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Leveling up is crucial in Persona 5 Royal, just like in any RPG. Neglecting your team's levels will make late-game bosses a significant challenge, forcing tedious grinding in Mementos. Persona 5 Royal, an enhanced version of Persona 5, boasts numerous quality-of-life improvements and a substantial 20 hours of added gameplay.
This includes a new semester for the Phantom Thieves and adjustments to existing boss battles. With so much new content, maintaining high character levels is essential for a smooth experience. Knowing the fastest ways to gain experience is key.
Updated January 13, 2025 by Renri Seong: While over-leveling can make Persona 5 Royal too easy, matching the Palace Rulers' levels—especially on a new playthrough—is vital. Several methods streamline experience farming, from Confidant Skills to Jose's services in Mementos. Joker can even earn EXP for his inactive Persona with the right passive skill. This guide has been updated to include a new section on rapidly farming experience using the Insta-kill ability.
Accessories and The Moon Arcana
Mishima Yuuki's Confidant
Download the free Team Glasses DLC from the PlayStation Store to boost EXP gain by 15%. Equip these glasses on each character for the bonus to take effect.
Remember, only four Phantom Thieves fight at once; those on the backline gain less EXP.
Ranking up the Moon Confidant (Yuuki Mishima) to Rank 3 and 5 increases EXP for backup members. Reaching Rank 10 grants them the same EXP as front-line fighters.
Progressing Mishima's Confidant is straightforward; choose dialogue options he favors, and bring a Moon Arcana Persona when spending time with him.
In Persona 5 Royal, Mementos missions assigned by Mishima are now linked to his Confidant rank. Neglecting these missions hinders your progress.
Mementos: Increase EXP Gain
Cognition of Mementos
Jose, a new character in Persona 5 Royal, is a valuable ally.
Throughout Mementos, collect "flowers" and "Stamp Stations." Exchange these with Jose for items or to modify Mementos' Cognition. Boosting EXP gain to 110% costs 5 Stamps; maximizing it to 200% requires 12.
Persona 5 Royal contains 165 Stamps; maximizing EXP requires 85. Find Stamp Stations in Mementos dead ends, behind breakable walls. You'll encounter Jose randomly on new Mementos floors.
Fight the Reaper
What Level is the Reaper?
The Reaper, a formidable foe, appears in Mementos after prolonged stays on a floor. The screen flashes red, chains clang, and Morgana (or Futaba) warns of its presence.
Early game, defeating the Reaper is impossible unless you're in New Game+. It wields -dyne spells and Support skills like Concentrate and elemental Breaks.
Level 85 with exceptionally high stats (Agility is its lowest at 75), it easily outspeeds under-leveled teams.
Defeating the Reaper yields massive EXP and money, often leveling up all characters.
Aim for level 60 or higher before challenging the Reaper. Use defense-boosting Support skills and Makarakarn to reflect magic. Alternatively, those with the Izanagi-no-Okami Persona (Picaro DLC) can use Concentrate, Heat Riser, and Myriad Truths for significant Almighty damage.
Defeat Treasure Demons
How to Summon Treasure Demons
Treasure Demons, first encountered in Madarame's Palace, appear throughout the Metaverse. Unlike other Shadows, they're harmless and flee after a few turns.
Each Treasure Demon has unique weaknesses and immunities, but all are vulnerable to Almighty attacks. Use Shinya's Rank 1 ability, Down Shot, for an All-Out Attack before they escape. High-crit attacks like Morgana's Miracle Punch also work, assuming they don't null Physical.
Treasure Demons spawn more frequently in Palaces with high security. The Treasure Trap infiltration tool increases encounters; it requires:
- 2x Silk Yarn
- 3x Plant Balm
- 1x Cork Bark
Use Persona with EXP Skills
How to Get Growth Passive Skill
Unequipped Personas usually don't gain EXP. However, the Growth passive skill grants them a percentage, even if inactive. Three levels exist:
- Growth 1: 25% inactive EXP
- Growth 2: 50% inactive EXP
- Growth 3: 100% inactive EXP
These Personas learn Growth upon leveling:
| Persona | Growth 1 | Growth 2 | Growth 3 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Saki Mitama (level 7) | |||
| Koppa Tengu (level 12) | |||
| Lachesis (Innate) | |||
| Kurama Tengu (level 36) | |||
| Thoth (level 42) | |||
| Ananta (level 47) | |||
| Izanagi (level 25) | |||
| Izanagi Picaro (level 28) | |||
| Narcissus (level 50) | |||
| Raphael (level 81) |
The Electric Chair in the Velvet Room transforms Personas into Skill Cards. Growth 1 and 2 cards are unavailable in Persona 5 Royal. Only Izanagi Picaro yields a Growth 3 card.
To obtain a Growth 2 Skill Card, visit Miura Beach with Caroline and Justine between September 2nd and 29th (after clearing event 6). Spend evenings with them near the Velvet Room door outside Mementos.
Ryuji Sakamoto's Confidant
How to Unlock Insta-Kill
Insta-kill instantly defeats Shadows via ambushes. It activates if Joker's level is 10 levels higher than the Shadow's. In Persona 5 Royal, successful Insta-kills reward items, yen, EXP, and (if space allows) a Persona.
Shadows with green outlines are vulnerable to Insta-kill (use Joker's Third Eye).
Reach Ryuji's Confidant Rank 7 to unlock Insta-kill. His Confidant has no Social Stat requirements, making it easy to max out. Prioritize it for early access to Insta-kill.
