRPG. Nanashi and Adramelech have one final boss battle that is quite unlike any other fight in the series, with the number of options that you can pick in the middle of it.
In the end, Adramelech is killed by Nanashi, and his vengeance is complete. Hilariously enough, though, this defeat of the demon also unlocks him in the Cathedral of Shadows as a fusion demon. So, while he leaves the story at this point, the murderer of your friends can literally join your team as a party member.
Adramelech’s other significant inclusion in the main story of the games comes from the most recent title, Shin Megami Tensei V. One of the side quests in this massive JRPG includes Adramelech having a fight with the demon Futsunushi.
Players have the chance to pick a side between the two in this battle, and they will face the other in the process. You have the option if you like Adramelech enough to side with him or take him out. Regardless, you can still find and recruit him to join your team in the Temple of Eternity dungeon.
Featured Games
The oddest part about Adramelech is his few inclusions in the Shin Megami Tensei and Persona series to date. It seems that Atlus didn’t think that the world was ready for his fabulous nature on a more consistent basis until now.
What is unique about Adramelech is that his first appearance ever in an Atlus game was actually with the original Persona in 1996 on the PlayStation 1. There are very few Personas out there that made their debut for the first time in that game, so it is an honor for him.
Hilariously enough, though, that was only one of his few Persona appearances. You can see all of the featured games that Adramelech is in thus far below:
- Persona: Originally called Rainchild in the initial English localization, for whatever reason
- Persona 2: Innocent Sin
- Persona 2: Eternal Punishment
- Shin Megami Tensei IV: Apocalypse
- Shin Megami Tensei Liberation Dx2
- Shin Megami Tensei V
As you can see, there are only six appearances in total, three for each series. But Adramelech has had a lot of recent appearances, so there is hope that maybe he is making a resurgence these days. I know that I recruited him in all three of the recent SMT titles that he is in, including the underrated Liberation Dx2 mobile turn-based RPG.
How to Unlock in the Shin Megami Tensei Series
Though there are few games that Adramelech is based in, there are still three different Shin Megami Tensei titles that you can acquire him. And surprisingly, despite the fact that they all came out quite recently, there are several different methods by which you can unlock this demon.
The first has to do with fusion. In some of the games, mainly SMT IV: Apocalypse, this is the only way to obtain him. Worse still, you have to unlock the right to unlock him in that game. Once you defeat his boss version in the main story, you can then fuse for him.
On the other hand, Liberation Dx2 will require you to go through some gacha mechanics to roll and hopefully unlock Adramelech that way. Last but not least, there is the recent SMT V, where the options are a bit more open.
You can not only fuse for him, but you can recruit him usually by encountering him in battle. But you also have the option of simply getting Adramelech to join your team through a special side quest.
Adramelech vs. Futsunushi SMT V
The Raid on Tokyo side quest is one of the missions you can find in the Da’at: Daito area. This side mission will involve a fight that is happening between Adramelech and Futsunushi. Unfortunately, you can only pick one side in this battle, and your rewards change depending on which you do.
Many players ask the question of which demon that you should join in this side mission, and the answer is up to you. But I should note that different rewards depending on who you side with. But, first and foremost, I always recommend someone pick based on the demons themselves.
If you don’t like how Adramelech looks — aka, you can’t appreciate his beauty — then that is fine. Instead, you might want to go for someone like the more traditional demon, Futsunushi. But if you don’t really care about the appearances of the demons, there are some other crucial factors involved.
There is the fact that you will gain the power of one of the demons, depending on which one you side with. At this point in the game, you might need some elemental fire help on your team, and, in that case, you will want to side with Adramelech.
On the other hand, if you’re looking for a physical attacking boost, Futsunushi is one of the most powerful physical demons at this point in the game. In addition, siding with him will nab you some strength incense that may be helpful for boosting your overall stats.
However, there is a clear winner between the two, in my opinion, if I had to give you my pick. Sorry, Adramelech, but I would have to give this one to Futsunushi. The reason for this is not even a personal preference but the fact that Futsunushi is generally harder to acquire in the game otherwise.
You would have to fuse for him, and it isn’t exactly super cheap to do so in the game. On the other hand, Adramelech is not only available for fusion but as a demon that you can easily find in the Temple of Eternity dungeon. Yes, that is a late-game dungeon, but you might not even need his skills until then anyway.
Plus, you have the option to fuse for him earlier on. Since Futsunushi can be harder and more expensive to acquire, having his aid at this point in the story is extremely useful.
How to Make a Deal With Adramelech in Persona
On the other hand, when it comes to the Persona series, there isn’t much to see here in terms of methods for unlocking Adramelech. For the most part, you are stuck with a single method, and that is to unlock him in the Velvet Room in the first three games in the series.
The original trilogy of Persona titles included Adramelech as a Persona that you could unlock for your party members. He was part of the Hanged Man Arcana in those games, and it would be interesting to see if that would be the same in the current state of the Persona series.
Though this is the primary method for unlocking Adramelech in Persona, there is still something rather special about doing so. In Persona 2: Innocent Sin, you could evolve and awaken Adramelech into Dagda. This is a little ironic since Dagda is the demon who helps Nanashi defeat him in SMT IV: Apocalypse.
On the other hand, it changes in Eternal Punishment, where Adramelech will transform into Quetzalcoatl when he awakens. That was his final appearance in the Persona games more than 20 years ago. Hopefully, that changes in the next title in the series.
How to Exterminate Adramelech in SMT IV: Apocalypse
When you face off against Adramelech in SMT IV: Apocalypse, this is one of the most convoluted boss battles in that entire game. It isn’t because it’s hard (it’s actually relatively simple) but because of the dialogue choices that you get.
You see, this is a story-driven battle, and the stakes are high with revenge in the heart of Nanashi. As such, Adramelech toys with you, the player in the middle of the battle with options. There are two points in the fight where he will taunt the player.
The first involves him attacking your pal, Asahi. When this happens, you have two options: attack him while he’s distracted or protect Asahi. I recommend protecting her always even though you take some serious damage. Though you will deal some severe damage if you attack, it isn’t worth it since he is easy to beat, and Asahi will be knocked out.
The other option, though, is a bit more complicated. Adramelech will simply yell burn over and over with several options available. This only matters if you didn’t save Asahi earlier, by the way. Here are each of the options and what happens if you pick them:
- Shield your partner: Nanashi will take some serious damage, but the Assist Gauge will power up. Adramelech will gain Tarukaja and Makakaja
- Use your partner as a shield: Knocks out your assistant and gives Adramelech Rakunda. But it also gives Nanashi Smirk, Makakaja, and Tarukaja
- Defend alone: The entire group will take some damage (but not a lot), and Nanashi will be bound and have Tarunda. Adramelech will gain Rakukaja
- Automatic Asahi protected option: If you protected Asahi before, she will heal the entire party. Adramelech will gain Rakunda
As you can see, protecting Asahi at the beginning is the best option no matter what. But if you didn’t do that, then your best choice here is to shield your partner. However, you should have done that to start with in the first place. Defending alone is fine but not that useful. And, of course, the using your partner as a shield option is only for those true sickos out there.
Other than those battle decisions, this is a relatively easy fight so long as you have leveled up enough. Adramelech is level 65, rather high with a massive health pool. Still, he is weak to ice, which you can easily exploit.
As long as you don’t have weaknesses to fire and can heal through the heavy physical attacks, you are good to go on this battle. The dialogue options in the middle of the fight are the only elements that can actually make this fight harder than it needs to be.
FAQs
Question: Where is the Adramelech SMT V location?
Answer: You can get Adramelech in a couple of different ways without having to resort to fusing him in the game. The first is by siding with him during The Raid on Tokyo side mission. The other is by recruiting him in the Temple of Eternity dungeon.
Question: SMT V Adramelech or Futsunushi?
Answer: This is purely up to you and what you’re going for in Shin Megami Tensei V. The TL;DR is if you need a fire elemental fabulous demon, pick Adramelech. But if you want to avoid unnecessarily fusing for a demon in your Compendium, go for Futsunushi instead.
Question: What is the Adramelech Persona meaning?
Answer: There isn’t any special meaning that I know of for the name Adramelech. The name is the same in Japanese, but in the Katakana version, so there is nothing special. However, the name and demon itself derive from an ancient god that was worshipped. Today, he is known, though, as one of the chief demons of hell and the chancellor of the devil.
Who to Recruit Next
We stan our gorgeous horse peacock drag queen known as Adramelech. He is both beautiful and feared, being a demon that you should not mess with in the Shin Megami Tensei and Persona series. It is honestly a darn shame how little exposure the community has to this monster in both series of JRPGs from Atlus. I mean, he hasn’t been in a Persona game since Persona 2: Eternal Punishment in 2000.
It is high time that this changes, and I am hoping that we get to see Adramelech in a future game like Persona 6. Hopefully, he will be able to continue his trend of having cool little storylines through a side quest or whatever where you can get to know his ridiculous character even more. In the meantime, you should get to know one of his fellow denizens of hell, Satanael, who is the very best Persona that you can get in Persona 5.
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