Persona 5
Persona 5

January

Persona 5 Royal guide for January. Tackle the new Palace and prepare for the third semester's final confrontation. Manage your time to advance social links.

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January

Welcome to January, Phantom Thieves! This month marks the beginning of the crucial third semester, exclusive to Persona 5 Royal. Your primary objective this month will be to navigate the new Palace and prepare for the final confrontation. Maximizing your time is key, as social links and stats will still be available for development.

General January Strategy

  • Prioritize the New Palace: The new Palace, Maruki's Palace, will open on January 1st. Aim to complete it as quickly and efficiently as possible to allow ample time for other activities.
  • Max Out Confidants: If you haven't already, this is your last chance to max out any remaining Confidants. Focus on those that offer beneficial abilities for combat or exploration.
  • Prepare for the Final Boss: Ensure your party is well-equipped with the best gear, your Personas are fused and leveled, and you have a good stock of healing and support items.
  • Mementos Exploration: While not strictly necessary for the main story this month, Mementos can be a great place to grind for experience, money, and items, especially if you need to strengthen your Personas.

Walkthrough: January 1st - January 9th

January 1st (New Year's Day)

  • Morning: The new semester begins. You'll have a mandatory story event.
  • Afternoon: You'll gain access to the new Palace. It's highly recommended to enter and begin your infiltration immediately.
  • Evening: Story events will unfold. You won't have much free time on this day.

January 2nd - January 8th (Maruki's Palace Infiltration)

These days are primarily dedicated to infiltrating and completing Maruki's Palace. The Palace is unique and offers new challenges. Be prepared for a significant difficulty spike compared to previous Palaces.

  • Palace Exploration:
    • Cognitive Wakaba: You'll encounter a new type of Shadow, Cognitive Wakaba, which can be quite challenging. Focus on exploiting its weaknesses (likely Ice or Nuclear) and using status ailments.
    • Will Seeds: There are three Will Seeds to collect in this Palace. They are generally well-hidden, so explore every nook and cranny. Collecting all three will reward you with the Crystal of Greed, which can be upgraded to the powerful Ring of Greed by Jose in Mementos.
    • New Mechanics: Pay attention to any new environmental puzzles or enemy types introduced.
  • Recommended Equipment: Ensure your party members have their ultimate weapons and armor. Consider crafting powerful accessories from Jose in Mementos if you haven't already.
  • Persona Fusion: Fuse powerful Personas with several elemental and physical attacks, as well as healing and support skills. Personas like Satanael (if you've completed a New Game+), Yoshitsune, and Alice are excellent choices.
  • Healing Items: Stock up on Soma, Soul Food, and other high-tier healing items from Takemi's Clinic or the various vending machines.
  • Confidant Availability: Some Confidants may still be available during the day or evening, but prioritize Palace progress. If you finish the Palace early, you can use these days to catch up on any remaining Confidants.

January 9th (Calling Card Day)

  • Morning/Afternoon: If you've successfully secured the route to the Treasure in Maruki's Palace, you'll send the calling card.
  • Evening: Prepare for the boss battle. Ensure your party is at full health and SP, and your best Personas are equipped.

Walkthrough: January 10th - January 13th (Maruki's Palace Boss)

January 10th (Boss Battle)

  • Maruki's Palace Boss: This battle will be a multi-phase encounter.
    • Phase 1: Focus on dealing consistent damage and exploiting any weaknesses you discover. Be prepared for powerful single-target and area-of-effect attacks.
    • Phase 2: The boss will likely change tactics or gain new abilities. Adapt your strategy accordingly. Healing and buffing your party will be crucial.
    • Phase 3 (True Ending Path): If you've met the requirements for the true ending, a specific event will trigger during this phase, leading to a more challenging and emotionally charged conclusion to the battle.
  • Recommended Party: A balanced party with strong physical attackers, magic users, and a dedicated healer is ideal. Consider bringing Makoto for her healing and defense buffs, Yusuke for physical damage, and Ann for fire magic.
  • Item Usage: Don't be afraid to use your most powerful items, such as Soma for full HP/SP recovery, Attack Incense or Defense Incense for stat boosts, and Revival Beads or Balm of Life for reviving fallen allies.

January 11th - January 13th

These days will be filled with story events following the conclusion of Maruki's Palace. You will have limited to no free time during this period as the narrative unfolds.

Walkthrough: January 14th - January 31st (Post-Palace Activities)

With Maruki's Palace resolved, you'll have more free time to focus on remaining objectives.

  • Confidant Completion: This is your absolute last chance to max out any remaining Confidants. Prioritize those that are close to ranking up. Remember that certain Confidants may only be available on specific days or times.
  • Social Stats: If you have any social stats that aren't maxed, dedicate your free time to activities that boost them. Reading books, watching movies, playing video games, or working part-time jobs are all viable options.
  • Fishing: The fishing pond in Ichigaya is a good way to pass time and earn points for useful items.
  • Batting Cage: The batting cage in Yongen-Jaya can improve your Guts and provide useful items.
  • Crossword Puzzles: Check the diner in Shibuya for crossword puzzles, which can boost your Knowledge.
  • Mementos: If you still need to grind for experience, money, or items, Mementos is always an option. This is also a good time to complete any remaining Mementos requests.
  • Hangouts: Spend time with your maxed-out Confidants to receive special items or deepen your bond further.
  • Crafting Tools: If you're low on lockpicks or other infiltration tools, craft them at your desk in Leblanc.

Important Note: The game will progress towards its final conclusion at the end of January. Make sure you've achieved all your desired goals before the month concludes!