Orcus is a sometimes malevolent god of death and one of the gods of the roman underworld in Roman mythology. He is also known as the punisher of broken oaths and so is the Roman equivalent to the Greek god Horkos. He was more equivalent to the Roman Pluto than to the Greek Hades. He's daring but violent, and will massacre enemy troops in order to eat them. He also sometimes appears as a giant dragon with fangs of iron.
A terrifying portrait of this deity was portrayed in paintings on the walls and tombs of the Etruscan tombs as a hairy, bearded giant. He was later given the same status as the Roman Pluto and Dis Pater, rulers of the underworld.
Orcus is also said to have inspired Orcs and Ogres, a race of monsters who frequently appear in modern fantasy.
In the series, the early design Orcus appears as a grotesque pig-headed creature which is fitting due to orcs appearing as pig-like men.
Shin Megami Tensei[]
"Origin: Italy. A malevolent Roman god. He is one of the gods of the underworld, and has a pig's head and bat wings. He's daring but violent, and will massacre enemy troops in order to eat them. He sometimes appears as a giant dragon with fangs of iron."
Orcus is the subject of the Challenge QuestThe Secret to Durable Clothing. He can be found by heading north of Ueno and taking the river crossing across to the Minami Senju region. Despite the quest description, Orcus can rarely be encountered throughout the desert region west of the Minami Senju area as well. Collecting one Orcus Blood from defeating Orcus and delivering it will complete the quest and unlock the Soldier Enma body armor in Ueno's shop.
"A death demon of Etruscan lore. A terrifying portrait of this demon was painted on the walls and tombs of the Etruscans. He was later given the same status as the Roman Pluto and Dis Pater, rulers of the underworld."
—Shin Megami Tensei IV Apocalypse compendium
Orcus can be found in Minami Sunamachi. He can teach Nanashi the Mamudoon, War Cry and Tetrakarn skills through his Demon Whisper. Orcus benefits from learning Darkness, support and Force skills.
Devil Survivor 2[]
"A god of death originating in Greco-Roman lore. In those days, he was depicted as a demon with the head of a pig, most likely because sacrifices to him commonly used pigs."
—Devil Survivor 2 compendium
Orcus appears in Fumi Kanno's team when she is an enemy on Tuesday.
"The god whose name was said to refer to the very underworld itself in Roman mythology. His huge and intimidating stature is often depicted in ancient Roman murals. However, he later was often associated with other Greek gods as time went on."
"I will not stop until I have sipped on a chalice of your blood!"
—Orcus before engaging the player
Since Orcus is the reborn form of Horkos, their battles are also similar. Orcus uses the same attack pattern and has the same weaknesses, but has more resistances. Orcus retains Horkos' unique moveset but some moves now have upgrades. Chomp is now changed to Taking a Bite but still retains its properties of being a Life Drain-esque attack. Grocery Run still summons a single Katakirauwa although now each Katakirauwa summoned is at level 46.
Reduces ATK and DEF of All Enemies by 20% for 3 turns.
Innate
Law of Hell
Auto
As long as the demon with this skill is alive, no bonus turn will be granted when a party member's weak point is attacked.
Innate
Hell's Gate
Auto
While the demon with this skill is alive, all party members will receive the following effect: For every Weak attribute, all party members will receive 5% less multiple-target attack damage that target all or random allies. (Max reduction: 50%)
Innate
Mamudoon
6 MP
Inflicts Dark (Magic) damage with 100 power on All Enemies.
Aragami (Awaken)
Auto-Tarunda
Auto
Casts Tarunda at the beginning of the 1st turn
Aragami (Gacha)
Nocturne
6 MP
Increases own party's DEF and EV/AC by 20% for 3 turns.
Protector (Awaken)
Null Bind
Auto
Adds Null Bind.
Protector (Gacha)
Tetraka Shift
Auto
Casts Tetrakarn at the beginning of a battle if the enemy attacks first.
Psychic (Awaken)
Hell Gaze
7 MP
Inflicts Dark (Magic) damage with 180 power on a Single Enemy.
Psychic (Gacha)
Null Phys
Auto
Adds Phys Null.
Elementalist (Awaken)
Vitality Amp III
Auto
+15 to Vitality.
Elementalist (Gacha)
Gallery[]
Orcus' design originating from Shin Megami Tensei as it appears as Horkos in Shin Megami Tensei: Strange Journey
Orcus' redesigned artwork as it appears in Shin Megami Tensei: Strange Journey. The plaque reads "GO TO HELL"
Orcus as it appears in Shin Megami Tensei: Liberation Dx2
Orcus as he appears in Devil Survivor
Orcus as he appears in Devil Survivor 2
Orcus as he appears in Devil Survivor 2: The Animation
Orcus as he appears in Devil Survivor 2: The Animation
Trivia[]
Orcus typically has a "pig" design, but this was given to Horkos, Orcus' Grecian counterpart, due to plot related reasons in Shin Megami Tensei: Strange Journey.
.png "Orcus Devil Survivor 2 (Top Screen).png (20 KB)")
