Quest Givers and Rewards
Beyond the main story, Persona Q: Shadow of the Labyrinth offers a wealth of side quests that provide valuable experience, unique items, and a deeper dive into the interactions between the Persona 3 and Persona 4 casts. These quests are primarily given by two key characters: Elizabeth and Theodore, both residing in the Nurse's Office.
Elizabeth's Requests
Elizabeth, the enigmatic Velvet Room attendant from Persona 3, offers a series of challenging requests that often involve defeating specific FOEs, gathering rare materials, or exploring the labyrinths under unique conditions. Completing her requests is crucial for obtaining some of the best equipment and accessories in the game.
Early Game Requests (You in Wonderland)
- Request: "The Mad Hatter's Tea Party"
- Objective: Defeat the "Mad Hatter" FOE on B1F of the You in Wonderland labyrinth. This FOE patrols a specific path; observe its movement pattern to ambush it effectively.
- Strategy: The Mad Hatter is weak to Ice and resists Fire. Bring characters with Ice skills like Yukiko or Mitsuru. Focus on inflicting ailments like Panic or Poison to gain an advantage.
- Reward: Mad Hatter's Hat (Accessory: +30 HP, +5 Luck) and 5,000 Yen.
- Request: "Gathering Wonderland's Herbs"
- Objective: Collect 3 Wonderland Herbs. These are found as sparkling item points on B2F of the You in Wonderland labyrinth. They are often located in dead-end corridors or behind secret passages.
- Strategy: Thoroughly explore B2F, checking every corner of your map. Remember to use your map-drawing function to mark areas you've searched.
- Reward: Soma Droplet (Restores 100 HP to one ally) and 3,000 Yen.
Mid-Game Requests (Evil Spirit Club)
- Request: "The Ghostly Janitor"
- Objective: Defeat the "Ghostly Janitor" FOE on B3F of the Evil Spirit Club labyrinth. This FOE is particularly dangerous as it can inflict Fear.
- Strategy: The Ghostly Janitor is strong against Physical attacks but weak to Electric. Characters like Kanji or Akihiko with Electric skills are highly recommended. Equip accessories that prevent Fear, such as the Fear Ward accessory, or bring items like Dis-Fear.
- Reward: Janitor's Key (Unlocks a specific door on B3F, leading to a treasure chest containing a Magic Mirror) and 10,000 Yen.
- Request: "A Test of Endurance"
- Objective: Survive 5 rounds against a group of "Shadow Students" on B1F of the Evil Spirit Club without using any healing items or skills.
- Strategy: This quest tests your party's defensive capabilities. Focus on buffing your party's defense (e.g., Tarunda) and debuffing enemy attacks (e.g., Rakukaja). Guarding with characters who aren't attacking can also help. Equipping Personas with high Endurance is beneficial.
- Reward: Endurance Charm (Accessory: +10 Endurance) and 7,500 Yen.
Theodore's Tasks
Theodore, Elizabeth's younger brother, also offers a unique set of tasks. His requests are generally less combat-focused and often involve Persona fusion or specific item creation at the Workshop. Completing Theodore's tasks often unlocks new fusion recipes or crafting options.
Persona Fusion Tasks
- Task: "The Power of the Fool"
- Objective: Fuse a Persona of the Fool Arcana. Any Fool Persona will suffice, such as Orpheus or Izunagi.
- Strategy: Head to the Velvet Room and use the Persona Fusion option. If you lack the necessary Personas, explore the labyrinths to acquire more via Shuffle Time.
- Reward: Unlocks Advanced Fusion options, allowing for more complex Persona combinations.
- Task: "Strength in Numbers"
- Objective: Fuse a Persona with the skill Power Charge. This skill is commonly found on Strength Arcana Personas like Rakshasa or Onryo.
- Strategy: You may need to experiment with fusion combinations or use Skill Cards to transfer Power Charge to a desired Persona.
- Reward: Power Charge Skill Card and 5,000 Yen.
Workshop Crafting Tasks
- Task: "A Sharper Edge"
- Objective: Craft any weapon at the Workshop.
- Strategy: Gather the necessary materials from defeated Shadows or item points in the labyrinths. Speak to Margaret at the Workshop to craft a weapon. Even the simplest weapon will fulfill this task.
- Reward: Unlocks Accessory Crafting at the Workshop.
- Task: "The Perfect Defense"
- Objective: Craft an armor piece with a base Defense stat of 20 or higher.
- Strategy: This will likely require materials from later labyrinths or stronger Shadows. Check the Workshop's crafting list for armor with higher defense values and their required ingredients.
- Reward: Defense Up Skill Card and 8,000 Yen.
General Tips for Quests
- Check Regularly: New quests become available as you progress through the main story and unlock new labyrinths. Make it a habit to visit Elizabeth and Theodore in the Nurse's Office after clearing each major section of a labyrinth.
- Map Everything: For item-gathering quests, a fully drawn map is your best friend. Mark suspicious areas or dead ends where items might be hidden.
- Prepare Thoroughly: Before tackling Elizabeth's combat-focused requests, ensure your party is well-equipped, has appropriate Sub-Personas, and is stocked with healing and support items.
- Don't Rush: Some quests, especially those involving specific Persona fusions or rare material drops, might require a bit of grinding. Patience is key!