Do I Need to Keep Arsene in Persona 5? A Comprehensive Guide

The short answer is: no, you don’t need to keep Arsene in Persona 5 or Persona 5 Royal. While Arsene is your initial Persona and has a certain nostalgic value, from a purely strategic perspective, he quickly becomes outclassed by other Personas you can acquire and fuse. Unless you’re undertaking a challenge run (like an Arsene-only playthrough), there’s very little practical benefit to keeping him around long-term. Think of him like training wheels – helpful at the start, but eventually you’ll want something more powerful.

Why Arsene Loses His Edge

Arsene’s limitations stem from a few key factors:

• Low Base Stats: As your starting Persona, Arsene’s stats are naturally much lower than those of Personas you’ll acquire later in the game.
• Limited Skill Slots: While you can use the Gallows to strengthen Arsene and inherit skills, you’re still limited by the number of skill slots available. More powerful Personas often come with a better spread of skills from the outset.
• Vulnerability to Weaknesses: Initially, Arsene has weaknesses that need to be covered with skill inheritance, taking up valuable slots that could be used for offensive or support abilities.
• Fusion Potential: Arsene is ultimately designed to be used in fusion. He’s a component in creating more potent Personas, and that’s arguably his primary purpose in the long run.

The Exceptions to the Rule

Despite his limitations, there are specific scenarios where keeping Arsene around might be worthwhile:

• Challenge Runs: As mentioned, an Arsene-only playthrough or other self-imposed challenges can add a layer of difficulty and require creative strategies to maximize his potential.
• Early Game Optimization: In the very early stages of the game, before you have access to a wide variety of Personas, Arsene can be a viable option if you carefully manage his skills and take advantage of his unique abilities. This is especially true if you spend time in the Velvet Room early and often.
• Sentimental Value: Let’s be honest, some players simply like Arsene’s design or enjoy the challenge of making him a powerful Persona despite his inherent limitations. There’s nothing wrong with keeping him around for purely personal reasons.

Building a Powerful Arsene

If you do decide to stick with Arsene, here’s how to maximize his effectiveness:

• Skill Inheritance: Focus on covering his weaknesses and equipping him with powerful offensive skills. Look for Personas with skills like Megidolaon (Almighty damage) or elemental spells to exploit enemy weaknesses.
• Stat Boosting: Strengthen Arsene at the Gallows to improve his base stats. Consider using Personas with high Strength or Magic stats as strengthening fodder.
• Utilize Gallows Strengthen: Gallows is key to making Arsene a competitive Persona. Use the Strengthen option to inherit skills and boost his base stats.
• Take Advantage of Royal Exclusive Content: Persona 5 Royal provides additional features that further enhance Persona customization.

Arsene and Satanael

It’s crucial to remember that Arsene plays a key role in unlocking Satanael, the ultimate Persona of the Fool Arcana. This fusion, however, is only possible in New Game Plus (NG+). To fuse Satanael, you’ll need:

• Arsene
• Anzu (Hierophant Arcana)
• Ishtar (Lovers Arcana)
• Satana (Devil Arcana)
• Lucifer (Star Arcana)
• Michael (Judgment Arcana)

FAQs: Arsene in Persona 5

Here are some frequently asked questions about Arsene in Persona 5 and Persona 5 Royal, along with their answers:

1. Can I get Arsene back if I fuse him away?

Yes, you can summon Arsene back from the Persona Compendium in the Velvet Room at any time, provided you’ve registered him previously.

2. Does Arsene evolve into a different Persona during the main game?

Arsene does not evolve directly during the main game. He remains Arsene until you unlock Satanael in New Game Plus.

3. Is Arsene useful in Persona 5 Strikers?

No, Arsene is generally considered one of the weakest Personas in Persona 5 Strikers. He’s primarily useful for challenge runs or for early-game fusion fodder.

4. What skills should I give Arsene?

Focus on covering his weaknesses first. Then, prioritize powerful offensive skills that exploit enemy weaknesses or deal Almighty damage.

5. How do I fuse Arsene with other Personas?

To fuse Personas, including Arsene, go to the Velvet Room and speak to Igor or Lavenza. Select the “Fuse Persona” option and choose the Personas you want to combine.

6. What is Arsene based on?

Arsene is based on Arsène Lupin, the fictional gentleman thief created by French author Maurice Leblanc.

7. Is it better to keep Arsene or fuse him early?

For most players, fusing Arsene early is the better option. The resulting Persona will likely be more powerful and versatile.

8. Can Arsene be used in Special Fusions?

Yes, Arsene is a component in several Special Fusions, including the fusion of Satanael in New Game Plus.

9. Does Arsene have any unique abilities?

Arsene doesn’t have any unique abilities that cannot be replicated by other Personas. His main value lies in his role as Joker’s initial Persona and his fusion potential.

10. How do I get Satanael?

You can only fuse Satanael in New Game Plus after completing specific story requirements. You’ll also need to be a high enough level and have fused the necessary component Personas, including Arsene.

11. What are Treasure Demons, and should I sell them?

Treasure Demons are special Personas that are primarily designed to be sold for money or used for strengthening other Personas. It’s generally safe to sell them, as their combat utility is limited.

12. How do Confidants affect Persona fusion?

Confidants can unlock new Persona fusion recipes and provide bonuses that make fusing stronger Personas easier. Leveling up your Confidants is crucial for maximizing your Persona fusion potential. Be sure you have a persona in your inventory that matches the confidant’s arcana to gain bonus points for all rewarding dialogue options.

13. What is the strongest Persona in Persona 5 Royal?

Satanael is widely considered the strongest Persona in Persona 5 Royal, but only accessible in New Game Plus. Yoshitsune is generally considered one of the strongest Personas in Persona 5 Royal if you don’t consider NG+ Personas.

14. Why is Fusion important in Persona 5?

Fusion is essential for creating powerful Personas with a wide range of skills and resistances. It allows you to customize your team to suit your play style and overcome challenging enemies. Fusion always makes it easier to find powerful Personas!

15. Where can I learn more about the educational aspects of gaming?

The field of game-based learning is constantly evolving, with new research emerging all the time. To stay informed about the latest developments, consider exploring resources like the Games Learning Society at GamesLearningSociety.org, which focuses on the intersection of games and education.