Summary
The party system works a bit differently inPersona 5: The Phantom Xcompared to the original game. This shouldn’t surprise anyone who has playeda gacha-based free-to-play gamebefore, but it deserves explaining anyway. Players will recruit party members in the game, just like in a typical RPG, for free. They can also get new party members through a roulette system if players spend a ticket-based currency that they can earn in the game or by spending real-world money.
These random party members are called Phantom Idols, and they all fall under a Role. Roles are like a class system in other RPGs. Right now, there are seven different Roles inPersona 5: The Phantom X, with only a handful of characters falling under each category. Let’s go through how these Roles shake out and rank them based on usefulness and power.
7Saboteur
Specializes In Enemy Debuffs
A Saboteur is supposed to be set up to take down enemies via debuffs, like lowering their accuracy or defense. While that’s a goodclass type to have in any RPG, the characters offered so far inPersona 5: The Phantom Xdon’t start with an amazing set of straight debuffs. Kiyoshi’s Syke Persona uses fire-based attacks, while Yaoling’s Meng Po Persona uses Curse-based attacks. Their skill list is great when facing demons weak to their elements, but doesn’t invoke the idea of Saboteurs so far.
6Strategist
Support Allies With Buffs
Strategists are the opposite of Saboteurs, as they can buff allies with skills, and the characters in the game so far who are assigned this Role do a better job with it. For example, one of the key early story characters is Tomoke. Her Persona, Prosymna, specializes in Psychokinesis attacks, and she has some buffs and debuffs too.
Cheering You On can increase the attack power and ailment accuracy of Tomoko and one other ally. Spirit’s Lullaby has a chance to put enemies to sleep. Tomoko’s buff skill is definitely better than her debuff skill. Players should focus more onsupport skills in RPGslikePersona 5: The Phantom Xanyway, as debuffs can be hard to land on enemies, which can lead to wasted turns.
5Guardian
A Good Defensive Lineman
Guardians are kind of likePaladins in other RPGs, as they have high attack and defense stats and are willing to put themselves on the line to protect other allies. Shun is the standout Guardian of the two in the game so far.
His Persona, Mandrin, is infused with the power of ice. Its starting skill set has an ice-based attack, a physical attack, and a buff that will shield allies called Icy Defense. This skill can increase the HP of others, heal them, and gives Shun a better chance of being targeted by enemies for a few turns. If players are lucky enough to get Shun in the party, they should keep him, especially for boss fights or other encounters.
4Elucidator
The Navigator-Like Supporter From Afar
Starting inPersona 3, there was a side role called a Navigator that aided characters in battle from a distance, but they were not part of the party. There wasFuuka inPersona 3, Futaba inPersona 5, and now there are Elucidators inPersona 5: The Phantom X. They are the official fifth party member of the team.
As players battle, they will build up a meter wherein they can summon Elucidators to use their skills. They are similar in design to Strategists, offering buffs for characters but even more so, as that’s their sole focus. For example, Kayo’s Persona Cleodora can use Club Okyann, which can boost attack power for the party. Elucidators almost make Strategists pointless by comparison.
3Medic
The Party’s Healer
Healers are one of the most underappreciated class types in RPGs, and Medics fall under that branch inPersona 5: The Phantom X.Persona 5fans will be familiar with Morgana, who played a medicinal role in that game with wind-based magic and healing skills. That’s exactly what Morgana offers inPersona 5: The Phantom X.
Alongside Morgana, the new animal/mascot character is an owl named Lufel who goes by Cattle in the Metaverse. Lufel has fire magic and healing skills, and both characters are on an even playing field, but Lufel is an automatic get, thankfully.
2Sweeper
Specializes In Group Attacks
Sweepers are good against groups of enemies, although most characters so far in the game have group-based attacks. One of the early gets in the game is Motoha, who has a Persona named Awilda that deals Electric-based damage, and she’s a real hard hitter.
The other Sweepers in the game so far are both fromPersona 5: Ann and Ren. Ren is, of course, the main character from the original game, also known as Joker in the Metaverse.Joker uses Curse-based attacks via his Arsene Persona inPersona 5: The Phantom X, and Ann has her Carmen Persona, who specializes in fire-based attacks.
1Assassin
Focuses On Single Enemy Attacks
Assassins are a bit hard to pin down. They don’t act like assassin builds in other RPGs, who attack from the shadows. Instead, their role inPersona 5: The Phantom Xfocuses on a single enemy attacks. Nagisa, the main character, is an Assassin. He has the advantage of being able to summon other demons to sub in for Personas, which gives him a wide array of abilities.
For this reason alone, Assassins are the best Role in the game, but beyond Nagisa (or Wonder, as he is called in the Metaverse), other characters are great for taking down bosses with strong single attacks. Ryuji fromPersona 5returns with his Captain Kidd Persona, who switches between Electric and physical attacks.
