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Shin Megami Tensei V

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How to defeat Red Rider

By
Jarrod Garripoli

Red Rider is a fiend that you must defeat in the DLC Subquest “Return of the True Demon” in Shin Megami Tensei V. Most Subquests will reward you with a large amount of experience, some Macca, and then you’ll receive an item of sorts. Most of the time, it’ll be a Talisman which allows you to have access to the different Magatsuhi skills in the game.

Red Rider will be the second Horseman you fight

Recommended Level Location Rewards
50 Chiyoda - Iwamotocho Large Glory Crystal, Health Balm, Elec Sutra; Red Rider available as special fusion

How to Unlock Return of the True Demon - Red Rider

As this entire quest line is DLC, you will need to purchase the Return of the True Demon DLC from the Nintendo eShop. To be able to battle Red Rider, you will need to first have defeated White Rider. Once you have, teleport to the Nihonbashi Leyline and head to the building that’s acting like a bridge, just down the hill from the leyline fount. Drop off to the pit area with the Kumbhanda and locate the slanted building not too far, which is where some Macabre pop out of the ground to try and ambush you. Go up that building and use the climbing blocks, and you should see the familiar beam of light to summon this Rider.

Red Rider will not be too far from the Nihonbashi Leyline

Red Rider’s Stats

Icon STR VIT MAG AGI LUC
SMT_V_Red_Rider_Icon.jpg 37 34 32 31 32

Red Rider’s Resistances

Physical_Icon_Shin_Megami_Tensei_V.png Physical Fire_Icon_Shin_Megami_Tensei_V.png Fire Ics_Icon_Shin_Megami_Tensei_V.png Ice Electric_Icon_Shin_Megami_Tensei_V.png Electric Force_Icon_Shin_Megami_Tensei_V.png Force Light_Icon_Shin_Megami_Tensei_V.png Light Dark_Icon_Shin_Megami_Tensei_V.png Dark
WEAK REPEL ABSORB RESIST RESIST

Red Rider’s Skills

Type Skill Effect
Physical_Icon_Shin_Megami_Tensei_V.png Terrorblade +6 1-3 heavy Piercing Physical attacks to random foes. Chance of inflicting Confusion.
Electric_Icon_Shin_Megami_Tensei_V.png Thunder Reign +4 Medium 2-5 Electric attacks to random foes.
Force_Icon_Shin_Megami_Tensei_V.png Zandyne +4 Heavy Force attack to 1 foe.
Support_Icon_Shin_Megami_Tensei_V.png Dekunda +2 Negates status debuff effects on all allies.
Support_Icon_Shin_Megami_Tensei_V.png Call Soldiers Summons a demon

Recommended Party

As with the White Rider fight, you will be ambushed by the Red Rider and on his first turn, he will summon two Powers. They are weak to Force and Dark, while resisting Electric and being immune to Light. Unlike the previous battle, though, you do not want to be using Mazanma or anything of the sort, as Red Rider absorbs Force. Similarly, the Powers will be acting in more of a support role here, as they can cast Marakukaja to increase the enemies’ defense and Fang Breaker to reduce your attack, with an occasional White Dracostrike for damage. Because of this making the battle much longer than it needs to be, it’s best to take out the Powers as soon as they are summoned.

Red Rider is weak to Ice, while reflecting Electric, absorbing Force, and resisting both Light and Dark. Red Rider will be using Thunder Reign a lot, which is similar to the Ragnarok that White Rider used, except it is Electric. That means you will want party members who are resistant or immune to Electric, which will help in cutting down on the number of turns that the enemies have each round. You will also have to contend with Zandyne, too, so you don’t want any weaknesses to Force, either. There is where a problem lies, as most demons that can block Electric will also be weak to Force, but there are passives to help make someone resistant to Force, if possible. Isis is a good demon for this battle, as she is immune to Electric and neutral to Force, as an example.

(1 of 3) The Power can use Marakukaja to increase the enemies’ defense

The last attack you will occasionally see is called Terrorblade, which is a piercing Physical attack that hits one to three times on random targets, with the chance to inflict Confusion. Should the ailment land, immediately cure it, as you don’t need your characters acting confused. You also won’t be able to protect against the attack, so resistance or even a Phys Dampener will do absolutely nothing. If you happen to have Kannabi Veil on your Nahobino, you could potentially use that, but there is no way to predict if Red Rider will use Terrorblade.

Since you will need to have defeated Surt before being able to confront the Horsemen, you should be around level 48-49. If you can manage to get to level 50 before confronting Red Rider, you will have access to Yurlungur, who can be an excellent demon to use in the fight. It is immune to Electric, neutral to Force, and has access to Red Rider’s weakness, with Bufudyne. Red Rider can remove debuffs with Dekunda, so it might be wise to ignore them, since you’d just be wasting MP. Note that Yurlungur does come with Dekaja already learned, so that can help with removing the buffs the Powers might do. On the flip side, buffs on your party are fine, and you will definitely want to counter the debuff from Fang Breaker.

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Guide Information
  • Publisher
    Atlus, Nintendo, Sega
  • Platforms,
    Switch
  • Genre
    Action Adventure, Action RPG, RPG
  • Guide Release
    5 November 2021
  • Last Updated
    18 February 2022
    Version History
  • Guide Author

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