Social Link Differences (& Which Protagonist to Choose)

Two main characters are available at the start of Persona 3, each with their own unique Social Link routes that affect a player’s individual experiences.

Although players may not find any differences from their primary Persona Orpheus or general battle damage when choosing between the two main characters available at the start of Personas 3, their social links will change based on the choice made. Referred to as “male” and “female” protagonists, players have the option to choose either for changes in their relationships and dialogue throughout the game’s narrative. Certain Arcanas must be upgraded through these social links to form increasingly powerful Personas to challenge the shadows of Tartarus from floor to floor.

The biggest Social Link differences between the main characters involve their romantic possibilities, which is also bound to unlock the most potent Persona for certain characters. Social links are found through specific Arcana assigned to individual characters, which changes depending on which person was selected as the player’s avatar from the start. For example, the Star Social Link reveals itself when players interact with Akihiko Sanada when playing as the female protagonist. However, Arcana assigns itself to a student-athlete named Mamoru Hayase when playing as the male protagonist, changing how players interact with a key feature of Personas 3.

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Any social connection difference between main characters in Persona 3

Beyond simple changes to dialogue that reflect the subtle but unique personalities of both protagonists, the primary change that can be seen from the male to the female protagonist is the nature of the social connections themselves. As a female, the player can have social connections and eventually date characters in the main party who identify as male in the game. A slight contrast to this comes from the male protagonist route where players must date every character in the majority who identify as female when they start their social links, meaning that by the end of each link, players will be in multiple relationships. It is impossible to reject someone during the male route.

When players commit to both roles when they start their journey into Personas 3s mechanics, the social links they encounter will vary through these character differences:

Fortunately, the only changes made through these variations are to Personas 3‘s JRPG systems are through the characters themselves, not the Persona skills they draw upon in battles against shadows. There is still no wrong choice in the main character, as the choice simply gives players different interactions and deeper insight into characters that may be missed during the alternate route. Whatever Social Link differences exist when choosing a main character in Personas 3the deep relationships formed are what make the series’ core gameplay loop interesting, and they’re bound to exist within either path.

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