Should I Get Rid of Arsene in Persona 5 Royal? A Deep Dive
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Yes, you absolutely should get rid of Arsene in Persona 5 Royal (P5R) – eventually. While your initial Persona holds a certain sentimental value and is crucial in the early game, its stats and skill set quickly become obsolete. Holding onto him for too long will actively hinder your progress. Fuse him, say your goodbyes, and then re-summon him from the Compendium later if you need him for specific fusions, particularly for the almighty Satanael in New Game Plus. Don’t worry, he’ll always be a phone call away!
Why Arsene’s Early Game Utility Doesn’t Translate to Late-Game Viability
Arsene, based on the legendary gentleman thief Arsène Lupin, is your starting Persona and embodies the Fool Arcana. He’s decent in the beginning, boasting a few useful skills and providing a necessary power boost. However, Persona 5 Royal’s strength lies in its fusion system. As you progress, you’ll gain access to vastly superior Personas with better stats, resistances, and skills.
Arsene’s weaknesses become glaringly obvious as enemies grow stronger. He’s vulnerable to several elements, lacks significant resistances, and his skill set is limited. Continuously relying on him beyond the initial stages will turn battles into uphill struggles.
The Power of Fusion: Leveling Up Your Persona Arsenal
The core gameplay loop in Persona 5 Royal revolves around collecting, fusing, and strengthening Personas. Fusion allows you to combine two or more Personas to create a new, more powerful one. This new Persona inherits skills from its predecessors, allowing you to customize your team with potent abilities.
Fusing Arsene opens the door to a world of possibilities. By combining him with other Personas, you can create a Persona tailored to your specific needs, covering elemental weaknesses, buffing your party, and unleashing devastating attacks. Think of Arsene as a stepping stone, not a final destination.
The Compendium: Arsene’s Retirement Plan (and Second Act)
Don’t fret about losing Arsene forever! The Velvet Room’s Compendium allows you to register and re-summon any Persona you’ve previously owned, for a fee. This is crucial for several reasons:
- Fusion Ingredients: Some advanced fusions require specific Personas, including Arsene. You might need to summon him back to create a powerful Persona later in the game.
- Skill Inheritance: If you want to pass down specific skills to a future Persona, registering Arsene before fusing him allows you to re-summon him later and inherit those skills.
- Sentimental Value: Let’s be honest, Arsene is cool! If you simply want him around for nostalgia, the Compendium is your answer.
Making Arsene Useful (Again): Gallows and Skill Inheritance
Even though Arsene becomes weaker as you progress, you can keep him relevant by taking advantage of the Gallows execution and skill inheritance.
- Gallows: Sacrifice another persona to buff Arsene’s stats with a random skill inheritance. Save before using the Gallows! If you don’t like the transferred skill, you can reload your save until you get the skill you want.
- Skill Cards: Later in the game, you gain access to Skill Cards, which can teach specific skills to your Personas. Use these to give Arsene powerful abilities he wouldn’t normally learn.
However, keep in mind that even with these methods, Arsene will eventually be outclassed by other Personas.
Arsene and Satanael: A New Game Plus Destiny
The ultimate fate of Arsene lies in the hands of those who dare to venture into New Game Plus. The only way to unlock the powerful Satanael, the ultimate Persona of the Fool Arcana, is to fuse him in NG+. This requires a complex fusion involving six specific Personas, including your old friend Arsene.
So, even if you fuse him early on, remember that Arsene has a pivotal role to play in your NG+ run.
FAQs: Arsene Edition
Here are some frequently asked questions about Arsene in Persona 5 Royal:
1. Are you forced to get rid of Arsene?
No, you are not forced to get rid of Arsene. However, strategically, it’s highly recommended. You’ll gimp yourself if you insist on keeping him for too long.
2. Can I get Arsene back after fusing him?
Yes, you can re-summon Arsene from the Velvet Room’s Compendium for a fee.
3. Is Arsene’s Cane good in Persona 5 Royal?
Arsene’s Cane, Joker’s starting melee weapon, is useful early on, but will also be quickly replaced by better options.
4. Is Arsene a good Persona to have in the late game?
Generally no, Arsene isn’t a good Persona to have in the late game due to his low stats and vulnerabilities. But he is necessary for making Satanael in New Game Plus.
5. How long does Arsène last in Showtime?
Arsène remains active to boost Joker’s abilities in Showtime until the Rebellion Gauge runs out, which takes 30 seconds.
6. What is Arsene based on?
Arsene is based on Arsène Lupin, the fictional gentleman thief created by French author Maurice Leblanc.
7. Is Arsene necessary to get Satanael?
Yes, Arsene is one of the six Personas required to fuse Satanael in New Game Plus.
8. When should I fuse Arsene?
Fuse Arsene when you have access to other Personas that offer better stats, resistances, and skills. Usually around the second or third Palace.
9. Can I upgrade Arsene?
Yes, you can upgrade Arsene using the Gallows, Incense, and Skill Cards, but these are temporary fixes.
10. What skills should I give Arsene?
Focus on patching up his weaknesses by teaching him skills that cover elemental vulnerabilities. You could also teach him support skills like buffs or heals.
11. Is there an “Arsene only” playthrough possible?
Yes, although extremely challenging and tedious. But it showcases the skills and dedication of players to find different styles of playing the game. The Games Learning Society has great resources on different playing styles. Check out GamesLearningSociety.org for more information.
12. Who is the strongest Persona overall?
Satanael is widely considered the strongest Persona in Persona 5 Royal, obtainable only in New Game Plus.
13. What is the most broken Persona in Persona 5?
Yoshitsune, with his signature skill Hassou Tobi, is arguably the most broken Persona due to his ability to deal massive physical damage.
14. How do I get more Personas?
You obtain Personas by negotiating with Shadows during battle and convincing them to join your team.
15. Is Persona 5 Royal good for learning?
Yes, Persona 5 Royal can be a fantastic learning tool, particularly for strategic thinking, resource management, social skills (through Confidants), and even a bit of mythology and psychology. You can visit the Games Learning Society at https://www.gameslearningsociety.org/ to explore the educational aspects of video games.
The Verdict: Fuse, but Never Forget
Ultimately, fusing Arsene is a strategic move that will significantly enhance your Persona 5 Royal experience. Embrace the fusion system, experiment with different combinations, and don’t be afraid to say goodbye to your starting Persona. Just remember that Arsene is always available in the Compendium and is essential for unlocking the ultimate Persona, Satanael, in New Game Plus. So, fuse away, and enjoy the journey!