"Oho… my scales doth sway… Art thou the cause? Then show me thy power… and what thou canst do with this world… "
—Shin Megami Tensei: Strange Journey conversation
Black Rider is a demon in the series.
History[]
"When He broke the third seal, I heard the third living creature saying, “Come.” I looked, and behold, a black horse; and he who sat on it had a pair of scales in his hand. And I heard something like a voice in the center of the four living creatures saying, “A quart of wheat for a denarius, and three quarts of barley for a denarius; but do not damage the oil and the wine."
—Revelation 6:5-6.
The Black Rider, or Black Horsemen, is the third of the Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse, riding a black horse, is popularly called Famine. The black color of the third horse symbolized death and famine, bearing a scale of famine. The rider rides onward, denying the world life-sustaining food and bringing starvation, but being ordered by divine law to not harm oil or wine. The rider is shown holding a scale, which represents scarcity of food, higher prices and famine, likely as a result of the wars caused by the red horseman. Food will be scarce, but luxuries such as wine and oil will still be readily available.
The "a measure of wheat for a penny" from the King James Version of the Bible might not sound like a famine to modern ears, but in the NIV we read "a quart of wheat for a day's wages," which is a little clearer. While it's never identified as his own, it is implied that the voice John the Apostle hears coming from "the third of the four living creatures" comes from the Black Rider, making it the only horseman that actually vocalizes his intentions, the aforementioned raise in prices.
Appearances[]
Profile[]
Shin Megami Tensei III: Nocturne[]
"One of the four horsemen of the apocalypse. He rides on a black horse and holds a scale in his hands. He causes famine, starving people to death, but leaves the luxuries intact."
—Shin Megami Tensei III: Nocturne compendium
Black Rider appears as one of the Candelabrum holders sent by Lucifer to test the Demi-fiend, possessing the Candelabrum of Wisdom. He first appears with the other Horsemen of the Apocalypse when the Demi-fiend first ventures into the Third Kalpa. After clearing the Obelisk (but only after defeating White Rider and Red Rider first), Black Rider will appear inside an empty room on the second floor of the Shinjuku Medical Center's Annex Building (Room 204B). Defeating Black Rider in battle will get the Demi-fiend the Candelabrum of Wisdom.
After being defeated and once the Demi-fiend reaches level 61, Black Rider can be fused in the Cathedral of Shadows on the New Kagutsuchi phase if the Demi-fiend possesses a Deathstone, a special item found only in the Labyrinth of Amala. Black Rider can be fused by any combination of demons resulting in a Night race.
Shin Megami Tensei IMAGINE[]
Black Rider appears as the summon orb boss of the Suginami Tunnels silver-level instance. He also appears as a boss within the Chain of Curse Deep Docks instance and a boss of the TR-Route of Denshi Kairo, through which the ability to fuse him can be obtained. He is a special triple fusion of Red Rider, Legion and Jikokuten.
Shin Megami Tensei: Strange Journey[]
"One of the four horsemen of the Apocalypse, he rides a black horse and carries a scale. He has the power to bring famine, and the right to end people's lives through their suffering."
—Shin Megami Tensei: Strange Journey compendium
Black Rider appears as the resident Fiend of Sector Fornax, once defeated he will be available for fusion. He is also the only demon in the game that drops the Judgment Scale Forma after being defeated.
Shin Megami Tensei IV[]
Black Rider has a 1/256 chance of appearing in the Tennozu Shelter, at the small vent near the center of the shelter. His Almighty-spam mode is set by Ice resistance. The reward for defeating him is 300,000 macca, 3 Gold Death Masks and the ability to create him in special fusion.
Black Rider is fought alongside the other three in the Challenge Quest, Errand for the Apocalypse. Belial has sealed the four in a Domain found in Infernal Tokyo's Ikebukuro. They are far weaker than they are when encountered normally, however that does not make them any less threatening. If Flynn makes any attempt to challenge them before accepting the quest, the Fiends will eject him from the domain. Completing the quest grants Flynn the Peacemaker, which is only surpassed by the Plasma Gun in terms of raw power.
Shin Megami Tensei IV Apocalypse[]
Black Rider, along with all the other Fiends, is encountered in Twisted Tokyo. Black Rider is encountered on B20F and drops the Constraint Scale second cycles onwards. He is fought at level 958 on cycle nine.
Shin Megami Tensei V[]
Black Rider, along with the other Fiends that held Menorahs and the Demi-fiend, are set to appear as part of the Return of the True Demon DLC pack. As before, defeating Black Rider unlocks the ability to fuse him.
Persona 5[]
"One of the Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse, he rides a black horse and carries scales. He brings famine and has the right to end lives through suffering."
—Persona 5 background
Black Rider is the fifth Persona of the Tower Arcana and can only be obtained through fusion in the Velvet Room. He is one of the three sources of the Flash Bomb skill and the first Persona that the protagonist can use in battle to learn Maeigaon. He is also one of the four Personas to learn the Bloodbath physical skill, which can be enhanced with his Ambient Aid skill to inflict Fear status. Black Rider can then capitalize on this further when he levels up, as he is one of the three Personas to learn Ghastly Wail. When itemized through Electric Chair execution, Black Rider yields a Bad Beat skill card. Black Rider is required in order to summon Trumpeter through advanced fusion.
Stats[]
Shin Megami Tensei III: Nocturne[]
- Black Rider always summons up to 2 Legions to aid him if given the chance.
Race
|
Level
|
HP
|
MP
|
Strength
|
22
|
|
Magic
|
25
|
|
Vitality
|
16
|
|
Agility
|
20
|
|
Luck
|
13
|
|
|
Fiend
|
61
|
4,600
|
1,800
|
|
Reflects
|
Absorbs
|
Void
|
Resists
|
Weak
|
-
|
Ice
|
Expel/Death/Ailments
|
-
|
-
|
List of Skills
|
Skill
|
Cost
|
Effect
|
Soul Divide
|
30 MP
|
Chance of halving remaining HP and inflicting mute to all foes. Curse-type.
|
Glacial Blast
|
25 MP
|
Heavy ice damage and 15% freeze to random foes.
|
Megidola
|
37 MP
|
Heavy almighty damage to all foes.
|
Megidolaon
|
50 MP
|
Mega almighty damage to all foes.
|
Dekaja
|
10 MP
|
Removes all buffs from all foes.
|
Dragon Eye
|
1 MP
|
Grants user's team four blinking turn icons. (Enemy-only)
|
Call Souls
|
none
|
Summons Haunt Legion. (Enemy-only)
|
|
Race
|
Level
|
HP
|
MP
|
Strength
|
22
|
|
Magic
|
25
|
|
Vitality
|
16
|
|
Agility
|
20
|
|
Luck
|
13
|
|
|
Fiend
|
61
|
462
|
258
|
|
Reflects
|
Absorbs
|
Void
|
Resists
|
Weak
|
-
|
Ice
|
Expel/Death/Ailments
|
-
|
-
|
List of Skills
|
Skill
|
Cost
|
Effect
|
Level
|
Soul Divide
|
30 MP
|
Chance of halving remaining HP and inflicting mute to all foes. Curse-type.
|
Innate
|
Glacial Blast
|
25 MP
|
Heavy ice damage and 15% freeze to random foes.
|
Innate
|
Mana Drain
|
2 MP
|
Drains a small amount of MP from one foe. Almighty-type.
|
62
|
Mamudoon
|
25 MP
|
30% instant kill to all foes. Death-type.
|
63
|
Megidola
|
37 MP
|
Heavy almighty damage to all foes.
|
64
|
Mana Surge
|
Passive
|
Equipper's max MP is boosted by 30%.
|
65
|
Megidolaon
|
50 MP
|
Mega almighty damage to all foes.
|
66
|
|
Shin Megami Tensei IMAGINE[]
Race
|
Alignment
|
Level
|
HP
|
MP
|
Growth
|
Inherit
|
St
|
Ma
|
Vi
|
In
|
Sp
|
Lu
|
Fiend
|
Neutral
|
65
|
1,068
|
353
|
Big Tiwaz
|
Death
|
84
|
56
|
82
|
62
|
42
|
37
|
Force Slot
|
Close
|
Long
|
Spell
|
Support
|
P.Def
|
M.Def
|
Critical
|
Crt.Def
|
4
|
71
|
48
|
70
|
68
|
21
|
19
|
66
|
18
|
|
Features
|
Raised Spirit (Mitama: Unlucky Offspring)
|
See also
|
[1]
|
Default Skills
|
Skill
|
Cost
|
Effect
|
Absolute Zero
|
12% HP
|
Deals ice damage to all enemies around user and inflicts freeze ailment (70%).
|
Death Touch
|
3 MP
|
Deals magic affinity damage to a single target. User's HP regenerates 50% of damage done.
|
Magic Shot
|
-
|
Deals magic affinity damage to a single target.
|
Defensive Stance
|
1 MP
|
User enters a guard stance, decreasing damage taken from attack and spin moves.
|
Evil Eyes
|
6 MP
|
A nerve skill that inflicts bind (85%) on a single target.
|
Bufula
|
15 MP
|
Deals ice damage to a single target and inflicts freeze ailment (70%).
|
Estoma
|
6 MP
|
Calms all hostile enemies within a small range.
|
|
Shin Megami Tensei: Strange Journey[]
D-Source Skills
|
|
|
|
Glacial Blast
|
Ice Boost
|
Mana Surge
|
Password
|
eSsMvcpLtitcdSZP
JAtDpSt85Ot0pSqY
|
|
Shin Megami Tensei IV[]
Shin Megami Tensei IV Apocalypse[]
Shin Megami Tensei V[]
Race
|
Level
|
HP
|
MP
|
Strength
|
35
|
|
Vitality
|
32
|
|
Magic
|
40
|
|
Agility
|
34
|
|
Luck
|
35
|
|
|
Fiend
|
52
|
?
|
∞
|
Ailment Resistance
|
Null:Panic Res:Sleep/Mirage/Poison/Charm/Seal
|
|
List of Skills
|
Skill
|
Effect
|
Soul Divide
|
(Unique) Severe Almighty attack to all foes. Chance of inflicting Seal. Low Accuracy.
|
Glacial Blast
|
2~5 medium Ice attacks to random foes.
|
Megidolaon
|
Severe Almighty attack to all foes.
|
Dekaja
|
Negates status buff effects on all foes.
|
Call Souls
|
Summons 1-2 Legions.
|
|
Race
|
Level
|
HP
|
MP
|
Strength
|
30
|
|
Vitality
|
37
|
|
Magic
|
48
|
|
Agility
|
49
|
|
Luck
|
35
|
|
|
Fiend
|
52
|
273
|
256
|
Ailment Resistance
|
Null:Panic
|
|
List of Skills
|
Skill
|
Cost
|
Effect
|
Level
|
Bufudyne
|
35 MP
|
Heavy Ice attack to 1 foe.
|
Innate
|
Ice Breath
|
25 MP
|
Weak 2~5 Ice attacks to random foes.
|
Innate
|
Megidola
|
70 MP
|
Heavy Almighty attack to all foes.
|
Innate
|
Soul Divide
|
50 MP
|
(Unique) Severe Almighty attack to all foes. Chance of inflicting Seal. Low Accuracy.
|
Innate
|
Masukukaja
|
30 MP
|
Raises Accuracy/Evasion of all allies by 1 rank for 3 turns.
|
53
|
Great Mana Spring
|
Auto
|
Greatly increases MAX MP.
|
54
|
Mamudoon
|
40 MP
|
Heavy Dark attack to all foes. Chance of instakill when striking weakness.
|
55
|
|
Devil Summoner 2: Raidou Kuzunoha vs. King Abaddon[]
Order
|
Level
|
HP
|
St
|
Ma
|
Vi
|
Lu
|
Item drop
|
Fiend
|
60
|
6,440
|
19
|
21
|
25
|
16
|
-
|
Reflects
|
Absorbs
|
Block
|
Resists
|
Weak
|
Frail
|
-
|
-
|
Death, Mind
|
Phys, Gun
|
-
|
-
|
|
List of Skills
|
Skill
|
Effect
|
Mudo
|
Single target Death attack, halves HP. Stun: Med
|
Mad Rush
|
Medium Phys dmg, dash attack +Dizzy(Low)
|
Soul Balance
|
Whole-field Death attack, instantly lethal.
|
Begin Starvation
|
Heavy dmg, drains MAG.
|
|
Order
|
Level
|
HP
|
St
|
Ma
|
Vi
|
Lu
|
Item drop
|
Fiend
|
65
|
4,936
|
20
|
23
|
26
|
17
|
-
|
Reflects
|
Absorbs
|
Block
|
Resists
|
Weak
|
Frail
|
-
|
-
|
Death, Mind
|
Phys, Gun
|
-
|
-
|
|
List of Skills
|
Skill
|
Effect
|
Mudo
|
Single target Death attack, halves HP. Stun: Med
|
Mad Rush
|
Medium Phys dmg, dash attack +Dizzy(Low)
|
Soul Balance
|
Whole-field Death attack, instantly lethal.
|
Begin Starvation
|
Heavy dmg, drains MAG.
|
|
Order
|
Level
|
HP
|
St
|
Ma
|
Vi
|
Lu
|
Conversation
|
Investigation
|
Fiend
|
60
|
740
|
21
|
21
|
25
|
12
|
Extortion
|
-
|
Reflects
|
Absorbs
|
Block
|
Resists
|
Weak
|
Frail
|
-
|
Death
|
Gun, Elec, Mind
|
Phys
|
-
|
Force
|
|
List of Skills
|
Skill
|
Cost
|
Effect
|
Level
|
Mad Rush
|
28 MAG
|
Medium Phys dmg, dash attack +Dizzy(Low)
|
Innate
|
Diarahan
|
36 MAG
|
Fully restores HP. 1 Ally
|
61
|
Maziodyne
|
28 MAG
|
Heavy Elec dmg to an area. Stun: Long
|
62
|
Elec Boost
|
Passive
|
Increase Elec attack dmg
|
Max Loyalty
|
|
Persona Q: Shadow of the Labyrinth[]
List of Skills
|
Skill
|
Cost
|
Effect
|
Level
|
Lethargy Circle
|
24 SP
|
Medium chance of Agility Bind each turn, for 3 turns. (All Enemies)
|
Innate
|
Revenge Blow
|
100 HP
|
A Bash attack delayed to next turn, stronger for each hit taken. (1 Enemy)
|
Innate
|
Judgement Sword
|
Passive
|
Perform a regular attack whenever a Bind is inflicted on an enemy.
|
53
|
Summon Demon
|
72 SP
|
A heavy Almighty attack. (All Enemies) [Requires Circles]
|
54
|
Punisher
|
Passive
|
Raise critical hit rate verses enemies with Bind.
|
55
|
Eternal Melody
|
3 Gauges
|
[Navi] Extend stat buffs by 3 additional turns. (Party)
|
56
|
Photon Edge
|
154 HP
|
A heavy Almighty attack. (1 Enemy)
|
57
|
|
|
Persona 5 / Royal[]
"I am Black Rider. I shall become your mask and display my ability to bring true calamity to even your worst foes..."
|
Inherit
|
Reflects
|
Absorbs
|
Block
|
Resists
|
Weak
|
Curse
|
-
|
Ice
|
-
|
Bless, Curse
|
Fire
|
|
List of Skills
|
Skill
|
Cost
|
Effect
|
Level
|
Mamudoon
|
34 SP
|
Medium chance of instantly killing all foes. Curse-type.
|
Innate
|
Flash Bomb
|
19% HP
|
Medium Physical damage to all foes. Low chance of Dizzy.
|
Innate
|
Maeigaon
|
22 SP
|
Heavy Curse damage to all foes.
|
Innate
|
Ambient Aid
|
Auto
|
Greatly increase chance of inflicting ailments in rain or special weather warning.
|
60
|
Bloodbath
|
19% HP
|
Medium Physical damage to all foes. Low chance of Fear.
|
61
|
Ghastly Wail
|
28 SP
|
Instantly kill all foes under Fear.
|
63
|
Megidola
|
24 SP
|
Heavy Almighty damage to all foes.
|
64
|
|
"I am Black Rider. I shall become your mask and display my ability to bring true calamity to even your worst foes..."
|
Inherit
|
Reflects
|
Absorbs
|
Block
|
Resists
|
Weak
|
Curse
|
-
|
Ice
|
-
|
Bless, Curse
|
Fire
|
|
List of Skills
|
Skill
|
Cost
|
Effect
|
Level
|
Mamudoon
|
26 SP
|
Medium chance of instantly killing all foes. Curse-type.
|
Innate
|
Flash Bomb
|
19% HP
|
Medium Physical damage and inflict Dizzy (low odds) to all foes.
|
Innate
|
Maeigaon
|
22 SP
|
Heavy Curse damage to all foes.
|
Innate
|
Ambient Aid
|
Passive
|
Greatly increase chance of inflicting all ailments under rainy day or special weather warning.
|
60
|
Bloodbath
|
22% HP
|
Heavy Physical damage and inflict Fear (low odds) to all foes.
|
61
|
Ghastly Wail
|
28 SP
|
Instantly kill all foes under Fear.
|
63
|
Megidola
|
24 SP
|
Heavy Almighty damage to all foes.
|
64
|
|
Persona Q2: New Cinema Labyrinth[]
List of Skills
|
Skill
|
Cost
|
Effect
|
Level
|
Strike Link
|
20 HP
|
Light Phys attack. Further allied attacks gain link damage. (1 enemy)
|
Innate
|
Calm Blade
|
32 HP
|
Medium Phys attack, with high chance of Hex. (1 enemy)
|
Innate
|
Quadruple Link
|
Passive
|
Link chains last up to 4 hits.
|
Innate
|
Maeiga
|
36 SP
|
Medium Curse attack. (All enemies)
|
51
|
Curse Screen
|
16 SP
|
Raise Curse resistance for 3 turns. (Party)
|
52
|
Mamudo
|
22 SP
|
Low chance of instant kill. (All enemies) [Curse-based attack]
|
53
|
Eigaon
|
32 SP
|
Heavy Curse attack. (1 enemy)
|
55
|
|
Shin Megami Tensei: Liberation Dx2[]
|
Race
|
Rarity
|
Grade
|
HP
|
6★ Stats
Strength
|
97
|
|
Magic
|
192
|
|
Vitality
|
147
|
|
Agility
|
164
|
|
Luck
|
157
|
|
|
Fiend
|
★★★★★
|
82
|
1060
|
Phys ATK
|
Phys DEF
|
Mag ATK
|
Mag DEF
|
See Also
|
533
|
540
|
733
|
587
|
[2]
|
|
List of Skills
|
Skill
|
Cost
|
Effect
|
Archetype
|
Bufudyne
|
6 MP
|
Inflicts Ice (Magic) damage with 160 power on a Single Enemy
|
Innate
|
Famine
|
Auto
|
At start of enemy turn: Inflicts 15% fractional damage (300 max) on all enemies based on their max HP and reduces their MP by 2. Fractional damage will not be affected by stat/damage increase or reduction effects.
|
Innate
|
Soul Divide
|
Auto
|
When an enemy demon restores HP using a skill: Inflicts 50% fractional damage (2,000 max) on all enemies based on their current HP. Fractional damage will not be affected by stat/damage increase or reduction effects.
|
Innate
|
Glacial Blast
|
5 MP
|
Inflicts Ice (Magic) damage 2 to 4 times with 55 power on Random Enemies.
|
Aragami (Awaken)
|
Ice Amp
|
Auto
|
+25% to Ice damage
|
Aragami (Gacha)
|
Mind Blast
|
7 MP
|
Inflicts Almighty (Magic) damage on a single enemy with 100 power and reduces MP by 4.
|
Protector (Awaken)
|
Epitome of Fortitude
|
Auto
|
+20% to max HP, -50% to Critical hit rate of damage received.
|
Protector (Gacha)
|
Auto-Tarunda
|
Auto
|
Casts Tarunda at the beginning of the 1st turn
|
Psychic (Awaken)
|
Ice Age
|
7 MP
|
Inflicts Ice (Magic) damage with 180 power on a Single Enemy.
|
Psychic (Gacha)
|
Null Fire
|
Auto
|
Adds Fire Null.
|
Elementalist (Awaken)
|
Enduring Soul
|
Auto
|
Heals 200 HP upon receiving the first killing blow.
|
Elementalist (Gacha)
|
|
Gallery[]
Black Rider as he appears in Shin Megami Tensei III: Nocturne
Black Rider as he appears in Shin Megami Tensei IMAGINE
Black Rider in Shin Megami Tensei: Strange Journey
Black Rider`s portrait in Shin Megami Tensei: Strange Journey
Black Rider as he appears in Persona Q: Shadow of the Labyrinth
Black Rider in Persona 5 Royal
Black Rider in Persona O.A.
In Other Languages[]
Language
|
Name
|
Meaning
|
English
|
Black Rider
|
Black Rider
|
Japanese
|
ブラックライダー (Burakkuraidaa)
|
Black Rider
|
French
|
Cavalier noir
|
Black Horseman
|
Italian
|
Mietitore Oscuro
|
Dark Reaper
|
German
|
Schwarzer Reiter
|
Black Horseman
|
Spanish
|
Jinete negro
|
Black Horseman
|
See Also[]