Persona 5 Confidant Guide: Max Ranks & Best Choices
If you're serious about maxing out your Persona 5 confidants , you're already playing with a strategic mindset. These character bonds aren’t just window dressing—they fuel your journey, unlock powerful fusion perks, boost battle capabilities, and even influence the game’s ending.
Whether you’re diving into the original Persona 5, Persona 5 Royal, or a modern port, understanding how to quickly build relationships and make the right dialogue choices is essential. This guide explains how to do just that. We break down all 21 confidants, outlining their benefits, tips for ranking them up fast, and how to pick the best options every step of the way.
What Are Confidants in Persona 5?
Confidants are relationships you form with key characters as you move through the game. These social links are tied to the Major Arcana, and they provide meaningful gameplay advantages the higher your bond grows.
Each confidant belongs to an Arcana—Chariot, Death, Star, and so on. Raising their rank unlocks upgrades, including:
More effective Persona fusions within their Arcana
Special abilities like item discounts, battle perks, or new navigation tools
Access to rare or unique gameplay mechanics
Some bonds, like Futaba or Kawakami, can be game-changing. Others are more narrative-driven, offering depth and heart to your journey.
How to Level Confidants Faster
Here’s how to grow your bonds quickly and get the most value out of each confidant:
Carry a Persona that matches the Arcana of the confidant. This gives extra points for every interaction.
Pick the best dialogue choices during hangouts. They often result in double or triple progress.
Use Chihaya’s fortune readings to boost your relationship points if progress has stalled.
Take advantage of free days like Sundays, holidays, and exam breaks.
Unlock Kawakami early —her skills open up extra time slots at night.
The earlier you establish a good rhythm, the more you can squeeze into each week. Planning is everything.
Persona 5 Confidant Tier Table
| Confidant | Arcana | Key Benefits | Recommended Priority |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ryuji Sakamoto | Chariot | Baton Pass, Insta-kill | High |
| Ann Takamaki | Lovers | Follow-up attacks, status recovery | Medium |
| Morgana | Magician | Auto healing, ambush bonuses | Auto-rank (story) |
| Makoto Niijima | Priestess | Shadow money boost, enemy analysis | High |
| Futaba Sakura | Hermit | Battle support, scanning, buffs | Very High |
| Haru Okumura | Empress | Instant harvests, battle follow-ups | Medium |
| Yusuke Kitagawa | Emperor | Skill card duplication | Medium |
| Sojiro Sakura | Hierophant | SP items via coffee/curry | Medium |
| Tae Takemi | Death | Powerful SP-restoring medicine | Very High |
| Hifumi Togo | Star | Swap party members mid-fight | High |
| Chihaya Mifune | Fortune | Confidant boost, money gain | Very High |
| Ichiko Ohya | Devil | Nighttime access to areas | Low |
| Iwai Munehisa | Hanged Man | Better guns, custom mods | High |
| Toranosuke | Sun | Speech bonuses, easier negotiations | Medium |
| Mishima Yuuki | Moon | XP boost for unused party members | High |
| Shinya Oda | Tower | Gun upgrades, technical stat boosts | Medium |
| Sadayo Kawakami | Temperance | Use evening time better, massages | Very High |
| Sae Niijima | Judgment | Unlocks top-tier fusions | Auto-rank (story) |
| Igor | Fool | Velvet Room functionality | Auto-rank (story) |
| Takuto Maruki | Councillor | Extra SP, fusion options | Very High (Royal only) |
| Kasumi Yoshizawa | Faith | Unique arc and bonus gameplay | Very High (Royal only) |
Sample Confidant Tips & Dialogue Choices
Ryuji Sakamoto (Chariot)
Where to find him : Shujin Academy hallway (daytime)
Ideal choices : Back him up when he stands up for his friends, encourage his self-worth.
Top perk : Insta-kill weak shadows while dashing.
Makoto Niijima (Priestess)
Where to find her : Student Council Room or hallway (after school)
Ideal choices : Show respect for her values and trust her leadership.
Top perk : Gains bonus cash and insights during battles.
Tae Takemi (Death)
Where to find her : Yongen-Jaya clinic (afternoon)
Ideal choices : Support her research, side with her when she doubts herself.
Top perk : Advanced healing items and discounts at her shop.
Who to Focus On First
Pressed for time? Here are the best confidants to focus on early in your playthrough:
Futaba (Hermit) – She makes every battle easier. Her scanning, buffs, and support actions are invaluable.
Kawakami (Temperance) – She helps unlock more free time—arguably the most important resource in the game.
Takemi (Death) – Better gear means longer dungeon runs without needing to rest.
Chihaya (Fortune) – Lets you improve other bonds faster.
Hifumi (Star) – Switching out tired teammates mid-fight can save a run.
Mishima (Moon) – Boosts XP for characters you aren’t actively using.
If you're juggling social stats, remember that some confidants have minimum Charm, Guts, or Knowledge requirements.
Romance Options in Persona 5
There are multiple romanceable characters in Persona 5, including:
Ann
Makoto
Futaba
Haru
Kawakami
Takemi
Hifumi
Chihaya
Ohya
Royal adds the option to romance Kasumi Yoshizawa (Faith). But be careful—pursuing more than one leads to consequences on Valentine’s Day.
Romance doesn’t affect gameplay performance, but it does impact cutscenes and certain events.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I max all confidants in Persona 5?
Start early, plan your calendar, use Arcana-matching Personas, and take advantage of Kawakami’s time-saving perks.
Which confidants are missable?
Yes—Shinya (Tower), Chihaya (Fortune), Kawakami (Temperance), and Takemi (Death) must be initiated early. Don’t ignore their texts.
Can I max all confidants in one playthrough?
Yes. In Persona 5 Royal, more time management tools are available, making it very doable.
Who is the best confidant?
Kawakami is arguably the most useful. Futaba and Chihaya are also high-value picks.
What happens if I date multiple people?
In Royal, there’s a humorous but awkward Valentine's Day scene if you try to romance everyone. Choose wisely.
Final Word
Confidants are the beating heart of Persona 5. These bonds give your playthrough meaning, power, and soul. They connect the turn-based grind to something more human—stories of ambition, insecurity, redemption, and trust.
Treat these bonds like more than just stats. The stronger your relationships, the stronger your Phantom Thieves become. Whether you’re chasing 100% completion or just want to see the best endings, every conversation counts.
So hang out. Say the right thing. And watch what happens when connection meets conviction.