Tentarafoo

Lore & Background

Throughout the history of the franchise, Tentarafoo has been favored by demons from the Jaki and Beast races, as well as certain trickster entities. It embodies the theme of chaos often present in Shin Megami Tensei narratives, where order is fragile and the mind is a battlefield just as dangerous as the physical plane. The skill's persistence across titles highlights its effectiveness; it is not merely a joke ability but a critical tool for survival against overwhelming odds.

Reader's Guide

Tentarafoo is a magic skill that inflicts the Confusion status on enemies. When an enemy is confused, they lose control of their actions and may attack random targets in their party or waste turns standing still. The MP cost varies by title but is generally low, making it highly efficient for long battles.

In most games, this skill hits a single target, though some entries feature multi-hit versions like Tentarafoo: Multi. It has no elemental resistance, meaning it cannot be blocked by physical or magical shields that guard against fire, ice, or electricity. However, enemies with high mental stats may resist the effect.

To learn Tentarafoo, demons such as Pixie, Jack-o'-Lantern, and various Jaki types are common sources. It is often a default skill for these entities or can be taught via specific items like the 'Confusion Stone' in certain titles.

Did You Know?

• The name Tentarafoo is derived from Japanese onomatopoeia representing confusion or nonsense speech.
• It is one of the few skills that has appeared in almost every mainline Shin Megami Tensei game since the original.