In Persona 5, players are introduced to a wide variety of powerful Personas that can greatly influence the outcome of battles, especially in the late game. Among these, Minamoto no Yoshitsune stands out as one of the most iconic and devastatingly powerful Personas available. Known for his unparalleled offensive capabilities and unique skill set, Yoshitsune is often considered the best physical attacker in the game. Unlocking and building Yoshitsune requires effort and planning, but the payoff is a Persona that can handle almost any challenge with ease.
Who Is Minamoto no Yoshitsune?
Historical Background
Minamoto no Yoshitsune is a legendary figure from Japanese history, known for his military genius during the late Heian period. He played a major role in the Genpei War, defeating the Taira clan and securing victory for the Minamoto family. In Persona 5, he appears as a figure of unmatched elegance and power, embodying the spirit of a master warrior.
Arcana and Design
In Persona 5, Minamoto no Yoshitsune belongs to the Tower Arcana. His design reflects the noble and battle-hardened samurai aesthetic, wielding a massive sword and emanating authority. Players often fuse Yoshitsune for high-end game content due to his exceptional abilities and synergy with physical skill builds.
- Arcana: Tower
- Base Level: 79
- Element Focus: Physical
- Weaknesses: Typically none, depending on how you build him
How to Fuse Minamoto no Yoshitsune
Fusion Prerequisites
To fuse Yoshitsune, players must reach a high enough level (at least 79) and have completed the Strength Confidant arc with the twin wardens. Only by maxing out this Confidant can the fusion of special Personas like Yoshitsune be unlocked. Once unlocked, players can perform a special fusion using specific Personas.
Required Personas for Fusion
The special fusion recipe to create Minamoto no Yoshitsune includes the following five Personas:
- Futsunushi (Star Arcana)
- Hachiman (Chariot Arcana)
- Shiki-Ouji (Chariot Arcana)
- Yatagarasu (Sun Arcana)
- Okuninushi (Emperor Arcana)
All of these Personas must be obtained and registered in the Persona Compendium. Ensure each one is at an appropriate level to enable the fusion to proceed.
Yoshitsune’s Signature Skill: Hassou Tobi
What Makes Hassou Tobi Unique
Yoshitsune is famous for his unique physical skill,Hassou Tobi, which hits all enemies eight times with severe physical damage. Unlike other multi-hit physical attacks, Hassou Tobi ignores damage variance and is consistently powerful, especially when combined with buffs and passives.
Skill Damage Synergy
To take full advantage of Hassou Tobi, you can combine it with the following:
- Charge: Doubles your next physical attack
- Auto-Matarukaja: Boosts team’s attack at the start of battle
- Arms Master: Reduces HP cost of physical attacks
- Drain Physical: Gives immunity and healing from physical damage
These synergize with Yoshitsune’s natural strengths and make him a truly devastating presence on the battlefield.
Best Skills to Use with Yoshitsune
Recommended Skill Setup
While Yoshitsune comes with powerful base abilities, customizing his skill set is essential for maximizing his efficiency. A recommended late-game build might include:
- Hassou Tobi: Core damaging move
- Charge: To double physical damage output
- Arms Master: Reduce HP cost for Hassou Tobi
- Auto-Matarukaja: Start battle with attack buff
- Firm Stance: Halve all incoming damage (if not using Drain Physical)
- Drain Physical: Optional, gives immunity to physical
- Ali Dance: Greatly reduces enemy accuracy
Skill Inheritance Tips
Some of these skills, like Drain Physical or Ali Dance, must be inherited through fusion or taught using skill cards. Be sure to chain fuse or prepare Personas in advance to pass down the right abilities to Yoshitsune.
Yoshitsune in Battle
Ideal Role in Your Party
Yoshitsune excels as a physical attacker and is best used against enemies with high resistances to magic. He doesn’t rely on elemental weaknesses but instead uses brute force to overpower foes. He can serve as a primary damage dealer, especially in boss battles where enemies have no resistance to physical damage.
Boss Killer and Grinding Tool
Thanks to Hassou Tobi’s multi-hit nature, Yoshitsune can quickly eliminate enemy mobs in Mementos or Palace areas, making him excellent for farming experience and money. Against bosses, a charged Hassou Tobi can deal tens of thousands of damage with the right setup.
How to Get the Most from Yoshitsune
Equipment Choices
Equip Yoshitsune with items that enhance physical attack or reduce HP consumption. Accessories like the Ring of Greed or Champion’s Cup can be extremely helpful, depending on your version of the game. Avoid equipping him with magic-boosting items, as they won’t contribute to his skillset.
Confidant Support
To unlock Yoshitsune and make the most of him, you’ll need to reach max rank with the Strength Confidant (Caroline and Justine). This also opens up the ability to fuse other advanced Personas. Support from other Confidants like Chihaya (Fortune) can help speed up social link leveling and Persona growth.
Alternative Physical Personas
While Yoshitsune is arguably the best physical Persona in the game, players may also consider alternatives for comparison:
- Shiva: Strong multi-role fighter with both physical and magic
- Siegfried: High strength and endurance, but lacks Hassou Tobi
- Zaou-Gongen: Comes with Enduring Soul and strong physical attacks
However, none of them reach the raw power output of Yoshitsune when properly built.
Minamoto no Yoshitsune in Persona 5 is the pinnacle of physical Persona builds. With his exclusive skill Hassou Tobi and near-unmatched synergy with high-tier physical passives, he becomes a one-man army in both Mementos and boss encounters. Unlocking him requires patience and dedication, but for players aiming to dominate combat, Yoshitsune is worth every step. By investing in the right skills, maintaining Confidant relationships, and making strategic equipment choices, you’ll unleash one of the most feared warriors in the entire game. For any serious player, building Yoshitsune isn’t just an option it’s a goal.