Is Futaba’s Confidant Worth It? Absolutely! A Deep Dive into Persona 5’s Oracle

Unequivocally, yes, Futaba Sakura’s confidant is exceptionally worth it in Persona 5 and Persona 5 Royal. While she joins the party relatively late in the game and doesn’t participate directly in combat like the other Phantom Thieves, her support abilities and the advantages gained through ranking up her confidant are invaluable. Futaba provides critical tactical assistance during battles, significantly enhancing the party’s survivability and offensive capabilities. Her skills, ranging from passive buffs to game-changing interventions, make her an indispensable asset, solidifying her confidant as a priority for any player aiming to maximize their Persona 5 experience.

Why Futaba’s Confidant is Essential

Futaba’s confidant abilities are centered around providing strategic support during battles. Unlike the other Phantom Thieves, she doesn’t fight directly, but instead acts as an “Oracle,” analyzing enemies, providing buffs, and even rescuing the party from dire situations. Here’s a breakdown of why her confidant is so crucial:

• Support Skills: As you rank up Futaba’s confidant, she learns increasingly potent support skills. These include abilities that automatically restore HP/SP after battles (Moral Support, Active Support), boost party accuracy/evasion (Moral Support), and even provide complete party heals (Emergency Shift). These skills dramatically reduce the need for healing items and ensure the party stays in top condition for extended dungeon crawls.

• Search Items: Futaba’s ability to locate advantageous items during battle (Treasure Scan) is another significant benefit. This can lead to obtaining rare items, powerful weapons, and valuable resources, giving you an edge in both combat and Persona fusion.

• Tactical Intervention: Perhaps the most impactful of Futaba’s abilities are her tactical interventions. These can range from automatically nullifying a powerful enemy attack (Resist Ailments) to instantly awakening a downed teammate (Final Guard). These skills can completely turn the tide of battle, saving you from defeat and allowing you to emerge victorious in challenging encounters.

• Confidant Abilities Outside of Battle: Completing Futaba’s Confidant unlocks the ability to negotiate better item drops or more experience from battles in Mementos. This ability is valuable in maximizing your grind for money or experience points.

Ranking Up Futaba’s Confidant

Ranking up Futaba’s confidant requires a different approach than the other Phantom Thieves. Because of her social anxiety, you need to focus on developing your social stats, particularly Kindness. Sojiro Sakura, Futaba’s guardian, is also tied to her development, and your relationship with him directly impacts Futaba’s progress.

Prioritize spending time with Sojiro and boosting your Kindness stat early in the game. Once Futaba is ready to start her confidant, you can progress by spending time with her, answering her questions thoughtfully, and supporting her as she overcomes her social challenges.

FAQs About Futaba’s Confidant

1. When can I start Futaba’s confidant?

You can begin Futaba’s confidant after she officially joins the Phantom Thieves, usually around the end of July or early August. This is tied to the story progression.

2. What social stat is most important for Futaba’s confidant?

The most important social stat for unlocking and progressing Futaba’s confidant is Kindness. You’ll need a high Kindness level to initiate and advance her story.

3. Does romance with Futaba affect the gameplay?

No, romancing Futaba doesn’t drastically alter the gameplay. The main difference is in the dialogue and cutscenes during her rank 9 and 10 events. You still receive all the same confidant abilities regardless of your romantic choices.

4. Is Futaba a required confidant to max out?

No, Futaba is not a required confidant to max out for story progression. However, her abilities are so beneficial that she’s highly recommended for any playthrough.

5. What is the most useful skill Futaba learns?

Arguably, Emergency Shift is one of the most useful skills. It can completely restore your party’s HP and cure status ailments in a pinch, acting as a powerful safety net during tough battles. Additionally, Final Guard, where she will protect you from one fatal attack, is incredibly useful.

6. Does Futaba participate in All-Out Attacks?

No, Futaba does not participate directly in All-Out Attacks like the other Phantom Thieves. Her role remains as a support character providing tactical advantages.

7. Can I miss out on any of Futaba’s abilities if I don’t max out her confidant?

Yes, you’ll miss out on her highest-level abilities, such as Final Guard and more powerful versions of her support skills. Maximizing her confidant unlocks her full potential and provides the greatest benefits.

8. How does Futaba’s confidant compare to other support characters in Persona 5?

Futaba is unique in that she is the only character solely focused on support. While other characters like Ann Takamaki can provide support skills, Futaba’s entire kit is designed around enhancing the party’s capabilities and protecting them from harm.

9. What are the best ways to increase Kindness quickly?

You can increase Kindness by performing acts of kindness around Yongen-Jaya and Shibuya, working at specific part-time jobs (like the flower shop), and answering questions thoughtfully in class and during confidant events.

10. Is it worth spending time with Sojiro to improve Futaba’s confidant?

Yes, developing your relationship with Sojiro is crucial for unlocking and progressing Futaba’s confidant. Prioritize spending time with him and answering his questions honestly to build your bond.

11. What happens if I neglect Futaba’s confidant?

If you neglect Futaba’s confidant, you’ll miss out on her valuable support abilities. This can make battles more challenging and increase the need for healing items and strategic planning.

12. Does Futaba’s confidant affect the ending of the game?

No, Futaba’s confidant does not directly influence the main ending of the game. However, having maxed out her confidant can unlock unique dialogue and scenes.

13. What is the best strategy for using Futaba in combat?

The best strategy is to rely on her passive support and tactical interventions. Focus on optimizing your party’s roles and strategies, knowing that Futaba can provide crucial buffs, heals, and safeguards when needed.

14. Can Futaba’s abilities be customized?

No, Futaba’s abilities are predetermined and unlocked as you rank up her confidant. You can’t customize her skills or choose specific abilities to equip.

15. Are there any specific Personas that complement Futaba’s support abilities?

While any strong Persona will benefit from Futaba’s support, Personas with healing and buffing abilities synergize particularly well with her. This creates a powerful combination of passive and active support that can sustain the party through even the toughest battles.

Conclusion

Futaba Sakura’s confidant is undoubtedly one of the most valuable in Persona 5 and Persona 5 Royal. Her unmatched support skills, tactical interventions, and the advantages gained through ranking up her confidant make her an indispensable asset to the Phantom Thieves. By prioritizing her confidant and investing time in developing your Kindness stat, you’ll unlock a wealth of benefits that significantly enhance your gameplay experience. Whether you’re navigating the treacherous dungeons of Mementos or facing off against formidable bosses, Futaba’s presence as the Oracle will undoubtedly pave the way for victory.

For those interested in learning more about the educational aspects of gaming, check out the Games Learning Society at GamesLearningSociety.org. This organization explores the intersection of games and learning, offering insights into how games can be used as effective educational tools.