Is There a Way to Get Arsene Back in Persona 5/Royal? The Definitive Guide
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Yes, absolutely! While Arsene, Joker’s initial Persona, is lost early in Persona 5 and Persona 5 Royal, he is far from gone forever. You can re-acquire Arsene by summoning him from the Persona Compendium located within the Velvet Room. This means you’re not stuck without your iconic starter Persona for long, giving you the option to relive those early-game vibes or even build a surprisingly powerful Arsene through strategic fusion and skill inheritance. Here’s a comprehensive guide on how to bring Arsene back into your Phantom Thief lineup and what you can do with him.
The Velvet Room: Your Key to Reclaiming Arsene
The Velvet Room, accessible throughout the game, is run by Igor and his assistants. Here, you can register Personas you’ve acquired, fuse new ones, and, most importantly, summon previously owned Personas from the Compendium for a fee.
To retrieve Arsene:
- Access the Velvet Room: This can be done at various points throughout the game.
- Talk to Igor: Select the option to access the Persona Compendium.
- Find Arsene: Scroll through your registered Personas until you locate Arsene. He’ll be at the very beginning of the list since he is the first Persona you acquired.
- Pay the Summoning Fee: Each Persona has a summoning cost based on its level and stats. Arsene’s initial cost is relatively low, making him accessible early on.
- Summon Arsene: Confirm your purchase, and Arsene will rejoin your active Persona roster.
Why Bother Bringing Arsene Back?
Initially, Arsene might seem weak compared to Personas you acquire later in the game. His base stats are low, and his initial skills are limited. However, there are several compelling reasons to consider bringing him back:
- Nostalgia: For many players, Arsene is a beloved Persona. Reclaiming him allows you to reconnect with the start of Joker’s journey.
- Skill Inheritance: Arsene can inherit powerful skills through Persona fusion. By strategically fusing him with other Personas, you can create a surprisingly versatile and potent version of Arsene.
- Challenge Runs: Some players enjoy completing the game (or specific sections) using only Arsene. This adds a significant level of difficulty and requires creative strategies.
- Fusion Material: Arsene is needed to fuse the ultimate persona, Satanael.
- Completionism: If you’re a completionist aiming to register every Persona in the Compendium, you’ll eventually need to re-summon Arsene to fill out your collection.
Making Arsene Powerful: Fusion and Skill Inheritance
The key to making Arsene viable in the late game is through clever fusion and skill inheritance. By repeatedly fusing Arsene with different Personas and carefully selecting the skills he inherits, you can create a version of Arsene that far surpasses his initial capabilities.
Here’s the general process:
- Acquire Personas with Desired Skills: Look for Personas that possess powerful skills you want Arsene to learn. These could include elemental resistances/immunities, potent attack skills, or support abilities.
- Fuse Those Personas with Arsene: When fusing, pay close attention to the skills that can be inherited. Choose skills that complement Arsene’s existing strengths or cover his weaknesses.
- Repeat the Process: Continue fusing Arsene multiple times, each time inheriting new and powerful skills. You can also use Skill Cards to teach Arsene specific skills.
With enough effort, you can create an Arsene that is resistant to multiple elements, deals significant damage, and provides valuable support to your team.
Arsene’s Transformation into Satanael
The most significant reason to keep Arsene relevant, even if only in the Compendium, is his role in the fusion of Satanael, the ultimate Persona of the Fool Arcana.
During the climax of the game, Arsene transforms into Satanael, representing Joker’s ultimate rebellion against societal constraints. However, to fuse Satanael in New Game Plus, you’ll need to gather several specific Personas, including Arsene.
The Personas needed to fuse Satanael are:
- Arsene (Fool Arcana)
- Anzu (Hierophant Arcana)
- Ishtar (Lovers Arcana)
- Michael (Judgment Arcana)
- Lucifer (Star Arcana)
- Satan (Judgment Arcana)
Fusing Satanael requires a high level (95) and is only possible in New Game Plus. However, the resulting Persona is incredibly powerful, boasting high stats and powerful skills, making him a valuable asset in the endgame.
Ultimately, while Arsene might seem like a relic of the early game, he remains a significant Persona throughout Persona 5 and Persona 5 Royal. Whether for nostalgia, challenge runs, or the ultimate goal of fusing Satanael, reclaiming Arsene from the Compendium is a worthwhile endeavor for any dedicated player. If you are curious about the ways games impact learning, then you could find resources on the Games Learning Society website or GamesLearningSociety.org.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about Arsene in Persona 5/Royal
1. Can Arsene learn every skill in the game?
No, Arsene cannot learn every skill. Like all Personas, Arsene has a limited number of skill slots (8) and can only inherit skills compatible with his Arcana (Fool). This is why strategic skill selection during fusion is crucial.
2. Is there a specific level I need to be to re-summon Arsene?
There is no specific level requirement to re-summon Arsene from the Compendium. As long as you have the necessary funds, you can summon him at any point after you’ve registered him.
3. Does Arsene’s summoning cost increase the more I summon him?
No, Arsene’s summoning cost remains consistent each time you summon him from the Compendium. The cost is based on his level and stats at the time he was registered, and it doesn’t change with subsequent summons.
4. Can I use Skill Cards to teach Arsene new skills?
Yes, you can use Skill Cards to teach Arsene new skills, provided those skills are compatible with his Arcana. This is a great way to supplement his inherited skills and customize his skillset.
5. Is it worth leveling up Arsene in the late game?
Whether it’s worth leveling up Arsene in the late game depends on your goals. If you’re aiming for a challenge run or want to optimize him for fusion purposes, then yes. However, if you’re simply looking for the most powerful Personas, there are likely better options available.
6. Does Arsene have any unique skills that other Personas can’t learn?
No, Arsene doesn’t have any unique skills that are exclusive to him. All of his skills can be learned by other Personas through leveling up or skill inheritance.
7. What is the best way to make Arsene resistant to different elements?
The best way to make Arsene resistant to different elements is through strategic fusion. Look for Personas that possess resistances to elements you want Arsene to inherit, and carefully select those skills during fusion.
8. Can I fuse Arsene with a Persona of a higher level?
Yes, you can fuse Arsene with Personas of higher levels. The resulting Persona will be determined by the fusion combination, and the level of the resulting Persona will depend on the levels of the Personas used in the fusion.
9. Does Arsene’s appearance change when he transforms into Satanael?
Yes, Arsene undergoes a significant transformation when he becomes Satanael. Satanael has a drastically different appearance, reflecting his status as the ultimate Persona of the Fool Arcana.
10. Is Satanael the strongest Persona in Persona 5 Royal?
Yes, Satanael is widely considered one of the strongest Personas in Persona 5 Royal, possessing high stats, powerful skills, and resistances to multiple elements. However, he is only accessible in New Game Plus.
11. Do I need to max out the Fool Confidant to fuse Satanael?
No, maxing out the Fool Confidant is not required to fuse Satanael. Fusing Satanael primarily requires reaching a high level (95) and acquiring the necessary fusion materials (the other six Personas).
12. Can I use Arsene in the final battle against Yaldabaoth even if I haven’t fused him into Satanael?
Yes, Arsene plays a crucial role in the final battle against Yaldabaoth, even if you haven’t fused him into Satanael. During the climax of the battle, Arsene undergoes his transformation into Satanael as part of the storyline.
13. Are there any benefits to having Arsene in my active party during the final battle?
There aren’t specific gameplay benefits to having Arsene in your active party during the final battle leading up to his transformation. His main role is to trigger the story event that leads to the creation of Satanael.
14. What are some recommended skills to inherit onto Arsene for a challenge run?
For a challenge run, consider inheriting skills that provide elemental coverage, healing, and support. Some recommended skills include:
- Agidyne/Bufudyne/Ziodyne/Garudyne: For dealing elemental damage.
- Media/Mediarama/Mediarahan: For healing.
- Rakukaja/Tarukaja/Sukukaja: For buffing your party.
- Resist/Null/Absorb skills: To cover his elemental weaknesses.
15. Is it possible to complete Persona 5/Royal using only Arsene?
While extremely challenging, it is possible to complete Persona 5 and Persona 5 Royal using only Arsene. This requires meticulous planning, strategic skill inheritance, and a deep understanding of the game’s mechanics. It’s a popular challenge run for experienced players looking for a unique and difficult experience.