Status effects are conditions that affects a character or demon during battle. These effects are mostly negative, and while many are volatile and wear off at the end of battle, some will persist while exploring field areas. Some demons are naturally resistant to status effects, either to the associated skill type or to ailments in general (Anti-Ailment).
Some skills, such as Eternal Rest, will cause instant death to targets under a specific ailment. Also exact effects may vary slightly between games.
Prevents any action in battle. Usually caused by ice skills, and generally only lasts for one turn. In later games, attacking a frozen enemy is guaranteed to cause a critical hit.
Shock
Prevents any action in battle. Usually caused by electric skills, and generally only lasts for one turn. In later games, attacking a shocked enemy is guaranteed to cause a critical hit.
Character begins attacking their own allies. Typically removed with Charmdi or Dis-Charm.
Stone
Prevents the target from moving. This persists even on the field, and is treated as similar to being dead. In most games, if the protagonist is petrified, it is game over. In some games, Force spells will shatter a petrified opponent.
Sleep
Prevents any action in battle. Character loses a turn.
KO
Can no longer participate in battle. In most games, if the protagonist dies, it is game over. Can only be recovered with Recarm spells.
Uncommon
A list of status effects that appeared in some titles in the series:
Name
Effect
Appearance(s)
Bomb
Bomb is implanted in party member. When those inflicted with this status are hit, they explode, dealing damage to the entire party. Defending will prevent damage.
Shin Megami Tensei: Strange Journey
Happy
Overjoyed and will not attack for a turn.
Shin Megami Tensei
Rage
Attack is increased, but the afflicted will attack anyone other than themselves as if they were Charmed. In the Persona series, Rage lowers the afflicted's defense and agility.
Shin Megami Tensei: Strange Journey Persona 3 Persona 4 Persona 5
Down
Character may get their turn skipped, and takes more damage from their elemental weakness.
Persona series
Hungry
Hungry characters will become indecisive. On their turn, they will either not take action and receive a small amount of Almighty damage, or attack an ally. In Avatar Tuner, only curable by the Song of Grace.
DDS: Avatar Tuner Persona 5
Game Specific
Shin Megami Tensei III:Nocturne
Name
Effect
Fly
Renders the afflicted target with weakness to Expel attacks. Only caused by Baal Avatar's Bael's Bane ability. Wears off after battle.
Shin Megami Tensei IV
Name
Effect
Sick
Reduces affected character's outgoing damage by 25%, its evasion to 0, and increases damage taken by 25%. At the end of a turn with a party holding this character, there's 5% chance that another character will be infected. Can be cured with Dis-Poison or Posumudi skill.
Brand
DLC only. Reduces HP and MP recovery to 1 point. Can't be cured, but wears off randomly or automatically after battle.
Majin Tensei II: Spiral Nemesis
Name
Effect
Bind
Prevents any action from a unit.
Close
Prevents a unit from using their magic. Represented by kissing and hearts when inflicted by skills.
Digital Devil Saga: Avatar Tuner
Name
Effect
Ache
After a successful hunt, the character that just ate might get affected by a stomach ache. Occasionally inflicted as a side effect from eating a Moldy Roll. This prevents the character from gaining any AP after the battle. Note that his allies still won't get any AP from the consumed monster. Cured by Dis-Ache and Achedi and prevented from infliction via successful hunt by Iron Stomach.
Bat
Reduces all stats and makes the affected character weak to Force. Wears off over time or when battle ends.
Devil Survivor
Name
Effect
Egg
When the team holding the affected character has their next turn, the affected character takes a large amount of Almighty damage, and a Maggot is summoned next to them. Only inflicted by Belzeboul and his minions' Spawn attack.
Persona 5
Name
Effect
Despair
Drains SP every turn, cannot move Dies/Faints after 3 turns have passed