Kali is a Hindu goddess associated with death, time and destruction. The name Kali means "black," but has by folk etymology come to mean "force of time (kala)." The name "Kali" means "black one" and is derived from the word "kala" (black), but has also come to mean "goddess of time." Despite her negative connotations, she is today considered the goddess of time and change. Although sometimes presented as dark and violent, her earliest incarnation as a figure of annihilation still has some influence. More complex Tantric beliefs sometimes extend her role so far as to be the "ultimate reality" or Brahman. She is also revered as Bhavatarini (literally "redeemer of the universe"). Comparatively recent devotional movements largely conceive Kali as a benevolent mother goddess.
Kali is represented as the consort of god Shiva, on whose body she is often seen standing. She is associated with many other Hindu goddesses like Durga, Bhadrakali, Sati, Rudrani, Parvati and Chamunda. She is the foremost among the Dasa-Mahavidyas, ten fierce Tantric goddesses. Her sacred place is Calcutta (Kali-Kut), where she still retains many followers who worship her as a mother goddess.
Kali is a fierce aspect of Durga who is an aspect of Parvati. She and Durga are also aspects of the Divine Mother, Shakti.
If the protagonist possesses the Heidrun, from trading a Member's Card, and the Fallen Angel Wing, after doing the Jack Frost Jr. trick, the next time the Cathedral of Shadows is entered, Jack Frost Sr. will offer the protagonist a Qing Long, Bai Long and Kali to add to his team, regardless of level.
Shin Megami Tensei[]
"Origin: India. Shiva's consort and a fierce goddess of rage. She is a symbol of rage towards the Asura army. A black Kali is said to appear from the angry face of Durga, Shiva's consort. She massacres all things with her two left arms."
—Shin Megami Tensei A-Mode DDS Dictionary.
Shin Megami Tensei IMAGINE[]
"A goddess of Indian mythology. She is one of the consorts of Shiva, the god of destruction. The name "Kali" means "black one" and is derived from the word "kala" (black), but has also come to mean "goddess of time." Her sacred place is Calcutta, where she still retains many followers who worship her as a mother goddess. Kali is identified with Durga, an alternate aspect of Parvati transformed by anger at Asura into a fearsome form. Kali loves blood, wine, slaughter, and battle. She is black from head to toe and has four arms, each of which is always carrying a blood-stained weapon or a severed head. However, her arms are said to have the power to grant blessings to those who believe in her."
—Shin Megami Tensei IMAGINE compendium.
Kali can only be acquired through fusion. She appears as an enemy within Nakano Stone Site gold's instance and Ichigaya's Kagurazaka Zhu Que Caverns gold instance. She also can be spawned as the field boss Merciless Queen Kali by killing mobs on Ueno field at night.
Shin Megami Tensei: Strange Journey Redux[]
Kali (addressed with an additional "Ma" suffix in the Japanese version) is the last of the wardens in the Womb of Grief, found through an abnormal Enemy Search after the protagonist has defeated Anat. Defeating her completes the EX Mission, "Wardens of the Womb of Grief," which causes the protagonist to automatically earn the Gun Booster Ring, an accessory that boosts all his gun skills.
Kali can be found in the Cosmic Egg, in the Fifth section. She can be also obtained by evolving Dakini at level 70, provided that Nanashi can control the result. She can teach Nanashi the Dark Sword and Mist Rush skills through her Demon Whisper. Kali benefits from learning Physical and Force skills.
Shin Megami Tensei V[]
Kali can be found in the Temple of Eternity's first and second floors.
Devil Summoner: Soul Hackers[]
"The Black One, a symbol of death and destruction. She is said to be another face of Parvati, Shiva's consort. Wearing a necklace of human heads, she carries bloody weapons in her four arms. When Durga, another form of Parvati, was fighting the Asuras, she summoned Kali and defeated the Asura army in an instant."
"The Black One, a symbol of death and destruction. She is said to be another face or Parvati, Shiva's consort. Wearing a necklace of human heads, she wields numerous bloody swords, one for each of her many arms. It is said that when Durga, another form of Parvati, was fighting the Asuras, she summoned Kali and defeated the Asura army in an instant."
—Soul Hackers 2 demon info
Kali is a demon of the Femme race and can be summoned through fusion at the Cirque du Goumaden once Ringo reaches level 78. She can also appear randomly as a recruitment opportunity during Demon Recon in the 24th Ward Municipal Tower Bone Area, but can only be recruited once Ringo is of a sufficient level.
Megami Ibunroku Persona[]
Kali appears as the highest-leveled Persona of the Empress Arcana. In order to create her, the protagonist must fuse the Spell Cards of Dakini and Gdon with the totem Kolkata Souvenir, which is dropped by Miyasudokoro. In Revelations: Persona, her name was mistranslated as Kari.
Persona 2[]
Kali is a Persona of the Empress Arcana. Fusing her requires the Skull Necklace Material Card (Necklace of Skulls in EP), obtained by Mystic ChangingDurga in Innocent Sin, and bought at Mu Continent for 15,000 coins in Eternal Punishment.
Persona 5[]
"A goddess of death and destruction. She is said to be another face of Parvati. She is violent, wears a string of skulls, and carries bloody weapons, but she also blesses her followers."
As a Shadow, Kali will primarily attack with Vorpal Blade and Brave Blade. Any critical hits will be followed up by Tentarafoo. While party members are afflicted with Confuse, Kali will take advantage of their addled state to score Technical damage with Psiodyne.
Persona 5 Royal[]
Kali is instead found as a red Shadow in Shido's Palace and the Sheriruth area of Mementos. A Kali alongside two Dakinis guard the palace's blue Will Seed. As a result of being moved, Kali's level has been lowered from 77 to 63. Kali now repels Gun skills, and all of her skills except Vorpal Blade and High Counter have been replaced.
When itemized with an Electric Chair, Kali now yields the Null Psy Skill Card. During a fusion alarm, Kali will yield the Repel Psy Skill Card instead.
Kali helps lead the Karma Soldiers in their attempt to stop Sera from leaving the airport. She will be accompanied by Dakini upon confronting the party.
She primarily attacks with Physical attacks which also induce status effects. Kali repels all elemental attacks, and Dakini attempts to cover the only avenue of inflicting damage with Phys Repel. Taking Bufula to deal with Dakini, a strong single target Physical attack, and Diarama will easily allow them to be defeated. If the party has the Ice Boost and Death Resist skills to boost Ice damage and resist the effects of Blood Curse and Gate of Hell.
Devil Survivor 2[]
"The Black One, a symbol of death and destruction. She is said to be another face of Parvati, Shiva's consort. Wearing a necklace of human heads, she carries bloody weapons in her four arms. When Durga, another form of Parvati, was fighting the Asuras, she summoned Kali and defeated the Asura army in an instant."
Adds Phys Pierce. When in a state of Might, +20% to critical hit damage.
When an enemy enters a state of Might: Enters a state of Might. The next Phys attack will have a Critical effect.
Innate
Violent Dance
6 MP
Inflicts Phys (Physical) damage (Power: 35) with 30% crit rate on a single enemy 6 times. Enters a state of Might when attack is successful. Counter effects will not work on this skill.
Innate
Hades Blast
5 MP
Inflicts Phys (Physical) damage with 120 power on All Enemies.
Aragami (Awaken)
Death Counter
Auto
When receiving a Phys Attack, 50% chance to counter dealing Phys damage with 150 power.
Aragami (Gacha)
War Cry
6 MP
Reduces ATK and DEF of All Enemies by 20% for 3 turns.
Protector (Awaken)
Death Blow
Auto
+20% to critical hit damage.
Protector (Gacha)
Phys Amp
Auto
+25% to Phys damage.
Psychic (Awaken)
Gigantomachia
8 MP
Inflicts Phys (Physical) damage with 160 power on All Enemies.
Adds Phys Pierce. +20% to Phys damage. +40% to hit rate and Critical hit rate. While the one with this skill is alive, all party members will receive the following effect: +25% to damage dealt when in Good Status, and +30% to Phys hit rate.
When an enemy uses a skill that reduces the party's Press Turn Icons: Places the party member with the highest Phys ATK into a state of Charge. (This Chain Effect activates once per turn)
At start of own turn: Grants the party immunity to Mortal inflicted via skills (1 turn), and then inflicts Curse on all enemies with an 80% chance of success.
Innate
Bloodstained Divine Queen
Auto
At the beginning of own turn, this skill will gain one Boost Level. When this skill defeats an enemy, that enemy will be unable to revive.
When an ally uses a Random attack skill: Inflicts Phys damage (Physical, Power: 40) 4 times on random enemies. (Activates up to 2 times per turn for each Boost Level)
Level 1: Increases Chain Effect's Power to 50. Level 2: When the attack is successful, the skill holder will now enter a state of Charge.
Innate
Bloody Frenzy
6 MP
Inflicts Phys damage (Physical, Power: 50) 4 times to random enemies. Enemies defeated by this skill will not be able to revive.
Aragami (Awaken)
Epitome of Madness
Auto
+15% chance to inflict status ailments, +15% to EV.
Aragami (Gacha)
Dance of Rebellion
6 MP
Places all party members into a state of Might, and then inflicts Phys damage (Physical, Power: 50) 4 times to a single enemy. (Total Power: 200)
Protector (Awaken)
Phys Accele
Auto
+15% to Phys damage. +20% to own affect on Battle Speed.
Protector (Gacha)
Phys Amp
Auto
+25% to Phys damage.
Psychic (Awaken)
Phys Debuff
Auto
+15% to Phys damage. +15% chance to inflict status ailments.
Psychic (Gacha)
Null Ice
Auto
Adds Ice Null.
Elementalist (Awaken)
Phys Survivor
Auto
+15% to Phys damage and HP stops at 1 HP upon receiving the first killing blow.
In Persona 5, unlike other red shadows, if Kali's HP is dropped to a level where she can be negotiated, "The Blackened Fury's rage has reached its peak!" will display instead of the standard Hold-up indicator.