In Persona 5 or its expanded version Persona 5 Royal, players will encounter a myriad of Shadows showing up throughout palaces and mementos. One such enemy is the Funerary Warrior, which may catch players off-guard due to its high level in Niijima Palace and lack of obvious elemental weaknesses. Understanding the Funerary Warrior’s attacks, behavior, and strategies for overcoming it is key for players seeking to progress smoothly. This topic examines that Shadow’s profile, typical tactics, and how to adapt your party’s setup for the best chances of success against this challenging foe.
The Funerary Warrior Profile
The Funerary Warrior appears specifically in Niijima’s Palace the casino themed palace in Persona 5. It is listed as a Level 44 Shadow, part of the Strength Arcana, and known by the singular name Valkyrie in the compendium. Unlike many common Shadows, it has been documented as having None listed under Weakness in several compendiums. This makes it one of the more tricky Shadows to handle when you’re still building your lineup or exploring the palace for the first time.
Status and Behavior
The Funerary Warrior uses high physical damage and guard-breaking attacks. Given its Arcana and level, it can both hit hard and break your party’s guard status quickly if left unchecked. Because there’s no elemental weakness listed, relying solely on exploiting weak points through elemental attacks (such as Garu for wind or Agi for fire) may be ineffective. This forces players to adopt alternative tactics, including debuffs, buffs, and strong physical or gun attacks.
Why the Weakness is Listed as None
The listing of None under weakness doesn’t always mean the enemy is impervious to all damage types it simply indicates that the compendium could not reliably identify an exploitable element for that Shadow. The listing means
- No special WEAK prompt appears during battle when using a particular elemental attack.
- Standard elemental skill usage may still damage it, but without the bonus of knocking it down directly via weakness.
- Players must rely on other battle mechanics such as guard breaking, status ailments, and critical hits.
This effectively elevates the challenge of the fight and encourages a strategic shift away from find weakness → All-Out Attack to high-damage tactics and team support.
Strategies to Defeat the Funerary Warrior
Since standard weakness exploitation is unavailable, players must focus on setting up a stronger tactical framework. The following strategies focus on maximizing your party’s odds against this foe.
1. Use Buffs and Debuffs
Begin the encounter by strengthening your own party and weakening the Funerary Warrior. Skills like Tarukaja (Increase Attack), Rakukaja (Increase Defense), and Tarunda (Decrease Attack) are highly effective. Limiting the Shadow’s offensive power and improving your defensive posture makes the difference.
2. Use Strong Physical/Gun Skills
Given its lack of elemental weakness, rely on physical or gun-based attacks which bypass the need for a WEAK prompt. Party members equipped with high attack Persona or able to deal critical hits should be prioritized. Switching to gun skill characters when available can help avoid being guard-broken.
3. Use Baton Pass Chains
A powerful feature in Persona 5 is Baton Pass, which allows you to pass your turn to another character for boosted follow-up damage or action. After reducing the enemy’s Mechanics with debuffs or guard breaks, triggering a multi-character Baton Pass can lead to massive damage in one turn. Combining this with characters who have high Agility helps maximize turns before the enemy can act.
4. Avoid Over-Exposing Weak Characters
Because the Funerary Warrior can hit hard, avoid using vulnerable party members in the early phase of the battle. Instead, begin with a durable or well-buffed character, apply your setup, and then bring in your high-damage dealer when the opening is created.
5. Use Items or Support Skills for Emergency Recovery
Since the battle may extend longer than usual (due to absence of a prompt to instantly knock it down), keep healing items or MP-regen support ready. Support Personas with recovery skills (e.g., Diarahan or Samarecarm) are valuable in case a party member falls or guard is broken.
Recommended Party Setup and Personas
Your success against the Funerary Warrior will improve if the party composition and Persona selection align with the battle’s demands. Here are key recommendations for your lineup.
Suggested Roles
- Setup/Support CharacterMorgana or Makoto with Tarukaja, Rakukaja, and Diarahan skills.
- Damage DealerA character with strong physical or gun Persona like Yusuke or Ryuji, optimized for follow-up attacks.
- Turn-MaximizerAnn or other high-Agility member who can access Baton Pass chains and maintain momentum.
Suggested Personas
While any appropriately leveled Persona will work, consider these traits
- A Persona with Attack Master or Physical boost passive.
- A Persona with gun-based skills such as Luck Punch or Pasukaru-up (if available).
Common Mistakes and How to Avoid Them
Players often fall into predictable traps when fighting the Funerary Warrior. Recognizing these common mistakes helps avoid unnecessary setbacks.
Waiting for a Weakness Prompt
Because the Shadow is listed with None as weakness, waiting for a WEAK prompt is counterproductive. Instead, take proactive measures debuff first, buff next, then strike hard.
Using Low-Damage or Weak Personas
If you enter this battle with weak Personas or high element-focus skills, you’ll likely slog through the fight slowly and risk being overwhelmed. Make sure your party is appropriately leveled and equipped.
Neglecting Guard Break and Baton Pass Mechanics
Failing to target the Shadow’s guard and not using baton-pass chains wastes valuable turns and increases risk. Prioritize breaking guard or forcing Weak states through critical hits and follow-ups instead of relying on elemental exploitation.
When to Battle the Funerary Warrior
This enemy appears in Niijima Palace at Level 44, which means it is designed for mid-palace parties rather than early-game struggles. If you face it prematurely, you may struggle. Here are signs you’re ready
- Your party is at least Level 40-45.
- You have unlocked Baton Pass and at least one character can deliver high-damage follow-ups.
- You have Support skills like Rakukaja and Diarahan ready.
If any of these are missing, consider grinding or revisiting after additional Persona fusions and training.
The Funerary Warrior in Persona 5 stands out because it lacks the usual elemental weakness and forces you to rely on broader battle systems like debuffs, buffs, and Baton Pass mechanics. Understanding its status as Level 44 Strength-Arcana Shadow, adjusting your party composition, selecting the right skills and Personas, and avoiding common missteps substantially improves your odds. Whether you’re exploring Niijima Palace or aiming for a clean run, mastering the strategy against this foe is a milestone in any Persona 5 player’s journey.