So, you've conquered the Dark Hour, faced the challenges of Tartarus, and forged bonds with your comrades in Persona 3 Portable. But the journey doesn't have to end there! New Game Plus offers a fantastic opportunity to relive the story, armed with powerful bonuses and a deeper understanding of the game's mechanics. This guide will walk you through everything you need to know to make the most of your New Game Plus playthrough in Persona 3 Portable, from understanding what carries over to strategies for tackling optional bosses and maximizing your social links.

What Carries Over to New Game Plus?

One of the most exciting aspects of New Game Plus is the chance to start a new game with significant advantages. Here's a breakdown of what you get to keep from your previous playthrough:

• Character Level and Stats: Your protagonist's level, stats (Strength, Magic, Endurance, Agility, and Luck), and any learned skills will transfer over. This gives you a massive head start in battles, allowing you to breeze through the early stages of the game and focus on other aspects.
• Persona Compendium: This is a big one! All the Personas you've fused, leveled up, and registered in your Compendium are available from the start. You can summon them at any time (provided you have the money), giving you access to powerful abilities and resistances right away. Experiment with different Persona builds and strategies to dominate your enemies.
• Equipment: Weapons, armor, and accessories equipped on your character at the end of the game will be carried over. This includes powerful endgame gear, making you a force to be reckoned with from the very beginning.
• Money: All the money you've accumulated in your previous playthrough will be transferred. This allows you to summon Personas, buy equipment, and purchase items without having to grind for cash.
• Social Stats: Your social stats (Courage, Academics, and Charm) will remain at the level you achieved in your previous playthrough. This is incredibly useful for unlocking social links and accessing certain areas of the game early on.
• Skill Cards: Any skill cards you've obtained will be carried over, allowing you to teach powerful skills to your Personas.
• Key Items (Some): Certain key items, such as those related to story progression, will not carry over. However, key items like the Antique Shop photo will transfer, allowing you to fuse Orpheus Telos if you maxed out all Social Links in your previous playthrough.

Knowing what carries over is crucial for planning your New Game Plus run. It allows you to strategize your Persona fusion, social link progression, and overall gameplay approach.

Preparing for New Game Plus: What to Do Before Finishing Your First Playthrough

Before you trigger the ending of your first playthrough, there are a few things you should prioritize to make your New Game Plus experience even smoother. Think of it as setting yourself up for maximum enjoyment and efficiency the second time around. Here are some key recommendations:

• Maximize Social Links: This is arguably the most important thing to do. Maxing out social links not only unlocks powerful Personas but also provides valuable bonuses during fusion. Plus, if you manage to max out all social links, you'll unlock the ability to fuse Orpheus Telos in New Game Plus, an incredibly powerful Persona.
• Complete the Persona Compendium as Much as Possible: Filling out your Persona Compendium gives you access to a wider range of Personas in New Game Plus. Aim to fuse as many different Personas as you can and register them in the Compendium. This will save you time and money in your subsequent playthrough.
• Grind for Money: Having a substantial amount of money in New Game Plus will make your life much easier. You can use it to summon Personas, buy equipment, and purchase items without having to worry about running out of funds. Tartarus is your friend here – head back in, defeat enemies and gather those precious resources.
• Collect Skill Cards: Skill cards allow you to teach specific skills to your Personas. Look for opportunities to obtain skill cards throughout the game, such as from Shuffle Time or by completing Elizabeth's requests. The more skill cards you have, the more flexible you can be with your Persona builds.
• Defeat Optional Bosses: While not essential, defeating optional bosses like the Reaper can give you valuable experience, items, and a sense of accomplishment. Plus, you'll get to carry over any equipment or items you obtain from these bosses to New Game Plus. This is a really good test to see how far you've come in the game!.
• Analyze Your Gameplay: Before finishing, take some time to reflect on your first playthrough. What did you struggle with? Which Personas were most effective? Which social links did you enjoy the most? Use this knowledge to plan your approach to New Game Plus and make informed decisions.

By taking the time to prepare for New Game Plus, you'll set yourself up for a more rewarding and enjoyable experience. You'll have access to powerful resources, a deeper understanding of the game's mechanics, and a clear plan for achieving your goals.

Strategies for a Successful New Game Plus Run

Now that you're ready to embark on your New Game Plus adventure, let's discuss some strategies for making the most of it. Remember, you have a significant advantage from the start, so use it wisely!

• Focus on Missed Social Links: Since your social stats carry over, you can immediately pursue social links that were previously unavailable. This is a great way to experience new stories and unlock powerful Personas.
• Experiment with Different Persona Builds: With your Persona Compendium fully stocked, you have the freedom to experiment with different Persona builds and strategies. Try out combinations you didn't have access to in your first playthrough and see what works best for you. Don't be afraid to get creative!
• Tackle Optional Bosses Early: Thanks to your high level and powerful equipment, you can challenge optional bosses like the Reaper much earlier than you could in your first playthrough. This is a great way to obtain valuable rewards and test your skills.
• Optimize Your Daily Schedule: With your social stats already maxed out, you can focus on other activities during the day, such as studying, working part-time jobs, or exploring new areas of the game. Plan your daily schedule strategically to maximize your time and resources.
• Unlock Orpheus Telos: If you maxed out all social links in your previous playthrough, be sure to fuse Orpheus Telos as soon as possible. This incredibly powerful Persona will make you virtually unstoppable.
• Enjoy the Story: Now that you're familiar with the plot and characters, take the time to appreciate the nuances of the story. Pay attention to details you might have missed the first time around and delve deeper into the relationships between the characters. You can now focus more on the story and the experience!

New Game Plus: Male vs. Female Protagonist

One of the unique features of Persona 3 Portable is the ability to choose between a male and female protagonist. Each protagonist offers a different perspective on the story, unique social links, and subtle variations in gameplay. How does this impact your New Game Plus experience?

• Different Social Links: The male protagonist has different social links than the female protagonist. In New Game Plus, you can choose to play as the protagonist you didn't select in your first playthrough and experience these new social links. This adds significant replay value to the game.
• Slightly Altered Story Elements: While the main plot remains the same, there are some subtle differences in the story depending on which protagonist you choose. Playing as the opposite gender in New Game Plus allows you to see these differences firsthand.
• New Romance Options (Female Protagonist): The female protagonist has different romance options than the male protagonist. If you're interested in romancing a particular character, you'll need to play as the appropriate gender.

Ultimately, the choice between the male and female protagonist in New Game Plus comes down to personal preference. Do you want to experience new social links, see a different perspective on the story, or pursue different romance options? The choice is yours!

Conclusion: Embrace the Second Journey

New Game Plus in Persona 3 Portable is more than just a way to replay the game with powerful bonuses. It's an opportunity to deepen your understanding of the story, explore new aspects of the gameplay, and forge even stronger bonds with the characters. By preparing for New Game Plus, strategizing your approach, and embracing the unique features of the game, you can create a truly memorable and rewarding experience. So, go forth, brave adventurer, and conquer the Dark Hour once more! You've got this!