Persona 5 Tactica takes cues from many of the original game’s mechanics and adapts them into a grid-based tactical format. Initially, it may seem rather straightforward, with the opening chapter diligently guiding players through the basics with simple examples. However, as I delved deeper into the Phantom Thieves’ latest adventure, I discovered that its take on turn-based systems can be quite gratifying. Here are some tips to help you navigate your way through Persona 5 Tactica.
The All-Out Attack remains your primary strategy
As is typical in most Persona games, the All-Out Attack remains the cornerstone of your combat strategy. Unlike Persona 5, where you needed to land critical hits on all enemies to trigger it, in Tactica, you only need to take down one enemy and arrange your team in a triangular formation across the battlefield.
This spin-off is quite generous in what it considers a valid triangle formation. After you critically damage an enemy, you get another opportunity to reposition your characters and create that formation. The key here is that you can switch between the character who landed the critical hit and their teammates before initiating the All-Out Attack. By strategically positioning your three party members and spacing them out effectively, you can execute attacks that cover nearly the entire map, all while consuming only one character’s turn. Since movement itself doesn’t consume a turn, maximize your triangle’s reach and aim to catch as many enemies as possible in the explosive attack.
The 1 More mechanic extends to movement as well
In the realm of critical hits, when you earn your 1 More turn, your character gains the ability to not only attack but also move a few additional squares. In Tactica’s battles, the key elements are positioning and mobility, and harnessing 1 More to traverse extra squares proves invaluable for maximizing your turns. This capability allows you to establish favorable positions for All-Out Attacks and discover superior cover to shield yourself from potential critical attacks.
Critical Hits: Skill Over Chance
In most turn-based RPGs, the occurrence of critical hits relies on chance or specific abilities. However, Persona 5 Tactica takes a different approach, employing a three-tiered cover system as the determining factor. Within the Metaverse, both the Phantom Thieves and their adversaries can utilize cover on the battlefield to evade attacks or, at the very least, reduce their impact.
Some cover types can completely nullify incoming damage, easily discerned by their taller stature compared to characters. Additionally, there’s a second tier of cover, characterized by its waist-high structure, which provides partial concealment but doesn’t entirely shield a character. When positioned behind this cover, your character will sustain less damage from incoming attacks compared to being out in the open, but they won’t emerge unscathed.
A significant portion of your strategy in Tactica revolves around dislodging enemies from their cover and landing an attack to secure a critical hit. Notably, achieving this in Tactica is far more predictable than in the original Persona 5.
Quickly Navigate Enemy Turns
In less challenging encounters within Tactica, you might find yourself having to endure rather mundane actions from low-level foes. However, there’s a handy feature that might have eluded you for a portion of the game: the ability to fast-forward through enemy turns.
To expedite your journey to the more exciting moments, simply press the R button on your Joy-Con or the equivalent button on the gaming system you’re using. This nifty shortcut allows you to accelerate the actions of your adversaries and get back to the heart of the action swiftly.
Embrace Voltage Abilities
In Persona 5 Tactica, each Phantom Thief possesses a formidable special move that is triggered by Voltage, a meter that accumulates with each turn. Ryuji unleashes a potent attack that stretches across a straight line on the map, Joker gains the ability to land free critical hits in a confined area, and Morgana can disperse enemies with an area-of-effect (AOE) attack that can pave the way for multiple critical hits.
While it’s natural to feel reluctant about using these high-impact abilities prematurely, it’s important to remember that Voltage charges up rapidly. By deploying these special moves early and frequently, you can trigger several of them throughout the course of a battle. Don’t hesitate to harness the power of Voltage and make the most of your Phantom Thieves’ unique abilities!
Join Pedro Souza on a journey through gaming’s vast realms at howtoplay.blog. A seasoned gamer and insightful author and redactor, Pedro crafts each post as an intimate odyssey into the game’s core, not just teaching how to play, but revealing the artistry and narratives that define our beloved games.
