Proficiency is one of the five social stats of Persona 5 Royal. Like other stats, it can be increased in a number of ways, depending on how Joker spends his free time. Proficiency is important for raising the rank of certain confidants like Haru and Yusuke. It also allows Joker to make more tools in less time.
Ways to increase proficiency in Persona 5 Royal range from watching specific DVDs to ordering particular foods. Certain proficiency activities are only available at certain times and seasons, while others are always there. It is recommended to invest in proficiency early, as it unlocks better activities the higher it is.
Item-Based Ways To Raise Proficiency
Items that increase Proficiency include books, movies, and games that can be bought or rented at various shops in Yongen-Jaya, Shibuya, and the Shujin Academy. Remember that movies and games are done in Joker's room, while reading is done in the Shujin library, on a Leblanc stool, or in the seat of a train.
Items | Where/How to Obtain | Proficiency Gained |
Broken Computer | Can be bought in Yongen-Jaya on 9/1. (Joker will also need repair tools from Akihabara.) | The computer can be fixed at Joker's Work station in Leblanc. Gives +2 Proficiency. |
TV | Buy from Yumenoshima in Yongen-Jaya. DVDs can then be rented on Shibuya's Central Street. | Rent Guy McVer DVDs. Each section gives +2 Proficiency. |
Retro Game Console | Purchasable from Yumenoshima at Yongen-Jaya. | Rent Golfer Sarutahiko. Each level gives +2 Proficiency. |
Tidying the Heart (Book) | Bought from the Taiheido Bookstore at Shibuya's Central Street. | +3 |
Woman in the Dark (Book) | Rentable from the Shujin Academcy Library after Haru joins the Phantom Thieves. | +3 |
Time-Sensitive Ways To Raise Proficiency
It is important to check the calendar throughout Persona 5 Royal, and not just for stealing hearts. There are some activities only available on certain days or months that can raise proficiency.
When | What to do | How Much Proficiency Gained |
The Week Before October | Order the Totem Pole at the diner while studying. | +1, and more to other social stats depending on the weather. |
October | See "Admission Possible," a movie that premieres in Shibuya. | +3 |
January | See "March of the Sheeple," a movie that premieres in Yongen-Jaya. | +3 |
Every Sunday | Buy and drink juice in the Shibuya Underground Walkway. | Raises a random stat by +1 |
Activities That Are Always Available
Outside of items and time-sensitive activities, certain Proficiency-boosting methods are always available to Joker. These activities are the best starting points, especially for players that want to unlock more efficient activities later on for social stats.
- Play in the batting cages, on the rooftop of one of the buildings in Yongen-Jaya. It is unlocked by reading one chapter of Yoncha Wanderer, a book that Joker will find automatically after cleaning his room. Playing will always award +1 Proficiency, and will award two if Joker hits all five pitches successfully.
- Fishing in Ichigaya can be unlocked by reading the book Fishpond Spotter. Alternatively, it will automatically unlock on July 6th by Ryuji. Fishing will always provide Joker +1 proficiency.
- Playing billiards in theKichijoji Penguin Sniper club will boost a random social stat by +1 (except kindness).
- At his workstation in Leblank, Joker can make crafting infiltration tools. These can be used in palaces, and will give Joker between +2 and +3 Proficiency when used.
Part-Time Jobs
There are two part-time jobs that give Joker more proficiency. The first is the Beef Bowl Shop, which is located on the Central Street of Shibuya and is only open at night. Joker gets extra Proficiency and rewards on the 29th of every month. On the regular, though, he gets +2 proficiency and +3 if orders are correct. Note that Joker is required to already have a Rank 2 Proficiency to work there, and it is unlocked in May.
The second job for boosting Proficiency is the Crossroads Bar in Shinjuku. It requires Joker to have a Rank 4 Proficiency, Rank 3 Charm, and Rank 3 Guts. Social stat awards change depending on the customer served.
Confidants & Challenges
Munehisa Iwai is the one confidant that can give Joker proficiency points. He gives +2 Proficiency points when Joker spends his free time with him. However, Joker does need a high Guts stat to unlock Iwai as a confidant.
Lastly, there is the Big Bang Burger Challenge. Completing each burger will raise Proficiency as follows:
- Comet Burger: +1
- Gravity Burger: +2
- Cosmic Burger: +3
Persona 5 Royal is available on PS4.