Conquering Happiness Hands in Persona 4 Golden: A Guide
Happiness Hands are formidable foes in Persona 4 Golden, randomly appearing in dungeons and leaping from chests. Each encounter presents a tougher challenge than the last, making them some of the game's most difficult early enemies. However, their defeat yields substantial XP, making the battle worthwhile. This guide focuses on defeating Happiness Hands, specifically those found in Yukiko's Castle, early in the game.
Happiness Hand Weaknesses and Strategies
Happiness Hands boast strong resistance to elemental attacks. The key to victory lies in exploiting their vulnerability to physical attacks. While Almighty attacks are effective against Golden Hands later in the game, they're unavailable early on. Happiness Hands inflict minimal damage and may even skip turns, but they'll flee at the first opportunity. A weakness exploit or critical hit will trigger their escape. Prioritize targeting one enemy at a time, especially in group encounters, as defeating multiple Happiness Hands before they flee is unlikely.
Defeating Happiness Hands: A Step-by-Step Approach
The most effective strategy involves fusing the Persona Orobas, which possesses the invaluable skill Hysterical Slap. This skill not only strikes twice but also has a chance to inflict the Rage status ailment. A Raged Happiness Hand will continuously use its basic attack, preventing its escape. Orobas can be fused using:
- Apsaras + Forneus
- Apsaras + Slime
Before engaging, ensure your party is fully healed. Concentrate solely on physical attacks that consume HP, avoiding any other actions. Utilize the following attacks:
- Yosuke: Sonic Punch
- Chie: Skull Cracker
- Protagonist: Hysterical Slap
Repeat this cycle until victory. Early-game success relies heavily on luck due to limited options. However, defeating even one Happiness Hand will significantly boost your party's level.
Crucial Note: If you manage to down a Happiness Hand, refrain from using an All-Out Attack unless you're certain of a kill. Otherwise, it will recover and flee.
