Persona 5 Royal
Persona 5 Royal

January: The New Year

Navigate January in Persona 5 Royal. This guide covers the new content available if you met the third semester requirements for Maruki and Akechi.

January: The New Year

Welcome to January, a pivotal month in Persona 5 Royal! While the main story might seem to be winding down, this is where the new content for Royal truly shines. If you've met the requirements for the third semester (maxed Maruki's Confidant to Rank 9 by November 18th, and Akechi's Confidant to Rank 8 by November 24th), you're in for a treat. This section will guide you through the critical events, social links, and combat encounters of the new year.

January 1st: New Year's Day

  • Morning: The day begins with a special New Year's event. You'll automatically spend time with your Confidants. This event provides a significant boost to their Social Link points, making it easier to rank them up later.
  • Afternoon: You'll have free time. This is an excellent opportunity to visit the Meiji Jingu Shrine in Shibuya. Interacting with the shrine offers a chance to draw an Omikuji (fortune slip). Depending on your luck, you can receive a stat boost (e.g., +2 to a Social Stat) or a temporary boost to Confidant affinity. Always go for the Omikuji!
  • Evening: Consider spending time with a Confidant who is close to ranking up, or focus on increasing a specific Social Stat if any are still lagging behind. Remember, maxing out all Social Stats is crucial for certain Confidants and for achieving the "Legendary Phantom Thief" award.

January 2nd - January 8th: Post-New Year Festivities & Preparations

This week is relatively calm, allowing you to tie up any loose ends before the new Palace emerges. Prioritize the following:

  • Confidant Management:
    • Maruki (Councillor Arcana): If you somehow missed maxing him out, this is your last chance to reach Rank 10. His abilities are essential for the third semester.
    • Akechi (Justice Arcana): Ensure he is at Rank 8. While you can't rank him up further manually, this is the prerequisite for his involvement.
    • Other Confidants: Focus on any remaining Confidants you wish to max out. The benefits of maxed Confidants (e.g., fusion bonuses, combat abilities) are invaluable for the challenges ahead. Consider using the Fortune Teller (Chihaya Mifune) to boost affinity with specific Confidants.
  • Social Stat Grinding: If you haven't maxed all your Social Stats (Guts, Knowledge, Proficiency, Kindness, Charm), dedicate your free time to activities that boost them.
    • Knowledge: Study at the School Library, answer questions correctly in class, or visit the Diner in Shibuya.
    • Guts: Read specific books (e.g., "The Hero with a Thousand Faces"), visit the Big Bang Burger challenge, or watch certain movies.
    • Proficiency: Craft tools at your desk, work at the Crossroads Bar (Shinjuku), or read books like "Tidying the Heart."
    • Kindness: Tend to the plant in your room (buy Nutrients from the Flower Shop in Shibuya), work at the Flower Shop, or spend time with certain Confidants.
    • Charm: Visit the Bathhouse, work at the Convenience Store, or read books like "Master Swordsman."
  • Mementos Exploration: If you still have Requests pending or need to grind for money/experience, take a trip to Mementos. Remember to stock up on Lockpicks and healing items before entering.
  • Persona Fusion: Visit the Velvet Room to fuse powerful Personas. Pay attention to the upcoming Palace's weaknesses and resistances. Now is a good time to create Personas with strong elemental coverage and support skills.

January 9th: The New Palace Emerges

This is where the third semester truly kicks off. A new Palace will manifest, and your objectives will become clear. Be prepared for story-heavy sequences and new challenges.

  • Story Progression: Follow the narrative prompts. You'll be introduced to the new Palace's ruler and the unique circumstances surrounding it.
  • Team Composition: The game may dictate your party members for certain early sections of the Palace. Be flexible and adapt your strategies.
  • Initial Reconnaissance: Like all Palaces, your first visit will involve exploring the initial areas, identifying the general layout, and encountering new Shadow types. Pay close attention to their weaknesses and resistances.
  • Stock Up: Before diving deep, ensure your inventory is full of healing items (e.g., Soul Food, Curative Ointment), SP recovery items (e.g., Coffee, Curry), and status ailment cures. The Shadows in this Palace are tougher than previous ones.

General Tips for January

  • Time Management: Every day counts. With limited time before the final deadline, make conscious decisions about how you spend your mornings, afternoons, and evenings.
  • Save Frequently: Always save your game before making significant choices or entering a new area of the Palace.
  • Equipment Upgrades: Visit Untouchable in Shibuya to purchase the latest weapons and armor. The Shadows in the third semester hit hard, so good equipment is essential.
  • Confidant Abilities: Leverage your maxed Confidant abilities. For example, Haru's (Empress Arcana) ability to grow vegetables can provide valuable SP recovery items. Hifumi's (Star Arcana) abilities are excellent for combat efficiency.

By following these steps, you'll be well-prepared to tackle the unique challenges and enjoy the compelling narrative of Persona 5 Royal's third semester.