Does Mishima Always Level Up in Persona 5 Royal? A Comprehensive Guide
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The short answer is no, Mishima does not always level up in Persona 5 Royal. While it’s true that many of Mishima’s confidant ranks advance automatically when you spend time with him, this is not a constant rule. He’s a bit of a special case in the confidant system. Reaching higher ranks with Yuuki Mishima requires fulfilling specific conditions, primarily completing Mementos requests that he provides. Simply hanging out with him won’t cut it after a certain point! Think of him as a confidant who gives you homework before rewarding you with a level up.
Understanding Mishima’s Confidant Link
Mishima’s Confidant link, the Moon Arcana, is crucial for boosting your party’s experience gains. It’s easy to underestimate him initially, but his abilities significantly impact your grinding efficiency, especially in the late game.
The first two ranks of Mishima’s confidant are indeed automatic, occurring through story progression. However, to truly maximize his potential and unlock the powerful benefits he offers, you’ll need to engage with the Mementos system and complete the requests he sends your way. This means tackling mini-dungeons and overcoming various challenges to improve your team and his confidence.
Why Mishima Is Worth Your Time
Mishima’s confidant abilities are all about experience gain, benefiting both your active party members and those in reserve. This is invaluable for leveling up Personas and ensuring your entire team is ready for any challenge. His final ability, granting experience even to backup members, is especially useful when experimenting with different team compositions or catching up underleveled characters.
Furthermore, leveling up with Mishima grants new Mementos requests via text messages. This makes him essential for anyone aiming to complete all requests within the game, including those required for unlocking the true ending in Persona 5 Royal.
Mishima’s Ranking Requirements
To rank up Mishima effectively, focus on the following:
- Complete Mishima-given Mementos requests: This is the primary requirement for progressing beyond the initial ranks.
- Meet social stat requirements (if any): Mishima’s social stat requirements are fairly low, so you don’t need to worry too much about leveling any up if you are progressing the game naturally.
- Be mindful of deadlines: While Mishima himself doesn’t have an early deadline like some other confidants, all confidants must be completed before December 22nd for a normal playthrough.
- Avoid conflicts: If Shido’s Palace is in progress, Mishima’s confidant will be temporarily unavailable due to story events. He will let you know.
- Rainy Days: Mishima isn’t available on rainy days.
Detailed Rank Requirements for Mishima
Here’s a clearer breakdown of what you need for certain ranks:
- Rank 3: Complete at least one Mishima-given Mementos request.
- Rank 9: Complete at least eight Mishima-given Mementos requests.
These are the only two mentioned, but keep in mind the requests will continue throughout the game.
Mishima’s Ultimate Persona
Reaching Rank 10 with Mishima not only grants you the most significant EXP boosts but also unlocks the ability to fuse Sandalphon, the ultimate Moon Persona. In New Game Plus, Mishima gives Joker the Documentary Plans on 3/19 if he hits rank 10, which unlocks all of Mishima’s abilities from the start.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about Mishima
Here are some frequently asked questions about Mishima’s Confidant link to further clarify how to progress and maximize his benefits:
1. Does having a Moon arcana Persona equipped affect Mishima’s rank ups?
No, unlike most confidants, having a Moon arcana Persona equipped does not affect Mishima’s rank ups. His progression is primarily tied to completing Mementos requests and spending time with him.
2. Is Mishima’s Confidant link considered essential?
Yes, Mishima’s Confidant link is considered essential, especially if you want to optimize your leveling process and complete all Mementos requests. His abilities offer significant EXP boosts for the entire party, making grinding less tedious.
3. What happens if I ignore Mishima’s Mementos requests?
If you ignore Mishima’s Mementos requests, you will be unable to rank up his Confidant link beyond a certain point. You’ll miss out on valuable EXP bonuses and the opportunity to fuse Sandalphon.
4. Can I romance Mishima?
No, Mishima is not a romanceable character in Persona 5 Royal. His Confidant link focuses on friendship and support for the Phantom Thieves.
5. Are there any specific dialogue choices that affect Mishima’s rank ups?
While dialogue choices can impact your relationship with some confidants, they generally do not affect Mishima’s rank ups. His progression depends primarily on completing Mementos requests. However, it’s always good practice to answer in a positive manner.
6. What are some of the best abilities Mishima unlocks?
Some of the best abilities Mishima unlocks include:
- Mishima’s Support: Increases EXP earned in battle.
- Mishima’s Cheer: Further increases EXP earned.
- Backup Cheer: Grants EXP to backup party members.
7. Can I complete Mishima’s Confidant link in a single playthrough?
Yes, it’s definitely possible to complete Mishima’s Confidant link in a single playthrough. Just prioritize his Mementos requests and make time to hang out with him whenever possible.
8. What is Sandalphon, and why is it important?
Sandalphon is the ultimate Moon Persona, unlocked by reaching Rank 10 with Mishima. It possesses powerful abilities and stats, making it a valuable addition to your Persona collection.
9. How do I find Mishima?
Mishima can typically be found at night in various locations. He starts in Shibuya, then moves to Shinjuku, and eventually to Akihabara. You’ll receive text messages from him when he’s available.
10. What happens on February 15th if you are dating multiple girls, will Mishima be there?
Mishima will not be at the valentines scene. This scene is a humorous event where all your dating partners confront you about being a cheater.
11. What is the deadline for ranking up Mishima?
Like most confidants, the deadline for ranking up Mishima is December 22nd, before the game’s ending sequence.
12. Do Mishima’s Mementos requests expire?
Yes, some Mementos requests do expire. Pay close attention to the deadlines provided in the request details. Failing to complete them in time can impact your Confidant progression.
13. Is Mishima’s Confidant important for unlocking the true ending?
While Mishima’s Confidant isn’t directly required to unlock the true ending, completing his Mementos requests and maxing his rank can indirectly assist you by boosting your party’s levels and providing access to powerful Personas.
14. Is Mishima’s confidant good in Persona 5 Strikers?
Mishima is not a confidant in Persona 5 Strikers.
15. Where can I learn more about effective gameplay strategies for Persona 5 Royal?
For deeper dives into gameplay strategies and mechanics, consider exploring resources and community forums dedicated to Persona 5 Royal. You might also find valuable insights from academic research on game-based learning, such as the work highlighted by the Games Learning Society. Visit GamesLearningSociety.org for more information on how games can enhance learning and development.
By following these tips and focusing on completing Mishima’s Mementos requests, you can effectively rank up his Confidant link and reap the rewards of increased EXP gains. Good luck, Phantom Thief!