Tartarus is one of the most important progression systems in Persona 5: The Phantom X. It combines roguelike mechanics, team building, permanent upgrades, and valuable rewards into a single game mode. Understanding how its systems work can make your runs significantly easier while helping you earn more gems, resources, and character upgrades.
This guide covers everything beginners need to know before diving into Tartarus.
Persona 5 The Phantom X Tartarus Guide for Beginners
Tartarus is a roguelike tower-climbing mode where you progress through floors, battle enemies, collect buffs, recruit allies, and defeat bosses.
Unlike regular story content, each run is unique. You’ll gather temporary power-ups, manage resources, and adapt your team as the run progresses.
Key features include:
- Randomized buffs and rewards
- Recruitable allies
- Permanent progression systems
- Difficulty scaling
- Valuable gem rewards
- Character side stories
One advantage is that you can pause and continue runs later instead of completing everything in one session.
Understanding the Tartarus UI
When entering a run, you’ll see several important interface elements.
Boss Floor Indicator
Shows how far away the next major boss encounter is.
Always keep track of this so you can prepare healing resources and Will restoration before reaching the boss.
Floor Objectives
Located on the right side of the screen.
Objectives may include:
- Completing specific tasks
- Finding special items
- Rescuing characters or animals
- Finishing side quests
These often reward additional resources.
Buff Menu
The Buff button displays all active bonuses gained during your run.
Check this frequently to:
- Review active effects
- Plan future card selections
- Avoid overlapping unnecessary buffs
Important Tartarus Currencies
Clock Gears
Clock Gears act as the primary shop currency.
You can spend them at the Great Clock to purchase:
- Buff cards
- Character upgrades
- Additional run-enhancing effects
The more Clock Gears you collect, the stronger your run becomes.
Dawn Fragments
Dawn Fragments are one of the most valuable resources in Tartarus.
Uses include:
- Restoring Will
- Opening special doors
- Increasing character awareness
- Unlocking certain objectives
- Accessing special rewards
Avoid spending them carelessly early in a run.
Understanding Will
Will is essentially your run’s stamina meter.
Wonder starts with 100 Will.
Various encounters reduce Will:
| Activity | Will Cost |
|---|---|
| Normal Shadows | ~6 |
| Rare Shadows | ~6 |
| Formidable Shadows | ~9 |
| Sentinel/Boss Encounters | ~15 |
| Certain Barriers | ~10 |
When Will reaches critical levels, your run becomes much more dangerous.
How to Restore Will
Before major bosses, you’ll often find restoration clocks.
The first restoration is usually free and restores around 40 Will.
Additional restorations require Dawn Fragments.
Never enter a difficult boss fight with low Will unless absolutely necessary.
Shuffle Time Explained
Shuffle Time is one of the most important systems in Tartarus.
After battles, you can select various reward cards that provide permanent or temporary benefits during the run.
The stronger the enemy defeated, the better the potential rewards.
Sword Cards
Focus on combat bonuses.
Examples include:
- Increased damage
- Better survivability
- Offensive boosts
These are usually the safest choices.
Cup Cards
Provide exploration benefits.
Useful for:
- Resource collection
- Utility effects
- Floor navigation
Wand Cards
Temporary buffs that can significantly impact a run.
Good during difficult sections.
Coin Cards
Provide resources.
Common rewards include:
- Clock Gears
- Dawn Fragments
Excellent for long-term progression.
Best Major Arcana Cards
Major Arcana cards are among the strongest rewards available.
Fortune
One of the best sustain options.
Benefits include:
- Increased maximum HP
- Excess healing converted into damage
Great for healer-focused teams.
High Priestess
Extremely powerful offensive support.
Benefits:
- Additional Down Point reduction
- Increased All-Out Attack damage
Excellent for boss fights.
Tower
A universally strong choice.
Provides:
- Attack increase
- Defense increase
- HP increase
- Final damage bonus
Works with nearly every team.
Devil
Ideal for farming-focused runs.
Benefits:
- More searchable objects
- Increased Clock Gear income
Perfect if you’re trying to maximize rewards.
Recruiting Characters
During runs, you can recruit additional allies.
Four-Star Characters
Four-star units are extremely valuable.
Advantages:
- Easier to duplicate
- Generate additional Dawn Fragments
- Improve run economy
Many players underestimate how useful they are.
Five-Star Characters
Five-stars should be prioritized carefully.
Focus on:
- Your main DPS
- Your primary healer
Avoid building a roster filled entirely with five-stars unless it directly supports your strategy.
Story Content and Character Fragments
Tartarus contains exclusive story content.
You’ll collect character fragments that unlock:
- Character stories
- Side quests
- Additional lore
- Gem rewards
Completing these stories is one of the best long-term reasons to consistently run Tartarus.
Best Antiques for Beginners
Among the available antiques, several stand out early.
Recommended antiques:
- Exquisite Oil Painting
- Antique Vase
- Vintage Perfume Bottle
These provide excellent progression value and help improve future runs.
The good news is that antique progression is permanent, so there’s no rush to complete everything immediately.
Mastery Tree Priorities
The Mastery system functions as Tartarus’ permanent skill tree.
Focus on unlocking major nodes first.
Top Priority Upgrades
- EXP Gain Increase
- Enhanced Great Clock
- Instant Kill Improvements
- Additional Clock Gears
- Extra Dawn Fragments
These upgrades dramatically improve run efficiency.
Afterward, invest in:
- HP bonuses
- Attack bonuses
- Defense bonuses
- Speed increases
- Persona skill improvements
Mission Rewards
Many players overlook Tartarus missions.
This is a mistake because missions provide:
- Gems
- Coins
- Upgrade materials
- Character resources
Most missions are permanent and can be completed at your own pace.
Make checking the mission menu part of your routine.
