Learn how to effectively fight Shadows in Persona 3 FES, including evasion tactics and weapon range. Master the controller layout for field, menu, battle, and dungeon navigation.
Alright, let's dive into some of the nitty-gritty of dealing with Shadows and getting around in Persona 3 FES. This section covers some handy tricks for when you're out in the Dark Hour and a breakdown of the controller buttons so you don't get lost.
Shadow Evasion and Combat Tips
Sometimes, Shadows can be a real pain and will chase you down. If that happens, your best bet is often to run up the stairs. For some reason, they tend to lose track of you there and will go back to their original spots. This gives you a perfect chance to sneak up on them and get the first hit in.
If you're having trouble getting the drop on a Shadow, try this: run towards it until it notices you, then immediately turn and run back the way you came. Keep going until its icon disappears from your map. Once it's off your radar, return to its last known location. It'll usually have its back turned, giving you a free critical hit!
After you manage to defeat a Shadow or escape from one, you get a brief window of about five to ten seconds where you're basically invisible to other Shadows. This is a great time to quickly move in and take down another one without them even knowing you're there. Weapons like Gloves are especially good for this because they're so quick.
Weapon Ranges and Speed
Knowing how your weapons work is key:
- Swords: Reach about three feet, with moderate speed.
- Two-handed Swords/Katana: Reach four feet, but they're slower.
- Gloves: Very close range, but incredibly quick.
- Bow: Can hit targets up to twenty feet away, but it's slow.
- Spear: Reaches six feet and has moderate speed.
- Bludgeon: About three feet, but on the slower side.
- Gun: Has a long range of twenty feet and moderate speed.
Controller Layout Guide
Here's a quick rundown of what each button does in different situations. It's super helpful to get familiar with this so you're not fumbling around when things get hectic.
| Button | Field Map | Menu Screen | Battle Screen | Dungeon Map |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Triangle | Status Menu | N/A | Rush | Status Menu |
| Circle | Cancel | Cancel | Cancel | Cancel |
| X | Confirm | Confirm | Confirm | Confirm |
| Square | N/A | N/A | Stand By | Command |
| R1 | Rotate screen | N/A | Battle Flow | Rotate Screen |
| R2 | N/A | Scroll Down | Scroll Down | N/A |
| R3 | Rotate screen | N/A | N/A | Rotate Screen |
| L1 | Rotate screen | N/A | Analysis Data | Rotate Screen |
| L2 | N/A | Scroll Up | Scroll Up | N/A |
| L3 | Move cursor | N/A | N/A | Move cursor |
| D-Pad | Move cursor | Move cursor | Move cursor | Move cursor |
| Select | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| Start | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A |
Starting Your Journey: April 7th, 2009
When you first start up, the game will ask if you want to load data from the original Persona 3. For this guide, we're starting fresh to experience Persona 3 FES as its own thing. Just a heads-up, this guide won't cover Persona 3 Portable either.
You'll be prompted to enter your character's name. I'm going with Aizawa Minoru for the MC. Remember, in Japan, it's family name first, then given name. So, Aizawa is the family name and Minoru is the given name. The game will refer to him as Minoru Aizawa, following the Western order. I'll stick to using MC for him throughout this guide.
If you're curious, his name in the manga is Arisato Minato, but I like to keep things original in my playthroughs.
Early Events and Exploration
Dark Hour: This is where you name your character.
Late Night: You'll experience some story events.
Early Morning: More story events will unfold.
When you find yourself in the Main Lobby, take a moment to chat with some of the students and other people around. It's a good idea to check the bulletin board near the counter to see which class you're assigned to. After that, head towards the path on the left side of the entrance. The other exits – the path by the bulletin board, the stairs, and the main entrance – are blocked off for now. Your next step is to enter the faculty office by examining the door to the left of where you're standing.
Morning: Nothing to do here yet.
Lunchtime: Nothing to do here yet.
Afternoon: Nothing to do here yet.
After School: More story events will occur.
Evening: You'll find yourself inside Iwatodai Dorm.
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