Persona 3 Reload brings back the original’s Social Links corresponding to all of the Major Arcana. Here’s how to start each one.
The original Persona 3 introduced Social Links to the series, allowing players to interact with various characters from party members to side characters. These are all back in Persona 3 Reload, complete with new artwork, full voice acting, and some slight tweaks.
There are 22 Social Links to complete throughout Persona 3 Reload, meaning players will need to manage their time wisely if they want to max them all out and earn the “A Legacy of Friendship” achievement.
Here is what to know about Social Links and how to start each one in Persona 3 Reload.
How Persona 3 Reload changes Social Links
While subsequent Persona games would refine the popular Social Link mechanic, Persona 3 Reload keeps things in line with the original release.
This means your party members won’t gain new abilities through ranking up, with their progression instead being driven by the story. In fact, none of the male members of S.E.E.S. actually have Social Links, though Reload does give them separate hangout events to complete.
Though the characters and requirements are largely intact from past Persona 3 releases, Reload makes one significant change to Social Links with female classmates. In the original, the player would automatically enter a romance upon reaching a certain Rank with any one of the girls, meaning anyone who managed to max out every Social Link would end up with about half a dozen girlfriends.
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Persona 3 Reload finally makes romance optional without having to miss out on content. Now, much like in Persona 4 and Persona 5, you’ll be given an option at a certain point with an eligible character to pursue a romance or to just stay friends.
Persona 3 Reload: How to start each Social Link
Here is a breakdown of each Social Link in Persona 3 and how to unlock it.
Note that the Fool, Death, and Judgment Social Links rank up automatically via story progression. The rest require you to spend time with the character in question.
| Arcana | Character | How to Start |
| Fool | S.E.E.S. | – Automatic on April 18 |
| Magician | Kenji Tomochika | – Automatic on April 22; must rank up manually |
| Priestess | Fuuka Yamagishi | – Start Fortune Social Link– Have max Courage (Badass) |
| Empress | Mitsuru Kirijo | – November 21 or later– Have max Academics (Genius) |
| Emperor | Hidetoshi Odagiri | – April 27 or later– Go to Faculty Office, then Student Council room to join |
| Hierophant | Bunkichi and Mitsuko Kitamura | – April 25 or later– Speak to Old Couple in bookstore– Go to school Corridor and interact with tree – Bring leaf back to Old Couple |
| Lovers | Yukari Takeba | – July 24 or later– Have max Charm (Charismatic) |
| Chariot | Kazushi Miyamoto | – April 23 or later– Join Track Team |
| Justice | Chihiro Fushimi | – Start Emperor Social Link– Speak to Chihiro on three different days after joining Student Council |
| Hermit | Maya | – April 29 or later– Play the MMORPG on the computer in your room |
| Fortune | Keisuke Hiraga | – June 17 or later– Join Art Club |
| Strength | Yuko Nishiwaki | – Reach Rank 2 of Chariot Social link |
| Hanged Man | Maiko Oohashi | – May 6 or later– Give Weird Takoyaki (can be purchased from Octopia in the Iwatodai Strip Mall)– Give Mad Bull (can be purchased from Iwatodai Dormitory vending machine)– Come back another day for Rank 1 |
| Death | Pharos | – Automatic on June 12 |
| Temperance | Andre Laurent Jean “Bebe” Geraux | – May 29 or later– Reach Rank 3 of Hierophant Social Link– Have Academics Rank 2 (Average) or higher |
| Devil | President Tanaka | – June 23 or later (first interaction can occur starting on 6/4)– Have Charm Rank 4 (Smooth)– Pay 20,000– Pay 10,000 another night– Pay 10,000 a third night to start Rank 1 |
| Tower | Mutatsu | – Reach Rank 4 of the Strength Social Link, then talk to Yuko– Speak to Club Escapade bartender and take orders (Bloody Mary, Margarita, Screwdriver, Oolong Tea) |
| Star | Mamoru Hayase | – August 3 or later |
| Moon | Nozomi Suemitsu | – Talk to Kenji until he mentions the “Gourmet King”– Have Rank 3 Charm– Complete Nozomi’s “Gourmet Quiz” (Pheromone coffee, Red, Hagakure bowl)– Give Odd Morsel (can be found in Tarturus) |
| Sun | Akinari Kamiki | – August 9 or later– Reach Rank 3 of the Hanged Man Social Link– Have Level 4 Academics (Smart)– Talk to Akinari, then interact with Koromaru to get Red Fountain Pen– Return to Akinari with his pen |
| Judgment | Nyx Annihilation Team | – Automatic on December 31 |
| Aeon | Aigis | – January 8 or later |
That’s all you need to know about starting Persona 3 Reload’s Social Links. If you found this helpful, be sure to check out the rest of our coverage:
Persona 3 Reload review | Persona 3 Reload PC requirements | Persona 3 Reload English and Japanese cast