Just bought this bad boy and popped it in. What am I in for and

Die to RNG in the early game.
Fuse overpowered shit.
Don't fuse your Pixie.

>>387302932
Don't neglect Buffs/Debuffs (i.e. spells that affect the attack/defense/evade rate of your party and the foes e.g. Sukukaja/Sukunda, Rakukaja/Rakunda)

They are very important in getting through tough battles. You basically don't have to grind unless you're trying to recruit a higher level demon. The strategy lies in the demons in your active party, the magatama you ingest, and making full use of the press turn system.

>Don't fuse your Pixie.
Why wouldn't you? The game doesn't care as long as you don't release whatever demon she ends up in even after 500 fusions.

>>387303338
It wouldn't feel right if she's not looking like one.

>>387303273
You can fuse the pixie, and the resulting demon, as many times as you want. You just don't want to dismiss the final result. Always keep the pixie's descendant with you.

>>387302932
Use buffs and debuffs seriously.

>>387303410
Mine ended up as harlot, shit was funny.

>>387302932
Get fog breath as soon as you see it and fuse Daisojou the moment you're able to.

You can ignore the labyrinth of amala if you're not going for the true demon ending (TDE is cool though), but there's some worthwhile stuff in there if you don't mind the dungeon crawl.

>>387303273
>Don't fuse your Pixie.

As if the reward was worth it

What should I be maxing out in the early game?

>>387306307
Str only Str.

>>387306307
Get all your stats to 30, but mostly str.

As others have said, buffs and debuffs, but it's so important that it's worth repeating.
Fusion is the primary method of getting stronger demons, not leveling up. Don't get attached.
Do not play on hard mode on your first playthrough. Yes, this is a turn-based JRPG and the genre is usually easy enough to warrant blind hard modes, but don't do it to yourself.

>>387302932

Fuse your demons often but consider leveling them up to at least learn all of their skills first

Recruit like crazy, you will never not need fodder demons.

Momonofu (eventually Arahabaki) is op as shit early game, get one when you get a chance.

Str is the most important stat, get it to at least 30 (the best megatama in the game gives +10 all stats and I want to say the ones before it give 10 str).

Buffs and debuffs are your friend, you want at least Tarukaja and Rakukaja on every team (you can ignore Makakaja though) as well as a spattering of Debuffs (Sukunda and Tarunda being the most important) until you get debilitate late game.

Take advantage of the press turn system and always aim for the enemy weakness when you can.

Try not to stack up on the same weakness in your active demons. Certain bosses will fuck you royally.

Matador is a noob trap (you'll know when you get to him), come prepared with a decent healer and sukunda/fog breath and you should be ok.

Good luck