Persona 5 Royal: How to Raise Social Stats Fast

Adiba Chowdhury
By Adiba Chowdhury
21 Min Read
Credit: Atlus

Become the talk of the town by raising your Social Stats to their max limit in Persona 5 Royal.

Persona 5 Royal is the definitive edition of Persona 5, the sixth mainline entry in Atlus’s Persona franchise. The story follows a group of teen vigilantes that awaken the power of Persona and conduct grand heists to steal the treasures of corrupt individuals. By stealing one’s source of evil desires, the Phantom Thieves can make people confess their sins to the world and get justice handed to them.

Read More: Persona 5 Royal: How to Max Rank All Confidants

You play the game from the perspective of the Phantom Thieves leader, Joker. The story starts off with you being framed for a crime you did not commit. And as part of your punishment, you are sentenced to one year of probation. Your parents send you away from your hometown to live in Tokyo so that you can spend the duration of your probation there quietly without getting into trouble.

Your guardian enrolls you in Shujin Academy so that you may continue your education during your stay in Tokyo. However, due to your criminal record, the school authority and students are all skeptical of you. Not only that, but many even disapprove of your enrollment in Shujin Academy. Now, you can live out your life secluded from everyone, or you can do something to change how people perceive you.

This is where your Social Stats come in. Your Social Stats not only fix your image but also allows you to form contracts with various Confidants. Luckily, the game lets you work on your stats in various ways. This guide will explain the importance of Social Stats and how to increase them quickly.

All Social Stats in P5R

All Social Stats in P5R
Credit: Atlus

There are a total of five Social Stats in Persona 5 Royal. Their proficiency can be leveled up a total of 5 times. The social stats and their respective ranks have been stated below:

Social StatRank 1Rank 2Rank 3Rank 4Rank MAX
KnowledgeObliviousLearnedScholarlyEncyclopedicErudite
GutsMilquetoastBoldStaunchDauntlessLionhearted
ProficiencyBumblingDecentSkilledMasterfulTranscendent
KindnessInoffensiveConsiderateEmpatheticSelflessAngelic
CharmExistentHead-turningSuaveCharismaticDebonair
Persona 5 Royal Social Stats Rank

Why do Social Stats matter in P5R?

Social Stats are something that has always existed in Persona games. But Persona 5 Royal makes it a special case of having to work on them. As you interact with others and work on yourself, people visibly start to notice and change their opinions about you.

In addition, Persona 5 Royal emphasizes building meaningful bonds with various kinds of people. And due to their varying personalities, they expect you to be proficient in certain areas. That’s why you may be locked out of forming contracts with certain Confidants if you don’t have the right level of social stats.

These Confidants will support you in many ways, so it’s important to form contracts with them. For example, forming a contract with Iwai lets you customize your weapons at the Airsoft Shop, and forming a contract with Takemi unlocks more medicines and accessories in her shop at the Medical Clinic.

Moreover, there are also plenty of women you can romance in the game. And to do that, you need to have the right level of charm, kindness, and intelligence to impress them. Below are the Social Stat Requirements for ranking up different Confidant relationships.

Confidant NameArcanaRequired Social Stats for Ranking Up
TakemiDeathGuts Level 2 for Rank 2
Charm Level 4 for Rank 8
IwaiHanged ManGuts Level 4 for Rank 1
Guts Level 5 for Rank 8
AnnLoversKindness Level 2 for Rank 2
YusukeEmperorProficiency Level 4 for Rank 6
AkechiJusticeCharm Level 3 for Rank 3
Knowledge level 4 for Rank 7
MakotoPriestessKnowledge Level 3 for Rank 1
Charm Level 5 for Rank 6
FutabaHermitKindness Level 4 for Rank 2
HaruEmpressProficiency Level 5 for Rank 2
KawakamiTemperanceGuts level 3 for Rank 1
HifumiStarCharm Level 3 for Rank 1
Knowledge Level 5 for Rank 8
SojiroHierophantKindness Level 5 for Rank 7
Stat Requirements for Confidant Rank Up

Fastest ways to Raise Social Stats in P5R

There are plenty of ways you can raise your different social stats. Other than partaking in various activities, interacting with certain Confidants increases your stats. Below are the fastest ways to raise your Social Stats in Persona 5 Royal.

How to Increase Knowledge in P5R

How to Increase Knowledge in P5R
Credit: Atlus

Increasing your Knowledge will allow you to perform well in school and make people take you seriously. As you become more knowledgeable, it becomes easier to impress critical Confidants like Akechi and become more popular and respected among peers. Below are all the fastest ways to raise your Knowledge in P5R:

  • Studying: The fastest and most foolproof way of raising your knowledge is by Studying. You can choose to study at the School Library, Cafe LeBlanc, Diner, Classroom, or with Friends. The effectiveness of your studies increases when you study during Cloudy or Rainy weather. Studying is most effective when friends invite you to study with them before exams.
  • Classroom Answers: You can gain knowledge by answering questions correctly in class and during exams. Check out our detailed guide on All Classroom Answers to ensure you get every answer right.
  • Playing Video Games: Once you have purchased the TV and Console from the Yumenoshima Second-hand Shop in Yongen-Jaya, you can play the following game to increase your Knowledge:
Game NameEffectStagesPriceHow to Unlock
Featherman SeekerKnowledge +2 (Win)
Knowledge +1 (Lose)
3

FreePurchase from Akihabara Retro Game Shop on 10/1
Knowledge Boosting Video Games in P5R
  • Reading Books: You can increase your knowledge by reading Books that increase your Knowledge stat. Remember that books often have multiple chapters, and you can only read one chapter at a time. Below are all the books you can find in P5R that increase your Knowledge:
Book NameEffectChaptersPriceHow to Unlock
The Great ThiefKnowledge +52N/ABorrow from School Library.
On Modern Social ThoughtKnowledge +52N/AClean your room.
Factorization GuideIncreases Knowledge gained from reading books.1N/ATrade Millimeter MRE with Mysterious Trader Sakai
Wise Men’s WordsKnowledge +52700 yenPurchase from Shibuya Bookstore on Central Street after 6/1.
Medjed MenaceKnowledge +521200
yen
Purchase from Shibuya Bookstore on Central Street after 6/1.
Heroic RevelationsKnowledge +1038000
yen
Purchase from Jinbocho Nagiuri Bookstore after reading Master Swordsman.
Knowledge Boosting Books in P5R

How to Increase Guts in P5R

How to Increase Guts in P5R
Credit: Atlus

Increasing your Guts makes you more confident in making bolder, riskier decisions and engaging in borderline illegal activities like doing Takemi’s clinical trials, confronting Iwai about the gun in the bag, or asking Kawakami for her Maid-services. Moreover, having more Guts allows you to select bolder dialogue choices that might catch your Confidants by surprise. Below are all the fastest ways to raise your Guts in P5R:

  • Takemi’s Clinical Trials: Takemi is a talented doctor who lost face in the medical field for “unethical” practices. She coerces you into becoming the guinea pig of her medical trials in exchange for unprescribed Medicines to use in Palaces. Doing her trials will raise your Guts every time.
  • Big-Bang Challenges: Central Street’s Big Bang Burger regularly hosts food challenges called the Big Bang Challenge. In these challenges, you must finish eating a gigantic burger in the allotted time. The size of burgers becomes bigger after completing each challenge, and taking the challenges raises your Guts significantly.
  • Overstaying at Bathhouse: You can raise your Guts by staying at the Bathhouse until you pass out.
  • Shinjuku’s Crossroads bar: Talk to Stern-Looking People while working at Shinjuku’s Crossroads bar.
  • Watch DVDs: You can improve your Guts by renting certain DVDs from the Scarlet DVD Rental Shop in Central Street. Below are all the DVDs you can watch in P5R that increase your Guts:
DVD NameEffectVolumesAvailability
The X FoldersGuts +32From the start.
The Running DeadGuts +326/1
31Guts +328/1
Guts Boosting DVDs in P5R
  • Playing Video Games: Once you have purchased the TV and Console from the Yumenoshima Second-hand Shop in Yongen-Jaya, you can play the following games to increase your Guts:
Game NameEffectStagesPriceHow to Unlock
Star Forneus 1988Guts +2 (Win)
Guts +1 (Lose)
3FreePurchase from Yumenoshima Second-hand Shop in Yongen-Jaya
Power Intuition Guts +2 (Win)
Guts +1 (Lose)
3
5500 yenPurchase from Akihabara Retro Game Shop on 10/1
Guts Boosting Video Games in P5R
  • Reading Books: You can increase your Guts by reading Books that increase your Guts stat. Below are all the books you can find in P5R that increase your Guts:
Book NameEffectChaptersPriceHow to Unlock
Pirate LegendGuts +52N/ABorrow from School Library.
The Gallant RogueGuts +52N/ABorrow from School Library.
Cry of CthuluGuts +52N/ABorrow from School Library.
The Hero with a BowGuts +52N/ABorrow from School Library.
Ghost EncountersGuts +52700
yen
Purchase from Shibuya Bookstore on Central Street after 8/3.
Master SwordsmanGuts +1038000
yen
Purchase from Jinbocho Nagiuri Bookstore.
Guts Boosting Books in P5R

How to Increase Proficiency in P5R

How to Increase Proficiency in P5R
Credit: Atlus

Increasing Proficiency allows you to craft more infiltration tools and fish for longer. The higher your proficiency level, the easier it is for you to win the Crane game in Akihabara Arcade. Moreover, you also need to be highly Proficient to get closer to Yusuke and Haru. Furthermore, you must be Proficient enough to raise your party’s Technical Rank. Below are all the fastest ways to raise your Proficiency in P5R:

  • Visit the Batting Cages: Playing a baseball game at the Yongen-Jaya batting cages will raise your Proficiency level.
  • Craft Infiltration tools: The more you practice your infiltration tool crafting skills, the more proficient you become.
  • Go Fishing: Fishing will raise your proficiency.
  • Watch DVDs: You can improve your Proficiency by renting certain DVDs from the Scarlet DVD Rental Shop in Central Street. Below are all the DVDs you can watch in P5R that increase your Proficiency:
DVD NameEffectVolumesAvailability
Guy McVerProficiency +32From the start.
Jail BreakProficiency +326/1
TeeProficiency +328/1
Proficiency Boosting DVDs in P5R
  • Playing Video Games: Once you have purchased the TV and Console from the Yumenoshima Second-hand Shop in Yongen-Jaya, you can play the following game to increase your Proficiency:
Game NameEffectStagesPriceHow to Unlock
Golfer Sarutahiko Proficiency +2 (Win)
Proficiency +1 (Lose)
3

3200
yen
Purchase from Akihabara Retro Game Shop on 10/1
Proficiency Boosting Video Games in P5R
  • Reading Books: You can increase your Proficiency by reading Books that increase your Proficiency stat. Below are all the books you can find in P5R that increase your Proficiency:
Book NameEffectChaptersPriceHow to Unlock
Woman in the DarkProficiency +52N/ABorrow from School Library after Haru joins your party.
The Art of CharmProficiency +52700 yenPurchase from Shibuya Bookstore on Central Street.
Tidying the HeartProficiency +52700 yenPurchase from Shibuya Bookstore on Central Street.
The Art of AutomataProficiency +10312000
yen
Purchase from Jinbocho Nagiuri Bookstore after reading Master Swordsman.
Proficiency Boosting Books in P5R

How to Increase Kindness in P5R

How to Increase Kindness in P5R
Credit: Atlus

Increasing your Kindness allows you to understand the woes of your Confidants and deepen your bond with them. You need enough Kindness to get closer to Shinya, Sojiro, Futaba, and Ann. Below are all the fastest ways to raise your Kindness in P5R:

  • Work at the Flower Shop: Working at the Flower Shop in Shibuya Underground Mall and preparing flowers for clients increases your Kindness.
  • Spend time with Confidants: Spending time with Confidants like Sojiro (LeBlanc) and Shinya (Akihabara Arcade) will increase your Kindness.
  • Clean LeBlanc: You can raise your Kindness by mopping the floors and cleaning the bathroom of Cafe LeBlanc in your free time.
  • Take care of your plant: Use BioNutrients to nurture the plant in your room to increase your Kindness.
  • Watch DVDs: You can improve your Kindness by renting certain DVDs from the Scarlet DVD Rental Shop in Central Street. Below are all the DVDs you can watch in P5R that increase your Kindness:
DVD NameEffectVolumesAvailability
WraithKindness +32From the start.
ICUKindness +326/1
Mouse MDKindness +328/1
Kindness Boosting DVDs in P5R
  • Playing Video Games: Once you have purchased the TV and Console from the Yumenoshima Second-hand Shop in Yongen-Jaya, you can play the following game to increase your Kindness:
Game NameEffectStagesPriceHow to Unlock
Train of LifeKindness +2 (Win)
Kindness +1 (Lose)
3

5600 yenPurchase from Akihabara Retro Game Shop on 10/1
Kindness Boosting Video Games in P5R
  • Reading Books: You can increase your Kindness by reading Books that increase your Kindness stat. Below are all the books you can find in P5R that increase your Kindness:
Book NameEffectChaptersPriceHow to Unlock
Zorro the OutlawKindness +52N/ABorrow from School Library.
The Illusory PopessKindness +52N/ABorrow from School Library after Makoto joins your party.
Buchiko’s StoryKindness +52700 yenPurchase from Shibuya Bookstore on Central Street.
Call Me ChiefKindness +1038000
yen
Purchase from Jinbocho Nagiuri Bookstore after reading Master Swordsman.
Kindness Boosting Books in P5R

How to Increase Charm in P5R

How to Increase Charm in P5R
Credit: Atlus

Increasing your Charm makes you a smooth talker. The more charming you are, the more popular and attractive you are to your peers. Moreover, you must be very charming to romance older female Confidants like Takemi, Kawakami, and Ohya. Furthermore, you also need to rank up your Charm to access the full catalog of the Accessories-selling street vendor in Central Street, Shibuya. Below are all the fastest ways to raise your Charm in P5R:

  • Visit the Bathhouse: You can raise your Charm by spending time at the Bathhouse in Yongen-Jaya.
  • Spend time with Confidants: Spending time with Confidants like Yoshida (Shibuya Crossing) and Ohya (Crossroads Bar) will increase your Charm.
  • Perform well in exams: Getting perfect scores and becoming a top student at School increases your charm.
  • Visit the Maid Cafe: Going to the maid cafe in Akihabara will increase your charm.
  • Watch DVDs: You can improve your Charm by renting certain DVDs from the Scarlet DVD Rental Shop in Central Street. Below are all the DVDs you can watch in P5R that increase your Charm:
DVD NameEffectVolumesAvailability
Bubbly Hills, 90210Charm +32From the start.
Not-so-Hot BetsyCharm +326/1
D HousewivesCharm +328/1
Charm Boosting DVDs in P5R
  • Playing Video Games: Once you have purchased the TV and Console from the Yumenoshima Second-hand Shop in Yongen-Jaya, you can play the following games to increase your Charm :
Game NameEffectStagesPriceHow to Unlock
Gambla Goemon
Charm +2 (Win)
Charm +1 (Lose)
3

5200 yenPurchase from Yumenoshima Second-Hand shop in Yongen-Jaya.
Punch OuchCharm +2 (Win)
Charm +1 (Lose)
35300 yenPurchase from Akihabara Retro Game Shop.
Charm Boosting Video Games in P5R
  • Reading Books: You can increase your Charm by reading Books that increase your Charm stat. Below are all the books you can find in P5R that increase your Charm:
Book NameEffectChaptersPriceHow to Unlock
The Alluring DancerCharm +52N/ABorrow from School Library.
Dressed in AshesCharm +52N/ABorrow from School Library after Kasumi (Sumire) joins your party.
Playing the GameCharm +52700 yenPurchase from Shibuya Bookstore on Central Street.
Reckless CasanovaCharm +1038000
yen
Purchase from Jinbocho Nagiuri Bookstore after reading Call Me Chief.
Charm Boosting Books in P5R

Interested in learning more about Persona 5 Royal? Then check out our guides on All Confidants and How to Befriend ThemAll Achievements and Trophies, All Classroom Answers, and Thieves Den Awards in Persona 5 Royal.

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By Adiba Chowdhury Deputy Evergreen Editor
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Adiba Chowdhury is the Deputy Editor of the Evergreen section at GameRiv. Adiba is an avid gamer, artist, and anime lover. She expresses her love for RPGs, JRPGs, and Action Adventure games by writing about evergreen titles with lasting impressions for GameRiv.