Mantra (Advancement System)
Mantras are a progression system in the Digital Devil Saga series by which a character can learn skills.
Overview
Mantras are a type of equipment. They provide no effects to the character; instead, they contain a set of skills unique to that Mantra. An equipped Mantra gains Atma Points after battle, and once it gains enough points, it is mastered, allowing its user to freely set the Mantra's skills. A Mantra is functionally useless after the character masters it, and they cannot equip a Mantra they have already mastered.
Atma Points (AP) are a statistic that behaves similarly to experience, in that enemy Demons give an amount of AP when killed. Enemies have two AP values: a "Normal" value and a larger "Hunt" value. If an enemy is killed normally, its Normal AP drop will be evenly divided among all party members at the end of the battle. If an enemy is killed by a Hunt skill, the killer — and only the killer — receives the full Hunt AP drop. Acquisition of AP is prevented should the character be afflicted with Ache. The skills AP Divide, Atma Bonus and Atma Premium enhance AP acquisition.
The amount of AP required to master a Mantra is correlated with its difficulty, but not all Mantras of the same difficulty will have the same AP requirement.
Mantras are purchased and equipped at any Large or Small Terminal from the Mantra Grid. Mantras must be purchased and mastered per character; they cannot be shared between characters and most progress through the Mantra Grid is done individually. Additionally, some Mantras are locked by other means, such as mastering a certain number of other Mantra or obtaining a key item from an optional boss.
Mechanics by Game
Digital Devil Saga: Avatar Tuner
The Mantra Grid is a tree-like structure, where characters start from the left, progressing towards the right, and Mantras are connected according to the types of skills they give. Outside of key items unlocking Mantras for all characters and the unlock condition for the Godly Spirit Mantra, there is no connection between characters' Mantra Grids.
If a character masters all Mantras, the Dissemination Machine displays a message[1].
For a list of Mantra, see Mantras in Digital Devil Saga: Avatar Tuner.
Digital Devil Saga: Avatar Tuner 2
The Mantra Grid is a board, with each Mantra being one hexagonal tile in the grid. Characters start near the center of the grid, progressing outwards, and can equip any Mantra that is adjacent to one they have already mastered. The Mantra Grid is initially mostly hidden and must be revealed by mastering any of the Mantra in its perimeter until it is fully revealed. The Mantra Grid also contains black tiles which must be unlocked by mastering each of the Mantra adjacent to it at least once between all characters, unlocking either an Esoteric Mantra, which otherwise behaves like a normal Mantra, or a statistic boost for the party.
When transferring data from Digital Devil Saga: Avatar Tuner, characters will start with additional stats depending on how many Mantras they had mastered, up to 5 in each stat.
If a character masters all Mantras, a message is displayed proclaiming that their Atma has become perfect[2].
For a list of Mantra, see Mantras in Digital Devil Saga: Avatar Tuner 2.
Digital Devil Saga: Avatar Tuner: A's Test Server
The Mantra Grid was changed to a fusion system in which Mantras are combined.[3]
Nomenclature
| Language | Name | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
 English
|
Mantra | |
 Japanese
|
マントラ Mantora | Mantra |
| 曼斗羅 Mantora | Mantra | |
 Korean
|
만트라 | |
Gallery
-
The Mantra Tree System in Digital Devil Saga: Avatar Tuner -
The Mantra Board System in Digital Devil Saga: Avatar Tuner 2 -
The Mantra Board System in Digital Devil Saga: Avatar Tuner 2, shown zoomed out -
The Mantra Fusion System in Digital Devil Saga: Avatar Tuner: A's Test Server
References
- ↑ "Dissemination Machine: Code XXX-XXXX confirmation: [Character] has mastered all Mantras. XXX-XXXX's system update may facilitate the decryption of undeciphered data. XXX-XXXX has been recorded as an Asura anomaly. Data to be analyzed. Consider this carefully, Child of Purgatory." Digital Devil Saga: Avatar Tuner. Developed by Atlus.
- ↑ "[Character] mastered the hidden powers of the Asura. [Atma] has become a perfect demon!" Digital Devil Saga: Avatar Tuner 2. Developed by Atlus.
- ↑ "戦闘技能習得プログラム「マントラ」は、付け替えるフローチャート式から、マントラ同士を組み合わせる合体方式に変更され、PS2版とは異なるキャラクタ育成やパーティー編成が楽しめる。" Translation: "The "Mantra" combat ability acquisition program has been changed from a flowchart to a fusion system in which Mantras are combined, allowing for enjoyable character training and party compositions." Osamu Takizawa, Bbmf、オリジナルシナリオを収録して携帯電話に登場 Yahoo! ケータイ「DIGITAL DEVIL SAGA アバタール・チューナー A's TEST Server」. Published April 17, 2007. Retrieved March 4, 2026. Game Watch.