Mastering Persona 5 Royal: A Prioritization Guide for Phantom Thieves
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So, you’re diving into the stylish world of Persona 5 Royal and feeling overwhelmed? Trust me, I get it. The game throws a LOT at you – social stats, confidants, dungeons, time management… it can be daunting. Here’s the truth: prioritization is key to not just completing the game, but truly mastering it and experiencing everything P5R has to offer. So, what should you prioritize?
First and foremost, prioritize maxing out the Councillor (Takuto Maruki) and Justice (Goro Akechi) confidants before their deadlines (November 18th and early November, respectively). Doing so is absolutely necessary for unlocking the True Ending content of Persona 5 Royal, which provides a rewarding and engaging expansion to the main story. After that, it is suggested that you try and max out the Phantom Thieves’ Confidants as they all provide very useful combat and support abilities for you throughout the game.
Beyond the True Ending, social stats are crucial. Specifically, focus on raising Guts and Knowledge early. Guts unlocks crucial confidants, like Iwai (Hanged Man), while Knowledge is frequently required to progress social links and succeed in exams. Don’t neglect the others (Charm, Proficiency, Kindness), but prioritize these two initially. Finally, it’s absolutely necessary to prioritize Confidants. Certain Confidants offer significant gameplay benefits. Chihaya Mifune (Fortune), for example, is a powerhouse. Reaching Rank 5 with her unlocks “Confidant Relationship Boosting,” making ranking up other confidants significantly easier. Kawakami (Temperance) is another must-have. Her abilities allow you to spend evenings even after exploring dungeons, maximizing your available time.
Ultimately, Persona 5 Royal is about balance. Find a rhythm that works for you, experiment with different confidant combinations, and don’t be afraid to consult a guide when needed. Enjoy the journey, Phantom Thief!
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about Prioritization in Persona 5 Royal
1. Which social stat should I focus on first?
Generally, Guts is a solid starting point because it unlocks several beneficial Confidants, while Knowledge helps you in school and in social situations. Aim for at least level 3 in both before branching out. A level 3 Guts will let you begin Iwai’s confidant link. You can then focus on Kindness in order to start Futaba’s confidant at rank 4.
2. Why is Chihaya (Fortune) so important?
Chihaya’s abilities, especially “Confidant Relationship Boosting,” drastically speed up the process of ranking up other Confidants. This saves you a ton of in-game time and makes it much easier to max out multiple social links in a single playthrough. In other words, she has the single most valuable non-combat ability.
3. Should I max out every Confidant in my first playthrough?
It’s possible to max out all Confidants in a single playthrough, but it requires careful planning, efficient time management, and strategic use of Confidant abilities like Chihaya’s. While it is not required to enjoy the game, it does help and make things much easier.
4. What’s the deal with the True Ending?
The True Ending in Persona 5 Royal offers an extended storyline and a more conclusive resolution to the main plot. To unlock it, you MUST reach Rank 9 with Takuto Maruki (Councillor) by November 18th and Rank 8 with Goro Akechi by early November. Neglecting these deadlines will lock you out of the additional content. If Akechi is at rank 7, his next confidant event will happen automatically after a certain story event takes place.
5. Is there a “best girl” to romance?
This is entirely subjective! Every romanceable Confidant has their own unique charm and storyline. Makoto often tops popularity polls, and even is considered the “canon” choice for a romance partner in Persona 5 Royal. Choose the character you connect with most. It’s worth noting that romancing all of them in one playthrough has consequences, so choose wisely (or don’t, if you’re feeling chaotic).
6. What Confidants have strict deadlines?
Aside from Maruki (Councillor) who needs to be at Rank 9 by November 18th and Akechi (Justice) who needs to be at Rank 8 by early November for the True Ending, most Confidants have a deadline on December 22nd. Kasumi (Faith) has a deadline on December 18th. Some also have earlier deadlines, such as the Sun and Temperance Confidants, so be mindful of their progress.
7. Is it better to focus on one Confidant at a time or juggle multiple?
Balancing multiple Confidants is generally more efficient. Focusing on a single Confidant can lead to wasted time while waiting for their next availability. Juggling allows you to optimize your schedule based on character availability and weather conditions.
8. How does the weather affect my activities?
Rainy days are perfect for studying, as the Knowledge stat boost is increased. The bathhouse offers increased stat gains on Mondays and Thursdays. Vegetariano Restaurant has a special food item that boosts your social stats every Sunday. Use these environmental cues to maximize your efficiency.
9. Should I keep Arsene?
Arsene is a classic Persona, but he’s relatively weak compared to later options. Fuse him into something more powerful unless you have a specific sentimental attachment to him. His ultimate form, Satanael, can only be fused in New Game+.
10. What is the best skill in the game?
This depends on your playstyle, but Hassou Tobi, Yoshitsune’s signature physical skill, is widely considered one of the most powerful in the game due to its high damage output and multiple hits. Other excellent options include Almighty skills like Megidolaon and healing skills like Salvation.
11. How do I efficiently raise my social stats?
Beyond studying and working part-time jobs, focus on activities that provide multiple stat boosts simultaneously. For example, watching certain DVDs, reading specific books, or crafting infiltration tools can all provide incremental stat boosts and will help you increase multiple stats at a time.
12. Is New Game+ worth it?
Absolutely! New Game+ allows you to carry over your social stats, Persona compendium, and some equipment, making subsequent playthroughs significantly easier. It also unlocks new content and challenges, like fusing Satanael.
13. Which part-time job is the most useful?
The part-time jobs all have their pros and cons. Generally, jobs that boost Kindness are beneficial early on, as this stat is often neglected. The Crossroads bar job offers multiple stat boosts, but requires higher social stat levels to access. Be sure to consider the time of day and weather as well.
14. How important are gifts for Confidants?
Giving gifts to Confidants can provide extra affection points, helping to rank them up faster. Research which gifts each Confidant prefers to maximize their effectiveness. For instance, Makoto likes books, and Ann likes sweets.
15. What resources can help me plan my playthrough?
There are many online guides, spreadsheets, and walkthroughs available that detail Confidant schedules, gift preferences, and optimal social stat raising strategies. Use these resources as a reference, but don’t be afraid to experiment and discover your own preferred playstyle. Also, remember that games can be used as an effective teaching method! Learn more at the Games Learning Society and GamesLearningSociety.org.
Persona 5 Royal is a complex and rewarding game. By prioritizing effectively, managing your time wisely, and focusing on the right Confidants, you can unlock its full potential and experience the thrill of being a Phantom Thief. Good luck!