Matador

Matador
Japanese Name	マタドール
Rōmaji	Matadouru
Origin	European Mythology
First Appearance	Shin Megami Tensei II
Alignment(s)	Neutral-Neutral
Race(s)	Fiend
Arcana(s)	Death
English VA	Keith Silverstein (Nocturne HD)

"Charge me with all your strength! Your horns cannot pierce my soul!"

—Matador, Shin Megami Tensei III: Nocturne

Matador is a demon in the series.

History

Matador is derived from the late Latin word matare, which means to subdue or kill. It is also the name of the toreros that perform in the bullfighting events famous in Spain. Matador is one of the toreros, and the word literally means "killer," as it's the matador's job to kill the bull.

Appearances

• Shin Megami Tensei II: Fiend Race
• Shin Megami Tensei: if... Hazama's Chapter: Fiend Race
• Shin Megami Tensei: 20XX Devil's Colosseum: Fiend Race
• Shin Megami Tensei III: Nocturne: Fiend Race, Boss
• Shin Megami Tensei IMAGINE: Fiend Race, Boss
• Shin Megami Tensei: Strange Journey: Fiend Race, Enemy Search Boss
• Shin Megami Tensei IV: Fiend Race, Secret Boss
• Shin Megami Tensei IV Apocalypse: Fiend Race
• Persona 4 / Golden: Death Arcana
• Persona Q: Shadow of the Labyrinth: Death Arcana
• Persona 5 / Royal: Death Arcana
• Persona Q2: New Cinema Labyrinth: Death Arcana
• Shin Megami Tensei: Liberation Dx2: Fiend Race

Profile

Shin Megami Tensei III: Nocturne

"A Spanish Grim Reaper born from the pursuit of aesthetics killing. With his terrifying sword Espada, he now preys on humans rather than bulls."

—Shin Megami Tensei III: Nocturne compendium

Matador appears as a boss in the updated release of Shin Megami Tensei III: Nocturne, titled Shin Megami Tensei III: Nocturne Maniax. He is first mentioned by a Manikin in the Great Underpass of Ginza, where he is known as a "Grim Reaper." The Demi-fiend must defeat him in order to reach Ikebukuro, headquarters of the Mantra. Upon approaching the demonic presence, the Demi-fiend was forcefully summoned into another realm by Matador, where Matador claims that a weak being like him doesn't deserve to hold the Candelabrum of Sovereignty, but knowing that he will not give in without a fight, Matador engages the Demi-fiend in a battle.

He appears as a skeleton dressed in a bullfighter's costume, and speaks of fighting for an audience with style and flair, even though their present environment (a desolate wasteland dimension, used by all fiends) is lacking the aforementioned. After defeating Matador, the Demi-fiend gains the ability to fuse him by fusing any two demons whose fusion will result in a Yoma race demon, during a 1/8, 2/8, 3/8 or Half Kagutsuchi phase. Such a fusion requires a Deathstone, an item found only in the Labyrinth of Amala.

When fought, Matador will engage in constant usage of Red Capote to increase his agility and evasion to max. This is further compounded with his abuse of Taunt to make the Demi-fiend's team susceptible to his multi-hit attacks. Casting any debuff spell but Sukunda will cause him to use Dekunda and casting Sukunda to decrease his agility to below +1 will result in him recasting Red Capote to undo the debuff spell.

Shin Megami Tensei IMAGINE

Matador appears as a boss on the twenty-seventh floor of the solo instance Denshi Kairo, branching pathways depending on whether players kill him or the Nandi that spawn alongside him first. Matador is also an optional boss in the Suginami Tunnels (Bronze) dungeon if you use an Ultimate Summon Orb, replacing Great Beast Garm.

To acquire Matador the player must fuse him by acquiring his plugin from exchanging five hundred Essences of Yetzirah that are obtained by clearing Hack Chip α dungeons. He cannot be contracted.

Shin Megami Tensei: Strange Journey

"A master sportsman who entertains the audience in exchange for his own life: one mistake can mean his death. Some believe that matadors who die while performing remain in this world."

—Shin Megami Tensei: Strange Journey compendium

Matador appears as the resident Fiend of Sector Carina, and must be defeated in combat to unlock his fusion. After his defeat, he will drop the Red Capote Forma, only obtainable by beating him.

Shin Megami Tensei IV

Matador has a 1/256 chance of appearing in the Toyosu Shelter, at the small vent near the center of the shelter. (see below) His Almighty-spam mode is set by Phys resistance. Upon defeat, he drops the Capote Earring, arguably one of the best accessories in the game.

Location
Screenshot Minimap

Shin Megami Tensei IV Apocalypse

Matador, along with all the other Fiends, is encountered in Twisted Tokyo. Matador is encountered on B5F and drops the Aiki Staff second cycle onwards, and is fought at level 922 on cycle 9.

Matador's attacks are all physical, and are augmented by Phys Pierce that allows them to bypass all resistances and even Tetrakarn. Considering the high number of hits his signature move Andalusia can do, there is a very high chance Matador can get a crit, smirk and gain extra turns, which can then produce a problem if he depletes a party member's MP with Soul Drain or dishes out even more damage with his other party-hitting attacks. Without resistance to reduce the incoming damage, buffs and debuffs become the only reliable way to endure Matador's attacks and deplete his Press Turns. Bear in mind that even if he gets a few crits off with Andalusia, if any one of those hits misses, he loses turns and does not even get to smirk. Be mindful of excessive buffing and debuffing since it may cause him to use Dekaja and Dekunda to purge it all.

Persona 4

"A master sportsman who entertains the audience in exchange for his own life: one mistake can mean his death. Some believe that matadors who die while performing remain in this world."

—Persona 4 compendium

Matador is used in the hexagon spread fusion in the Velvet Room to create the Persona Trumpeter. He can be acquired through Shuffle Time in the middle floors of Marukyu Striptease.

Margaret wishes to see a Matador that has inherited the skill Mahama as the second request in her Social Link. This will grant a new rank in the Empress Arcana and can be done through several fusion options. Firstly, the protagonist may opt to merge a level 19 Anzu with a Berith or a Yaksini in a simple fusion. Second, they may opt to perform a triangle fusion that will meld either a Power or a Principality (Principality must be at least level 21 to be viable, however) with an Oberon and a Saki Mitama. Finally, they may opt to perform a triangle fusion with a Power, an Andras and an Omoikane.

Persona 5

"A master sportsman who entertains the audience in exchange for his own life: one mistake can mean death. Some believe that matadors who die while performing remain in this world."

—Persona 5 background

Matador is the third Persona of the Death Arcana and can only be obtained through fusion in the Velvet Room. Matador is the first Persona to learn the Null Dizzy, Swift Strike and Trigger Happy skills. When itemized through an Electric Chair execution, Matador yields a Garula skill card.

Caroline and Justine want a Matador that has inherited the skill Magaru as the third request in their Confidant. This grants a new rank in the Strength Arcana and can be done through several fusion options.

One of the earliest ways to get this Persona is by fusing a Mokoi and a Regent, both available in the Madarame Palace, the latter encountered as a tutorial. The other method is to fuse Obariyon with Nekomata, the latter having Magaru as a base skill (which also gives Matador a Gun skill from Obariyon in the form of Snap to complement his Trigger Happy skill). Now that Matador has inherited Magaru and the Confidant has ranked up, the protagonist can use the Lockdown mechanic in the Velvet Room.

Stats

Shin Megami Tensei II

Race Alignment Level HP MP Fiend Dark-Neutral 40 1,800 700 MAG NOA ATK ACC DEF EVA M.ATK M.EFC 2,240 2 160 92 100 90 17 32 St 40 In 30 Ma 10 Vi 10 Ag 20 Lu 10 Drop Souki Staff Moon Aff L Swd Gun Fir Ice Elc For Nrv Exp Crs Mgc Bnd Rsh Hnd Leg Fly Alm - - - 5／8 5／8 - Nu Nu Nu 6／8 1／8 4／8 - - - - List of Skills Skill Effect Heat Wave Medium Sword damage to 2-3 foes. Damage increases with user's HP. Jump Kick Medium Kick attack to 1-3 foes. Happy Dance Inflicts Happy ailment to all foes. (Magic-type) Sexy Dance Inflicts Charm ailment to all foes. (Magic-type) Hell Fang Heavy Sword damage to one foe. Iron Punch Light Punch attack to all foes. Inflicts Close. Thunder Kick Heavy Kick attack to 2 foes. Damage increases with user's HP.

Shin Megami Tensei III: Nocturne

• Boss
• Summonable Ally

Race Level HP MP Strength 12 Magic 9 Vitality 11 Agility 19 Luck 9 Fiend 30 1,000 500 Reflects Absorbs Void Resists Weak - - Force/Expel/Death/Ailments - - List of Skills Skill Cost Effect Red Capote 12 MP Buffs user's own agility to maximum level regardless of agility debuff. Mazan 8 MP Small force damage to all foes. Andalucia none Medium physical damage to random foes. Focus 5 MP Multiplies user's next physical attack damage by 2.5. Taunt 20 MP Buffs physical power and decreases defense both by 2 levels, all foes. Dekunda 10 MP Removes all debuffs from all allies. Beast Eye 1 MP Grants user's team two blinking turn icons. (Enemy-only)

Race Level HP MP Strength 12 Magic 9 Vitality 11 Agility 19 Luck 9 Fiend 30 246 117 Reflects Absorbs Void Resists Weak - - Force/Expel/Death/Ailments - - Obtainable Special fusion only after boss battle List of Skills Skill Cost Effect Level Mazan 8 MP Small force damage to all foes. Innate Andalucia 6% HP Medium physical damage to random foes. Innate Dekunda 10 MP Removes all debuffs from all allies. 31 Focus 5 MP Multiplies user's next physical attack damage by 2.5. 32 Taunt 20 MP Buffs physical power and decreases defense both by 2 levels, all foes. 33 Red Capote 12 MP Buffs user's own agility to maximum level regardless of agility debuff. 34

Shin Megami Tensei IMAGINE

• Boss
• Summonable Ally

Race Alignment Level HP MP Growth Inherit St Ma Vi In Sp Lu Fiend Neutral 25 2,401 2,114 Master Tiwaz All Physical 62 29 49 34 39 27 Force Slot Close Long Spell Support P.Def M.Def Critical Crt.Def - 70 42 48 34 19 17 60 80 Features Null Instant Death, Unhuman See also [1] Default Skills Skill Cost Effect Slash - A basic attack dealing slash damage to a single target. Special Slash - Close-range Almighty attack Counter - User enters a counter stance, responding to the next enemy attack or rush move with a counterattack. Fierce Counter - User enters a counter stance, responding to the next enemy attack or rush move with a counterattack. Learned Skills Skill Effect Unleashed Power Deals blunt damage to all enemies in front of user. Gale User enters a dodge stance, negating the next enemy shot or rapid move. Gale Force User enters a dodge stance, negating the next enemy shot or rapid move and inflicting the stun ailment (100%). Switch of Destruction ?

Race Alignment Level HP MP Growth Inherit St Ma Vi In Sp Lu Fiend Neutral 30 599 100 Big Tiwaz All Physical 47 23 44 33 33 20 Force Slot Close Long Spell Support P.Def M.Def Critical Crt.Def 4 55 45 35 45 28 27 50 50 Features Flash, Mind Induct, Death-Crazy, The Greatest Fruit (Mitama: Muleta) See also [2] Default Skills Skill Cost Effect Thrust - A basic attack dealing charge damage to a single target. Hell Thrust 7% HP Deals charge damage to a single enemy and inflicts mute (70%). Defensive Stance 1 MP User enters a guard stance, decreasing damage taken from attack and spin moves. Counter - User enters a counter stance, responding to the next enemy attack or rush move with a counterattack. Learned Skills Level Skill Cost Effect 31 Gale Force 2 MP User enters a dodge stance, negating the next enemy shot or rapid move and inflicting the stun ailment (100%). 33 Fierce Counter - User enters a counter stance, responding to the next enemy attack or rush move with a counterattack. 35 Unleashed Power 13% HP Deals blunt damage to all enemies in front of user. 38 Lightning Thrust 6% HP Deals electric damage to a single target and inflicts electric shock ailment (70%). 42 Media 12 MP Recovers a small amount of surrounding allies HP. 46 Heat Wave 9% HP Deals fire damage to enemies in a straight line. 50 Tetrakarn 10 MP Reflects the next physical attack the user receives. 57 Tarukaja 5 MP Temporarily increases a single ally's close-range and long-range by 8. Can be stacked up to four times. 66 Recarmdora 20 MP Revives all allies in range with 40% HP. Kills user. 70 Petra Eyes 10 MP A magic affinity skill that inflicts stone (85%) on a single target. 75 Matarukaja 10 MP Temporarily increases surrounding allies close-range and long-range by 8. Can be stacked up to four times. 81 Anti-Expel 3 MP, 5 Mag Temporarily increases a single ally's resistance to expel by 50%. 83 Mazanma 27 MP Deals force damage to all enemies in range and inflicts stun ailment (70%). 85 Petradi 5 MP Heals stone ailment for surrounding allies. 90 Samerecarm 30 MP Revives a single ally with 50% HP. 97 Null Expel 7 MP, 10 Mag Negates the next three expel attacks for a single ally.

Shin Megami Tensei: Strange Journey

Race Alignment Level HP MP Strength 21 Magic 21 Vitality 17 Agility 27 Luck 19 Fiend Dark-Neutral 30 256 145 Attack Type Single foe/1-3/Physical/None Strong Strong - - Weak - Strong Null - Poison Paralyze Stone Strain Sleep Charm Mute Fear Bomb Rage V.Strong V.Strong V.Strong V.Strong V.Strong V.Strong V.Strong V.Strong V.Strong - Natural Skills Taunt Deathbound Chakra Walk D-Source Skills Taunt Life Gain Mana Gain Item Drops Red Capote Soma Drop Frag Grenade Password yrqnEwWDEpjfQvck Ey9wCTixaZj+jZkz

Shin Megami Tensei IV

• Boss
• Summoned Ally

Race Level HP MP Strength 141 Dexterity 141 Magic 141 Agility 141 Luck 141 Fiend 84 15,900 ∞ Phys Gun Fire Ice Elec Force Light Dark Resist Resist - - Weak - Null Null Ailment Resistance ?? Normal Attack Phys 1-2x, 1 enemy Turn Icon 5 Drop Capote Earring List of Skills Skill Effect Hades Blast Heavy physical damage to all foes. Taunt Debuffs all foes' defense twice but buffs their attack power twice as well. Sukukaja Buffs party's agility by 1 level. Crushing Wave Drops one foe's remaining HP to 1. Almighty-type. Dekunda Negates all stat debuffs from all allies. Dekaja Negates all stat buffs from all foes. Antichthon Severe almighty damage and Debilitate to all foes. Energy Drain Drains small amount of HP and MP from one foe.

Race Level HP MP Strength 112 Dexterity 99 Magic 77 Agility 90 Luck 73 Fiend 84 889 176 Phys Gun Fire Ice Elec Force Light Dark Resist Resist - - Weak - Resist Null Ailment Resistance - Normal Attack Phys x1-2, 1 enemy Special fusion Holy Qing Niugai x Beast Stonka x Wilder Catoblepas x Spirit Macabre List of Skills Skill Cost Effect Level Taunt 20 MP Debuffs all foes' defense twice but buffs their attack power twice as well. Innate Hades Blast 32 MP Heavy physical damage to all foes. Innate Sukukaja 15 MP Buffs party's agility by 1 level. Innate Dekunda 10 MP Negates all stat debuffs from all allies. 85 Doping 45 MP Increases max HP of all allies by 30%. 86

Shin Megami Tensei IV Apocalypse

• Boss
• Summonable Ally

Race Level HP MP Strength -- Dexterity -- Magic -- Agility -- Luck -- Fiend 87 50,106 ∞ Phys Gun Fire Ice Elec Force Light Dark Resist Resist - Weak - - Resist Resist Ailment Resistance ? Normal Attack ? Turn Icon 3 Drop Phasing Staff Skill Affinities Physical +5 · Almighty +3 · Ice -3 List of Skills Skill Effect Soul Drain Drains large amount of HP and MP from one foe. Smirk +Increased damage Andalusia 4 to 12 hits of heavy physical damage to multiple foes. Dark Sword 2 hits of medium physical damage and 70% mute to one foe. Mortal Jihad Heavy physical damage to one foe. High critical but low accuracy. Titanomachia Heavy physical damage to all foes. High critical but low accuracy. Hades Blast Heavy physical damage to all foes. Mist Rush 2 to 4 hits of medium physical damage and 70% daze to multiple foes. Crushing Wave Drops one foe's remaining HP to 1. Almighty-type. Taunt Debuffs all foes' defense twice but buffs their attack power twice as well. Critical Eye Guarantees critical hit for user's next physical or gun attack. Dekaja Negates all stat buffs from all foes. Dekunda Negates all stat debuffs from all allies. Smile Charge Bestows the user with smirk. Cannot be used if the user has ailment(s). Phys Pierce All physical attacks bypass all physical resistances.

Race Level HP MP Strength 133 Dexterity 89 Magic 81 Agility 107 Luck 109 Fiend 87 814 334 Phys Gun Fire Ice Elec Force Light Dark Resist Resist - Weak - - Resist Resist Ailment Resistance None Normal Attack Phys x1-2, 1 enemy Skill Affinities Physical +5 · Almighty +3 · Ice -3 Special fusion Holy Qing Niuguai + Beast Stonka + Wilder Catoblepas + Spirit Macabre List of Skills Skill Cost Effect Level Andalusia 20 MP 4 to 12 hits of heavy physical damage to multiple foes. Innate Soul Drain 7 MP Drains large amount of HP and MP from one foe. Smirk +Increased damage Innate Dark Sword 16 MP 2 hits of medium physical damage and 70% mute to one foe. 88 Hades Blast 42 MP Heavy physical damage to all foes. 89 Phys Pierce Auto All physical attacks bypass all physical resistances. 90

Persona 4

Arcana Level Strength 17 Magic 10 Endurance 16 Agility 25 Luck 11 Death 24 Inherit Reflects Absorbs Block Resists Weak Physical Dark - - - Fire List of Skills Skill Cost Effect Level Mamudo 18 SP Darkness: low chance of instant kill, all foes. (30% chance) Innate Swift Strike 12% HP Deals light Phys damage to all foes 1x to 2x. Innate Dekunda 10 SP Nullifies stat penalties on party. Innate Mudo Boost Passive Darkness-based attacks are 1.5 times more effective. 26 Rampage 12% HP Deals light Phys damage to all foes 1x to 3x. 27 Auto-Sukukaja Passive Automatic Sukukaja at the start of battle. 29 Survive Light Passive 50% chance of surviving instant death 1 time from a Light attack with 1 HP. 30

Persona Q: Shadow of the Labyrinth

Arcana Level HP + SP + Inherit Extract Fragment Death 22 81 23 - Shinkuuha Matador Sword List of Skills Skill Cost Effect Level Wind Wall 16 SP Raise Wind resistance for 3 turns. (Party) Innate Shinkuuha 82 HP 2 medium Almighty attacks. (1 enemy) Innate Death Chaser 124 HP User may follow-up user's row's attacks, for 3 turns. 23 Pain-Eater 6 SP Raise defense and chance to be targeted for 3 turns. 24 Stun Circle 18 SP Medium chance of Paralysis each turn, for 3 turns. (All enemies) 25 Death's Scythe Passive Greatly raise damage against enemies with status ailments. 26

Persona 5 / Royal

• Persona 5
• Persona 5 Royal

• Persona

"I am Matador. This body of mine, born from the bloody throes of battle, shall be with you as a mask from now on." Arcana Level Strength 12 Magic 13 Endurance 12 Agility 16 Luck 11 Death 19 Inherit Reflects Absorbs Block Resists Weak Psy - - Wind - Electricity Electric chair execution Garula List of Skills Skill Cost Effect Level Psi 4 SP Light Psy damage to 1 foe. Technical dmg: Mental ailment. Innate Null Dizzy Auto Impart immunity against Dizzy. Innate Sukukaja 8 SP Buff agility of 1 ally for 3 turns. Innate Swift Strike 17% HP Light Physical damage to all foes 3x to 4x. 20 Trigger Happy Auto Increase critical rate of Gun attacks. 22 Garula 6 SP Medium Wind damage to 1 foe. Technical dmg: Burn. 23

• Persona

"I am Matador. This body of mine, born from the bloody throes of battle, shall be with you as a mask from now on." Arcana Level Strength 11 Magic 13 Endurance 10 Agility 16 Luck 8 Death 17 Inherit Reflects Absorbs Block Resists Weak Psy - - Wind - Electricity Persona Trait Potent Hypnosis: Increase buff timers by 1 turn for party. Electric chair execution Blood Red Capote (normal); Bloodied Capote (fusion alarm) List of Skills Skill Cost Effect Level Psi 4 SP Light Psy damage to 1 foe. Innate Null Dizzy Passive Impart immunity against Dizzy. Innate Sukukaja 8 SP Increase Agility of 1 ally for 3 turns. Innate Mapsi 10 SP Light Psy damage to all foes. 18 Double Shot 12% HP Light Gun damage to 1 foe 2x. 20 Swift Strike 17% HP Minuscule Physical damage to all foes 2x to 4x. 22

Persona Q2: New Cinema Labyrinth

Arcana Level HP + SP + Type Extract Death 21 44 8 Defense Frost Edge List of Skills Skill Cost Effect Level Frost Edge 32 HP Light Ice attack that splashes to either side. (1 enemy) Innate Line Guard 3 SP Raise defense and protects allies. Extra defense while protecting. (1 row) Innate Dodge Arts Passive Moderately raise evasion against all attacks. Innate Mapsi 18 SP Light Psy attack. (All enemies) 23 Double Link Passive Link chains last up to 2 hits. 24 Matarunda 18 SP Lower attack for 3 turns. (All enemies) 25 Triple Link Passive Link chains last up to 3 hits. 26

Quotes

"You hold a candelabrum... Then, like me, you must be seeking supreme power. That I cannot allow. Only the greatest warrior is worthy of such power. It is meant for a master swordsman... One who, amidst blood and applause, has put an end to countless lives... That warrior is I, Matador. It's unfortunate that we have no spectators, but I believe this will be an excellent show regardless, as you and I contend for the candelabra. I'm sorry to say, but it seems you are rather weak to be in possession of a candelabrum. You should give it to someone more deserving, like myself... But, since it's unlikely you'll heed my advice... I challenge you to a duel!"

—Matador, challenging the Demi-fiend

Gallery

Artwork from Persona 4

Matador's sprite in Shin Megami Tensei II

Model in Shin Megami Tensei III: Nocturne

Matador in Shin Megami Tensei: Strange Journey

Portrait from Shin Megami Tensei: Strange Journey

Matador in Persona 5 Royal

Matador in Persona O.A.

Trivia

• Matador's distinct physical attack, "Andalucia" is taken from "Andalucía," an autonomous region of Spain famous for its bullfighting events.
• Matador's sword, Espada, literally means sword in Spanish, Portuguese and Galician.
• Matador's "Capote" is the English word for the "Muleta," a bullfighter's cloak used to hide his sword.