Joker Persona 5 All Out Attack Guide And How To Trigger It

Mastering turn-based combat in Persona 5 requires understanding how to exploit enemy weaknesses and control the battlefield efficiently. Among the most iconic mechanics at Joker's disposal is the All-Out Attack, a devastating group assault that deals massive Almighty damage to all foes. Knowing how to set up and execute this move consistently ensures faster Palace runs and smoother boss encounters.

Understanding the Down Mechanic and Hold Up State

To initiate an All-Out Attack, players must first knock down every active enemy on the field. Enemies fall into a Down state whenever they are struck by an elemental affinity they are weak against or hit by a critical strike. Utilizing Joker's versatile Persona roster allows you to cover multiple elemental affinities in a single turn.

Once all remaining adversaries are knocked down simultaneously, the game transitions into a Hold-Up encounter. During this phase, Joker and his Phantom Thief teammates surround the vulnerable shadows. This tactical standoff provides the team with immediate options to demand items, negotiate for money, or unleash full offensive power.

How to Trigger Joker's All Out Attack

When the Hold-Up menu appears on your screen, pressing the designated command button triggers the All-Out Attack prompt. Joker must be active and conscious in the party to initiate this stylish maneuver alongside his teammates. If Joker or any key allies are affected by status ailments like Sleep or Confusion, the option may be temporarily disabled.

Executing the command unleashes a high-octane cinematic sequence where party members cross paths to strike down all enemies. The move deals non-elemental damage that ignores standard defense parameters for most standard shadows. Finishing off the entire wave with this attack rewards players with a unique victory screen featuring Joker's signature finishing portrait.

Optimizing Baton Passes for Guaranteed Down States

Chain-linking attacks using the Baton Pass system is the most effective strategy for setting up an All-Out Attack. When one character downs an enemy, they can pass their turn to Joker or another ally, granting them boosted attack power and free skill execution. This mechanic lets you hit multiple distinct weaknesses across different targets in a single sequence.

Planning your turn order around enemy turn order ensures you minimize incoming damage while maximizing downed targets. Equipping Joker with Personas covering rare elements like Psi, Frei, Bless, and Cursed damage prevents enemies from interrupting your combo chains. Consistently monitoring enemy resistance profiles makes triggering these cinematic finishes effortless.

When to Save or Skip All Out Attacks

While an All-Out Attack inflicts heavy damage, there are situational battles where alternative Hold-Up choices yield better strategic results. Against rare Treasure Demons or uncollected Personas, negotiating to recruit them into Joker's roster is far more beneficial than destroying them. Additionally, asking for rare skill cards or heavy coin payouts can aid long-term progression.

In high-difficulty boss fights or against foes with massive health pools, an All-Out Attack might not be enough to secure a knockout. In these scenarios, utilizing the Hold-Up state to heal injured party members or reapply crucial stat buffs can prove wiser. Balancing raw damage output with strategic negotiation optimizes your overall Phantom Thief campaign.