Magnetite (usually abbreviated as MAG) is the living, mystical substance that demons' bodies are composed of in the physical world. Magnetite is a by-product of the physical world that is usually undetectable. Human bodies are the richest source of this mineral. In several series of games, magnetite is used to summon demons. The MAG cost to summon a demon is based on its level, as well as various other factors, such as the summoner's level and any difference in alignment between the demon and its summoner. In games where MAG is used, it is almost always rewarded after combat alongside experience, money, and whatever other spoils may have been earned.
Appearances
- Digital Devil Story 2: Warrior of the Demon City
- Megami Tensei
- Megami Tensei II
- Shin Megami Tensei
- Shin Megami Tensei II
- Shin Megami Tensei: if...
- Shin Megami Tensei IMAGINE
- Shin Megami Tensei: Strange Journey
- Last Bible
- Shin Megami Tensei: Devil Summoner
- Devil Summoner: Soul Hackers
- Devil Summoner: Raidou Kuzunoha vs. The Soulless Army
- Devil Summoner 2: Raidou Kuzunoha vs. King Abaddon
- Devil Summoner: Raidou Kuzunoha vs. The Lone Marebito
- Devil Children Black Book & Red Book
- Devil Children White Book
- Digital Devil Saga: Avatar Tuner
- Digital Devil Saga: Avatar Tuner 2
- Devil Survivor / Overclocked
- Devil Survivor 2 / Break Record
Profile
Digital Devil Story 2: Warrior of the Demon City
Magnetite is within the bodies of humans and can be used to boost the magnetic field needed to summon demons using the Demon Summoning Program. After Seth is summoned in the body of Loki and Ohara's child, Isma Feed speculates that the only reason a high level demon like Seth was able to enter the human world in even that makeshift body was because of the high amounts of Magnetite in Yumiko Shirasagi. Isma and Seth then used Seth's power to draw in thousands of humans from the surrounding cities to be sacrificed in a tower of human flesh, their Magnetite used to build Seth's true body and merge the Atziluth and Assiya worlds.
Seth's attempts to summon himself using the Magnetite of humans is thwarted when Seth is resummoned in a satellite in dead orbit, the magnetic field of the satellite being large enough to summon him without the assistance of Magnetite. However, since Yumiko was still within him after his summoning, Seth could detach from the satellite and use her Magnetite to survive, though he was slain by Yumiko and Nakajima before he reached the human world.
Megami Tensei and Shin Megami Tensei series
In the main Megami Tensei and Shin Megami Tensei series (Megami Tensei I, II, Shin Megami Tensei I, II, and if...), MAG is used to summon demons. Demons that are currently party members consume MAG with every step the party takes. Some demons can be bribed with MAG during negotiation.
Shin Megami Tensei IMAGINE
In Shin Megami Tensei IMAGINE, Magnetite is used when summoning demons and performing many higher level skills. It can be purchased from other players, in addition to the normal method of earning it by drops from defeated enemies. Variants like fossilized magnetite and purified magnetite also exist and can be used for specific functions such as item mixing, trading in for dungeon access, or for use in the Digitalize system.
Last Bible Series
In the Last Bible series, Magnetite is an item that is traded for special items at shrines (the equivalent of the Cathedral of Shadows).
Devil Summoner Series
In the first two Devil Summoner games, MAG functions is the same way that it does in the earlier Shin Megami Tensei games. In the Raidou Kuzunoha sub-series, demons expend MAG only when summoned, either in the field or in combat.
Devuk Children Series
In Black/Red/White Book magnetite is a rare mineral that can only be found in shards. It is used to break seals placed on demons and serves no other purpose beyond that. Both Sariel and Ishtar have had their powers sealed, and only 45-50 magnetite can free them.
Digital Devil Saga: Avatar Tuner Series
The term "Magnetite" only appears briefly in Digital Devil Saga: Avatar Tuner, in information provided by a terminal in the Karma Temple; here, it is stated to be the basis for Atma. Atma is the sustenance required by the demon-infected humans' Atma Avatars. Although all things contain magnetite, they can only obtain the Atma needed to survive by devouring other demons or normal humans. This is also the mechanism by which party members learn new Mantras.
Devil Survivor Series
In Devil Survivor, magnetite serves a completely different purpose. After a party attacks, they will be awarded a macca bonus based on how efficiently they fought. In addition, they will charge their magnetite meter, which is displayed next to the Move/Speed readout during battle movement in blue. Once this meter reaches full, the player can assign an active skill to one of the demons in that party. Whether they chose to or not, the magnetite meter will drop to 0.
In Devil Survivor 2, Fumi mentions that Magnetite is comprised of dark matter which is used to physically manifest demons via the Nicea Demon Summoning App.
Trivia
- In the manual for Shin Megami Tensei, it describes Magnetite as being green.
- As stated in the Devil Summoner: Soul Hackers 3DS version's manual, an alternate name for Magnetite is Biomagnetite.
- In Soul Hackers, it is stated that Magnetite only appears as green liquid in capsules due to the preservation method, and is actually transparent and weightless like a vapor.