Monster type (Secret of Mana)

This article is about monster types from Secret of Mana. For monster types in the Mana series, see Monster type.

Monster types are attributes given to enemies in the Mana series. While in some games those are purely aesthetics, in others they influence the enemy's elemental and/or weapon strengths and weaknesses.

Secret of Mana

There are 14 monsters types in Secret of Mana, though the original japanese game lumps Gas Body and Spirit together. The only notable characteristic that sets them appart is their susceptibility to some weapons. Most types are paired with another when it comes to weaknesses. Additionally, some monster types have different names depending on the source (game or official guidebook).

Animal

Japanese name: 動物 (Animal)

“These are standard animal monsters. The[y] are traditionally found in the fields and woods, but they may also appear just about anywhere else.”

—Secret of Mana Official Game Secrets

Monsters that have the Animal typing have physical traits taken from mammals (rabbits, wolves, bats, moles). There isn't a defining elemental affinity or weakness for that monster group.

Name	Strong	Weak
Blat	None	None
Grave Bat	Shade	Lumina
Heck Hound	Shade	Lumina
Howler	None	None
Pebbler	Gnome	Sylphid
Rabite	None	None
Silktail	None	None
Werewolf	Luna	Dryad

Beast/Beastman

Japanese name: 獣人 (Beastman)

Bird

Japanese name: トリ (Bird)

“Creatures of the Bird type mostly fly (except for the Eggatrice and Griffin Hand[)]. Shoot with range weapons like the Bow. They are difficult to hit with short-range weapons until they are knocked to the ground.”

—Secret of Mana Official Game Secrets

Bird type monsters are all inspired of real or mythological avian creatures. They are noteworthy of being almost all strong againt wind-elemental magic and weak againt earth magic. They also have the distinction of having a unique dying animation, which sends feathers gliding momentarily.

Name	Strong	Weak
Eggatrice	Gnome	Sylphid
Griffin Hand	Sylphid	Gnome
Kimono Bird	Sylphid	Gnome
Kimono Wizard	Sylphid	Gnome
Nemesis Owl	Sylphid	Gnome

Demi-Human/Dragon

Japanese name: 亜人 (Demi-Human)

“Creatures in the Dragon Group can be found almost anywhere. They tend to have powerful attacks and sometimes thrwo weapons. Some call other monsters.”

—Secret of Mana Official Game Secrets

The Dragon group is most likely as misnomer since no enemy depicted in this class share draconic features. The Demi-Human fits the requirements better, as all of them are bipedal weapon wielding monsters. Most of them don't seem to be connected with a specific element.

Name	Strong	Weak
Captain Duck	None	None
Chobin Hood	None	None
Dark Ninja	None	None
Eggplant Man	None	None
Goblin	Gnome	Sylphid
Kid Goblin	Gnome	Sylphid
Mad Mallard	None	None
Ma Goblin	Gnome	Sylphid
Master Ninja	None	None
Robin Foot	None	None
Tomato Man	Salamando	Undine

Demon

Japanese name: アクマ (Akuma)

“The creatures in the Demon group can be very troublesome. Attack quickly, or keep away. These creatures can often call other creatures, cast magic spells, and use special attacks. Some can appear and disappear.”

—Secret of Mana Official Game Secrets

Enemies with the demon type are based of biblical or mythological creatures, especially those known for their nefarious influence. They all share an affinity with dark-elemental magic and a weakness for light spells. Most of them can summon other enemies.

Name	Strong	Weak
Dark Stalker	Shade	Lumina
Fiend Head	Shade	Lumina
Fierce Head	Shade	Lumina
Gremlin	Shade	Lumina
Imp	Shade	Lumina
Wolf Lord	Shade	Lumina

Fish

Japanese name: サカナ (Fish)

“Fish are found in water. Some use various weapons, while others may spit water out and cause a great deal of damage. Keep your distance and don't stand in front of fish creatures.”

—Secret of Mana Official Game Secrets

Fish type monsters are reminescent of aquatic wildlife (fishes, frogs, jellyfishes). They are almost all aligned with the Water element and weak to Fire.

Name	Strong	Weak
Dinofish	Undine	Salamando
Ice Thug	Undine	Salamando
Iffish	Undine	Salamando
Marmablue	Luna	Dryad
Water Thug	Undine	Salamando

Gas Body

Japanese name: 霊体 (Spirit Body)

“Like the Apparitions, Gas Bodies attack with spells and are hard to fight. They are also slow to attack, so the best strategy is to keep away from them. They will follow you, though, so keep moving or they'll start casting spells.”

—Secret of Mana Official Game Secrets

Gas Bodies, like Apparitions, cannot be hit by any physical attacks and are only vulnerable by magic.

Name	Strong	Weak
Dark Funk	Salamando	Undine
LA Funk	Undine	Salamando

Insect

Japanese name: ムシ (Insect)

“Insects are everywhere, so why not in the world of Mana? Insects may use stingers or special magic attacks. Flying insects can be difficult to attack with short-range weapons. But insects are not very strong and are easy to stop.”

—Secret of Mana Official Game Secrets

Insect monsters are typically depicted as bugs or arthropods, but the Chess Knight is a notable exception. Most are aligned with either the Moon or Earth element. Also, the majority has a relatively unique death animation, their exoskeleton bursting after fainting.

Name	Strong	Weak
Bomb Bee	Salamando	Undine
Buzz Bee	Dryad	Luna
Chess Knight	Dryad	Luna
Crawler	Dryad	Luna
Sand Stinger	Gnome	Sylphid
Spider Legs	Gnome	Sylphid
Steamed Crab	None	None

Lizard/Reptile

Japanese name: リザード (Lizard)

“Three creatures belong in the Reptile type. They may be found in many places, but they are relatively few in number. Be careful of their attacks. They are fast and powerful. Attack, then withdraw.”

—Secret of Mana Official Game Secrets

This small monster group is based on real and mythological reptiles.

Name	Strong	Weak
Basilisk	Gnome	Sylphid
Shellblast	Undine	Salamando
Turtlance	Undine	Salamando

Metallic/Machine

Japanese name: カラダのかたい (Hard Body)

“The Machine group consists of metallic creatures. They often have very strong defense, but an be defeated with even stronger weapon attacks, or, in some cases, with magic.”

—Secret of Mana Official Game Secrets

The metallic group is comprised of enchanted metal equipment, robots, or metal-clad monsters.

Name	Strong	Weak
Armored Man	None	None
Dark Knight	Shade	Lumina
Doom Sword	None	None
Evil Sword	Luna	Dryad
Metal Crab	None	None
Metal Crawler	Dryad	Luna
Needlion	Gnome*	Sylphid
Steelpion	Gnome	Sylphid
Terminator	Lumina	Shade
Whimper	Lumina	Shade

• Needlion is categorized as an Animal type in japanese guidebook.

Plant

Japanese name: しょくぶつ (Vegetation)

“Plants are found throughout the land, but they are generally weak creatures. Some can cast sleep magic of spray out spores that put you to sleep.”

—Secret of Mana Official Game Secrets

Plant type monsters are comprised of mutated vegetation or all kind and wooden furniture. The vast majority are aligned with the Wood element and weak to Moon magic.

Name	Strong	Weak
Lullabud	Dryad	Luna
Mimic Box	Luna	Dryad
Mushboom	Dryad	Luna
Mushgloom	Dryad	Luna
National Scar	None	None
Nitro Pumpkin	Dryad	Luna
Polter Chair	Dryad	Luna
Pumpkin Bomb	Dryad	Luna
Trap Flower	Dryad	Luna
Weepy Eye	Lumina	Shade

Slime/Morph

Japanese name: スライム (Slime)

“The Morph group consists of creaues with indefinite shapes for the most part. Many of these creatures can divide like cells. Others can turn into other creatures or call other monsters. Many cast spells or have other attacks.”

—Secret of Mana Official Game Secrets

Slime type monsters are generally depicted as having an inconsistent and/or gelatinous consistency. A sizeable of them are strong against Water magic and weak to the Fire element.

Name	Strong	Weak
Blue Drop	Undine	Salamando
Emberman	Salamando	Undine
Eye Spy	Undine	Salamando
Green Drop	Undine	Salamando
Red Drop	Salamando	Undine
Shape Shifter	None	None
Tsunami	Undine	Salamando
Wizard Eye	Undine	Salamando

Spirit/Apparition

Japanese name: 霊体 (Spirit Body)

“These ghostly creatures are very hard to attack, and can do great damage with their spells. However, they are generally slow to attack, so keep moving and stay out of their way. Don't bother to fight them.”

—Secret of Mana Official Game Secrets

The spirit type monsters are very similar to Gas Body monsters, in that they are invulnerable to physical attacks. They are strong against Light magic and weak against the Dark element.

Name	Strong	Weak
Ghost	Shade	Wisp
Specter	Shade	Wisp

Undead/Nonliving

Japanese name: アンデッド (Undead)

“Undead creatures are usually found inside caves or palaces. Sometimes they are summoned by other monsters. They have powerful attacks, but low hit points. Use range weapons for easy victories.”

—Secret of Mana Official Game Secrets

Undead monsters are comprised of the typical zombies and ghouls you may find in early RPGs. All of them are aligned with Dark magic, making them weak to Light.

Name	Strong	Weak
Beast Zombie	Shade	Wisp
Ghoul	Shade	Wisp
Zombie	Shade	Wisp

References

Secret of Mana

• Secret Of Mana Official Game Secrets
• WT-Navi