Randy Chandler
In *Persona 5*, cheesing the Reaper refers to exploiting strategies to defeat or escape the formidable optional boss, Reaper, who appears when players spend too much time in Mementos. Players often cheese this battle by using specific personas with high evasion skills, such as Neko Arc or Orpheus, combined with the Samarecarm or Tetrakarn spells to nullify the Reaper’s attacks. Another popular method involves using the Heat Riser and Charge skills to boost damage and evade counterattacks, while equipping accessories like the Saviors Ring for additional survivability. These tactics allow players to either outlast the Reaper or deal enough damage to escape, making the encounter less daunting and more manageable.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Enemy | Reaper (Optional Boss) |
| Location | Mementos (Floors 1-9) |
| Level | Scales with protagonist's level (Typically 30-50) |
| Weakness | Gun |
| Resistant | Bless, Curse |
| Null | Physical, Fire, Ice, Electric, Wind, Psy, Nuclear |
| Reflect | None |
| Absorb | None |
| Cheese Strategy | |
| Key Persona | Succubus (Level 21) or Black Frost (Level 37) with Gun boost skills |
| Skills Needed | Gun Amp, Debilitate, Tetaja, |
| Party Setup | Protagonist (Gun Amp), Morgana (Debilitate), Ann (Healing), Ryuji (Tetaja) |
| Strategy | 1. Equip Gun Amp persona on protagonist. 2. Use Debilitate to lower Reaper's attack. 3. Use Tetaja to buff party attack. 4. Focus on gun attacks from protagonist. 5. Heal as needed. |
| Additional Tips | - Save often before encountering the Reaper. - Use ambushes to gain an advantage. - Stock up on SP restoring items. |
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What You'll Learn
- Exploit Weakness: Use Gun skills to hit Reaper's weakness, forcing technical knockdown repeatedly
- Escape Strategy: Equip Escape Rope or Safe Room for guaranteed escape when cornered
- Level Grind: Reach level 80+ to outstat Reaper, reducing fight difficulty significantly
- Save Exploit: Save before fight; reload if losing to avoid permanent game over
- Persona Fusion: Fuse high-level Personas with Almighty skills for maximum damage output
Exploit Weakness: Use Gun skills to hit Reaper's weakness, forcing technical knockdown repeatedly
The Reaper in Persona 5 is a formidable foe, but its weakness to Gun skills offers a strategic edge. By exploiting this vulnerability, players can force repeated Technical Knockdowns, significantly reducing the battle’s difficulty. This method hinges on understanding the Reaper’s elemental weakness and leveraging Gun-based Personas or skills to capitalize on it. For instance, equipping a Persona with the Gun skill "Gun Boost" or "Magnum Shot" can amplify damage output, ensuring consistent knockdowns.
To execute this strategy effectively, prioritize building a team composition that maximizes Gun skill proficiency. Personas like Hecate, Orpheus, or Isis, when fused with the right skills, can become invaluable assets. Ensure your main character has a Persona capable of using Gun skills, and consider equipping accessories that boost Gun damage or accuracy. Additionally, stock up on SP-restoring items like Energy Drinks or SP Adhesives, as Gun skills drain SP rapidly.
A critical aspect of this approach is timing. The Reaper’s behavior patterns are predictable, allowing players to anticipate its attacks and strike during openings. Focus on exploiting its weakness during its slower, more telegraphed moves. For example, when the Reaper performs its sweeping scythe attack, use this moment to unleash a Gun skill, triggering a Technical Knockdown. Repeat this process to keep the Reaper staggered and minimize its opportunities to counterattack.
While this method is effective, it’s not without risks. The Reaper’s high HP and defense mean battles can still drag on, increasing the likelihood of SP depletion or critical hits. To mitigate this, rotate Gun skill usage among party members and save your strongest attacks for when the Reaper is most vulnerable. Patience and resource management are key—avoid reckless SP expenditure and prioritize survival over speed.
In conclusion, exploiting the Reaper’s weakness to Gun skills is a reliable cheese strategy in Persona 5. By combining the right Personas, skills, and timing, players can force repeated Technical Knockdowns, turning a daunting battle into a manageable challenge. This approach requires preparation and precision but rewards players with a sense of mastery over one of the game’s most feared enemies.
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Escape Strategy: Equip Escape Rope or Safe Room for guaranteed escape when cornered
In the high-stakes cat-and-mouse game with the Reaper in *Persona 5*, survival hinges on preparation and quick thinking. One of the most reliable strategies to avoid a game-over scenario is equipping either the Escape Rope or the Safe Room skill. These tools guarantee an escape when cornered, turning a potentially fatal encounter into a minor setback. The Escape Rope, a consumable item, allows your party to flee instantly, while Safe Room, a passive skill, triggers automatically when your HP drops to 1, warping you to safety. Both options are invaluable for players who prioritize survival over confrontation.
Analyzing the mechanics, the Escape Rope is straightforward: use it, and you’re out. However, it’s a one-time item, meaning you’ll need to restock regularly, which can be a hassle. Safe Room, on the other hand, is a skill tied to specific Personas, such as Arahabaki or Orpheus Telos Picaro. While it doesn’t require inventory management, it demands a slot in your Persona setup, potentially limiting your combat abilities. The choice between the two depends on your playstyle—do you prefer the reliability of an item or the convenience of a passive skill? For maximum efficiency, carry Escape Ropes early in the game and switch to Safe Room once you’ve unlocked high-tier Personas.
Persuasively, the argument for using these escape tools is clear: the Reaper is relentless, and one mistake can cost you hours of progress. Equipping an escape option isn’t just a safety net—it’s a strategic decision that allows you to push deeper into Mementos without fear. Imagine exploring a high-level floor, grinding for rare items, and suddenly being ambushed. Without an escape plan, you’re at the mercy of RNG. With one, you regain control, preserving your resources and sanity. It’s not about avoiding challenge; it’s about playing smart.
Comparatively, other escape methods pale in effectiveness. The “prayer method” (running in circles and hoping the Reaper doesn’t attack) is unreliable and time-consuming. Using skills like Agneyastra to defeat the Reaper is risky and requires specific builds. Escape Rope and Safe Room, however, are foolproof. They don’t rely on luck, skill, or specific conditions—they simply work. This consistency makes them the cornerstone of any Reaper-cheesing strategy.
Descriptively, picture this: you’re deep in Mementos, the air thick with tension, when the Reaper’s shadow looms. Your heart races as it closes in, but instead of panic, you feel a calm certainty. With an Escape Rope in hand or Safe Room equipped, you’re not trapped—you’re prepared. The moment the Reaper corners you, you activate your escape, leaving it behind in a cloud of frustration. You emerge unscathed, ready to continue your journey. This isn’t just a tactic; it’s a lifeline, transforming the Reaper from a terror into a manageable obstacle.
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Level Grind: Reach level 80+ to outstat Reaper, reducing fight difficulty significantly
One of the most brute-force yet effective strategies to cheese the Reaper in *Persona 5* is to outlevel it through a dedicated grind to level 80 or higher. At this point, your party’s stats—HP, SP, attack, and defense—will dwarf the Reaper’s capabilities, turning what was once a high-stakes battle into a manageable, if lengthy, encounter. This method relies on the game’s scaling mechanics: while the Reaper’s stats increase with your level, its growth curve plateaus far below that of a well-leveled party. By reaching level 80+, you effectively break the balance, making the Reaper’s attacks less threatening and your damage output overwhelming.
To execute this strategy, focus on grinding in areas like the final palace or late-game Mementos, where enemies yield higher experience points. Equip personas with skills like *Counter* or *Endure* to survive unexpected attacks during grinding sessions. Use SP adhesives and recovery items sparingly, as the goal is to maximize time spent in battle. Prioritize leveling your main party members first, as they’ll carry the bulk of the fight. If you’re using a Persona with high base stats like Satanael, ensure it’s leveled sufficiently to inherit its strongest skills.
However, this method isn’t without its drawbacks. Level grinding to 80+ is time-consuming, often requiring hours of repetitive combat. It also diminishes the strategic challenge of the Reaper fight, reducing it to a test of endurance rather than skill. For players seeking a more engaging experience, this approach may feel unsatisfying. Additionally, grinding at such high levels can lead to burnout, especially if you’re already deep into the game’s story.
Despite these cautions, the level grind remains a reliable, foolproof way to cheese the Reaper. It’s particularly useful for players who prioritize completion over challenge or those who’ve struggled with the fight’s mechanics. Pairing this strategy with persona fusion optimization—focusing on personas with high HP and attack stats—further streamlines the process. Ultimately, while it may not be the most glamorous method, it’s a testament to *Persona 5*’s flexibility, allowing players to tailor their approach to their playstyle.
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Save Exploit: Save before fight; reload if losing to avoid permanent game over
In Persona 5, the Reaper is a formidable foe designed to punish players who overstay their welcome in Mementos. Its high stats, relentless attacks, and ability to instantly trigger a Game Over make it a terrifying encounter. However, the "Save Exploit" strategy turns this fearsome battle into a manageable—even trivial—challenge. By saving your game immediately before engaging the Reaper, you create a safety net that eliminates the risk of permanent failure. If the fight turns south, simply reload your save and try again, preserving your progress and resources.
This method is particularly effective because it bypasses the Reaper’s most devastating trait: its ability to end your session abruptly. Normally, losing to the Reaper forces you to restart from your last save, potentially losing hours of progress. With the Save Exploit, you reduce the encounter to a trial-and-error process. If your party is wiped out, reload and adjust your strategy—whether by changing Personas, equipping different skills, or exploiting the Reaper’s weaknesses. This approach transforms a high-stakes battle into a low-risk experiment, allowing you to refine your tactics without consequence.
However, executing this strategy requires discipline and timing. Save only when you’re confident the Reaper is nearby, typically after triggering its chase sequence. Saving too early wastes time, while saving too late risks missing the window entirely. Additionally, ensure your save file is outside Mementos, as reloading inside the dungeon resets the Reaper’s spawn conditions. For maximum efficiency, pair this exploit with other tactics, such as using the Third Eye skill to detect the Reaper’s level or equipping the Prisoner’s Armband accessory to avoid instant death.
Critics argue that the Save Exploit undermines the game’s intended challenge, but it’s a practical solution for players prioritizing progress over purity. It’s especially useful for those grinding in late-game Mementos, where the Reaper’s frequent appearances can halt momentum. By removing the fear of failure, this strategy lets you focus on optimizing your builds and strategies rather than worrying about losing hours of work. Ultimately, the Save Exploit is a testament to Persona 5’s flexibility—a game that rewards both ingenuity and resourcefulness, even when bending its rules.
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Persona Fusion: Fuse high-level Personas with Almighty skills for maximum damage output
Almighty skills bypass enemy resistances, making them the ultimate cheese for Reaper encounters in Persona 5. Unlike elemental attacks, which can be nullified or absorbed, Almighty skills deal raw, unmitigated damage. This is crucial when facing the Reaper, whose resistances and high HP pool make conventional strategies inefficient. By fusing Personas with Almighty skills, you create a damage output that’s both consistent and devastating, turning a potentially grueling battle into a manageable—even trivial—encounter.
To execute this strategy, focus on fusing high-level Personas with Almighty skills like *Megidolaon* or *Megidola*. These skills scale with Persona level, so aim for Personas in the 80+ range. Key candidates include Satanael, Metatron, and Michael, all of which can inherit or naturally possess Almighty abilities. Use the Gallows fusion system to combine Personas with the *Skill Card* mechanic, ensuring your final product retains the desired Almighty skill. For example, fusing a Persona with a *Megidolaon* skill card guarantees its inclusion in the resulting Persona, provided the skill is compatible.
While Almighty skills are powerful, their effectiveness hinges on proper execution. Prioritize Personas with high Magic stats, as Almighty damage scales directly with this attribute. Equip accessories like the *Amala Bead* to boost Magic further. Additionally, exploit the Reaper’s weaknesses during the battle. Use debuffs like *Marin Karin* to reduce its attack power, and buff your party with *Samarecarm* for added survivability. Combine these tactics with Almighty skills for a synergistic approach that maximizes damage while minimizing risk.
One practical tip is to save often and experiment with different fusions before engaging the Reaper. Use the *Save Assistant* feature to test various Persona builds without committing to a permanent save. This allows you to fine-tune your strategy, ensuring your Almighty-focused Persona is optimized for the encounter. Remember, the goal isn’t just to deal damage—it’s to do so efficiently, ending the battle before the Reaper’s high attack power becomes a threat.
In conclusion, fusing high-level Personas with Almighty skills is a game-changing tactic for cheesing the Reaper in Persona 5. By bypassing resistances and leveraging scalable damage, this strategy transforms a daunting fight into a calculated victory. With careful planning, the right fusions, and strategic buffs, you can turn the Reaper from an unstoppable force into a mere speed bump on your journey.
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Frequently asked questions
"Cheesing the Reaper" refers to using specific strategies or exploits to defeat the optional boss, Reaper, with minimal effort or risk. This often involves abusing mechanics like instant kills or status effects.
The most common method is to use the "Instant Kill" skill, which can be performed by personas with the "Death" attribute. Equipping personas like Arahabaki or Orpheus Telos with high Death skill potency increases the chance of success.
Yes, inflicting the "Brainwash" status on the Reaper is another effective method. Personas with the "Psychokinesis" skill, such as Isis or Kohryu, can force the Reaper to attack its own allies or itself.
While higher levels increase your chances, you can attempt to cheese the Reaper as early as level 50-60 with the right setup. Focus on maximizing your Death skill potency and ensuring your party can survive until the Reaper is defeated.
Personas like Arahabaki, Orpheus Telos, and Isis are highly recommended. Equip them with skills that boost Death potency or inflict Brainwash. Additionally, having a persona with "Samarecarm" to revive allies is crucial in case the Reaper counters.
