Nyx Avatar

Nyx Avatar is the final boss of Persona 3 (The Journey for FES version, as Erebus is the final boss of The Answer).
It is an avatar of Nyx with the intent to bring about the Fall, or end of the world, and end all life on the planet. It is fought on the top of Tartarus during the ninth Full Moon Operation on January 31.
==Appearances==
*Persona 3 / FES / Portable / Reload: Major Antagonist, Final Boss
**Persona 3 The Movie: Major Antagonist
*Persona 3: Dancing in Moonlight: Cameo
==Details==
It is a slender and intimidating figure that wears a black, cape like armor by the waist, which has a pair of extremely long tips protruding from it from both sides. It is extremely tall and is likely taller than Arcana Priestess standing up. Its legs are very slender and point tipped, and it also has four large wings that are on the same level as its hips. It wears a crown that has a very narrow base and resembles a bowl with 4 broad tips protruding from it. Its sword is abnormally long and is around the same height as the Nyx Avatar itself. Its hairdo is similar to Ryoji's, although its face is now a white mask, and the eyes and mouth of the mask are of a hollow black and presents itself with a blank, frightening smile. As shown during the bad ending and the post-final boss fight cutscene, destroying Nyx Avatar's physical body does not prevent it from calling forth Nyx to annihilate mankind.
Like other Full Moon Operation bosses, Nyx Avatar represents the inverse interpretation of the Death Arcana. While the Death Arcana represents transition, change, regeneration, and cycles, the inverse Death Arcana represents stillness, stagnation, death and the end of things. This is reflected by how Ryoji, as the Nyx Avatar muses on everything that makes live worth living as according to the upright positions of the first 12 Arcana, yet denies them when it shifts to its true Arcana, claiming that in spite of all the positive qualities of life one might experience, death is the final destination of all living things. Therefore, in his viewpoint, they are all negated and humanity is better off left to a quick death.
==Profile==
===Persona 3===
thumb|right|250px|Nyx Avatar boss battle.
*Music: The Battle for Everyone's Souls
Nyx Avatar is the final boss of Persona 3, fought by SEES. Before becoming the Avatar it was known as any one of the following entities: Death (Thanatos), Ryoji Mochizuki and Pharos. As its name suggests, it is an extension of Nyx, whose goal is to unleash complete and utter world destruction. This event is known and prophesied as The Fall, and if not stopped, Nyx will wipe out mankind alongside everything else that lives.
The entity is encountered on the top floor of Tartarus where Yukari Takeba recognizes it as Ryoji Mochizuki, although it merely tells her that it was merely its name for a time but it didn't mind using that name, and introduces itself as a mere Harbinger of The Fall and an extension of Nyx. It then goes onto a diatribe about how death is inevitable and the party should let it obliterate humanity, which was met with swift rejection of the party, who challenges it to a battle. A large amount of Shadows then approach from the lower floors, forcing all party members that are not actively fighting the Nyx Avatar to fight them.
Throughout the battle, Nyx Avatar swaps Arcanas a total of 14 times, from the initial Fool Arcana to its true Death Arcana form. Before it swaps Arcanas, it will always say "The Arcana is the means by which all is revealed" followed by a philosophical comment corresponding to that Arcana's upright meaning about how life is worth living for. However, after shifting to its Death Arcana phase, it instead concludes that death is inevitable no matter what. The message of this speech appears to be how despite there are many things that make life worth living, it wouldn't matter, for death is absolute.
Once it is defeated, it displays that its fall is irrelevant to Nyx's descent to wipe out all humanity. It flies up the sky and summons Nyx anyway, prompting the protagonist to face Nyx alone and then seal it by sacrificing their life force.
====Persona 3 Reload====
Nyx Avatar's role is identical to those of the main game. However, its dialogue is slightly altered to make it look like as if it was a more reluctant foe, and it has new dialogue when it reaches the Death Arcana phase. Its "the Arcana is the means by which all is revealed..." dialogue are mostly kept as in the original, although with slight differences.
====Persona 3 The Movie====
The Nyx Avatar's role is largely similar to the source game. However, the protagonist fights it alone, as the other party members are busy fending off other Shadows and Strega, and it speaks exactly in Ryoji's voice, albeit deeper and with extra echo effects. Unlike the source game where it largely recycles generic skills, Nyx Avatar also uses attacks from other Arcana Shadows before it transits to its Death Arcana phase.
The attacks used by Nyx Avatar prior to transitioning to its Death Arcana Phase are of the following:
* Fool: Does nothing, waits until Orpheus attacks it before enacting a counterattack.
* Magician: Arcana Magician's arms protrude out from its back.
* Priestess: Arcana Priestess's hairs home onto Surt, taking it down before it transforms into Mother Harlot.
* Empress: A gate is used to cast Magarula.
* Emperor: Nyx Avatar's sword transforms into a larger version of the Arcana Emperor's sword, striking down Odin.
* Hierophant: Nyx Avatar summons Arcana Hierophant's cross-shaped figures.
* Fortune: Nyx Avatar summons Arcana Fortune's Wheel of Fortune. The protagonist hits a red damage panel, causing a beam to shoot at Norn.
* Strength: Nyx Avatar rains down spikes resembling Arcana Strength's cage.
* Hanged Man: Nyx Avatar summons Arcana Hanged Man's halo to use God's Hand
It's implied that it also has attacks based on Arcana Lovers, Arcana Chariot, Arcana Justice and Arcana Hermit during their respective phases, although it uses them off-screen as the movie transits to the Tartarus Shadows and Strega fights when it changes into these Arcana.
Nyx Avatar then transits to its Death Arcana phase and strikes down the protagonist with its energy-charged sword as the other party members fight uphill battles. It was at this time where he was reminded of his time spent with Ryoji, and summons Thanatos. With Thanatos's summoning, the other party members gain their Ultimate Personas, and turn the tide around, with the protagonist getting the upper hand against Nyx Avatar. Despite Nyx Avatar manages to defeat Thanatos, the protagonist ends the fight by stabbing its face with its sword. Then just like in the game proper, Nyx Avatar laments that if more people were to be like SEES, the Fall will be averted, and proceeds to summon Nyx to obliterate humanity.
==Strategy==
===Non-Reload===
Nyx Avatar is the final boss of the game, as such, players can go liberal with all of the items they have. However, it is also a long boss battle; depending on the player and their progress, it may take as long as an hour. As such, conserving items until its final stages is recommended. As with every boss in the game, Light and Dark attacks are blocked.
Nyx Avatar can attack twice each turn (more if its attacks exploit a weakness or strike for critical). Striking Nyx Avatar with a critical hit will confer no benefit aside from additional damage, removing the possibility of All-Out Attacks.
The fight consists of 14 different phases, based on its Arcana. Each Arcana has 1,500 HP each, except for the final Death Arcana which has 6,000 HP; meaning it has 25,500 HP in total. The Death Arcana also innately takes half damage from all non-Almighty attacks, which cannot be negated with Element Break skills; in other words depleting it will take even longer without Almighty skills. Arcana Shift is used in between each phase (regardless of turn order), after its current HP pool has been depleted. Each phase change will alter Nyx Avatar's affinities and attacks, so scan after every shift to let your allies know of its new resistances.
During the final phase, Nyx Avatar will start casting Moonless Gown, which lasts for three turn cycles; the turn in which it was cast, the following turn, and will drop it after that. During Moonless Gown, Nyx Avatar will automatically repel all attacks, including Almighty. While the protagonist can easily avoid this attack by simply passing the turn and/or take a support role, other party members cannot be directly ordered (unless it's the Persona 3 Portable version), so their AI might cause them to attack it regardless and cause unnecessary deaths or game overs. To avoid this, temporarily change tactics to "Heal/Support" on support party members and "Stand By" on any attackers and then change back once Moonless Gown is over. During this time, the boss tends to buff itself, giving support party members a chance to safely heal, buff, or debuff. The third turn of Moonless Gown is also a good opportunity to use Mind or Power Charge.
At a very low HP threshold, Nyx might cast Night Queen. This attack has a chance to inflict every status condition possible in the game in addition to dealing heavy damage, which might lead to party members being charmed and casting a full-heal spell on the boss or killing the protagonist. It will also repeatedly spam this attack after the first use. As such, it is recommended to bring it down as quickly as possible after the first Night Queen is used. It is highly useful to equip a Narcissus Flower on any healers, and ailment-eliminating items are useful to cure party members affected by the various status conditions. Using the Infinity fusion spell (Vishnu and Ananta) during this phase will not defend against Night Queen, as it goes through the invulnerability.
As none of Nyx Avatar's forms have over 9,999 HP, Armageddon can instantly kill off any of its individual forms, including the Death Arcana. This makes the Death Arcana Nyx Avatar one of the best targets for the fusion spell, as there are no more real challenges in the game after it is defeated.
===Persona 3 Reload===
Nyx Avatar's behavior has been drastically altered from its original counterpart. It now only acts once per turn and loses its Almighty Attack skill, but makes up by having almost all of its attacks deal tremendous amount of damage and all of its magical attacks replaced by heavy and severe-tier skills if possible, with one attack dealing up to 300+ damage unbuffed. With the exception of the first four Arcanas (Magician to Emperor) and the Fortune Arcana, the Nyx Avatar uses the signature attacks of other Arcana shadows. It will also attack in a way that mimics their behavior.
Furthermore, when it reaches the Emperor Arcana phase, it will charge its sword with energy and use the extremely powerful physical attacks "Sweep" and "Sunder." The Emperor Arcana phase itself also uses physical skills instead of electric skills, and when it reaches the Hierophant Arcana phase, feathers will fall from Nyx Avatar, and ailment susceptibility will be increased.
The Death arcana phase is also heavily revamped to no longer use Moonless Gown, but instead gains Apocalypse, an almighty attack that reduces all party member's HP by 99%, on top of using Night Queen way earlier. Healing is strongly recommended when it uses the former attack.
Just like in the original game, an Armageddon Theurgy skill can instantly kill any of Nyx Avatar's individual forms in a single hit as none of them go beyond 9,999 HP, and unlike Jin Shirato and Takaya Sakaki prior, Nyx Avatar does not have forced dialogue. As the Death Arcana Nyx Avatar is the final real challenge in the game itself, this is the best opportunity to use the skill.
==Stats==
<tabber>
Fool =
During this stage, Nyx will not choose to attack, instead simply "smiling arrogantly" until this stage's HP is depleted. Because of this, it is largely recommended that the party only use Rush to conserve SP/HP and save time.
|-|
Magician =
This stage specializes in Fire magic.
|-|
Priestess =
This stage specializes in Ice magic.
|-|
Empress =
This stage specializes in Wind magic.
|-|
Emperor =
This stage specializes in Electricity magic.
|-|
Hierophant =
This stage uses Rebellion and Revolution to raise its Critical rate. It inflicts massive damage to any party members that are knocked down via Vile Assault.
|-|
Lovers =
This stage specializes in casting Charm and Panic spells, along with high-powered attacks.
|-|
Chariot =
This stage tends to use its 2 turns to cast Power Charge, followed by any of its strong physical attacks. Immunity to physical attacks protect it against Tetrakarn/Attack Mirrors. Using a Strike resistant Persona is a good defense. This form takes 50% more damage from Fire, Ice, Electricity and Wind skills.
|-|
Justice =
This stage specializes in Light magic. It will use Tarukaja to boost the power of its Almighty Attack.
|-|
Hermit =
This Arcana is defensive-oriented, using Tetrakarn and Makarakarn to reflect attacks and casting status ailments that are boosted via Foul Breath. It attacks using powerful Darkness magic and Almighty Attack.
|-|
Fortune =
This stage specializes in casting all four elemental spells. It is immune to all four elements as well.
|-|
Strength =
This stage, like the Chariot form, specializes in Power Charged physical skills. It will use Rakunda to lower the party's Defense.
|-|
Hanged Man =
This stage specializes in Darkness magic. It can also cast a Mind Charged Megidola. This form only takes 75% damage from physical attacks.
|-|
Death =
This is the Nyx Avatar's true and final form, with four times as much HP as the previous phases. It automatically halves the damage of all skills, apart from Almighty, allowing it to make up for its low HP and tank way more attacks than it usually would. This is distinct from a standard resistance, and therefore cannot be reduced by a Break spell.
Offensively, this phase uses a variety of attacks, including all of the "-dyne" spells, status buffs/debuffs (including Dekaja and Dekunda), Power Charge and Mind Charge, mass status ailment spells, all four elemental break spells, and the usual Almighty Attack.
At about 80% health, Nyx Avatar will start using Moonless Gown, which reflects all attacks (including Almighty) for three turns. At 2,000 HP, it begins to cast spells according to party members' weaknesses, using the elemental "Break" spells to negate their resistances for more damage from its "Ma-dyne" spells. When its HP drops to critical levels (about 1,200), it will begin casting Night Queen, which deals severe Almighty damage to the party and inflicts a random ailment on each member.
</tabber>
===Persona 3 Reload===
<tabber>
Fool =
During this stage, Nyx will not choose to attack, instead simply "smiling audaciously" until this stage's HP is depleted. Because of this, it is largely recommended that the party only use Rush to conserve SP/HP and save time.
|-|
Magician =
This stage specializes in Fire magic.
|-|
Priestess =
This stage specializes in Ice magic. It also uses Arcana Priestess's signature move, Ice Storm. The move now does significantly higher damage with a much higher chance of inflicting freeze.
|-|
Empress =
This stage specializes in Wind magic.
|-|
Emperor =
From this stage on, Nyx Avatar's sword is charged, and it might use the powerful physical attacks Sweep and Sunder.
|-|
Hierophant =
From this stage on, the party's ailment susceptibility will increase. It uses Arcana Hierophant's signature attack, Doomsday Doctrine.
|-|
Lovers =
This stage mimics Arcana Lovers's behavior. It will attempt to charm party members and try to finish them off with Heartbreaker.
|-|
Chariot =
This stage specializes in physical attacks.
|-|
Justice =
This stage specializes in Light attacks.
|-|
Hermit =
This stage mimics Arcana Hermit's behavior. Unlike the original boss, Nyx Avatar can use all of its strongest attacks without charging.
|-|
Fortune =
This stage specializes in casting all four severe-tier elemental spells. It absorbs all non-electric and non-dark magical attacks as well.
|-|
Strength = 
This stage mimics Arcana Strength's attack behavior.
|-|
Hanged Man =
This stage mimicks Arcana Hanged Man's attack behavior. It tends to use Grim Transcendence to increase its turn count to span God's Hand or spam buffing and debuffing skills. Just like the original, it will always follow-up Concentrate with Megidolaon.
|-|
Death =
This form is Nyx Avatar's true form and the final challenging battle in the game.
It will use Apocalypse on the first turn it gets a move and Night Queen on its second turn. Afterwards, it will use random skills from other Full Moon Operation bosses. Subsequent usage of Apocalypse and Night Queen will occur when its HP is below half.
</tabber>
==Quotes==
thumb|250px|Nyx on the Arcana.
*"That was my name for a time... I didn't mind it." (responding to Yukari referring to him as Ryoji)
*"I am merely a harbinger of the Fall... Though it would be more correct to say that is what I once was."
*"There is no longer a distinction to be made between Nyx and myself..."
*"What people fear most... What they try to ignore... That is what I am."
*"Will you still face me? There must be trembling in your hearts..."
*"The moment man devoured the fruit of knowledge, he sealed his fate... Entrusting his future to the cards, man clings to a dim hope. Yes, the Arcana is the means by which all is revealed...Attaining one's dream requires a stern will and unfailing determination." (after defeating Nyx with the Fool Arcana and switching to Magician Arcana)
* "The Arcana is the means by which all is revealed..." (before switching Arcana)
**"The silent voice within one's heart whispers the most profound wisdom." (switching to Priestess Arcana)
**"Celebrate life's grandeur... Its brilliance... its magnificence..." (switching to Empress Arcana)
**"Only courage in the face of doubt can lead one to the answer..." (switching to Emperor Arcana)
**"It is indeed a precious gift to understand the forces that guide oneself..." (switching to Hierophant Arcana)
**"There is both joy and wonder in coming to understand another..." (switching to Lovers Arcana)
**"One of life's greatest blessings is the freedom to pursue one's goals." (switching to Chariot Arcana)
**"To find the one true path, one must seek guidance amidst uncertainty..." (switching to Justice Arcana)
**"It requires great courage to look at oneself honestly, and forge one's own path..." (switching to Hermit Arcana)
**"Alongside time exists fate, the bearer of cruelty." (switching to Fortune Arcana)
**"Only with strength can one endure suffering and torment." (switching to Strength Arcana)
**"In the face of disaster lies opportunity for renewal." (switching to Hanged Man Arcana)
*"The moment man devoured the fruit of knowledge, he sealed his fate... Entrusting his future to the cards, man clings to a dim hope. Yet, the Arcana is the means by which all is revealed... Beyond the beaten path lies the absolute end. It matters not who you are... Death awaits you." (switching to Death Arcana)
*"You cannot avoid death. To live is to die; they are one in the same..." (before first Moonless Gown activation)
* "Let us finish this. It is the path of your choosing." (before first Night Queen Activation)
*"Eternity awaits." (casting Arcana Shift)
*"It's useless..." (casting Moonless Gown)
*"The time has come!" (casting a spell)
*"All shall perish." (casting a spell)
*"Such a pity... You understand fate, yet you still fight against it with all of your will... If more people were like you, then perhaps the Fall could have been prevented... but it's too late now." (after defeat)
===Reload===
====Pre-battle banter====
*"That was my name for a time... I almost miss it." (responding to Yukari referring to him as Ryoji)
*"I am merely a harbinger of the Fall... Or perhaps I should say "former" harbinger. There is no longer a distinction between Nyx and myself..."
* (To Akihiko) "I see... then you must already understand. What people fear the most... What they try to turn away from... That is the wretched thing I have become."
* (To Ken, Akihiko and Mitsuru "Then, you must also understand that it is futile to resist. Will you still face me? Surely there must be fear in your hearts."
====During battle====
* "Just accept it." (Attack misses)
* "Impossible." (Attack misses)
* "Ugh!" (When taking a hit)
* "Fall."
* "All shall fall."
* "Accept your fate."
* "Hmph!" (Attack with Sweep)
* "Hmmm!" (Attack with Sunder)
* "Oh, my." (Resisted attack)
* "The moment man devoured the fruit of knowledge, he sealed his fate... Entrusting his future to the cards, he clings to a dim hope. Yes, the Arcana is the means by which all is revealed...Attaining one's dream requires a stern will and unfailing determination." (after defeating Nyx with the Fool Arcana and switching to Magician Arcana)
* "The Arcana is the means by which all is revealed..." (before switching Arcana)
**"The silent voice within one's heart whispers the most profound wisdom..." (switching to Priestess Arcana)
**"Celebrate life's grandeur... Its brilliance... its magnificence..." (switching to Empress Arcana)
**"Only courage in the face of doubt can lead one to the answer..." (switching to Emperor Arcana)
**"It is indeed a precious gift to understand the forces that guide oneself..." (switching to Hierophant Arcana)
**"There is both joy and wonder in coming to understand the hearts of others..." (switching to Lovers Arcana)
**"One of life's greatest blessings attained from the gift of life is the freedom to pursue one's personal goals..." (switching to Chariot Arcana)
**"To find the one true path, one must seek guidance amidst uncertainty..." (switching to Justice Arcana)
**"It requires great courage to look at oneself, and forge one's own path..." (switching to Hermit Arcana)
**"Ever-present alongside time is fortune, cruel and unflinching..." (switching to Fortune Arcana)
**"One needs strength to endure, and rise above suffering and torment..." (switching to Strength Arcana)
**"In the face of unavoidable disaster lies the opportunity to search for redemption." (switching to Hanged Man Arcana)
*"The moment man devoured the fruit of knowledge, he sealed his fate... Entrusting his future to the cards, man clings to a dim hope. Yet, the Arcana is the means by which all is revealed... Beyond the journey you have taken lies the absolute end. It matters not who you are... One thing is always certain: death awaits all." (switching to Death Arcana)
*"I didn't want you to suffer... But, the time for that is long past... Is this really what you desire..?.? Well, I already know the answer. Very well, let us continue... until the world meets its end." (Start of Death Arcana phase; protagonist is given two dialogue options: "The world won't end." and "Let's go, Ryoji." choosing either option has no effect on the fight or story)
*"You cannot avoid death... To live is to die. They are one in the same..." (before first use of Apocalypse)
* "Behold. This is the path you have chosen." (before first use of Night Queen)
* "The time has come." (using Apocalypse)
* "The Arcana has revealed." (using Night Queen)
*"Such a pity... You understand your fate, yet you still fight against it with all your might... If only there were more like you, then perhaps the Fall could have been prevented... But... it's too late now." (after defeat)
==Gallery==
NyxAvatar.png|Nyx Avatar
NyxAvatar2.png|Nyx Avatar
Nyx Avatar.PNG|The party confronts Nyx Avatar
NyxBattle.gif|Nyx Avatar in battle
Nyx Avatar in battle.PNG|Nyx Avatar in battle
Nyx Avatar taunt.PNG|Nyx Avatar taunts the party
Nyx Avatar casts a spell.PNG|Nyx Avatar about to cast Arcana Shift
Smiling_Arrogantly.png|An example of its only attack in the "Fool" phase.
Nyx in anime cutscene.jpg|Nyx Avatar in an anime cutscene
NyxAvatarFace.png|Nyx Avatar's face
==Trivia==
*Nyx's presence is so strong that Fuuka Yamagishi is able to sense it without her Persona.
*The Persona 3 Club Book explains that Nyx is a celestial-body sized alien called a Planet Eater. Nyx crashed into prehistoric Earth where her body and psyche were separated, with her body becoming the Moon and her psyche staying on Earth. Her "wave-like psyche" existed in contradiction to the psyche of early humans on Earth, so humanity evolved to seal Nyx within the Collective Unconscious as their Shadows. The Fall is when of both Nyx parts which would, if rejoined, rip the Shadows out of the living creatures on Earth while simultaneously destroying Earth. This process is kicked underway by the events of Persona 3.
*The Persona 3 Club Book explains that Plumes of Dusk are fragments of Nyx's body that were shed when Nyx's body fused with the moon. They exist in a state between matter and information, having properties of both, and carry within them the same space-time manipulation ability as Shadows; they are essentially physical Shadows.
*It is also mentioned in the guidebook that the Nyx in Persona 3 is named after the Greek goddess of the same name. In Greek mythology Nyx embodied a powerful Mother-Archetype, so the being was named after her due to humanity feeling they were all her children. Conversely, gods and demons emerge from humans as another means to defend their psyche from Nyx. Negative emotions can also help weaken the seal on her psyche, with events like the Fall having happened before.
*Nyx is not a manifestation of a collective thought (unlike Nyarlathotep, Izanami, Yaldabaoth or Enlil), but an almighty, astronomical entity who appeared from outer space.
*In the English dub of the original game, the Nyx Avatar speaks in a deep, booming voice. This does not occur in any other version or the movie where its voice is similar to Ryoji's with slight alterations.
* In the movie, the BGM that plays when fighting Nyx Avatar is swapped with the BGM that plays when "fighting" Nyx's main body (Burn My Dread's instrumental version plays during the first half of the Nyx Avatar battle while "the Battle for Everyone's Souls" plays when the protagonist tries to seal Nyx.)
*The skill "Night Queen" is also the name by which Nyx is referred to in Megami Ibunroku Persona during the Snow Queen Quest.
Category:Persona 3 Enemies
Category:Final Bosses
Category:Fool Arcana
Category:Magician Arcana
Category:Priestess Arcana
Category:Empress Arcana
Category:Emperor Arcana
Category:Hierophant Arcana
Category:Lovers Arcana
Category:Chariot Arcana
Category:Justice Arcana
Category:Hermit Arcana
Category:Fortune Arcana
Category:Strength Arcana
Category:Hanged Man Arcana
Category:Death Arcana
Category:Greco-Roman Mythology
Category:Original creations