Social Links offer a lot of interesting and heartbreaking side-stories apart from the standard "save the world" cliche of Persona. In this guide, I'll explain the entire Social Link system in Persona 3 Reload, including how to rank up everything to the max.
Note: This is an ongoing guide and will feature missing or locked Social Links. I will update every Social Link as I progress further into the game.
How do Social Links work in Persona 3 Reload?
Social Link works by interacting with specific characters throughout the main story of Persona 3 Reload. You'll be able to increase your Social Links by spending time with them and answering the correct responses during your conversation.
Social Links often have requirements before you can start. Some have stat requirements, while others require you to progress further through the main story. Specific Social Links, like the Strength Arcana, depend on other Social Link Ranks.
Increasing Social Links allows you to learn more about the side characters of the game, as well as gives you bonus EXP when fusing Personas (i.e. Fusing two Personas into Orpheus will grant it bonus EXP depending on your Social Link Rank) known as S. Link Bonus. This system allows you to fuse Personas and have them level up past your current character level.
Related: Persona 3 Reload name order (guide)
All Social Links in Persona 3 Reload
Remember that only major responses that can increase your Social Links quicker are included in this guide. You can choose any available options for other prompts not included in the guide.
S.E.E.S. Social Link (Fool)
How to start: Automatic by progressing through the story
- Rank 1 to 2 - Automatically ranks up after exploring Tartarus for the first time on April 20
- Rank 2 to 3 - After beating the Priestess boss during the full moon Dark Hour on May 9.
Kenji Tomochika Social Link (Magician)
How to start: Kenji Tomochika will automatically contact you starting on April 22.
Schedule: Tuesdays, Thursdays and Fridays (After School)
- Rank 1 to 2 - Meet with Kenji Tomochika and use the following responses.
- "No Way" or "That's a secret."
- "I'm into older women, too" or "I like all of them."
- Rank 2 to 3 - Meet with Kenji Tomochika after class and use these responses.
- "What, of life?"
- "Good luck!"
Hidetoshi Odagiri Social Link (Emperor)
How to start: Mitsuru Kirijo will contact you to join the Student Council on April 27th. Proceed to the Faculty Office to sign the documents, and visit the Student Council Room on the second floor.
Schedule: Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays (After School)
- Rank 1 to 2 - Attend a Student Council Meeting and use this response.
- "Sounds like nonsense."
- Rank 2 to 3 - Attend a Student Meeting, and you'll find Odagiri arguing with a fellow member. You can choose either response and you'll increase the Emperor social link to 3.
Bunkichi and Mitsuko Social Link (Hierophant)
How to start: On April 25, visit the book shop in the Iwatodai Strip Mall and talk to the couple. They will mention a specific tree in the Gekkoukan High. Go to the corridor area where you find one of the Twilight Fragment, and interact with the "Young Tree" to pick up of Persimmon Leaf. Return to the couple and give them the item.
Schedule: Tuesday to Sunday (Daytime)
- Rank 1 to 2 - You'll immediately find Bunkichi has a poor memory. Select the following responses during the conversation:
- "Your Name" or "Makoto Yuki" if you follow the canon protagonist name in Persona 3.
- "Thank you."
- Rank 2 to 3 - Come to the shop in your free time, and you'll see Bunkichi trying to find his wallet. Choose the following responses:
- "Looking for something?"
- "Can I help?"
- Rank 3 to 4 - Visit the old couple during your free time, and you'll immediately see Bunkichi alone. Choose these responses:
- "I'll wait here."
- "I'm worried."
- Rank 4 to 5 - Upon arriving at the shop, Bunkichi and Mitsuko will open up about the Persimmon Tree in your school. Choose the following responses:
- "I wouldn't worry about it."
- "It'll be okay" or "Cheer up."
Kazushi Miyamoto Social Link (Chariot)
How to start: On April 23, you'll be able to join the track club. Go to the Corridor and walk toward the double door which leads to the Track and Field.
Schedule: Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays and Fridays (After School)
- Rank 1 to 2 - The first scenario will include Kazushi Miyamoto during your typical Track and field training. It's important to choose this response:
- "Toughen up!"
- Afterward, you'll get a scene with the team manager Yuko Nishiwaki. Choose to talk to her ("I think I will).
- Rank 2 to 3 - In your next Track and Field practice, you'll see Miyamoto having difficulty with the training, and he will eventually be taken into the Clinic. Use the following responses:
- "Are you going to be okay?"
- "Will it heal?"
- You'll get an option to ask Yuko Nishiwaki to walk her home. She'll say yes this time, and you'll be able to start the Strength Persona Social Link.
- Rank 3 to 4 - At this point, Miyamoto will start to ditch the team's training sessions. The cutscene will have the protagonist bump into Miyamoto at the entrance, and Miyamoto will mention that his mother scheduled a hospital checkup. Use this response:
- "That really sucks."
- Rank 4 to 5 - In this cutscene, you'll see Miyamoto back from the hospital. He'll then struggle to stand up from tying his shoelaces. Use the following responses:
- "Back from the hospital?"
- "Take my shoulder!"
- Rank 5 to 6 - In this scenario, you'll learn more about Miyamoto's resolve to be the best in Japan. Use the following responses:
- "Show some guts, man!"
- "Why go so far?"
- "What about your knee?"
Yuko Nishiwaki Social Link (Strength)
How to start: You need to have unlocked the Chariot Social Link with Kazushi Miyamoto. After the initial scene with Miyamoto, ask Yuko Nishiwaki to walk her home. She'll decline at first, but after ranking the Chariot Social Link to Rank 2, she'll accept your offer.
Schedule: Wednesdays and Saturdays (After School)
- Rank 1 to 2: You and Yuko will go to a bookstore, and she'll open up about her long day. These are the optimal responses:
- "What happened?"
- "It wasn't your fault."
- "That's true."
- Rank 2 to 3: You'll meet Yuko while she's getting her shoes from the locker. The cutscene will eventually transition to where two girls are bullying Yuko. Choose the following responses:
- "Don't worry about it."
- "I'm honored" or "I don't mind."
Maya Social Link (Hermit)
How to start: On April 28th, Junpei will give the protagonist a copy of Innocent Sin Online. Play the game on a holiday or a weekend through your PC and you'll unlock the Hermit Social Link.
Schedule: Sunday (Daytime)
- Rank 1 to 2 - You'll encounter Maya again in the MMORPG where you'll have a conversation with her about playing a "dead" game.
- "Of course."
- "Sunshine is overrated."
- Rank 2 to 3 - During your session of playing Innocent Sin Online, Maya will come online drunk, and you'll have a deep conversation about work.
- "Oh really?! o_O"
- "You don't like your job?"
Related: Which spiral is not an algebraic spiral in Persona 3 Reload?
Maiko Oohashi Social Link (Hanged)
How to start: On May 6th, you'll need to go to the Naganaki Shrine, and talk to the little girl in the playground. She'll ask you to buy her a food and then a beverage after. I suggest going to the Octopia food stall at the Iwatodai Strip Mall to buy the Weird Takoyaki, and then go to the second floor of your dorm and get a Mad Bull. Go back to Naganaki Shrine, give the little girl both items and promise to play with her again.
Schedule: Mondays, Wednesdays, Saturdays (After School)
- Rank 1 to 2 - You'll get to spend time with Oohashi and she'll open up about her parents.
- "Sure, let's go."
- Rank 2 to 3 - Oohashi will open up about her upcoming birthday.
- "Don't worry, he'll be there."
For more guides in Persona, check out All Class Answers in Persona 3 Reload right here in Pro Game Guides.
Published: Feb 4, 2024 11:04 am