Understanding Shadow weaknesses and resistances is fundamental to success in Persona 5 Royal's combat. Each Shadow has specific affinities that dictate how they react to different attack types, allowing you to exploit them for strategic advantage.
Weaknesses:
When you hit a Shadow with an attack it is weak to, it will be knocked down, granting you an extra turn. This is the core of the "one more" system.
- Elemental Weaknesses: These correspond to the game's elements: Fire, Ice, Electric, Wind, Nuclear, Psychic, Bless, and Curse.
- Physical Weaknesses: Some Shadows are weak to physical attacks.
- Gun Weaknesses: Some Shadows are weak to gun attacks.
- Status Ailment Weaknesses: Certain Shadows can be knocked down by specific status ailments like Sleep, Shock, or Freeze.
Resistances:
If a Shadow resists an attack type, it will take reduced damage. This means you should generally avoid using that element against them.
- Elemental Resistances: Shadows can resist specific elements.
- Physical Resistances: Some Shadows resist physical attacks.
- Gun Resistances: Some Shadows resist gun attacks.
Immunities:
Shadows that are immune to an attack type will take no damage from it. You should absolutely avoid using these attack types.
- Elemental Immunities: Shadows can be immune to specific elements.
- Physical Immunities: Some Shadows are immune to physical attacks.
- Gun Immunities: Some Shadows are immune to gun attacks.
Affinities (No Effect):
If a Shadow has no specific weakness or resistance to an attack type, it will take normal damage.
How to Discover Weaknesses and Resistances:
- Initial Attacks: The first time you hit a Shadow with an attack, its weakness or resistance (if any) will be revealed.
- Scanning: Joker's "Analyze" ability (learned early on) can reveal information about Shadows, including their weaknesses and resistances, without needing to attack them first.
- Persona Skills: Certain Persona skills can reveal enemy weaknesses.
- Confidant Abilities: Some Confidant abilities can provide hints or reveal information about enemy weaknesses.
Strategic Importance:
Always aim to hit weaknesses to gain extra turns, conserve SP, and set up for powerful All-Out Attacks. Conversely, avoid using attack types that Shadows resist or are immune to. This knowledge is paramount for efficient combat and for defeating bosses.