persona 5 best confidants

Navigating the Heart: A Guide to the Best Confidants in Persona 5

Table of Contents

Introduction: The Power of Bonds

Chapter 1: The Pillars of the Team - Ryuji, Ann, and Morgana

Chapter 2: The Strategist and the Healer - Makoto and Takemi

Chapter 3: The Mentor and the Wild Card - Sojiro and Yoshida

Chapter 4: The Personal Journey - Kawakami and Futaba

Conclusion: Bonds Forged in Truth

Introduction: The Power of Bonds

At its core, Persona 5 is a game about rebellion against corrupt authority and the discovery of one's true self. Yet, the game's most profound and mechanically essential system is the Confidant system. These are not mere side quests; they are the emotional backbone of the journey. Forming bonds with a diverse cast of characters does more than unlock new abilities—it fleshes out the world, provides crucial character development, and directly empowers the protagonist, Joker, in the Metaverse. The best Confidants are those that masterfully intertwine compelling personal narratives with gameplay benefits that feel indispensable, creating relationships that players actively seek to nurture. This exploration delves into those essential bonds, examining why they stand as the pinnacle of social connection within the game.

Chapter 1: The Pillars of the Team - Ryuji, Ann, and Morgana

The founding members of the Phantom Thieves offer Confidant arcs that are deeply personal and immediately beneficial. Ryuji Sakamoto's story tackles his trauma from Kamoshida's abuse and his desire to protect the weak. His Confidant abilities are arguably the most useful in the game for exploration. "Insta-Kill" and the ability to sprint without alerting Shadows in Palaces save an immense amount of time, making dungeon crawling efficient and rewarding his bond feels like gaining a powerful tactical advantage.

Ann Takamaki's journey focuses on her resolve to become stronger and not rely solely on her appearance. Her narrative with Shiho provides emotional weight, while her Confidant abilities are focused on support. She learns to negotiate with Shadows more effectively and, most importantly, can perform follow-up attacks after Joker's, a reliable source of extra damage. Morgana, while a constant companion, has a Confidant that progresses automatically but is vital. His abilities unlock new infiltration tools, allow for emergency escapes, and eventually let the team ambush enemies from a greater distance. These three form the functional core of the Thieves, and maxing their bonds is almost non-negotiable for smooth gameplay.

Chapter 2: The Strategist and the Healer - Makoto and Takemi

Two Confidants from vastly different worlds exemplify how powerful non-combat support can be. Makoto Nijima's Confidant explores her liberation from the rigid expectations placed upon her, transforming her from a duty-bound student council president into a confident young woman. Her abilities are transformative for battle strategy. She unlocks "Batton Pass," a core combat mechanic that chains extra turns between party members, and later learns to analyze enemy weaknesses automatically at the start of combat. She turns the Phantom Thieves from a group of fighters into a coordinated unit.

In contrast, Tae Takemi, the enigmatic doctor in Yongen-Jaya, provides a different kind of support. Her story of redemption and professional integrity is engaging, but her practical benefits are unmatched. By ranking up her Confidant, Joker gains access to progressively stronger and rarer healing items and status-cure medicines at her clinic. More critically, she develops SP recovery items. In a game where SP is the most precious resource for Palace exploration, the ability to purchase SP-adhesive accessories or recovery items from Takemi is a game-changer, enabling longer, more productive infiltration sessions.

Chapter 3: The Mentor and the Wild Card - Sojiro and Yoshida

Some of the most rewarding Confidants are those that offer profound narrative depth alongside subtle but impactful perks. Sojiro Sakura starts as a reluctant guardian but evolves into a genuine father figure. His Confidant reveals the touching story of Futaba's past and his own sense of failure. Maxing his bond not only unlocks the ability to brew superior coffee and curry that restore large amounts of HP and SP, but it also completes one of the game's most heartfelt character arcs, making Leblanc truly feel like home.

Toranosuke Yoshida, the disgraced politician campaigning in Shinjuku, offers a unique perspective. His Confidant focuses on the power of rhetoric and conviction within the system Joker rebels against. By helping Yoshida refine his speeches, Joker himself gains unparalleled negotiation skills in the Metaverse. He becomes able to demand more money, items, and even secure Shadows when they are not interested in talking. This ability gives the player immense control over Persona acquisition and resource gathering, making Yoshida's bond incredibly valuable for building the ultimate arsenal.

Chapter 4: The Personal Journey - Kawakami and Futaba

These Confidants redefine efficiency and power, respectively, in ways that deeply affect the player's daily life. Sadayo Kawakami's "Maid Service" might seem gimmicky, but its benefits are extraordinary. As her story of overwork and exploitation unfolds, she grants Joker the ability to craft infiltration tools during class, go out at night after a Palace expedition, or receive a massage to recover from exhaustion. The gift of time is the most valuable commodity in Persona 5, and Kawakami directly provides more of it, allowing Joker to maximize his daily activities.

Futaba Sakura's Confidant is an automatic progression tied to the story, but its impact cannot be overstated. Her social link is a beautiful tale of overcoming severe social anxiety and trauma. Her abilities, however, are what make her arguably the strongest support character in combat. She can randomly hack battles to provide healing, buffs, or even instant-win effects. She can analyze enemy data in a single turn, block fatal attacks, and ultimately provide a full-team heal and cleanse at the start of a battle. Futaba doesn't just support the team; she actively bends the rules of combat in their favor.

Conclusion: Bonds Forged in Truth

The best Confidants in Persona 5 succeed because they are never just a means to an end. They are symbiotic relationships where compelling character writing is rewarded with tangible, meaningful power. Whether it is Ryuji's time-saving sprints, Takemi's SP solutions, Kawakami's gift of extra hours, or Yoshida's masterful negotiations, these bonds feel essential because they address the player's fundamental needs: efficiency, resources, and strategic depth. They transform Joker from a lone rebel into the heart of a community, proving that true strength in Persona 5 is not found in a single Persona, but in the myriad of connections forged in the real world. Investing in these relationships is the ultimate key to mastering both the gameplay and the rich, rebellious heart of the experience.

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