Dire Shadow

Dire Shadows (剛魔, Gouma)^? is an umbrella term for a group of powerful Shadows in Persona 5 Strikers.

Overview[]

Dire Shadows are optional, powerful Shadows that haunt the Jails, requiring heavy firepower in order to take down, with one Dire Shadow being found in each Jail.

Out of combat, they resemble the various sealed Shadows that cover the Jails' security system that the Phantom Thieves of Hearts fight, with clear distinctions:

• Their bodies are larger than the ones seen in typical circumstances, and are wrapped in light blue electric sparks.
• They ignore their surroundings. They don't move nor do they react to the Phantom Thieves if ever approached; they stand in place until they are attacked by the party.
• They are usually located in places where the Phantom Thieves have a hard time to use Phantom Dashes effectively, if at all.

In combat, they resemble specific Shadows but colored almost completely black with glowing yellow eyes, and are tremendously strong and incredibly resilient, with different skill sets and elemental affinities compared to their normal counterparts.

When defeated in standard save files, Dire Shadows drop a stat-boosting accessory, and do not respawn afterwards. If defeated in New Game Plus save files on Merciless Difficulty for the first time, each one will drop 6/8 pieces of Incense and the most powerful weapon for one of the party members except for the protagonist, whose ultimate weapon lies elsewhere. Dire Shadows additionally respawn on New Game+ save files while on Merciless difficulty after defeat. After obtaining the weapons, Dire Shadows drop 2 rare healing items in place, as well as a rare accessory that nullifies a specific affinity for the wearer.

Defeating all Dire Shadows once also awards the "Who Dares Wins" and "The Most Daring of All" Trophies on the PlayStation 4 version of the game.

List of Dire Shadows[]

Shibuya Jail - Killer Teddy Bear[]

The Dire Shadow of the Shibuya Jail can be found in Bunkamachi, looking at the doorway of the Prison Keep's main entrance. It resembles the standard Guard Shadows when out of combat.

As this Dire Shadow not only drains Nuclear and Psychokinetic skills but uses them as well, it is ill-advised to put Makoto and Haru in the active party.

When defeated under normal circumstances, this Dire Shadow drops the Tyche Charm accessory, which boosts the wearer's Luck stat by 10. When defeated in NG+ save files on Merciless difficulty, this Dire Shadow drops Eckesachs, the ultimate weapon for Morgana, as well as 6 of a random specific kind of Incense; afterwards, they drop 2 Chewing Souls in place of Eckesachs. Rarely, they can drop the Meteor Brooch, an accessory that nullifies Psychokinetic Skill damage against the wearer.

Sendai Jail - Snake King[]

The Dire Shadow of the Sendai Jail can be found in West Garden, further past the Rain Shrine facing the street. It resembles the Commander Shadow guards when out of combat. It also summons a rainstorm when engaged, though the only effect it has is merely dramatic atmosphere, going away upon its defeat.

As this Dire Shadow not only drains Wind and Electricity skills but uses them as well, it is recommended to avoid putting Morgana and Ryuji in the active party.

When defeated under normal circumstances, the Snake King drops the Gaia Belt accessory, which boosts the wearer's Endurance stat by 10. When defeated in NG+ save files on Merciless difficulty, it will drop Ukonvasara, the ultimate weapon for Ryuji, as well as 6 of a random specific kind of Incense; afterwards, they drop 2 Chewing Souls in place of Ukonvasara. Rarely, they can drop the Emerald Brooch, an accessory that nullifies Wind Skill damage against the wearer.

Sapporo Jail - Harlot of Desire[]

The Dire Shadow of the Sapporo Jail can be found in the Sapporo Clocktower, on the crossroad in the northwest part of the map, though it becomes available to fight after defeating the Blizzard Admin Strong Jack Frost. It resembles the Soldier Shadow guards when out of combat. It also summons a snowstorm when engaged, though the only effect it has is "merely" halving visibility, going away upon its defeat.

As this Dire Shadow drains a grand total of 4 different elemental skill sets, it is better advised to put Haru, Makoto, and Sophia on the active team.

When defeated under normal circumstances, this Dire Shadow drops the Wizard Amulet accessory, which boosts the wearer's Magic stat by 10. When defeated in NG+ save files on Merciless difficulty, this Dire Shadow drops the Sea of Stars Whip, the ultimate weapon for Ann, as well as 6 of a random specific kind of Incense; afterwards, they drop 2 Soul Foods in place of the Sea of Stars Whip. Rarely, they can drop the Sky Blue Brooch, an accessory that nullifies Ice Skill damage against the wearer.

Okinawa Jail - Wandering Reviver[]

The Dire Shadow of the Okinawa Jail can be found in the lower right corner mapwise of the Storage Area, in close proximity to the Lab: North Checkpoint, though it appears after unlocking the Kyoto Jail and Wolf. It resembles the Soldier Shadow guards when out of combat.

As this Dire Shadow is equipped with both insta-kill Skills for both Bless and Curse, it is best advised to put on Life Pocketbooks on Ann, Morgana and Ryuji to nullify the chances of getting killed by Hama or Mudo, with the accessory being an uncommon drop from defeated enemies from the Sendai Jail in standard difficulties, while Joker uses a Persona that can nullify Bless and Curse attacks, to ensure one doesn't burn through one too many reviving items or wasting SP with either Recarm/Samarecarm or Salvation.

When defeated under normal circumstances, this Dire Shadow drops the Atlas Anklet accessory, which boosts the wearer's Strength stat by 10. When defeated in NG+ save files on Merciless difficulty, this Dire Shadow drops Ame-no-Habakiri, the ultimate weapon for Yusuke, as well as 6 of a random specific kind of Incense; afterwards, they drop 2 Soul Foods in place of Ame-no-Habakiri. Rarely, they can drop the Dark Brooch, an accessory that nullifies Curse Skill damage against the wearer.

Kyoto Jail - Sun's Emissary[]

The Dire Shadow of the Kyoto Jail can be found in the Mother Fox Shrine area once the Phantom Thieves reach Osaka. It resembles the Drone Shadow guards when out of combat.

Like with the Sendai Dire Shadow, this Dire Shadow is equipped with both Wind and Electric skills and can drain them too, so Morgana and Ryuji should hang back. Unlike other Jails, this Dire Shadow is placed in an arena riffed with opportunities for Phantom Dash attacks.

When defeated under normal circumstances, this Dire Shadow drops the Skanda Socks accessory, which boosts the wearer's Speed stat by 10. When defeated in NG+ save files on Merciless difficulty, this Dire Shadow drops Royal Touch, the ultimate weapon for Makoto, as well as 8 of a random specific kind of Incense. Afterwards, they drop 2 Bead Chains in place of Royal Touch. Rarely, they can drop the Sunshine Brooch, which nullifies Electric skill damage against the user.

A unique quirk with this Dire Shadow is that while it's grounded following a All-out Attack Stagger Break, its Stagger Gauge is invisible until it takes to the air, meaning one cannot hit One More prompts to regain SP from the Spirit Striker BOND perk until it recovers.

Osaka Jail - War-Hungry Horseman[]

The Dire Shadow of the Osaka Jail can be found in Mt. Mashirao, not far from a replenishing chest and the Prison Keep, though the first Prison Keep core needs to be obtained to be able to access it. It resembles the Hound Shadow guards when out of combat.

Like with the Sapporo Dire Shadow, this Dire Shadow is equipped with both Fire and Ice skills and can drain them too, so Ann and Yusuke should hang back, though it doesn't drain Electricity and Wind. Unlike other Jails, this Dire Shadow is placed in an area with opportunities for Psychokinetic-charged Phantom Dash attacks, making mental ailments key here. That being said, this Dire Shadow is a mostly Physical-oriented one, using its elemental spells more as a way to shake off Thieves that get too close.

When defeated under normal circumstances, this Dire Shadow drops the Roland Medal accessory, which boosts all of the wearer's stats by 5. When defeated in NG+ save files on Merciless difficulty, this Dire Shadow drops Parashu, the ultimate weapon for Haru, as well as 8 of a random specific kind of Incense. Afterwards, they drop 2 Balms of Life in place of Parashu. Rarely, they can drop the Crimson Brooch, which nullifies Fire skill damage against the user.

Jail of the Abyss - Dark Sun[]

The Dire Shadow of the Jail of the Abyss can be found not too terribly far from the main entrance of the Jail, appearing after the Tree of Knowledge appears, due to the initial inability to leave the Jail. It resembles the Commander Shadow guards when out of combat.

Like with the Shibuya Dire Shadow, this Dire Shadow is equipped with both Nuclear and Psychokinetic skills and can drain them too, so Makoto and Haru should hang back. Unlike other Jails, this Dire Shadow is placed in an area with opportunities for Phantom Dash attacks.

When defeated under normal circumstances, this Dire Shadow drops the Star Sticker accessory, which has a very high Showtime Gauge bolster rate. When defeated in NG+ save files on Merciless difficulty, this Dire Shadow drops Elpis, the ultimate weapon for Sophia, as well as 10 of a random specific kind of Incense. Afterwards, they drop 2 Amrita Sodas in place of Elpis. Rarely, they can drop the Circle Brooch, which nullifies Nuclear damage against the user.

Tree of Knowledge - Heavenly Punisher[]

The Dire Shadow of the Tree of Knowledge, the final Dire Shadow, can be found just a stone's throw away from the Path of Yearning Checkpoint, close to the Path of Surrender entrance, and appears after leaving the Jail once the final Calling Card is sent. It resembles the Torturer Shadow guards when out of combat.

Like with the Okinawa Dire Shadow, this Dire Shadow is equipped with both Bless and Curse skills and can drain them too, so have Sophia hang back. Unlike the Okinawa Dire Shadow, it doesn't have any of the insta-kill skills, though like its kin from Osaka, it is a largely Physical-oriented foe.

When defeated under normal circumstances, this Dire Shadow drops the Hachiman Belt accessory, which has a medium chance of reducing any Physical damage. When defeated in NG+ save files on Merciless difficulty, this Dire Shadow drops Curtana, the ultimate weapon for Zenkichi, as well as 10 of a random specific kind of Incense. Afterwards, they drop 2 Somas in place of Curtana. Rarely, they can drop the Light Brooch, which nullifies Bless skill damage against the user.

Trophies & Awards[]

Trophy	Icon	Description	For	Reward
Who Dares Wins		Defeated a Dire Shadow.	P5S trophy
The Most Daring of All		Defeated all Dire Shadows.