The massively popular Persona franchise has had a lot of spin-offs over the years, and Persona 4 Arena Ultimax brings the franchise into the fighting game sphere. A follow-up to the original Persona 4 Arena, Persona 4 Loonshit Ultimax was recently ported to mod consoles on PC last month, to the joy of fighting game fans and Persona fans alike.

Persona four Arena Ultimax added a lot to the original game, and one such addition was the inclusion of Shadow-type characters. These were shadow versions of the normal roster that played slightly differently. Since the differences between the types are quite subtle, here are some things players should know about them.

10 Shadow Characters Look Slightly Different

Shadow Yu vs Normal Yu in battle

Shadows are meant to be mirrors of the soul; for that reason, Shadow versions of characters look exactly the same as their original versions. That can make things a little confusing, especially when fighting against the aforementioned character. Thankfully, in that location are a few visual cues that differentiate the 2 types of characters.

Shadow-type characters will accept a blue aura around their body, likewise as yellow eyes. Their portrait volition also exist different, and their vocalization lines will be more ferocious and unhinged. While Shadow-type characters look very similar to their normal versions, these differences can assist players tell them apart.

9 Shadow-Type Labrys Is Different From Shadow Labrys

Shadow Type Labrys vs Shadow Labrys in the character select screen

In the original Persona 4 Arena, the original character Labrys played a big role in the story, so much and then that she had two carve up grapheme slots; 1 for her normal form, and i for her shadow version. This complicated things in Ultimax, where normal Labrys got a Shadow-type version in addition to Shadow Labrys existence a separate playable grapheme.

Shadow-Type Labrys and Shadow Labrys look completely identical, simply some things gear up them apart. The ii have different Personas (and different Persona attacks), and Shadow Labrys has her Persona out at all times. Still, it can be confusing to tell the two apart, especially in the middle of a fight.

8 Some Characters Practise Not Have Shadow-Type Versions

Elizabeth vs Margaret Fight Card showing off their portraits and personas

In Persona, Shadows are considered to be the other side of humans that people don't desire to meet. The parts of themselves that people hide away eventually obtain a form when in other worlds like the TV earth. The Shadow-type characters are developed as representations of that.

Withal, not every grapheme gets a Shadow-type version. Characters like Elizabeth, Sho Minazuki, Adachi, Marie, Margaret, and Shadow Labrys practise not have Shadow-types. For these characters, information technology wouldn't make sense lore-wise for these characters to take Shadow versions, which is why they are non included.

7 Some Shadow Characters Have Different Autocombos

S. Chie performing an autocombo on Yosuke

Autocombos are an essential tool in Persona 4 Loonshit Ultimax. Past mashing the A (Weak attack) button, characters volition perform a simple combo, allowing newer players to chain attacks without having to learn the more complex philharmonic routes.

In Persona four Loonshit Ultimax, returning characters got new autocombos to employ. All the same, when the Shadow-type version of their character is used, the Shadow used the one-time version of their autocombo instead. While this may seem like a pocket-size change, some characters' movesets are afflicted by the autocombo they accept.

6 Shadow Characters Have More Life But Deal Less Harm

Yosuke vs. S. Yosuke damage comparison

One major difference that sets Shadow-blazon versions autonomously from their normal counterparts is the departure in base statistics. For case, Shadow-type characters take more life than their normal counterparts. While the difference is minimal, it can make the difference between life and death.

While Shadow-type characters have more life, they as well deal slightly less damage than their normal counterparts. While these differences may not exist very significant in the long run, they are aspects that players may desire to consider when deciding between versions.

5 Shadow Characters Become More SP

Meter Gain Comparison between Chie and S. Chie

In promotional material for the port of Persona 4 Arena Ultimax to mod consoles and PC, Atlus announced that the port would run version 2.0, the newest version of the game, compared to version 1.1 which was only bachelor for Western players. This meant that the version of Ultimax that was released last month was a game that was very different from the one veteran players had been experiencing.

One alter to Shadow-type characters that the new version brought was an increase in the amount of SP gained. Since Shadow-type characters go more than use out of SP, this increment allows them to make more use of their unique facets.

4 Shadow Characters Practise Not Gain Enkindling Buffs

Yu entering awakening after recovering from S. Yukari's attack

Whenever a graphic symbol drops below 35% of their health, they enter a state chosen Enkindling, which offers them a diversity of benefits. All damage they take is reduced, and their SP gauge maximum increases from 100 to 150. Awakening is a heave that provides a risk for players to come dorsum after getting shut to decease.

Unfortunately, Awakening is one mechanic that is non available to Shadow-type characters. This means that making a comeback can be slightly harder for them, as they will never become access to any of the benefits afforded past Awakening. Mechanics unique to Shadow-types balance things out, so the loss is not also significant.

three Shadow Characters Ever Have Admission To Enkindling SP Skills

S. Yukari using her Awakening super Magarula

Among the many benefits offered by Awakening, one is the ability to use SP Skills that are only available in Awakening. Most characters will only get one new move, simply some characters may proceeds multiple SP Skill Attacks depending on the type of move. These SP skills vary in usage but are generally a big help.

While Shadows do non have access to many of the benefits granted by Awakening, they do accept access to SP Skills but accessible in Awakening. In fact, they can employ those SP Skills whenever they desire, which can exist an incentive for players if that particular move is quite strong.

2 Shadow Characters Tin can Activate Shadow Frenzy

S. Yukiko Shadow Frenzy

Shadow-blazon characters have the ability to activate Shadow Frenzy, a mechanic unique to them that is activated in the same style that normal characters activate flare-up. Their SP gauge turns into a timer, and the more SP they have, the longer Shadow Frenzy lasts.

Shadow Frenzy allows Shadow-type characters to perform combos that wouldn't be possible normally. A character in Shadow Frenzy tin can cancel specials into specials, and skills that price SP will reduce the timer instead. Shadow-type characters tin can perform crazy combos depending on how much SP they have to work with.

1 Shadow Characters Cannot Utilize Instant Impale Attacks

Yu Narukami using his Instant Kill

Instant Kill attacks are a staple of Arc Organization Works games. They are flashy, cinematic attacks that instantly kill the opponent when it lands. Their cool strength is balanced by the fact that instant kills are nigh impossible to pull off in a existent match, merely they are always fun to watch go off.

Instant Kill attacks appear in Persona iv Loonshit Ultimax also, and every character has one. All the same, the Shadow-type versions of these characters do not take access to these attacks at all. While this does not really affect these characters' viability, it's a shame that they do not have access to i of the most fun aspects of the game.

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