Persona 5 Royal: Best Ways to Get EXP

Level Up Like a Pro in Persona 5 Royal: The Ultimate EXP Farming Guide

Leveling up is crucial in Persona 5 Royal. Neglecting your team's levels will make late-game bosses a significant challenge, forcing tedious grinding in Mementos. This guide outlines the fastest ways to gain experience in P5R, leveraging both new and existing features.

Updated January 13, 2025: This guide has been updated to include strategies for efficient EXP farming, including the Insta-kill ability and the optimal use of Jose's services in Mementos. While over-leveling can make the game too easy, matching the Palace Rulers' levels is essential, especially on a new playthrough.

Accessories and the Moon Arcana

Mishima Yuuki's Confidant

Equip the free DLC "Team Glasses" accessory for a 15% EXP boost per character. Remember, only active party members receive full EXP. Ranking up Yuuki Mishima's Confidant mitigates this. At Rank 3 and 5, reserve members gain some EXP; at Rank 10, they receive the same EXP as front-line fighters. 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.

Mementos: Maximize EXP Gain

Cognition of Mementos

Jose, a new character in P5R, offers significant gameplay advantages. Collect Mementos "flowers" and "stamps" to exchange for items or modify Mementos' Cognition. Boosting EXP gain to 110% costs 5 stamps, while maximizing it to 200% requires 12. While 165 stamps exist, maximizing EXP requires 85. Find stamp stations in dead ends behind breakable walls on each Mementos floor. Jose appears randomly on new floors.

Confronting the Reaper

What Level is the Reaper?

The Reaper, a formidable foe, appears in Mementos after prolonged stays on a floor. Defeating it yields massive EXP and money. Aim for level 60 or higher before engaging. Utilize defense-boosting skills, Makarakarn to reflect magic, or, if you own the DLC, leverage Izanagi-no-Okami's Myriad Truths for devastating Almighty damage. The Reaper is level 85 with high stats, making early encounters extremely difficult.

Defeating Treasure Demons

How to Summon Treasure Demons

Treasure Demons, initially found in Madarame's Palace, appear throughout the Metaverse. They flee after a few turns but provide valuable EXP. Use Shinya's Rank 1 "Down Shot" ability for an All-Out Attack or a high-crit attack (avoiding Physical nulls). High security in Palaces increases their appearance rate. Craft the "Treasure Trap" infiltration tool (2 Silk Yarn, 3 Plant Balm, 1 Cork Bark) to further increase encounters.

Utilizing Persona EXP Skills

How to Get Growth Passive Skill

Unequipped Personas typically don't gain EXP. The "Growth" passive skill grants inactive Personas a percentage of battle EXP. Growth 1 (¼ EXP), Growth 2 (½ EXP), and Growth 3 (full EXP) exist. Several Personas learn Growth naturally (see table in original text). In P5R, only Izanagi Picaro provides a Growth 3 Skill Card via the Electric Chair. Growth 2 can be obtained by spending time with Caroline and Justine at Miura Beach (September 2nd-29th, post-event 6).

Ryuji Sakamoto's Confidant: Mastering Insta-Kill

Ryuji's Confidant, Rank 7, unlocks Insta-kill, instantly defeating shadows 10 levels below Joker's level during ambushes. Shadows with a green outline are susceptible. Insta-kill in P5R rewards items, yen, EXP, and potentially a Persona. Ryuji's Confidant has no Social Stat requirements, making it easy to max out early for immediate access to Insta-kill.