Do You Need to Max Out Maruki in Persona 5 Royal? A Comprehensive Guide
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The short answer is a resounding yes. Maxing out the Takuto Maruki Confidant in Persona 5 Royal is not just recommended, it’s absolutely essential if you want to experience everything the game has to offer, including its true ending and the coveted third semester. Let’s delve into why this Confidant is so crucial and what happens if you don’t prioritize him.
Why Maruki is the Key to Unlocking Persona 5 Royal’s True Potential
Persona 5 Royal isn’t just a polished re-release; it’s an enhanced version of an already fantastic game, largely thanks to the addition of the third semester. This extra content provides a richer narrative, new challenges, and a deeper exploration of the characters we’ve come to love. But accessing this content hinges on your relationship with Maruki.
If you fail to reach Rank 9 with Maruki by November 18th, you’ll be effectively locked out of the third semester, missing out on a new palace, higher-level Personas, additional school days, and a significant chunk of the game’s story. The third semester adds so much value to the experience that many consider it the definitive Persona 5 Royal experience.
Reaching Rank 9 with Maruki is a non-negotiable requirement for triggering the events that lead to the true ending. While the game offers multiple endings, the true ending offers a satisfying resolution to the game’s central themes and provides closure for the Phantom Thieves. The final push from Rank 8 to Rank 9 must be completed manually. After that Rank 9 to Rank 10 happens automatically.
The Benefits of Maxing Out Maruki’s Confidant
Beyond unlocking the third semester and the true ending, maxing out Maruki offers tangible gameplay benefits. As you deepen your bond with him, you’ll gain access to potent Confidant abilities that can significantly impact your playthrough.
One of the earliest benefits is Detox X, which can cure ailments, making dungeon crawling much easier. Additionally, maxing his Confidant unlocks Wakefulness, which enhances SP recovery, crucial for long palace explorations. These abilities, combined with the narrative rewards, make Maruki one of the most valuable Confidants in the game.
What Happens If You Don’t Max Out Maruki?
Failing to max out Maruki has significant consequences:
- Locked Out of the Third Semester: This is the most significant consequence. You’ll miss out on a substantial portion of the game’s content, including a new palace, story arcs, and character development.
- Missed Narrative Opportunities: The third semester delves deeper into the game’s themes of reality, choice, and acceptance, providing a richer and more complex narrative experience.
- Missed Gameplay Content: New Personas, challenges, and gameplay mechanics are introduced in the third semester, enriching the overall gameplay experience.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) About Maruki and the True Ending
1. What is the deadline for maxing out Maruki?
The deadline to reach Rank 9 with Maruki is November 18th. If you’re at Rank 8 before this date, the game will automatically advance you to Rank 9. Rank 10 will be reached automatically on November 18th.
2. Can I still get the true ending if I don’t max out Akechi?
While maxing out Akechi isn’t required for the true ending per se, failing to reach Rank 8 with him by November 17th will result in missing certain scenes, locking you out of accessing his top-tier Persona, and missing a post-credit scene. So, while you can technically reach the true ending without maxing Akechi, doing so greatly enhances the narrative experience.
3. What happens if I don’t complete the final palace by the deadline in the third semester?
If you reject Maruki’s deal on January 9th and choose to confront his palace, but fail to complete it by February 2nd, you’ll be locked into a bad ending.
4. Is it too late to start Maruki’s Confidant if I’m already in the late game?
As long as you reach Rank 8 before November 18th, you’re still on track. Focus on spending time with Maruki whenever he’s available.
5. How important is Maruki’s Confidant compared to other Confidants?
Maruki’s Confidant is arguably the most important, given its direct impact on unlocking the true ending and the third semester. Prioritize him accordingly.
6. Do I need to max out Kasumi Yoshizawa to get the true ending?
No, you do not need to max out Kasumi’s Confidant (Faith Arcana) for the true ending. Her Confidant only has 5 ranks and the deadline to complete her Confidant is 12/18.
7. What rank is Maruki required to reach for the true ending?
You must reach at least Rank 9 to unlock the true ending with Takuto Maruki (Councillor) by November 18th.
8. Is Maruki a difficult boss to fight?
Yes, Maruki’s final boss fight can be challenging. He has various targets, including his Persona, tentacles, and himself, and their resistances can change throughout the battle. Prepare a diverse team and target resistances effectively.
9. Is Maruki considered a villain in Persona 5 Royal?
Maruki’s role is complex. While he initially appears as a benevolent counselor, his actions in the third semester, particularly his desire to reshape reality according to his own ideals, position him as an antagonist. However, his motivations are rooted in a desire to alleviate suffering, making him a morally ambiguous character.
10. What are some of the best abilities I can get from Maruki’s Confidant?
Early on, Detox X, which cures ailments, is extremely useful. Later, Wakefulness, which enhances SP recovery, is invaluable for exploring Palaces.
11. Can I complete Maruki’s Palace early? Does it skip time?
Completing Maruki’s Palace early doesn’t skip time. Finishing it early has the same outcome as finishing other palaces early.
12. How long does it take to beat Maruki’s Palace?
Maruki’s Palace is one of the largest in the game and requires multiple days to complete. The initial exploration and subsequent trips to Mementos to remove roadblocks add to the total time investment. It will take at least three days to complete the Palace.
13. What is the final ability you get at Rank 10 of the Councillor Confidant?
The final ability you receive at Rank 10 is Wakefulness, and it improves the SP recovery of Mindfulness. Also, the final Councillor Persona Vohu Manah is unlocked.
14. What happens to Akechi at the end of Persona 5 Royal?
The nature of Akechi’s survival is intentionally ambiguous, depending on choices the player makes during his Confidant.
15. Why is it so important to focus on Confidants in Persona 5 Royal?
Confidants are essential for unlocking new abilities, enhancing your Personas, and gaining access to valuable gameplay benefits. They also offer a deeper understanding of the game’s characters and themes, enriching the overall narrative experience. Understanding how games impact learning and behavior can provide further insight into the importance of these relationships within the game. For more information on this topic, visit GamesLearningSociety.org.
Final Thoughts: Make Maruki a Priority
In conclusion, maxing out Takuto Maruki’s Confidant is absolutely crucial for experiencing the complete Persona 5 Royal experience. It unlocks the true ending, the third semester, and powerful gameplay abilities that will significantly enhance your playthrough. Don’t overlook this Confidant; make him a priority, and you’ll be rewarded with a richer, more satisfying adventure.