Haru Okumura is the last "official" character to join the Phantom Thieves in Persona 5 Royal. Late-time party members aren't new to the Persona franchise, as familiar fans may recall Naoto Shirogane from Persona 4/Golden. However, Haru's unique skillset and all-around stats make it worth equipping her with the best equipment available.

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In Persona 5 Royal's combat, Haru specializes in Psy and Gun. She has high Strength and Magic, with all-around stats in Endurance and Agility, with Luck as the lowest. Since she's a Psy-user, she has an Affinity-weakness to Nuke. Ranking up Haru's Confidant (Empress) will give her the skills she needs to amp up her offense and evade Nuclear attacks. Combine this with good equipment, and she'll make her place on the team.

Best Melee Weapons For Haru

Haru uses an axe as her Melee Weapon. She's able to dish out heavy damage with a fair amount of accuracy. Like all Phantom Thieves, Haru's starting weapon should be replaced as soon as possible to keep her from lagging behind.

Big Bang Axe

Once Haru joins, there are two axes that become available at Untouchable. However, the one players want to get can't be bought. Instead, they should look around the Export Line in Okumura's Palace for a Locked Chest. Like any other Locked Chest, Joker will need a Lockpick or the Perma-Pick to open it. The Big Bang Axe can be reached by running along the last mechanical arm in the Export Line.

Death Contract or Death Promise

If players have the Mitra (Temperance) Persona, then they can itemize it at the Velvet Room to get the Death Contract or the Death Promise Axe. If Mitra is executed during a Fusion Alarm, it'll become Death Promise. Without the alarm, it'll turn into Death Contract. There are some stat differences between Death Contract and Promise, so it's up to players whether they want a new Melee weapon for Haru as soon as possible, or if they don't mind triggering the alarm first.

Ice Axe

Once Shido's Palace can be infiltrated, stop by Untouchable and buy the Ice Axe for 38100 yen. Not only is this a powerful axe, but it can also freeze the enemy. Players can equip Haru with a Freeze-boosting Accessory to increase her chances of inflicting the status ailment. This axe should serve up until the second to last "Palace" in P5R.

Death Axe

Players can get the Death Axe from a chest in the Qliphoth World on the Path to the Holy Grail. It's useful to equip to Haru for the final boss (not counting the Palace Ruler in the third semester) and arguably one of her best weapons in-game. If players are locked out of the third semester and haven't maxed out the Devil Confidant, then the Death Axe will be their best weapon for the remainder of the playthrough.

Fleurs du Mal or Fleurs du Mal R

Like the Death Contract and the Death Promise, there are two versions of the Fleurs du Mal. As Haru's best weapon, it can only be achieved by itemizing an Ultimate Persona. Players will need to max out Ohya's Confidant and then initiate a Fusion at the Velvet Room to get Beelzebub.

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If players decide to execute Beelzebub without the Fusion Alarm, it will turn into the Fleurs du Mal. With the Fusion Alarm, it will become Fleurs du Mal R. Either weapon is good to have, but if players want the best weapon for a magic-attacker Haru, then they should trigger a Fusion Alarm to get Fleurs du Mal R.

Best Ranged Weapons For Haru

Haru's Ranged Weapons are grenade launchers. Although powerful, they only have 1 round. However, unlike Fox or Queen's Ranged Weapon, the grenade launchers will target all enemies on-screen.

Pawzooka or Paw-omber

Players can get the Nekomata Persona as early as Kaneshiro's Palace, meaning a long time before Haru formally joins the team. Itemizing Nekomata will turn it into the Pawzooka (without Fusion Alarm) or the Paw-omber (with Fusion Alarm). These weapons both share the same Effects, Accuracy, and Rounds. There's only a 20-point difference in Attack damage, so for Haru's first weapon, players can choose either one.

Pandemonium

If players make sure to go to Untouchable on 12/22, they can buy the Pandemonium launcher for 53400 yen. With an attack of 300, this is one of Haru's best Ranged Weapons beaten out by Milkor and Yagrush. If players are locked out of the third semester and don't have the Baal Persona (for whatever reason), this will be Haru's strongest grenade launcher.

Yagrush or Yagrush EX

Baal is a level 75 Persona of the Emperor Arcana, and it's necessary to get Haru's Yagrush or Yagrush EX. Players can fuse Baal with three specific Personas, or they can try and negotiate with it as a Shadow in the Depths of Mementos. Since he's level 75, players will want to be level 75+ to have a chance at getting him. Execute Baal in the Velvet Room without the Fusion Alarm to get Yagrush. With the Fusion Alarm, it'll become Yagrush EX.

Best Protectors For Haru

Haru's join time being so far in the game means players will have a good amount of armor/protectors in their inventory by the Okumura arc. The following Protectors are a few recommendations depending on how players want to use her in combat.

Fiery Apron

Washing the Sooty Ogress' Gear can net a Fiery Apron or an Old Fiery Apron. If Haru's being used as a physical fighter, it may be better to get the Fiery Apron since it will give +30 to her HP instead of the Old Fiery Apron's +10. For a reminder, physical skills such as Triple Down will drain HP instead of SP.

Black Wing Robe R

Execute Yatagarasu during a Fusion Alarm to get the Black Wing Robe R. Yatagarasu is a level 57 Persona of the Councillor Arcana, so as long as players are being consistent with Maruki's Confidant, they should have no problem getting it. The Black Wing Robe R grants its wearer a high chance to avoid Nuke-based Skills. Since Haru's weakness is Nuke, it's obvious why this would be one of her better protectors.

Lovely Witch's Robe

Wash the Sooty Dark Armor to get the Lovely Witch's Robe or the Old Witch's Robe. The Lovely Witch's Robe gives a boost in Magic damage and has high defense to boot. The Old Witch's Robe is a weaker version, but it can be equipped if Haru doesn't have anything better.

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Players who use Haru for her Psy skills will want her to wear the Lovely Witch's Robe. Alternatively, they can try getting the Sinful Bikini by washing Sooty Rogue's Garb. This is stronger than the Old Witch's Robe and will grant +50 SP instead of +1 Magic.

Best Accessories For Haru

When Haru first joins, she should be around the same level as the Phantom Thieves. If not, equip her with EXP-raising Accessories such as the Team Glasses until she's caught up. If players don't care for an even-leveled team, then they'll want to equip her with the following Accessories as soon as possible.

Circular Band

Players can buy the Circular Band at the Tsurukame Diamond store in the Underground Mall in Shibuya. This is an Accessory that will boost Psy-damage by 25%. It's good to have on Haru if she still has yet to get the Psy Amp passive Skill. Of course, players not using Haru for Psy-skills may want to find something else.

Psy Necklace

The Psy Necklace is exclusive to Persona 5 Royal and can be bought at the Stoneon store in Kichijoji. This store is located near the billiards and darts lounge. The price for the necklace is 40000 yen, so if Joker has some spare money, it may be worth getting. The Psy Necklace is a stronger version of the Circular Band, as it will give Haru a 50% boost to her Psy-skills instead of the band's 25%.

Engraved Dog Tag

If Joker has level 5 Charm, he can buy an Engraved Dog Tag from the street vendor on Shibuya's Central Street. This will give the Gun Boost passive skill, which increases Gun-damage by 25%. The vendor can be found right next to the Protein Lovers gym, and he'll sell the Accessory for 4000 yen.

Persona 5 Royal is available now on PS4, PS5, Xbox Series X/S, Nintendo Switch, and PC.

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