Persona 5 Royal Mementos Requests Guide

Hey everyone, and welcome back to another deep dive into the Phantom Thieves' world! Today, we're talking about something super important and frankly, a bit grindy if you don't know what you're doing: Persona 5 Royal Mementos Requests. These little side missions can feel like a chore sometimes, but guys, they are crucial for leveling up, getting awesome gear, and even unlocking some sweet story bits. Plus, let's be honest, who doesn't love ticking off every single item on a list? In this guide, we're going to break down everything you need to know about Mementos Requests, how to tackle them efficiently, and why you absolutely should be doing them. So grab your mask and your lockpicks, because we're heading into the depths of Mementos!

Why You Can't Afford to Ignore Mementos Requests

So, what exactly are Mementos Requests, and why should you care? Basically, these are optional missions that pop up throughout your journey in Persona 5 Royal, usually triggered by talking to certain NPCs in the real world. They're not just random fetch quests; each request is tied to a specific Palace or area within Mementos itself, and they involve confronting shadows with unique desires or grievances. Think of them as the everyday struggles of Tokyo's citizens that the Phantom Thieves are called upon to resolve. Completing these requests is seriously beneficial for a few key reasons. Firstly, experience points (XP). Mementos Requests often grant substantial XP, which is vital for leveling up your Personas and Joker. Higher levels mean better stats, new skills, and access to more powerful Personas through fusion. Secondly, money and items. Many requests reward you with yen or useful items, which are always in short supply, especially when you're trying to craft new gear or buy powerful consumables. Thirdly, Confidant progression. Some requests are directly linked to advancing your relationships with certain Confidants. Completing them can deepen your bond, unlock new abilities, or even give you crucial insights into their stories. Finally, and perhaps most importantly for completionists, Mementos completion. Each request you clear contributes to fully clearing out Mementos, which feels pretty darn satisfying, right? Plus, there are rumors and hints that ignoring them might have subtle consequences later on, so it’s best to just get them done.

The Basics of Mementos and Request Mechanics

Before we dive headfirst into specific strategies, let's cover the absolute basics of how Mementos Requests work in Persona 5 Royal. Mementos itself is a massive, procedurally generated dungeon that expands as you progress through the main story. It’s where the collective unconsciousness of Tokyo resides, and it’s populated by shadows representing various desires and negative emotions. Mementos Requests are special encounters within these depths. You'll typically receive a notification on your phone or via a text message when a new request becomes available, usually after progressing a specific Confidant or completing a story event. The request will be added to your Quest Log, detailing the target shadow's name, their location (which Mementos stratum), and a brief description of their plight. To tackle a request, you need to travel to Mementos, navigate to the correct floor range (stratum), and then hunt down the target shadow. These shadows often have unique names and appearances, distinguishing them from the regular enemies. Once you defeat the target shadow, the request is marked as complete. You can then report back to the NPC who gave you the request (if they are still accessible) or simply check your Quest Log to confirm completion and receive your rewards. Some requests can only be completed during certain story periods, so it's always a good idea to check your log regularly and prioritize any that are time-sensitive. Don't get caught out by that deadline!

Navigating Mementos: Tips for Efficient Request Grinding

Alright, guys, let's talk strategy. Mementos can feel like an endless abyss if you're not careful, and grinding through requests can get tedious. But with a few smart approaches, you can make this process much smoother and more rewarding. First and foremost, group your objectives. Don't just go into Mementos for one single request. Check your Quest Log and see if you have multiple requests for the same stratum or adjacent ones. Plan your Mementos runs to clear out as many requests as possible in a single trip. This saves you time and valuable real-world days. You'll want to aim for the highest stratum that a request is in, as this will allow you to potentially find other requests for lower strataeds as well. Utilize fast travel. Once you unlock Safe Rooms in Mementos, use them! They serve as your respawn points and allow you to exit Mementos without losing progress. If you need to switch Personas, replenish SP, or just take a break, duck into a Safe Room. Bring the right team. Certain shadows in Mementos might have specific weaknesses or resistances. While you can't always predict what you'll face, having a balanced party with diverse elemental coverage is always a good idea. Consider bringing characters with strong multi-target attacks for clearing out regular mobs quickly to reach your target faster. Don't neglect your SP. Mementos runs can be long, and running out of SP means you'll either have to leave or rely on expensive SP-restoring items. Make sure Joker and your active party members have enough SP, or bring items like Soma or SP Adhesones. Alternatively, consider Personas with SP-restoring skills or abilities. Focus on the target. Once you're in the correct stratum and have located your target shadow, focus your efforts on defeating it quickly. Use skills that exploit its weaknesses to end the fight efficiently. Don't get bogged down fighting every single enemy you encounter unless you need the XP or items. Remember, time is a resource in Persona 5 Royal!

The Best Time and Ways to Tackle Requests

When is the best time to actually dive into Mementos and knock out these requests? Honestly, the earlier the better, but with some caveats. Early game: Focus on requests that are in lower-level strata. These are usually easier and provide good XP and early-game items. They're also great for leveling up your base Personas. Mid-game: As you unlock more confidants and your team gets stronger, you can start tackling more complex requests. This is also when you'll start seeing requests tied to specific confidant storylines, which are often more rewarding. Late game: By the time you reach the late stages of the game, you'll likely have access to powerful Personas and abilities. Use this opportunity to clean up any remaining requests. This is also when you'll encounter the toughest request bosses, so make sure your team is well-equipped and leveled. Crucially, don't neglect them during story progression. If a request becomes available while you're progressing through a Palace or a major story arc, consider if you can fit it in. Sometimes, a Mementos request can be tied to the same themes or characters as the current Palace, making it thematically relevant and potentially easier if you're already in the right mindset. However, prioritize main story objectives and Palace deadlines. If you're up against a tight deadline for a Palace, it's usually best to focus on that and tackle Mementos requests later. Remember that Mementos is always accessible, but Palaces are not. So, strategic planning is key! Think about when you have free evenings or afternoons where you don't have pressing confidant activities or study sessions. Those are your prime Mementos grinding times. Also, keep an eye on the calendar for opportunities to increase stats like Knowledge, Guts, Proficiency, Kindness, and Charm, as these can impact your ability to start or progress certain confidants which in turn unlock more requests!

Specific Mementos Requests and Their Rewards

While I can't list every single request here (that would take ages, guys!), let's touch upon some notable ones and the kinds of rewards you can expect. Mementos Requests are often categorized by the shadow's name and the reason for their grievance. You'll see requests like "The Killer Who Cleans Up" or "A Father with a Dark Secret." The targets are usually shadows with unique names, often variations of common shadow types but with distinct colors or features. For example, you might be hunting a