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Shin Megami Tensei IV |OT| The Dark Souls of Persona
- Thread starter Volcynika
- Start date
Nah. The game gives you more than enough to deal with Almighty stuff. The people who suffer the most are those who are generally too stubborn to rebuild their party strategy later in the game to deal with it. In many cases, the fatality of Almighty spam is part of the AI behavior meant to let the player know that they aren't allowed to do certain things in a fight, or that they have to win a fight quickly after a certain point.
Earlier today, I finally beat Sanat Kumara from the new DLC. It was a pretty great fight, and it was probably all thanks to Demonee-Ho that I won.
Out of all the DLCs so far, story wise I'll say this one was the worst. It didn't really feel very interesting, and it had very loose ties to the main story or to SMT in general. The most interesting parts of the story were probably the dialogue with Sanat Kumara himself, before, during, and after the fight. But everything else was bleh.
Here are some tips for those who are planning on facing him:
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How much do you get per shake down? The demons in the final dungeon give me about 3k per shakedown, so in a fight if I manage to bind two demons and keep them bound for more than one turn, I can get maybe 10-15k from it, but it still doesn't seem like a lot to me, compared to the prices of stuff in Ginza. >_<
I don't think there is any inconsistency here.
Hope that clears stuff up!
Out of all the DLCs so far, story wise I'll say this one was the worst. It didn't really feel very interesting, and it had very loose ties to the main story or to SMT in general. The most interesting parts of the story were probably the dialogue with Sanat Kumara himself, before, during, and after the fight. But everything else was bleh.
Here are some tips for those who are planning on facing him:
- He has Phys Pierce, so don't bother trying to repel or resist his physical attacks.
- He uses Dark Energy to buff his phy/gun attacks, usually just before using Myriad Arrows. I recommend not having anyone who is weak to Gun in the fight.
- If the MC can repel Gun, I'm pretty sure he just goes crazy with Javelin Rain and Deadly Fury too. With the pierce, this is a game ender.
- He is weak to Gun, but if you exploit his weakness earlier in the fight, he will start spamming Gaea's Rage, which is an Almighty attack which also blows demons away with the Lost status. It's awful.
- But this doesn't mean you shouldn't have demons who have good Gun attacks, because once you hit the point in the battle where he's damaged enough to talk with the MC, he will use Gaea's Rage anyway, so at this point it's time to go all out and inflict as much damage as you can before your demons get blown away. The extra press turns will help a lot too.
- He uses Dark Energy to buff his phy/gun attacks, usually just before using Myriad Arrows. I recommend not having anyone who is weak to Gun in the fight.
- If the MC can repel Gun, I'm pretty sure he just goes crazy with Javelin Rain and Deadly Fury too. With the pierce, this is a game ender.
- He is weak to Gun, but if you exploit his weakness earlier in the fight, he will start spamming Gaea's Rage, which is an Almighty attack which also blows demons away with the Lost status. It's awful.
- But this doesn't mean you shouldn't have demons who have good Gun attacks, because once you hit the point in the battle where he's damaged enough to talk with the MC, he will use Gaea's Rage anyway, so at this point it's time to go all out and inflict as much damage as you can before your demons get blown away. The extra press turns will help a lot too.
-----
How much do you get per shake down? The demons in the final dungeon give me about 3k per shakedown, so in a fight if I manage to bind two demons and keep them bound for more than one turn, I can get maybe 10-15k from it, but it still doesn't seem like a lot to me, compared to the prices of stuff in Ginza. >_<
I don't think there is any inconsistency here.
Black Maria being Lady Danu makes a lot of sense from a historical cultural viewpoint. It's less about mythology and more about patterns of worship and culture change over time. Lady Danu is the revered mother figure in old Irish religion, often symbolized as a woman with a shroud who is kind and motherly to all. She is the mother goddess of Celtic mythology. In modern Irish culture, the people are mostly Catholic, and Mother Mary is a revered mother figure central to the religion, symbolized as a woman with a shroud who is kind and motherly to all. She is the mother of Jesus Christ, the Son of God. There are many parallels and in the context of SMT, the persona of Lady Danu being transformed into Black Maria because the Irish people today need her in this form makes perfect sense.
As for Fortuna being a part of the Tuatha De Danaan, there is also historical background behind this. Even though she is a Roman goddess, as the symbol of fate in popular culture, she has quiet a bit of presence as a deity in old Britain. It would not be unusual to see her counted among the deities the people generally believed in, even though she is not strictly a Celtic goddess in origin.
Brigid doesn't want to resurrect "old gods" though, she simply wants to help the Tuatha De Danaan revive Lady Danu in particular, because that's what they need most (they as in the Celtic deities, not the Irish people). It doesn't matter that she is doing well for herself in modern culture as a Christian saint, she remembers her roots. Even Black Maria isn't abandoning her children, but rather she simply cannot return to who she was without causing even more problems, which is why she asked Nozomi for help. Brigid too is just doing what she can to help her own people.
As for Fortuna being a part of the Tuatha De Danaan, there is also historical background behind this. Even though she is a Roman goddess, as the symbol of fate in popular culture, she has quiet a bit of presence as a deity in old Britain. It would not be unusual to see her counted among the deities the people generally believed in, even though she is not strictly a Celtic goddess in origin.
Brigid doesn't want to resurrect "old gods" though, she simply wants to help the Tuatha De Danaan revive Lady Danu in particular, because that's what they need most (they as in the Celtic deities, not the Irish people). It doesn't matter that she is doing well for herself in modern culture as a Christian saint, she remembers her roots. Even Black Maria isn't abandoning her children, but rather she simply cannot return to who she was without causing even more problems, which is why she asked Nozomi for help. Brigid too is just doing what she can to help her own people.
Hope that clears stuff up!
SpaceBridge
Member
Post game spoiler:
Oh my, I went back to Infernal Tokyo. It's like a new world to explore.
Finished my neutral run last night at 70 hours and level 85. What a great game!
I may play another route eventually, but now I'm off to play the enormous backlog of games I have built up while devoting a month to SMT.
Alignment/endgame spoilers:
I didn't even really notice the lack of animation in the game - the static portraits really worked. The 3d effect was great in cutscenes, though I didn't use it in game. This is inspiring me to go play Nocturne - I always avoided it because I was a Persona fan, but now I think I want to see what the hype is about!
I may play another route eventually, but now I'm off to play the enormous backlog of games I have built up while devoting a month to SMT.
Alignment/endgame spoilers:
I love the concept of having the different alignments, but I agree they could have a been a little bit more subtle. Before first time the party splits up I found both Jonanthan and Walter to be reasonable and willing to see other viewpoints. Post-split they were both fanatics with no ambiguity whatsoever in their reasoning. I mean, I know it's hard to write subtlety into a game with limited dialogue, but it really took me out of the moment. It wasn't until that split that I became determined to get the neutral ending. Luckily, I somehow managed to end up at exactly 0 alignment wise at that point (the cynical man has a different phrase for you if you are at exact neutral... wish I could remember what it was.) I followed an alignment guide until the final choice. Loved the neutral ending - it was brief, but the shot of the sunlight reappearing in toyko was awesome!
I didn't even really notice the lack of animation in the game - the static portraits really worked. The 3d effect was great in cutscenes, though I didn't use it in game. This is inspiring me to go play Nocturne - I always avoided it because I was a Persona fan, but now I think I want to see what the hype is about!
Elaugaufein
Member
Agreed , he doesn't really seem to be much involved with anything though his compendium info indirectly adds a little bit more (equating him with Lucifer).
Mechanics stuff
You can Repel Phys. Repel trumps Pierce, and you should have one demon who can repel phys since while it's alive he won't Javelin Rain.
He doesn't have Pierce Gun, so having someone on your team who can drain gun is a good way to turn break him.
He doesn't have Pierce Gun, so having someone on your team who can drain gun is a good way to turn break him.
~4000 Macca per shakedown. If you wanted to set up for farming, you could have MC Drain/Null WInd and 3 demons with Bind Voice who all Null/Drain wind. If you kill the demons he comes with you should be able to pretty miuch shake him down indefinitely that way (more so if the demons also have Spirit Drain).
I don't think there is any inconsistency here.
Black Maria being Lady Danu makes a lot of sense from a historical cultural viewpoint. It's less about mythology and more about patterns of worship and culture change over time. Lady Danu is the revered mother figure in old Irish religion, often symbolized as a woman with a shroud who is kind and motherly to all. She is the mother goddess of Celtic mythology. In modern Irish culture, the people are mostly Catholic, and Mother Mary is a revered mother figure central to the religion, symbolized as a woman with a shroud who is kind and motherly to all. She is the mother of Jesus Christ, the Son of God. There are many parallels and in the context of SMT, the persona of Lady Danu being transformed into Black Maria because the Irish people today need her in this form makes perfect sense.
As for Fortuna being a part of the Tuatha De Danaan, there is also historical background behind this. Even though she is a Roman goddess, as the symbol of fate in popular culture, she has quiet a bit of presence as a deity in old Britain. It would not be unusual to see her counted among the deities the people generally believed in, even though she is not strictly a Celtic goddess in origin.
Brigid doesn't want to resurrect "old gods" though, she simply wants to help the Tuatha De Danaan revive Lady Danu in particular, because that's what they need most (they as in the Celtic deities, not the Irish people). It doesn't matter that she is doing well for herself in modern culture as a Christian saint, she remembers her roots. Even Black Maria isn't abandoning her children, but rather she simply cannot return to who she was without causing even more problems, which is why she asked Nozomi for help. Brigid too is just doing what she can to help her own people.
Hope that clears stuff up!
Yeah, that does. Thanks.
I have rebuilt my party twice for this asshole. I have someone that reflects gun to cut his turns short when he uses Heaven's Bow. Of course this does nothing against Megidolaon. Apparently I need to go back to Mido and find something with null/reflect sick and Doping.
Elaugaufein
Member
Nothing reflects sick. You can only resist or null it.
Sadly there's not a lot of monsters with Ailment resistance, so you're looking at fusing Null Nerve in practice.
The only way to get sick immunity on Flynn is a NG+ only item or buying the expensive null nerve accessory from Ginza.
Sadly there's not a lot of monsters with Ailment resistance, so you're looking at fusing Null Nerve in practice.
The only way to get sick immunity on Flynn is a NG+ only item or buying the expensive null nerve accessory from Ginza.
What exactly is "Nerve"? Also I had a typo and meant to say "null sick and reflect elec"
The bodily ailments. Sick, Poison, and Bind.
Null Mind covers the mental ailments, Sleep and Panic.
SpaceBridge
Member
Uhm all this talk of how difficult the DLC bosses are I'd making doubt buying them...
That depends on
your progress with challenge quests. Since you have to do... well, all of them. After that though, the dungeons aren't very long. Certainly not by SMT standards, anyways.
Elaugaufein
Member
The following assumes you haven't really fused any specialised demons, I just used the high level stuff I had in my stock (so if you're prepped its easier).
For what its worth I beat the Archangels around level 90 , Uriel and Raphael are pretty easy. Gabriel and Michael are harder since they have more variety to their attacks. Still relatively easy to beat. I probably spent about 3 hours since I was trying to keep my party of demons alive and out for exp (since as I said they were stock demons so still learning skills) and Michael can
Caroll Hit (causing Lost) and one hit kill anything with less than 667 HP (you can't tarunda/rakaja the damage either)
I didn't beat Ancient of Days / Sanat until Level 95 (I had fusion booster so that let me fuse Michael), and by that stage I had Michael in my stock and a maxed Raphael. I spent a couple of hours trying various strategies until I managed to kill him with everyone alive
(basically comes down to Doping / Debuff to -2 / Buff to +2 and not hitting his weakness until he's weak enough you can 1 turn him)
Sanat is a major pain. Until you learn his weaknesses and AI he will own you. Again and again. I spent something like 4 hours just getting him figured out.
There's 2 different ways to approach him: If you want to solo him with Flynn then you want to force him to use Gaea Rage all the time (it's far weaker than his other attacks and Flynn is immune to Lost) so you need to set up to (+2/-2, Doping) and then exploit his weaknesses constantly, he'll blow your demons away but a Gun Flynn with Salvation can Solo him. If you want to use a team you have to avoid hitting his weakness and rely on Piercing skills from the Archangels or Almighty skills.
Basically once you figure out their tricks they become reliably beatable at levels that aren't too hard to get in the end game , until you learn their stuff though they'll rip you a new one. Constantly.
I think I beat the Archangels at lvl76, Ancient of Days at around lvl80, and Sanat at about lvl83. Most of the leveling up between the bosses was just a result of fusing new demons and wanting to level them up to gain all their skills before fusing them again, or just to get specific skills they gain at certain levels.
You definitely want an end-game save for the DLC battles, because it gives you availability of the most options when it comes to looking for alternatives to deal to the bosses, but otherwise level isn't that important. You certainly don't need lvl90 demons or a lvl90 MC.
You definitely want an end-game save for the DLC battles, because it gives you availability of the most options when it comes to looking for alternatives to deal to the bosses, but otherwise level isn't that important. You certainly don't need lvl90 demons or a lvl90 MC.
Being stuck on the Law Route is a real bummer, the first real knock the wind out of my sails moment since reaching Tokyo. Feels like I'm playing through the wrong part of a choose your own adventure book. I hope New Game Plus goes super quick, I'm sure I'd still be beaming if I was on Neutral like the good lord (YHVH?) intended.
Elaugaufein
Member
Yep. My level didn't really effect much if you look at the strategies (only Anticthon access and Debilitate + Megidoloan is probably better due to Silent Prayer use. Everything else is doable with level 75ish demons). Though beating Ancient of Days without access to Stigmata Strike must be a pain.
I'm glad I found myself in the neutral path in my first run. I would be frustrated if I had the law ending now that I've done it (in NG+).
It's so unsatisfying and you find yourself doing things you don't like.
If you have the right demon with the right skills, it becomes easy ;P
My Vishnuu was indestructible.
So I was thinking of doing some Fiend hunting over the weekend before the final DLC hits next week. Any tips? I really have no idea how it works at all and I've ignored it the entire game. How do I get them to spawn, what are the rules, and if they finally spawn can I save in case I lose or will loading the save despawn the Fiend? Any hints and advice would be greatly appreciated.
I'll also like to note that I still don't have access to any of the highest level spells like Salvation or Anticthon, and I still get by fine. Ancient of Days is more fun to fight without Stigmata Strike too, since specifically not hitting his weaknesses becomes a fun meta-game in itself.
I'll also like to note that I still don't have access to any of the highest level spells like Salvation or Anticthon, and I still get by fine. Ancient of Days is more fun to fight without Stigmata Strike too, since specifically not hitting his weaknesses becomes a fun meta-game in itself.
I'll also like to note that I still don't have access to any of the highest level spells like Salvation or Anticthon, and I still get by fine. Ancient of Days is more fun to fight without Stigmata Strike too, since specifically not hitting his weaknesses becomes a fun meta-game in itself.
Mahanayuri (lv69) has salvation. Antichthon is almost useless against the ultimate bosses. Better have Megidolaon and Debilitate instead.
Regarding the Fiends, I only stumbled across one by chance (Matador) during my first run. He kicked my ass and he disappeared when I reloaded my save
Elaugaufein
Member
Fiend information can be found here:
http://gamers-high.com/megami4/data/majin.html
and here:
http://www34.atwiki.jp/megaten4/pages/234.html (also has a link to pictures of the exact positions).
You can save and have a Fiend remain, if they kill you and you pay Charon to send you back, if you save after that the fiend will hang around until you beat the fiend or the game.
I'm currently trying to get Chemtrail to spawn myself.
http://gamers-high.com/megami4/data/majin.html
and here:
http://www34.atwiki.jp/megaten4/pages/234.html (also has a link to pictures of the exact positions).
You can save and have a Fiend remain, if they kill you and you pay Charon to send you back, if you save after that the fiend will hang around until you beat the fiend or the game.
I'm currently trying to get Chemtrail to spawn myself.
I have yet to start fiend-hunting in earnest. I managed to beat the Red Rider but haven't felt like starting the process.
I beat Sanat fairly easily, though to be fair me and my demons were maxed out and I was playing on normal. The fight gave me an excuse to fuse a new version of my favorite demon.(Fafnir)
Lvl 99. 155 St, 150 Dx, 153 Ag and 109 Lu
Heaven's Bow
High Gun Pleroma
Draconic Reaction
Spirit Drain
Charge
Enduring Soul
Salvation
Haste Lesson (lucked out on a skill change)
I wanted to fuse him one more time to replace Heaven's Bow with Riot gun but I ran out of money.
EDIT: Beat him on Hard.
I beat Sanat fairly easily, though to be fair me and my demons were maxed out and I was playing on normal. The fight gave me an excuse to fuse a new version of my favorite demon.(Fafnir)
Lvl 99. 155 St, 150 Dx, 153 Ag and 109 Lu
Heaven's Bow
High Gun Pleroma
Draconic Reaction
Spirit Drain
Charge
Enduring Soul
Salvation
Haste Lesson (lucked out on a skill change)
I wanted to fuse him one more time to replace Heaven's Bow with Riot gun but I ran out of money.
I tanked Sanat with doping and a +2/-2 buff threshold. All of my demons but Fafnir reflected his gun attacks, so Sanat still used Myriad Arrows + Dark Energy (which caused most of my damage) and resorted to pimpslapping my MC between turns. 2/3rds of the attacks that we weren't immune to got dodged. My MC was a Magic user, so I had to resort to using energy drain and Arrow reflection to do damage. My demons didn't do any attacking most of the fight so I wouldn't set off Gaea Rage, so they just healed and charged up their attacks for the final push. Once the Dialogue choice popped up I managed to 1-turn him.
EDIT: Beat him on Hard.
Exact same setup. All of my demons but Fafnir got blown away on the first Gaea Rage at the end. Thankfully lightning struck twice and Faf lasted long enough to deal the last blow.
I don't think the dialogue choice is swapped.
The first two replies are both bad replies, because they only concern your attachment to Earth. The only right answer is to say you cannot possibly comprehend - because he's talking about fighting against the end of the universe itself.
RedQueensAce
Member
I have never reset a game more times than this one to avoid all out party wipes.
Finally got this in the mail! I'll probably go for Law > Chaos > Neutral. To ensure that I'm on the Law route, would picking the humble/goodie-two-shoes alignments and the snarky/asshole-ish alightments for the Chaos ending suffice? I'm pretty sure I can discern between the options if that's the case.
Haven't played this game in a while, however I've been playing it all morning lol. "My, demons are a bit different!" Sure they are Jonathan, sure they are . . . Really enjoying playing this game cold so far. Know nothing about the alignments, but knowing me probably going to be leaning Law.
It's there. It just doesn't always drop.
You could save scum it.
I got one, now I just need another. Is there any way to make relics spawn faster?
ColossalLazy
Member
On Ikebukuro now on the bookstore.
You can totally get screwed if the enemy attacks first.
"Tralala! I cant hear you" Oh Isabeau XD
You can totally get screwed if the enemy attacks first.
So I finally completed the
Quest. When I had the option to answer the question
I choose
since my aim is the Neutral ending. If I had chosen a different answer it would've affect my affinity right?.
Also,
, kinda curious what would've happened if I selected the other option.
EDIT:
Capture the Black Samurai
if I could live in Tokyo
I don't know
Also,
I chose to apprehend her instead of refuse
EDIT:
lol just passed that.
Laurentius
Member
Awesome, after going to about 5 stores today, finally found one that had a copy. Never played an SMT game, but it looks great.
I'm going to be redeeming my $30 credit and playing Monster Hunter first though...
I'm going to be redeeming my $30 credit and playing Monster Hunter first though...
Hmmm I just got a set of credits, it's a little weird how this game pretends that there's an ending on this so called "Law Route." Cuz that definitely wasn't an ending. Nope. Sure wasn't. Time to continue the actual adventure!
I'm a little confused though about how I have like 550 App points all of a sudden. Should I be saving these to re-buy my old apps as they come up for unlocking in game? I thought apps carried over?
I'm a little confused though about how I have like 550 App points all of a sudden. Should I be saving these to re-buy my old apps as they come up for unlocking in game? I thought apps carried over?
Basically when you New Game+ you sell back your Apps, so you get the App points to buy whatever ones you want.
Got it, will make sure to buy the apps for my summoning discount and MP renewal first.
Elaugaufein
Member
Yeah. Definitely boring as all get out. Finally managed to get Chemtrail to spawn though. The picture is a bit misleading due to the text box taking up the bottom half of the screen.
There's actually a black line on the ground almost in line with the middle of the fountain. The end of that line on the non-fountain side is the actual spawn location. I accidentally walked on it, while trying to spawn in the wrong location.
Also holy crud, Chemtrail's AI is almost pitch perfect.
If everyone resists or better gun and phys he spams Megidoloan and Energy Drain (the only thing that has priority is Dekunda if he's at -3 or Dekaja if you're at +3). If anyone is immune to poison he won't use poison breath. He will use attacks on someone who's resistant to them as long as there's someone present who isn't . He will never target someone who nulls or better his attack though. He also won't use Riot Gun if everyone resists or better gun. I imagine that means he won't use Attack if everyone present resists or better phys but not gun (but that would be dumb because Riot Gun is way more powerful). He will debuff you until all your stats are at -3 via Fog Breath and Acid Breath , alternating with attacks so you can't lock him by silent prayer. He can't buff himself though.
Basically you flat out can't turn break him. And the only flaws in his AI are his willingness to attack people who resist as long someone doesn't and using Energy Drain instead of just spamming Megidoloan , when everyone resists gun and phys or better.
He's proving harder than Sanat / Ancient of Days for me. My stock demons just aren't built for this. Need a team that all resists gun and 2 demons resist phys I think. Flynn can wear antidote ring to stop Poison Breath and a phys resist armor.
Managed to win with my stock demons. Used a Great Chakra and a Bead of Life though. Came down to debuffing him to -2 and having doping on and being fully healed and then him going into rage mode, which allows you to buff yourself. Once you manage to buff up to ~-1 he starts missing and he'll miss once or twice at +2. The challenge is keeping your MP and HP up while he alternates Megidoloan and Energy Drain.
Basically you flat out can't turn break him. And the only flaws in his AI are his willingness to attack people who resist as long someone doesn't and using Energy Drain instead of just spamming Megidoloan , when everyone resists gun and phys or better.
He's proving harder than Sanat / Ancient of Days for me. My stock demons just aren't built for this. Need a team that all resists gun and 2 demons resist phys I think. Flynn can wear antidote ring to stop Poison Breath and a phys resist armor.
Managed to win with my stock demons. Used a Great Chakra and a Bead of Life though. Came down to debuffing him to -2 and having doping on and being fully healed and then him going into rage mode, which allows you to buff yourself. Once you manage to buff up to ~-1 he starts missing and he'll miss once or twice at +2. The challenge is keeping your MP and HP up while he alternates Megidoloan and Energy Drain.
Two of my demons were dead but it turned out Chemtrail gives crappy XP so it worked out in the end.
Now to go hunt down Matador.
Riposte
Member
Helped me out finding monsters, plenty.
After taking a break from the game, it is hard for me regain interest. Although aspects of it are interesting, the sum of the combat system (and with it combat scenarios) is just not very interesting - it swings wildly one way or another and my failures mainly come down to luck (luck which is easily reversed by abusing saves, as the game intends). The monster fusing is sort of addictive, but in a bad, time consuming way. Like, it picks at my perfectionist tendencies rather than intellectually (or creatively) stimulate me. This is the case with most JRPG prep. Maybe a little more acceptable in a game with combat I really like.
That being said, I want see the story get crazy before I sell it (I don't think I'll be clearing it). I just reached the end end of the guide, how long until shit gets real in the story?
panthapanda
Member
So amazon warehouse had some copies of smt4 going for 30$ and I already have digital fire emblem so I was like "why not?" and to my surprise, I received a sealed limited edition with a small bend on the top of the case. I only really wanted to play the game and get the code but the limited edition made the purchase much more satisfying. Anyway, I'm having fun with the game as fusion has always kept me busy. How do I make money in this game? Do I keep doing challenge missions or do I negotiate with demons?
Elaugaufein
Member
Those green icons on the map that look rocks are relic points. The ones that disappear when you use them refresh when you leave the area and come back usually but are lower quality. The ones that just darken after you use them refresh after a certain number of hours of playing the game. That's the main way to make money in the early game.
A while after you get into Tokyo you run into hordes of gangsters who drop a decent amount of macca , for that stage of the game, too.
The other way (which is probably left to fairly late in the game because there's much better use of your app points) is to get all the Fundraise apps and then Bind certain demons and shake them down (these demons like Spriggan and Barbados drop more macca when shaken down than normal demons of their level).
There's also the Money makes the Underworld Turn DLC if you feel like paying. It'll give you wildly unbalanced amounts of macca until you're more than half way through the game though, and may spoil your experience.
Apart from those options all you can do is Challenge quests , recruit fiends and sell expendable item drops.
You have ~3 mandatory "areas" (and a fairly large optional section of one) to clear before the route split (things are pretty weird then), then there's another 3 or 4 before the Route Lock (where things go completely wack). If you're doing Law / Chaos , you may as well finish the game at that point though, there's literally only two mandatory dungeons after the Lock. Neutral takes longer, due to mandatory challenge quest segments and having an additional final dungeon.
Have you done the four photography quests (3 in Shinjuku and one in Ginza) , and gotten the Airship ? Also make sure you check every hunter's association since different ones have different quests and completing some quests will unlock others.
And on a me note, I got Matador to spawn and beat him. He was much easier than Chemtrail. Actually has a weakness
Zio
Physical, also has an AoE physical attack he won't use if anyone Nulls or better physica