Level Up Fast in Persona 5 Royal: A Comprehensive Guide
Leveling up is crucial in Persona 5 Royal. This guide details efficient methods to boost your Phantom Thieves' experience, from utilizing confidant abilities to exploiting enemy weaknesses.
Updated January 13, 2025: This guide has been updated to include the Insta-kill strategy for rapid leveling. While over-leveling can make the game easier, maintaining a level comparable to Palace Rulers is recommended, especially for new playthroughs.
I. Accessories and the Moon Arcana:
Mishima Yuuki's Confidant
Equip the free DLC "Team Glasses" for a 15% EXP boost for all equipped characters. Remember, backline members receive less EXP. Rank 3 and 5 of Yuuki Mishima's Confidant grant EXP to reserves; Rank 10 provides them with full EXP. Prioritize dialogue choices that resonate with Mishima and bring a Moon Arcana Persona during confidant events. Completing Mishima's Mementos missions is essential for confidant progression.
II. Mementos: Maximizing EXP Gain:
Cognition of Mementos
Jose, a new character in Persona 5 Royal, offers Mementos Cognition upgrades. Exchange collected flowers and stamps for boosts to EXP, money, or items. A 110% EXP increase costs 5 stamps; 200% (maximum) requires 12. There are 165 stamps in total; 85 are needed to maximize EXP. Find Stamp Stations in Mementos dead ends behind breakable walls. Jose appears randomly on new Mementos floors.
III. Conquering the Reaper:
What Level is the Reaper?
The Reaper appears in Mementos after prolonged stays on a floor. Defeating it yields massive EXP and money, but it's a formidable foe (level 85). Aim for level 60+ before engaging. Utilize defense-boosting skills and Makarakarn to reflect magic. The Izanagi-no-Okami (Picaro) DLC Persona, with Concentrate, Heat Riser, and Myriad Truths, can inflict significant Almighty damage.
IV. Defeating Treasure Demons:
How to Summon Treasure Demons
Treasure Demons, appearing in palaces with high security, flee after a few turns. Use Shinya's Rank 1 "Down Shot" ability for an All-Out Attack or a high-crit attack (avoiding physical nulls). Craft the Treasure Trap infiltration tool (2x Silk Yarn, 3x Plant Balm, 1x Cork Bark) to increase encounters.
V. Leveraging Persona EXP Skills:
How to Get Growth Passive Skill
Unequipped Personas normally don't gain EXP. The "Growth" passive skill grants EXP even when inactive. Growth 1 (¼ EXP), Growth 2 (½ EXP), and Growth 3 (full EXP) exist. Several Personas learn Growth upon leveling (see table in original text). The Electric Chair in the Velvet Room can create Growth Skill Cards; Growth 3 is obtainable from Izanagi Picaro. Growth 2 is acquired by visiting Caroline and Justine at Miura Beach (September 2nd-29th, post-event 6).
VI. Ryuji Sakamoto's Confidant and Insta-Kill:
How to Unlock Insta-Kill
Insta-kill allows instant Shadow defeat if Joker's level is 10+ higher (indicated by a green outline using Joker's Third Eye). Achieve Ryuji's Confidant Rank 7 to unlock this ability. Prioritize this confidant early for immediate benefits; it has no Social Stat requirements. Successful Insta-kills reward items, yen, EXP, and potentially a Persona.
