Astaroth

Astaroth (アスタロト, Asutaroto) is a recurring demon in the series.

History
According to the writings in The Lesser Key of Solomon, Astaroth is the twenty-ninth spirit listed in the Ars Goetia. He is an exceptionally powerful Duke of Hell assisted by four demons: Amon, Barbatos, Rashaverak and Pruslas. He is depicted as a naked man with a dragon's hands, feet and wings, a secondry pair of angel's wings, wearing a crown, holding a serpent and riding a wolf. He can seduce men through laziness and vanity, make men wise in mathematical sciences and handicrafts, reveal hidden treasures, make men invisible and give them power over serpents. He is sometimes referred to as the prince of accusers and inquisitors, with powers to rival that of the great demons Bael and Beelzebub. His name is derived from the Canaanaite goddess Ashtoreth (or Astarte in Greek). Indeed, Astaroth frequently mentions that he wishes to return to being the fertility goddess Ishtar; an appropriate homage to the origin of his name.

Appearances

 * Shin Megami Tensei: Maou Clan (Boss on LAW and NEUTRAL route)
 * Shin Megami Tensei II: Maou Clan (Boss)
 * Shin Megami Tensei IMAGINE: Tyrant Race (Boss as Astaroth Avatar, Mini-boss as Astaroth Vision)
 * Majin Tensei: Maou Clan
 * Majin Tensei II: Maou Clan
 * Shin Megami Tensei: if...: Maou Clan
 * Devil Summoner 2: Raidou Kuzunoha vs. King Abaddon: Volt Class
 * Devil Children White Book
 * DemiKids: Light Version
 * DemiKids: Dark Version
 * Devil Children Fire Book
 * Devil Children Ice Book
 * Devil Survivor: Tyrant Race
 * Devil Survivor 2: Tyrant Race
 * Catherine: Antagonist

Shin Megami Tensei
Along with Surt and Arioch, Astaroth is one of the three major sub-bosses of the last arc of the game and one of the most powerfull demons under Lucifer's orders that has taken control over the inferior part of the Great Cathedral.

He appears defending the third floor basement, saying that "there's nothing more pitiful that the man who discards his individuality to willingly become a slave" (referring to the protagonist) before engaging the player in battle if he's not chaos aligned. This fight, however, is entire optional, as the player can choose to just take the stairs towards the next floor without having to enter Astaroth's room. After his defeat, he express his desire to regain the form of goddess Ishtar.

In Chaos route, after locating the throne room of Asura in the last floor basement, the hero will need to go back to Astaroth's room, where he will give him the "Wings of Astaroth"--a valuable item needed so Asura can forge the "Devil Ring" and the fight against Michael and his followers become available.

Shin Megami Tensei II
In Shin Megami Tensei II Astaroth disguises himself as Lucifer's avatar, Louis Cypher, and attacks Aleph at Briatic Passage. When defeated, he realizes Aleph's power as Messiah and asks Aleph to return him to the form of Ishtar. This allows the player to fuse Maou Astaroth. When Aleph brings Astaroth to the throne room in Binah, he is separated into Ishtar and Ashtar. Ishtar explains that YHVH forced her to fuse with Astar and become Astaroth long ago.

Shin Megami Tensei IMAGINE
Astaroth appears in three forms:
 * 1) Astaroth, the summonable demon
 * 2) Astaroth Avatar, the boss of the Suginami Diaspora
 * 3) Astaroth Vision, mini-bosses that appear during the Diaspora as weaker versions of the Avatar

Devil Summoner 2: Raidou Kuzunoha vs. King Abaddon
Astaroth first appears after you defeat Inugami at Dark Tsukudo-cho mentioning he would like to challenge you to a battle in the future. In the Law and Neutral alignment Astaroth challenges you a battle near the end of the game, while he'll simply join you if your alignment is Chaos. If your alignment is Neutral or Chaos you will be able to fuse him after his second appearance.

Catherine

 * See also: the Astaroth article on the Catherine Wiki, Ishtar 

In Catherine, Astaroth is Ishtar's avatar.