Dancing Hands: Conquering the 10th Floor of Tartarus in Persona 3

The boss lurking on the 10th floor of the Thebel Block in Tartarus in Persona 3 is a group of three enemies called Dancing Hands. These enemies are considered a sub-boss encounter, and while they might seem intimidating at first, they are easily manageable with the right strategy.

Understanding the Dancing Hands Encounter

Encounter Composition and Initial Impression

The Dancing Hands appear as a trio, immediately presenting a challenge in terms of action economy. Players who aren’t prepared for a multi-enemy fight may feel overwhelmed. However, their relatively low HP and exploitable weakness make them significantly less threatening than later bosses.

Strengths and Weaknesses

The key to defeating the Dancing Hands lies in exploiting their weakness to Strike attacks. Furthermore, they have minor vulnerabilities to almost all ailments except Fear. Understanding these weaknesses is critical to formulating a successful battle plan.

Strategic Approaches to Victory

Leveraging Strike Attacks

The most efficient method to defeat the Dancing Hands is by using Strike skills. The protagonist’s initial Persona, Orpheus, possesses the Bash skill, which is a Strike attack that costs a small percentage of HP but can reliably down one Dancing Hand at a time. Other Personas with Strike skills acquired early in the game will be equally effective.

Ailment Infliction

While not as reliable as exploiting their Strike weakness, inflicting ailments on the Dancing Hands can provide a strategic advantage. Because they’re only slightly weak to ailments it’s not very reliable so you might want to try for the Strike weaknesses.

Party Composition and Support

Having party members who can deal physical damage or provide support buffs can drastically simplify this encounter. Focus on maximizing damage output against the Dancing Hands while ensuring the party’s survivability.

FAQs: Mastering the Dancing Hands and Beyond

1. What level should I be to fight the Dancing Hands?

You can comfortably tackle the Dancing Hands at level 5-7. The focus should be on understanding their weaknesses rather than brute-forcing the fight with levels.

2. What other Personas besides Orpheus have Strike attacks early on?

Several Personas obtainable early in Persona 3 have Strike skills. Experiment with fusions to discover these options and expand your tactical repertoire. Some examples include:

• Apsaras

• Angel

3. Are there any elemental attacks the Dancing Hands are weak to?

No, the Dancing Hands do not have any elemental weaknesses. Their primary vulnerability is to Strike attacks. Focus on physical damage output for this encounter.

4. What is the best strategy if I don’t have Strike skills?

If Strike skills are unavailable, focus on inflicting status ailments and using basic attacks to deal damage. Prioritize taking down one Dancing Hand at a time to reduce the number of attacks the party receives.

5. How do I avoid getting overwhelmed by the Dancing Hands’ attacks?

Prioritize stunning or knocking down the Dancing Hands to interrupt their attacks. Use buffs to increase your party’s evasion and defense.

6. Can I use the same strategy against other enemies in Tartarus?

Exploiting enemy weaknesses is a universal strategy in Persona 3. Observe enemy behavior, identify vulnerabilities, and adapt your tactics accordingly.

7. What happens if I lose the fight against the Dancing Hands?

Losing the fight will result in a game over. Reload your last save and re-evaluate your strategy, party composition, and equipment.

8. How important is it to fuse Personas early in Persona 3?

Fusing Personas is crucial for acquiring stronger skills and covering different elemental affinities. It’s important to experiment with fusions early to learn about the different possible outcomes.

9. What are the best items to bring to the Dancing Hands fight?

Bring healing items like Medicinal Herbs or First Aid Kits to recover HP. Items that inflict ailments can also be useful, although less reliable than Strike attacks.

10. How does the difficulty setting affect the Dancing Hands encounter?

The difficulty setting impacts enemy stats like HP and attack power. On higher difficulties, the Dancing Hands will be more resilient and deal more damage, requiring more careful planning and execution.

11. What is the significance of the Thebel Block in Tartarus?

Thebel Block is the first major area of Tartarus that players explore. It serves as an introduction to the game’s combat mechanics and enemy types, preparing players for the challenges ahead.

12. How does Tartarus’s exploration work in Persona 3 Portable (P3P)?

In Persona 3 Portable, Tartarus is structured as a massive tower with multiple blocks, each with a unique theme and increasing difficulty. Players ascend the tower floor by floor, fighting shadows and completing objectives.

13. Can the Reaper spawn on the 10th floor of Tartarus?

Yes, The Reaper can spawn on almost any floor of Tartarus, including the 10th floor. Staying on a floor for an extended period increases the likelihood of The Reaper’s appearance.

14. Is Makoto Yuki truly the strongest Persona protagonist?

Whether or not Makoto Yuki is the absolute strongest Persona protagonist is subjective and depends on how “strength” is defined. His ability to seal Nyx is a monumental feat, positioning him among the most powerful. To further explore the educational aspects and implications of games like Persona, check out the Games Learning Society website.

15. Does the choice to let Ryoji live in Persona 3 Portable affect gameplay besides the ending?

Yes, letting Ryoji live unlocks the Adamah block of Tartarus, the establishment of the Judgment arcana, and an entire additional month in which you can finish social links (or begin new ones). This vastly expands the gameplay experience.

Conclusion

The Dancing Hands on the 10th floor of Tartarus are a manageable challenge that underscores the importance of understanding enemy weaknesses and strategic party composition in Persona 3. By exploiting their vulnerability to Strike attacks and preparing adequately, players can overcome this encounter and continue their ascent through Tartarus. Remember, adapting to challenges and using resources effectively is key to success in Persona 3, both in and out of combat. For more on how games are shaping education and learning, visit GamesLearningSociety.org.