Social Hideout of the Phantom Thieves - Joker Social

[Megadoomer]

Not sure if I should post this here or not, but for Persona 5, what's the best way to level up social stats? I'm between the fourth and fifth palaces, I'm at level 3 for most of the social stats, and I'm concerned that I won't be able to complete Futaba or Iwai's confidant storylines (or the later levels of Sojiro's) because I can't level up the related stats (Guts and Kindness) fast enough.

I don't know how many palaces there are (I'm guessing eight - one for each of the Seven Deadly Sins, and a final one), but I'm having a tough time juggling my pre-existing Confidants, activities that boost my social stats (reading takes 2-3 days), doing missions in Mementos (which prevents me from doing anything else for that day), and the days dedicated to story progression.

Also, does anyone have a preference for what this thread's title should be changed to?

 

[KatKit]

Buying Chiyaya's fortunes is one good way to acquire extra social stats without advancing time. Feeding your houseplant top quality mega nutrients (or w/e it's called) when it's hungry is always a free kindness boost. There's a special smoothie you should buy every Sunday in the Underground Mall that boosts a stat without advancing time; never forget to buy it. Pay attention to weather, meals, activities etc.; there are many opportunities to get extra stat boosts for being at the right place at the right time.

I partially followed a guide during my first playthrough, so my social stats were all almost at 4 before Futaba's Palace. Though in order to get the full experience, you're going to have to play New Game+ anyway. During your second playthrough, any level 10 confidant skills you gained carry over as soon as you initiate the social link. For example, having Kawakami's special massages early will gain you a few days during that playthrough. Speaking of NG+, your social stats carry over, so you'll have plenty of time to do whatever you want eventually.

 

[Megadoomer]

Buying Chiyaya's fortunes is one good way to acquire extra social stats without advancing time. Feeding your houseplant top quality mega nutrients (or w/e it's called) when it's hungry is always a free kindness boost. There's a special smoothie you should buy every Sunday in the Underground Mall that boosts a stat without advancing time; never forget to buy it. Pay attention to weather, meals, activities etc.; there are many opportunities to get extra stat boosts for being at the right place at the right time.

I partially followed a guide during my first playthrough, so my social stats were all almost at 4 before Futaba's Palace. Though in order to get the full experience, you're going to have to play New Game+ anyway. During your second playthrough, any level 10 confidant skills you gained carry over as soon as you initiate the social link. For example, having Kawakami's special massages early will gain you a few days during that playthrough. Speaking of NG+, your social stats carry over, so you'll have plenty of time to do whatever you want eventually.

Where do I buy smoothies, how do I know which of Chiyaya's fortunes to buy, and how do I know what's impacted by the weather? (I know using the bathhouse when it rains gives bonus points, but that's about it)

 

[Hadokeyblade]

Realistically you can't really finish all the storylines in 1 playthrough, usually it's for new game + where you keep your stats from the previous run.

 

[EarlTamm]

Realistically you can't really finish all the storylines in 1 playthrough, usually it's for new game + where you keep your stats from the previous run.

I have seen it done, but it was by a lets player who knew the Persona games rather well.

 

[KatKit]

It's way easier to max all stats/social links compared to Persona 3. You absolutely needed a guide for that one; P5 is more forgiving. With that being said, there's a bonus boss in NG+ (incentive to try it out, even if you max everything on your first playthrough), and it's better to take your time and do your own thing on the first playthrough.

Megadoomer : There's a description with the fortunes. If you want to boost courage, for example, hang out with a Confidant that boosts it (Takemi) and you'll receive extra stats.

The special drink is in the Underground Mall and it's only available on Sundays; it's located in the indoor shopping center where Ann usually hangs out. Speaking of which, in that area is a Flower Shop; working there part-time is another way to boost kindness (while making money on the side).

You get an extra point for studying in Leblanc or the diner when it rains (preferably the diner because studying+meal+rainy day is like 4 stat points).

 

[Hadokeyblade]

I wonder when Kasumi is supposed to join up with the Phantom thieves in Persona royal. Because if she joins before November then Persona Q2 is kinda awkward since she's not around during those events and that game is supposed to be canon.

 

[EarlTamm]

I wonder when Kasumi is supposed to join up with the Phantom thieves in Persona royal. Because if she joins before November then Persona Q2 is kinda awkward since she's not around during those events and that game is supposed to be canon.

We know she shows up in the 6th Palace, so this might be a bit awkward.

 

[Teeb147]

We know she shows up in the 6th Palace, so this might be a bit awkward.

You talking about Kasumi? We dont really know when she shows up, All we have to go on is what they showed but she could still be there before that.

 

[EarlTamm]

You talking about Kasumi? We dont really know when she shows up, All we have to go on is what they showed but she could still be there before that.

That is what I am saying, she shows up in time for the sixth palace, so PQ2 might be a bit awkward.
This is the casino in the background, correct? There is dice.

 

[Teeb147]

That is what I am saying, she shows up in time for the sixth palace, so PQ2 might be a bit awkward.
This is the casino in the background, correct? There is dice.

Ooo I got ya, I dont know when PQ2 takes place (i actually dont know much about it)

I mean, she wasnt there at all in the original, so it's all kind of awkward in a way

 

[KatKit]

Simple solution: Make a PQ2R.

 

[Izanagi97]

Ooo I got ya, I dont know when PQ2 takes place (i actually dont know much about it)

I mean, she wasnt there at all in the original, so it's all kind of awkward in a way

Most I know is that the Persona Q games take place at times where you have all the party members which translates into the following times

• S.E.E.S: Somewhere in September 2009 (the time before the events of October 4th and the resulting loss, character development and awakenings)
• Investigation Team: Some time after October 5, 2011 (the time when Naoto joins the party as the final member)
• Phantom Thieves: Somewhere in early November 2016 (the time when Sae's Palace is active which is why Akechi is there)

 

[Teeb147]

Most I know is that the Persona Q games take place at times where you have all the party members which translates into the following times

• S.E.E.S: Somewhere in September 2009 (the time before the events of October 4th and the resulting loss, character development and awakenings)
• Investigation Team: Some time after October 5, 2011 (the time when Naoto joins the party as the final member)
• Phantom Thieves: Somewhere in early November 2016 (the time when Sae's Palace is active which is why Akechi is there)

I'm not much of a date person so that wouldn't tell me too much, but seems like it's around near the end or not quite enough to be in the end games. (which makes sense)

 

[Hadokeyblade]

She probably slept in that day.

 

[Izanagi97]

I'm not much of a date person so that wouldn't tell me too much, but seems like it's around near the end or not quite enough to be in the end games. (which makes sense)

All I'll say is that those dates are all before each game's first major Wham Episode (second one for Persona 5 if we are using TvTropes examples) which I will list in a spoiler section

Spoiler: Major spoilers for Persona 3, Persona 4, and Persona 5

The Persona 3 date is before October 4th which is the date of the Fortune and Strength Shadow bosses and also the date where Shinjiro dies. The Persona 4 date is presumably before the events of November and December which is when Nanako is the victim of the kidnappings which explains why the Investigation Team is not in a panic and why Teddie doesn't have Kamui. The Persona 5 date is before the end of Sae's palace when Joker gets captured and it's revealed that Akechi is the traitor

 

[Robertman2]

PQ2 might as well already be non canon

 

[EarlTamm]

So, do you guys think P5R will have third tier Persona's?

 

[amageish]

She probably slept in that day.

Yeah, it could literally be given a mundane of an explanation as this, given how Q2's story is just "a Mementos party gets sucked into a pocket dimension." If anything, I think her absence in Dancing in Starlight is harder to explain, as that game takes place after P5 and has everyone summoned to a dance competition in a dream. Leaving out the champion gymnast seems like a bad strategy on the part of Caroline/Justine, so no idea where she was...

So, do you guys think P5R will have third tier Persona's?

I... don't know. The Persona selection in P5 seems so perfect in of itself that I don't know if they could find a third option for everyone that wouldn't feel unneeded, unless the new arc gives everyone time to grow as a character in meaningful ways.

Spoiler: P5 Spoilers

The obvious expection to this is Akechi, who would 100% make sense getting a new Persona, as Robin Hood was a lie and Loki is symbolically tied to that deception. Though he (and maybe Kasumi) also have the Wild Card, so it would make some sense for them to use those skills as party members, but also we haven't had that be a thing since Persona 2 (ignoring PQ's sub-persona mechanic). It would probably through off the balance.

 

[Izanagi97]

I... don't know. The Persona selection in P5 seems so perfect in of itself that I don't know if they could find a third option for everyone that wouldn't feel unneeded, unless the new arc gives everyone time to grow as a character in meaningful ways.

Also, weren't most of the third tier Personas in Persona 4 basically alternate names or epithets of the previous Ultimate Personas because I'm pretty sure only Chie and Naoto got different figures (Chie going from the folk tale princess who exterminated Onis or something to the Shinto goddess of purification and Naoto going from Prince Osu of the Yamato Dynasty to the Ten'o of Imperial Japan).

 

[amageish]

Also, weren't most of the third tier Personas in Persona 4 basically alternate names or epithets of the previous Ultimate Personas because I'm pretty sure only Chie and Naoto got different figures (Chie going from the folk tale princess who exterminated Onis or something to the Shinto goddess of purification and Naoto going from Prince Osu of the Yamato Dynasty to the Ten'o of Imperial Japan).

True as well, which would be possible for some of the P5 personas, but not all of them? Granted, given Rise's persona uses a name used in literally one book ever, they could probably find names for them somewhere...

 

[CHOVI]

Yeah, it could literally be given a mundane of an explanation as this, given how Q2's story is just "a Mementos party gets sucked into a pocket dimension." If anything, I think her absence in Dancing in Starlight is harder to explain, as that game takes place after P5 and has everyone summoned to a dance competition in a dream. Leaving out the champion gymnast seems like a bad strategy on the part of Caroline/Justine, so no idea where she was...

Isn’t dancing in starlight non-canon anyway?

 

[osby]

Isn’t dancing in starlight non-canon anyway?

It's canon. It just doesn't affect the canon in any significant way because it takes place in a dream.

 

[EarlTamm]

It's canon. It just doesn't affect the canon in any significant way because it takes place in a dream.

Is there any Persona spinoff that isn't canon?

 

[Dyllybirdy]

Is there any Persona spinoff that isn't canon?

...I don't think so, no.

 

[osby]

Is there any Persona spinoff that isn't canon?

As for games? A few Japan-only P3 phone games.

Media adaptations? Most of them, with the exception of several drama CDs and short novels.

 

[Megadoomer]

Think I'm nearing the end of Persona 5, since I'm getting to the point where the framing device (the interrogation with Sae) is. I have no idea how you're expected to get the social links for people like Futaba, Haru, and Iwai (the gun shop owner) to level 10, given how little time you seem to have.

I've managed to get Ryuji, Ann, Mishima, and Taro (the politician) to level 10, at least.

Still, there's at least one more palace left after this, given how all of the palaces are themed on the seven deadly sins.

Spoiler

I assume it's Shido, the politician, since (a) only important characters get faces next to their dialogue, (b) it's been implied that Sojiro has some sort of history with him, (c) it's been all but stated at this point that he's the drunk politician who was responsible for Joker getting a criminal record, and (d) it's been made pretty clear that he's in charge of this conspiracy and the one behind the mental shutdowns, thanks to the phonecalls with the SIU director.

 

[amageish]

Is there any Persona spinoff that isn't canon?

Barring adaptations into other media, I don't think there is anything they didn't try to make canon, but a lot of it has since been retconned due to unpopularity (ex/ the Detective Naoto novel).

I have no idea how you're expected to get the social links for people like Futaba, Haru, and Iwai (the gun shop owner) to level 10, given how little time you seem to have.

You're not really supposed to be able to befriend everyone - like in life, choices are going to have to be made. Futaba requires a lot of trips to the Flower Shop in order to boost kindness, while Haru is a bit of a "Quick; drop everything to befriend Haru whenever she's available" due to her late-game appearance. That said, which characters will be illusive and seem to be harder for you to befriend entirely depends on what activities you done and what stats you have - I really don't recall Iwai being hard to max out at all.

I'd maybe slap a spoiler on parts of your post BTW, as you are acknowledging late-game information.

 

[Megadoomer]

You're not really supposed to be able to befriend everyone - like in life, choices are going to have to be made. Futaba requires a lot of trips to the Flower Shop in order to boost kindness, while Haru is a bit of a "Quick; drop everything to befriend Haru whenever she's available" due to her late-game appearance. That said, which characters will be illusive and seem to be harder for you to befriend entirely depends on what activities you done and what stats you have - I really don't recall Iwai being hard to max out at all.

I'd maybe slap a spoiler on parts of your post BTW, as you are acknowledging late-game information.

Ah, okay - I figured that it was possible, but only if you were extremely efficient with your time. I have no idea which parts are spoilers (it's speculation on my part), so I just spoiler tagged the entire last paragraph to be on the safe side.

 

[Hadokeyblade]

I have never been able to get Taro all the way up to level 10. I always get stuck on 9 and then the election happens.

 

[EarlTamm]

So, what are you guys expecting from the upcoming P5R news?

 

[Izanagi97]

So, what are you guys expecting from the upcoming P5R news?

Kasumi's Persona

 

[EarlTamm]

Kasumi's Persona

That is what I am certainly hoping for, especially in regard to speculation.

 

[Hadokeyblade]

So, what are you guys expecting from the upcoming P5R news?

Kasumi now wears pants.

 

[EarlTamm]

Kasumi now wears pants.

*Audible gasp*

 

[Roguewolf]

Kasumi now wears pants.

No the prophecy

 

[amageish]

Ah, okay - I figured that it was possible, but only if you were extremely efficient with your time. I have no idea which parts are spoilers (it's speculation on my part), so I just spoiler tagged the entire last paragraph to be on the safe side.

It is technically possible, but certainly is not meant to be easily accomplished. I more meant the parts where you support your speculation with facts, but the entire paragraph sounds like the safest approach. :-D

So, what are you guys expecting from the upcoming P5R news?

An explanation of all of those new combat things we saw and the new areas in the palaces. I'd like something more story-based, but I feel like they'll alternate between lore reveals/hints and gameplay updates.

 

[EarlTamm]

Some more Smash Cut-Ins were made!

Spoiler: Art

https://mobile.twitter.com/Mediamaster_127/status/1125566216373002243

Makes me wonder what Kasumi's would be like...

Edit:
So, what do you guys think of this?

Persona 5 The Royal

Producer: Kazuhisa Wada
Director: Daiki Ito
Character Designer: Shigenori Soejima

— xenosaga (@xenosaga7) May 7, 2019

 

[CHOVI]

Think I'm nearing the end of Persona 5, since I'm getting to the point where the framing device (the interrogation with Sae) is.

You’re still missing a decent chunk

 

[osby]

So, what do you guys think of this?

Persona 5 The Royal

Producer: Kazuhisa Wada
Director: Daiki Ito
Character Designer: Shigenori Soejima

— xenosaga (@xenosaga7) May 7, 2019

Wada is expected but interested in new director. I think a soft remake is a good place for new members of the team to get used to series. Let's see if this one will be as good as previous remakes, then P6 is probably in good hands.