The Ultimate Persona 5 Royal Party Member Ranking

Persona 5 Royal has garnered a devoted following among fans of the Shin Megami Tensei franchise, largely due to its innovative approach to turn-based RPG combat. A key element of the Persona series’ appeal is its diverse cast of party members, which plays a crucial role in the game’s storyline. While the 2019 update added a new teammate and expanded the possibilities for pairing different Phantom Thieves, it also highlighted the most effective choices for navigating the dungeons of Mementos. Although every member of the party has their strengths, some characters fall short in certain areas and are outshone by others. In general, each party member has a unique focus, but their usefulness is not always equal. As such, the ten members of the Phantom Thieves include some who excel as the best party members, while others are limited in their abilities.

S Tier

Ryuji Sakamoto is an indispensable member of the party with exceptional physical attacking abilities that make him stand out throughout the game. He retains his position as the strongest physical attacker in the team, thanks to his remarkable skills like God’s Hand, Charge, and Agneyastra. These abilities enable him to deliver high damage potential and make him a valuable asset, especially in the final dungeon.

Joker's Superiority in Persona 5 Royal

Despite the numerous options for party members in Persona 5 Royal, it's no surprise that the protagonist, Joker, stands above the rest. What makes Joker exceptional is his jack-of-all-trades ability and access to rare affinities, which are unavailable to most party members. In fact, the entire game can be completed with just Joker going solo. Thus, it's clear that Joker's status as the protagonist is well-justified.

A Tier

Haru Okumura may have entered the party late in Persona 5 Royal, but she shouldn't be overlooked. With her signature grenade launcher and Psychokinesis skills, she can deal impressive Technical type damage in the right situations. While she may require a dedicated player to bring out her best, Haru's versatility as an all-rounder makes her a valuable addition to the Phantom Thieves. Despite some controversy over her place in the story, Haru is a highly underrated party member.

Kasumi Yoshizawa is an intriguing addition to Persona 5 Royal's story and combat system. Her unique affinity, previously exclusive to Joker, sets her apart from other characters and her permanent status as a teammate is a welcome change. However, her late awakening to her final Persona limits her potential as one of the game's top-tier characters.

Makoto Nijima, on the other hand, is a versatile character that excels in various roles. Her speed and diverse skill set make her a technically challenging character that prioritizes party synergy over her own abilities. Despite her popularity among fans, Makoto's strength lies in her ability to adapt to different team compositions, whether as a healer, attacker with Nuke abilities, or support that boosts status ailments.

B Tier

Yusuke Kitigawa boasts solid physical abilities that have improved significantly in Persona 5 Royal. At the start of the game, he proves to be a proficient fighter, matching Ryuji's effectiveness. However, as the game progresses, Ryuji learns the powerful Charge skill and begins to outclass Yusuke as the party's physical attacker. Despite this, Yusuke's specialization in ice magic and unique abilities make him a fan favorite, even though he becomes more of a situational choice towards the end of the game.

On the other hand, Goro Akechi is undoubtedly one of the strongest members of the party. He possesses abilities that were exclusive to Joker before him and his Almighty Rebellion Blade skill in Persona 5 Royal is unblockable, making him an asset to any team composition. However, Akechi's temporary status as a party member limits his placement on this list as he is only available for two dungeons in the entire game, due to the narrative's events.

C Tier

Futaba Sakura serves as a valuable support member in battle, offering assistance through healing and buffs. Although she doesn't occupy an active party slot, her indirect presence proves to be beneficial to the team. As the player progresses through her Confidant level, she gains new powers and awakens into her true self. On the other hand, Morgana is primarily a designated healer, but his limited support abilities make him a less desirable party member. He is often considered one of the least helpful characters in the Persona franchise.

Persona 5 Royal is available now for PC, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Switch, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X/S.