Shin Megami Tensei IV

[ZenErik]

I grind because I like the battle system. I tend to grind in games where I enjoy the gameplay. And not so much in games where the battle system isn't as fun. I grind for hours in Tales of games. The combat in Graces f is a lot better than the story/characters. :/

But yea. Having demons with the right resistances/nulls/whatever and the right attacks to gain extra turns is more important than level. And buffs. Some of the demons I used in the final bosses fights were only in the low to mid 70s.

[CavZee]

oh speaking of demons, where I'm at right now (lvl 9) it seems that the max number of demons I can have is 8. At some point, does that number increase?

Also I'm reminded that I've probably got quite a few App pts. to blow through since I've only spent them on App's that were required thus far.

You can spend those app points to expand your maximum stock if demons. Can't remember if it's available right away or not though.

[CavZee]

I grind because I like the battle system. I tend to grind in games where I enjoy the gameplay. And not so much in games where the battle system isn't as fun. I grind for hours in Tales of games. The combat in Graces f is a lot better than the story/characters. :/

But yea. Having demons with the right resistances/nulls/whatever and the right attacks to gain extra turns is more important than level. And buffs. Some of the demons I used in the final bosses fights were only in the low to mid 70s.

You're weird. (Kidding). I only resort to grinding if I feel like I'm falling behind the difficulty curve. With as many RPGs as I've played though, I've gotten good at "pacing" my progression through a game. If that makes sense.

[noiseredux]

You can spend those app points to expand your maximum stock if demons. Can't remember if it's available right away or not though.

ah, brilliant! And apparently there's App's to add more skill slots to your demons as well. Haha, I KNEW that I was probably missing out on good stuff by not investigating the App's more thoroughly. Just having so much fun running through the story! Anyway, apparently I could have started adding more slots as of LVL 5, so I'm good. Thanks, Cav.

[CavZee]

You can spend those app points to expand your maximum stock if demons. Can't remember if it's available right away or not though.

ah, brilliant! And apparently there's App's to add more skill slots to your demons as well. Haha, I KNEW that I was probably missing out on good stuff by not investigating the App's more thoroughly. Just having so much fun running through the story! Anyway, apparently I could have started adding more slots as of LVL 5, so I'm good. Thanks, Cav.

You're welcome.

I placed my priority on maxing out skill slots for MC and my demons. No more painful feeling than not having room for a skill you just learned. >_>

[noiseredux]

No more painful feeling than not having room for a skill you just learned. >_>

oh I don't know, the three times I convinced a demon to join me only to realize I had no empty slots left...

[ZenErik]

No more painful feeling than not having room for a skill you just learned. >_>

oh I don't know, the three times I convinced a demon to join me only to realize I had no empty slots left...

I'd recommend adding 4 demon slots and at the same time unlocking all skill slots for the MC and demons. After that I'd recommend the MP regen while walking. But it's all up to you.

[noiseredux]

^yeah I felt like demon unlocks and skill unlocks were my first priority. I didn't even know there was a MP regen while walking. That is... awesome. See? This is exactly what I'm loving about this game. There's all these little things I keep discovering as playing. It's funny, but even just thumbing through the strategy guide's various tables is really fun to me.

[Stark]

I'm doing ok without the MP regen, I've got Spirit Drain on my MC and just go back to town to refresh the MP on my demons.

[CavZee]

I'm doing ok without the MP regen, I've got Spirit Drain on my MC and just go back to town to refresh the MP on my demons.

Same. I still haven't unlocked it. I usually have a good enough rotation of demons that it's not an issue. The fact that leveling up maxes your HP and MP makes it even easier. Another trick is to only use the stat increasing incenses on your MC when his health or MP get really low since it will also restore your HP and MP.

I will however, probably buy the regen apps soon as I don't have much else of interest to spend my points on.