Should You Let the Reaper Ambush You in Persona 5 Royal? A Comprehensive Guide
Fast answer first. Then use the tabs or video for more detail.
- Watch the video explanation below for a faster overview.
- Game mechanics may change with updates or patches.
- Use this block to get the short answer without scrolling the whole page.
- Read the FAQ section if the article has one.
- Use the table of contents to jump straight to the detailed section you need.
- Watch the video first, then skim the article for specifics.
The question of whether to let the fearsome Reaper ambush you in Persona 5 Royal is a common one, and the answer might surprise you. It goes against all gaming instincts, but the short answer is a resounding YES. Allowing the Reaper to initiate combat, counterintuitively, offers significant strategic advantages that can dramatically increase your chances of victory or, at the very least, a successful escape. This article will delve into why this seemingly suicidal approach is actually the key to managing this formidable foe.
The Logic Behind the Ambush
Why would you ever willingly let such a dangerous enemy get the drop on you? The primary reason stems from the Reaper’s turn economy. When you approach and engage the Reaper in combat, it gets two actions per turn, making the fight exceptionally challenging, especially if you’re not properly prepared. However, when the Reaper ambushes you, it is restricted to only one action per turn. This single change in turn order drastically reduces the pressure and provides you with more opportunities to strategize and react.
This one-turn limitation significantly boosts your survivability, allowing you more time to heal, buff your party, and launch attacks without constantly facing overwhelming offensive pressure. The Reaper hits hard, but only getting one shot at you per turn is much more manageable than the relentless onslaught of two.
Furthermore, letting the Reaper ambush you has a chance to trigger Thermopylae, a vital skill that boosts the Phantom Thieves’ attack, defense, and agility for the first three turns of battle. This massive stat boost early on, gained from a strategic “mistake,” can be the difference between a swift defeat and a fighting chance, adding another layer of strategic depth to the ambush.
The Importance of Preparation
It’s crucial to understand that while letting the Reaper ambush you is a cornerstone of effective strategies, it’s not a guaranteed win. You still need to prepare your party and plan your moves carefully. The Reaper is still a level 85 monster; merely allowing an ambush will not magically make it easy. You should be around level 60 and equipped with good gear and strong Personas before actively hunting it. This is generally achievable after completing the sixth Palace, making it a good benchmark for engaging with the Reaper.
Why Not Initiate?
The reasons for avoiding initiating the battle with the Reaper are threefold: it grants the Reaper two actions, does not trigger Thermopylae, and generally results in a more challenging and potentially brief fight for your party. In many cases, an unprepared party will simply be overwhelmed and one-shot before they can even react.
Detailed Strategy for the Ambush
-
Locate the Reaper: The Reaper spawns in Mementos when you spend some time on a floor. When you start hearing rattling chains and Morgana warns you to be careful, that means the Reaper is nearby. Drive around the area until you see it.
-
Positioning: Instead of approaching and initiating a fight, allow the Reaper to run into you. Be mindful of your position in the car. The Reaper needs to connect with your vehicle in order to ambush you.
-
Take Advantage of Thermopylae: As mentioned, if ambushed, the Thermopylae skill can trigger. Make full use of this boost during those crucial first few turns. Buff your party, set up debuffs, and exploit the single turn window to inflict maximum damage on the Reaper before the effects expire.
-
Almighty Skills: The Reaper is known to have no elemental weaknesses or resistances but instead takes significantly less damage from all attacks except for Almighty skills, a type of damage that disregards elemental affinity. Therefore, equipping personas with strong Almighty skills will be very useful.
-
Utilize Escape Options: You may equip the Star Confidant to a max level so you can escape if needed. This skill lets you escape, but not before the Reaper has a chance to either catch you or become “despaired”. If the Reaper is in despair, it will die, and you’ll be rewarded with a significant amount of EXP.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) About the Reaper
1. What level should I be to fight the Reaper?
While the Reaper is level 85, you can attempt the fight around level 60 if you’re well-prepared with good equipment and Personas. Aim to tackle it after the sixth Palace.
2. Is the Reaper weak to anything?
No, the Reaper has no elemental weaknesses or resistances. It’s immune to status effects and instant-kill moves.
3. Can the Reaper be defeated with Insta-Kill moves?
No, the Reaper is immune to instant-kill attacks.
4. Does the Reaper do a lot of damage?
Yes, the Reaper deals massive damage and can easily one-shot party members if you’re not careful.
5. Does the Reaper have any special attacks?
Yes, the Reaper has a variety of strong attacks. It can use a Thermobaric Explosion to self-destruct when its health is low, which will be indicated by red gas, so be ready to heal.
6. What is the reward for beating the Reaper?
The first defeat unlocks the character Mask of the Red Death. Repeated defeats grant powerful weapons and later armor for your party members.
7. Does the Reaper respawn?
Yes, the Reaper respawns. If you are using the “flu trick” and you need to retreat, you’ll have to move to another floor in Mementos for the Reaper to reappear.
8. Can the Reaper spawn multiple times?
The game restricts to only one Reaper to spawn at a time. It is possible to spawn another after defeating one but they may despawn by leaving the area.
9. Can you run away from the Reaper?
Yes, if you have the Star Confidant maxed, you can attempt to escape. If it is in “despair”, however, it will simply die.
10. How do I know if the Reaper is in “Despair”?
A message will appear at the upper left of the screen that says “The Reaper Despairs!” when it gets the condition.
11. Can the Reaper appear on the first floor of Mementos?
The Reaper is less likely to spawn on lower floors. It’s best to wait at a higher level for it to spawn.
12. Does the Reaper heal?
The Reaper is known to have the ability to heal based on damage dealt, using The Reaping passive ability. This means that a high damage output is best when facing this foe.
13. What’s the best strategy for the Reaper in Persona 5?
Let the Reaper ambush you, triggering Thermopylae and ensuring it only gets one action per turn. Use Almighty skills, and don’t bring team-mates that the Reaper can target weaknesses to.
14. Does any armor affect the fight against the Reaper?
Yes, the Divine Pillar item can be obtained by defeating a Reaper. This will halve all incoming damage, but you cannot evade attacks while it is equipped.
15. What is the “flu trick” with the Reaper?
The flu trick refers to using an in-game weather mechanic to your advantage. During specific flu seasons in game, enemies are more likely to become inflicted with ailments. If you catch the Reaper during these times, it is more likely to become “despaired”, and an easy victory.
Conclusion
In the world of Persona 5 Royal, letting the Reaper ambush you is a counterintuitive but ultimately sound strategy. It offers the significant advantages of limiting the Reaper to one turn per round and potentially triggering the Thermopylae buff. With careful preparation, strategic use of Almighty skills, and a bit of luck, you can successfully face this formidable foe and claim the rewards it holds. Remember to always be prepared and approach this challenge strategically. Good luck, Phantom Thieves!