Shin Megami Tensei V: Vengeance - Game Difficulty Guide

A guide on all available game difficulty modes in Shin Megami Tensei V: Vengeance (SMT 5: Vengeance, SMT5V). Included are features of each difficulty setting (Safety, Casual, Normal, and Hard), player recommendation, and other useful information. Shin Megami Tensei V: Vengeance (2024) was released last June 14, 2024, and is now playable on PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Nintendo Switch, Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S, and PC (via Steam and Microsoft Windows).

Shin Megami Tensei V: Vengeance (SMT 5: Vengeance, SMT5V) - Game Difficulty Guide

All Game Difficulty Modes in Shin Megami Tensei V: Vengeance (SMT 5: Vengeance) (SMT 5: Vengeance)

Shin Megami Tensei V - Difficulty Modes

Shin Megami Tensei V: Vengeance (SMT 5: Vengeance) has five difficulty modes that you can choose based on your preference and skill level. Three of these game modes which are Casual, Normal, and Hard, can be accessed at the start of the game. Safety, meanwhile, will be offered as free DLC on the game’s launch.

Lastly, Godborn mode, the game’s hardest difficulty setting, is unlocked after beating Satan during the secret subquest The Great Adversary (Vengeance version only).

Difficulty Modes

Below are all available game difficulty modes in Shin Megami Tensei V: Vengeance, including each mode’s features and recommendations for players.

Difficulty Features Recommendation
Safety Mode
  • Enemies take significantly increased damage.
  • Enemies deal significantly reduced damage.
For players who wish to enjoy the game’s main story without having to worry about challenging encounters. Only available after downloading the free DLC upon the game’s launch.
Casual Mode
  • Enemies take increased damage.
  • Enemies deal reduced damage.
For players who wish to enjoy the game’s main story while experiencing slightly more challenging battles compared to Safety Mode.
Normal Mode
  • Enemies take standard (x1) damage.
  • Enemies deal standard (x1) damage.
For players who want a fair bit of challenge and want to experience the game on its default difficulty.
Hard Mode
  • Enemies take significantly reduced damage.
  • Enemies deal significantly increased damage.
For veteran players looking for a serious challenge by having the combat and non-combat features adjusted to their disadvantage. Note that Hard Mode can only be selected at the start of the game.
Godborn Mode
  • Player and enemy level cap raised to 150.
  • Enemies take significantly reduced damage.
  • Enemies deal significantly increased damage.
  • Incense purchasable at Cadaver’s Hollow.
For veteran players looking for the ultimate challenge. Can only be unlocked by defeating Satan during the subquest The Great Adversary (Canon of Vengeance route only).

Shin Megami Tensei V: Vengeance All DLCs List

Which difficulty mode should you start with?

For beginners and those new to turn-based RPGs, it is recommended to choose Normal Mode to get a feel for the game’s default setting. This will allow you to learn SMT 5’s gameplay mechanics while letting you get used to the challenge it offers on its most balanced configuration. If you find yourself struggling on Normal, feel free to change the difficulty to Casual or Safety and see if you are most comfortable playing on them.

You can change the game difficulty at any time during play.

It is not uncommon to get stuck at certain parts of the main story, especially against tough enemies like bosses. Luckily, you can lower the game’s difficulty at any point in the game to help you get over these hurdles.

Lowering the difficulty from Hard locks you out of that mode for the rest of the playthrough.

Starting a new game on Hard Mode and lowering it at any point during the main story prevents you from playing on that setting for the duration of your playthrough. You will only be able to switch between Casual and Normal for the rest of the playthrough.

Shin Megami Tensei V: Vengeance Permanent Events

Godborn Mode (SMT 5: Vengeance version only)

Godborn mode is essentially Shin Megami Tensei V: Vengeance’s Ultra Hard mode with some key changes that make it the most challenging setting to beat in the game. To unlock this difficulty setting, you must defeat Satan during the subquest The Great Adversary (Canon of Vengeance route only).

Shin Megami Tensei V: Vengeance How to Unlock Godborn Difficulty Mode

Godborn Difficulty Features and Gameplay Changes

Level cap raised to 150 (player and enemies).

Godborn difficulty raises the level cap for both the player and various enemies encountered to 150. This means that regular demons and bosses you fight throughout the game will have increased attack power and defense, making it much harder to clear than other game modes.

Shin Megami Tensei V: Vengeance Fast Leveling Guide

Incense items are added in Cadaver’s Hollow.

You will also be able to purchase Incense from Gustave at Cadaver’s Hollow on Godborn difficulty. While Incenses cost a hefty price, they are now more easily obtainable if you have farmed a considerable amount of Macca in the game.

Shin Megami Tensei V: Vengeance Fast Leveling Guide

Godborn Difficulty Rewards

New Demon Fusion: Lucifer

Beating Lucifer on Godborn mode unlocks him for fusion at the World of Shadows.

Shin Megami Tensei V: Vengeance All Unlockable Demons List

The Will of the Godborn Trophy Unlocked

Clearing Godborn difficulty also unlocks the Will of the Godborn achievement which is required for getting 100% completion (Platinum trophy).

Achievement Trophy How to Unlock
The Will of the Godborn PlayStation 4 - Silver TrophySilver Decided the fate of a merciless world wrought with terrifying foes.

Shin Megami Tensei V: Vengeance Trophies and Achievements List

Other Strategy Guides

Shin Megami Tensei V: Vengeance (SMT 5: Vengeance, SMT5V) - Characters Banner SMT V: Vengeance Characters List and Guides *Characters exclusive to Vengeance version.

Human Characters

▼All SMT V: Vengeance Human Characters
Shin Megami Tensei V - Protagonist Nahobino Character ProfileProtagonist Shin Megami Tensei V - Tao Isonokami Character ProfileTao Isonokami
Shin Megami Tensei V - Yuzuru Atsuta Character ProfileYuzuru Atsuta Shin Megami Tensei V - Ichiro Dazai Character ProfileIchiro Dazai
Shin Megami Tensei V - Miyazu Atsuta Character ProfileMiyazu Atsuta Shin Megami Tensei V - Miyazu Atsuta Character ProfileSahori Itsukishima
Shin Megami Tensei V - Yoko Hiromine DemonYoko Hiromine*

Demon Characters

▼All SMT V: Vengeance Demon Characters
Shin Megami Tensei V - Aogami Character ProfileAogami Shin Megami Tensei V - Sophia Character ProfileSophia
Shin Megami Tensei V - Gustave Character ProfileGustave Shin Megami Tensei V - Amanozako Character ProfileAmanozako
Shin Megami Tensei V - Fionn mac Cumhaill Finn McCool Character ProfileFionn mac Cumhaill Shin Megami Tensei V - Lahmu Character ProfileLahmu

Bethel Faction Characters

▼All SMT V: Vengeance Bethel Faction Characters
Shin Megami Tensei V - Hayao Koshimizu Character ProfileHayao Koshimizu Shin Megami Tensei V - Hayataro Character ProfileHayataro
Shin Megami Tensei V - Abdiel Character ProfileAbdiel Shin Megami Tensei V - Mastema DemonMastema*
Shin Megami Tensei V - Zeus Character ProfileZeus Shin Megami Tensei V - Khonsu Character ProfileKhonsu
Shin Megami Tensei V - Vasuki Character ProfileVasuki Shin Megami Tensei V - Odin Character ProfileOdin

Yakumo Faction Characters

▼All SMT V: Vengeance Yakumo Faction Characters
Shin Megami Tensei V - Shohei Yakumo Character ProfileShohei Yakumo Shin Megami Tensei V - Nuwa Character ProfileNuwa

Qadištu Faction Characters

▼All SMT V: Vengeance Qadištu Faction Characters
Shin Megami Tensei V - Lilith (Qadistu) DemonLilith* Shin Megami Tensei V - Naamah DemonNaamah*
Shin Megami Tensei V - Eisheth Zenunim DemonEisheth Zenunim* Shin Megami Tensei V - Agrat bat Mahlat DemonAgrat bat Mahlat*

Shin Megami Tensei V: Vengeance Recommended Article List

Shin Megami Tensei V: Vengeance (SMT 5: Vengeance - Game Category Banner SMT V: Vengeance Walkthrough and Strategy Guide

Shin Megami Tensei V: Vengeance Game Guides

▼All SMT V: Vengeance Game Guides
Main Quest Walkthroughs Boss Guides
Subquests Walkthroughs Characters
Strategy Guides Demonic Compendium
Demon Skills Godborn Difficulty
All Ending Routes Canon of Vengeance Route
Post-Game Unlockables New Game Plus Unlockables
Abscess Locations Miman Locations
Taliman Locations Amalgam Locations
Demon Statue Locations Periapt Locations
Aogami Husk Locations Trophies and Achievements

Collectible Guides

Shin Megami Tensei V: Vengeance (SMT 5: Vengeance, SMT5V) - Collectible Guides Banner

General Collectibles

▼All SMT V: Vengeance General Collectibles
Mimans List Talismans List
Demon Statues List Abscesses List
Amalgams List Periapts List
Aogami Husks List Cirronup Fox Demons List
Demon Navigators List -

Map Collectibles by Region

▼All SMT V: Vengeance Collectibles by Region
Minato Map Collectibles List Shinagawa Map Collectibles List
Chiyoda Map Collectibles List Shinjuku Map Collectibles List
Taito Map Collectibles List -

Beginner Guides

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Basic Information

▼All SMT V: Vengeance Basic Information
Pre-Order Bonuses Game Editions
DLC List and Information Game Difficulty
Game Controls Gameplay Features and Changes
Permanent Events and Missables Save Data Transfer Bonuses
PC System Objectives and Specs Platform and System Differences
How Long to Beat Metacritic Reviews
Differences with Persona Games Differences with SMT Games
Tips for Beginners -

Strategy Guides

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Useful Information

▼All SMT V: Vengeance Useful Information
Post-Game Unlockables New Game Plus Unlockables
Endings Routes Guide Canon of Vengeance Route Guide
Fast Leveling Guide Money Farming Guide
Glory Farming Guide Incense Farming Guide
Sutra Farming Guide Battle System Guide
Virtual Trainer Battle Guide -

Tier List Guides

▼All SMT V: Vengeance Tier List Guides
Best Nahobino Stat Builds Best Nahobino Skill Builds
Best Miracle Skills to Learn Best Demons to Fuse and Recruit
Best Party Setups and Members Best Demons for Early-Game
Best Demons for Mid-Game Best Demons for Late-Game

How-to Guides

▼All SMT V: Vengeance How-to Guides
Should You Get Apsaras or Leanan Sidhe How to Get the Secret Fourth Ending
How to Increase Demon Stock How to Get Fusion Accidents
How to Defeat Mitama Demons How to Unlock Virtual Trainer Battle
How to Fuse the Best Demons (Max Stat Bonuses) How to Unlock Godborn Difficulty
How to Unlock Satan Secret Boss Fight How to Unlock Lucifer Demon Fusion

Nahobino Guides

▼All SMT V: Vengeance Nahobino Guides
Stats Guide Attributes Guide
Skill Types Guide Status Effects Guide
Magatsuhi Skills Guide Skill Potential Guide
Essences Guide Moon Phase System Guide
Relic Items Guide Nahobino Forms Guide

Demon Guides

▼All SMT V: Vengeance Demon Guides
World of Shadows Guide Cadaver's Hollow Guide
Demon Fusion Table Guide Demon Negotiation Guide
Mitama Demons Guide Unlockable Demons List
Special Fusions List Special Conversations List
Demon Navigator Guide Guest Characters Guide
Magatsuhi Demon Guide Demon Haunt Guide
Original Mode Virtual Trainer Battles List Challenge Mode Virtual Trainer Battles List
SMT V: Vengeance Strategy Guides

Game Database

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General Database

▼All SMT V: Vengeance General Database
Items List Demon Skills List
Bosses List Demons List

Item Database

▼All SMT V: Vengeance Item Database
Battle Items List Boost Items List
Dungeon Items List Essence Items List
Relic Items List Key Items List
SMT V: Vengeance Items List and Effects

Demon Skill Database

▼All SMT V: Vengeance Demon Skills
Physical Skills List Magic Skills List
Instant Death Skills List Ailment Skills List
Recovery Skills List Support Skills List
Passive Skills List Magatsuhi Skills List
Miracle Skills List -
SMT V: Vengeance Demon Skills List and Effects

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