Shuffle Time

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Shuffle Time in Persona 3.

Shuffle Time is a recurring mechanic in the Persona series.

Overview

Shuffle Time occurs after battles occasionally, and is one of the main ways to obtain Personas, along with fusion. The exact mechanics differ between installments.

Mechanics by Game

Persona 3

Shuffle Time is introduced in Persona 3 and works about the same in the original game, Persona 3 FES, and Persona 3 Portable. The player is shown five cards and then the cards are turned over and moved around on the screen. The cards can be a new Persona, a blank card, or a card representing one of the four Minor Arcana suits (Sword, Wand, Cup, and Coin). Minor Arcana cards have different levels, and the level is higher the further the player is in Tartarus; the higher the level, the more substantial the reward. The Sword gives a weapon, the Wand increases experience, the Cup restores HP, and the Coin gives money.

The cards can move about three different ways:

  1. Two cards swap places.
  2. The cards are moved off screen and come back from left to right in the order they went up.
  3. Three cards are stacked and are unstacked in the order they originally were.

Occasionally, the player has the chance to double up after selecting the card. If the player accepts, then they enter another Shuffle Time, and can get multiple cards in the same battle this way. However, if a blank card is picked, then the player will obtain no cards after that battle. Multiple double ups can occur in a row.

Sometimes, cards can be cursed. This is represented by a skull-and-crossbones overlaid on the card's face. If a cursed card is selected, it will reduce the time for the Reaper to appear.

Persona 3 Portable

Persona 3 Portable modifies Shuffle Time to be more similar to Persona 4. The variants are mostly identical to Persona 3, except the "off screen" variant is replaced with one where the cards are constantly revolving around and the player will select whatever is in the center of the screen at the time the button is pressed. Blank cards now behave identically to their Persona 4 counterparts, including triggering the 1 More mechanic, and Double Up no longer happens.

Persona 3 Reload

Main article: Shuffle Time in Persona 3 Reload

Shuffle Time returns in Reload. The cards are no longer face down or moving. Players can now obtain Major Arcana cards in addition to Minor Arcana and Personas. After obtaining a certain number of Major Arcana, the maximum rank of all Minor Arcana cards increases +1 until you leave Tartarus.

Persona 4

Shuffle time is expanded upon in Persona 4. Unlike in Persona 3, Minor Arcana cards cannot be drawn and only three types of cards exist.

  • Persona card: The card depicts a certain Persona. When drawn, the player receives the depicted Persona. The Persona is not received if its level is higher than the main protagonist's.
  • Blank card: This card is marked with a shattered glass effect. When drawn, the player receives nothing other than the experience points and money gained normally.
  • Penalty card: This card is marked with a white cross pattern with red highlights. When drawn, the player does not receive a Persona, experience points, or money from the battle just won.

There are a number of variants added in Persona 4, such as a Concentration-like matching minigame, and a slot machine-like minigame where the player must stop three rotating columns of cards.

Two additional mechanics can be triggered randomly when drawing a Persona or Blank card. The first, 1 More, allows the player to retry their luck at drawing a different card. The second, known as Arcana Chance transforms the card into a card of the Major Arcana. If the player chooses to proceed with Arcana Chance, they will either receive the Major Arcana card in the upright or reverse position. The associated effects of each are listed below.

Arcana Chance Effects[1]
Arcana Upright effect Reversed effect
Fool Triggers a random effect of a different Arcana in any position None
Magician A single target skill on a random Persona is upgraded to an all-target skill An all-target skill on a random Persona is downgraded to a single target skill
Priestess Can view all Analysis information for all enemies for a while Cannot view any Analysis information for a while
Empress All party members' HP is restored to maximum All party members' HP is reduced to 1
Emperor All battles will begin with a Player Advantage for a while All battles will begin with an Enemy Advantage for a while
Hierophant Reversed effects in Arcana Chances will be negated for a while Arcana Chances will be more likely to produce a reversed result for a while
Lovers Powerful Shadows will not appear for a while More Shadows will be Powerful Shadows for a while
Chariot A random Persona's Agility is increased by 1~3 A random Persona's Agility is reduced by 1~3
Justice A random Persona's Strength is increased by 1~3 A random Persona's Strength is reduced by 1~3
Hermit Can view the entire minimap of the floor for a while The minimap is fully hidden for a while
Fortune A random Persona's Luck is increased by 1~3 A random Persona's Luck is reduced by 1~3
Strength A random Persona's Magic is increased by 1~3 A random Persona's Magic is reduced by 1~3
Hanged Man A random Persona's Endurance is increased by 1~3 A random Persona's Endurance is reduced by 1~3
Death The entire party is returned to the entrance of the dungeon, with 1 HP but fully regaining SP The entire party is returned to the entrance of the dungeon, with 1 SP but fully regaining HP
Temperance Temporarily increases the amount of money obtained after battles Temporarily decreases the amount of money obtained after battles
Devil A random Persona changes into a higher-level Persona with only its base skills A random Persona changes into a lower-level Persona with only its base skills
Tower Opening chests grants money in addition to an item for a while Opening chests may cause a Shadow attack for a while
Star 1 More will occur more frequently in Shuffle time for a while 1 More will occur less frequently in Shuffle time for a while
Moon Temporarily increases the amount of experience gained after battles Temporarily locks the amount of experience gained after battles to 1
Sun Temporarily replaces all blank cards in Shuffle time with Persona cards Temporarily replaces all blank cards in Shuffle time with Penalty cards
Judgement All party members' SP is restored to maximum All party members' current SP is halved

Persona 4 Golden

Shuffle Time is simplified in Persona 4 Golden. Rather than a minigame where the player selects a face down card, all cards are shown face up and the player chooses to draw a card freely from those shown. Additionally, both Minor and Major Arcana Cards can be drawn. When entering Shuffle Time, the player is given 1 try to draw a card. Certain cards are denoted as X more, with X being a number in the range of 1-4. When these cards are selected, the player is given that many more tries to draw cards.

When all cards have been drawn, a Sweep Bonus (Japanese: All Get Bonus) is activated. The Sweep Bonus grants a number of benefits:

  • A Shuffle Time will always occur after winning the next battle.
  • The next Shuffle Time will start with 3 draws instead of 1.
  • Persona Cards that the player already possesses and cards with negative effects may be replaced with other, more beneficial cards.

There is a base 30% chance of triggering Shuffle Time after defeating enemies. This increases by 20% if the player got the first strike, and by 10% for each time an enemy weakness was struck. If the battle is won through an All-Out Attack, then this guarantees Shuffle Time. Shuffle Time can never occur after boss fights.

Arcana

Card Effect
Persona Obtain the Persona shown on the card.
Fool Changes all of the dealt cards. Gain another draw.
Magician Ranks up 1 of the skills on the protagonist's currently equipped Persona.
Priestess One of the dealt cards turns into an Arcana card. Gain another draw.
Empress One of the dealt cards disappears. Gain another draw.
Emperor The protagonist's currently equipped Persona gains 1 level.
Hierophant 1 of the dealt cards changes into a Persona card.
Lovers Don't receive any items after battle, but you gain 2 draws.
Chariot The protagonist's currently equipped Persona gains 1 Agility.
Justice The protagonist's currently equipped Persona gains 1 Strength.
Hermit Shadows won't notice the protagonist for the rest of the current dungeon floor.
Fortune The protagonist's currently equipped Persona gains 1 Luck.
Strength The protagonist's currently equipped Persona gains 1 Magic.
Hanged Man The protagonist's currently equipped Persona gains 1 Endurance.
Death Ends Shuffle Time.
Devil EXP earned is reduced to 1, but you gain 3 draws.
Temperance Gain a Chest Key.
Tower Yen earned is reduced to 0, but you gain 3 draws.
Star Removes 1 of your selected cards, but you gain 1 draw.
Moon Halves your EXP, but you gain 2 draws.
Sun Halves your Yen, but you gain 2 draws.
Judgment No effect.
Aeon Gain 4 draws.
Sword Gain 1 skill card.
Coin Increases Yen.
Wand Increases EXP.
Cup Restores HP and SP.

Appearance

Which Arcana appear during Shuffle Time is based on the dungeon.

Dungeon Personas Fool Magician Priestess Empress Emperor Hierophant Lovers Chariot Justice Hermit Fortune Strength Hanged Man Death Temperance Devil Tower Star Moon Sun Judgement Aeon Sword Coin Wand Cup
Yukiko's Castle (1st Visit)
Yukiko's Castle
Steamy Bathhouse
Marukyu Striptease
Void Quest
Secret Laboratory
Heaven
Magatsu Inaba
Hollow Forest
Yomotsu Hirasaka

The possible ranks of the minor Arcana are also based on the dungeon.

Dungeon Sword Coin Wand Cup
Yukiko's Castle (1st Visit) 1 1-2 1-2 1-2
Yukiko's Castle 1-2 1-3 1-3 1-3
Steamy Bathhouse 1-3 1-5 1-4 1-4
Marukyu Striptease 1-4 1-6 1-5 1-5
Void Quest 2-6 1-7 1-7 1-6
Secret Laboratory 3-7 1-8 1-8 1-8
Heaven 4-9 1-9 2-9 1-9
Magatsu Inaba 5-10 1-10 2-10 1-10
Hollow Forest 1-10 2-10 1-10
Yomotsu Hirasaka 5-10 1-10 2-10 1-10

Coin, Wand, and Cup Effects per Rank

Rank Coin Effect Wand Effect Cup Effect
1 Yen +10% EXP +20% Restores 10% max HP, 6% max SP
2 Yen +20% EXP +25% Restores 20% max HP, 8% max SP
3 Yen +30% EXP +30% Restores 30% max HP, 10% max SP
4 Yen +40% EXP +35% Restores 40% max HP, 12% max SP
5 Yen +50% EXP +40% Restores 50% max HP, 14% max SP
6 Yen +60% EXP +45% Restores 60% max HP, 16% max SP
7 Yen +70% EXP +50% Restores 70% max HP, 18% max SP
8 Yen +80% EXP +55% Restores 80% max HP, 20% max SP
9 Yen +90% EXP +60% Restores 90% max HP, 22% max SP
10 Yen +100% EXP +70% Restores 100% max HP, 25% max SP

Sword Effects per Rank

Rank Possible Skill Cards
1

Agi, Bufu, Zio, Garu, Dia, Patra, Mutudi, Tarunda, Sukunda, Rakunda, Tarukaja, Sukukaja, Rakukaja, Sharp Student

2

Sonic Punch, Single Shot, Double Fangs, Poison Skewer, Hysterical Slap, Skull Cracker, Muzzle Shot, Arm Chopper, Maragi, Mabufu, Mazio, Magaru, Hama, Mudo, Foul Breath, Re Patra, Posumudi, Nervundi, Rebellion, Traesto, Alertness

3

Assault Dive, Kill Rush, Twin Shot, Gale Slash, Rampage, Swift Strike, Cell Breaker, Brain Shake, Agilao, Bufula, Zionga, Garula, Mahama, Mamudo, Poison Mist, Tentarafoo, Valiant Dance, Foolish Whisper, Evil Smile, Old One, Anima Freeze, Media, Me Patra, Recarm, Fire Break, Ice Break, Wind Break, Elec Break, Dodge Physical, Dodge Fire, Dodge Ice, Dodge Wind, Dodge Elec, Fire Boost, Ice Boost, Elec Boost, Wind Boost, Counter, Regenerate 1, Invigorate 1, Growth 1, Apt Pupil

4

Power Slash, Cruel Attack, Crazy Chain, Mind Slice, Seal Bomb, Megido, Life Drain, Spirit Drain, Stagnant Air, Diarama, Matarunda, Masukunda, Marakunda, Dekunda, Matarukaja, Masukukaja, Marakukaja, Dekaja, Revolution, Red Wall, White Wall, Blue Wall, Green Wall, Trafuri, Null Poison, Null Dizzy, Fast Heal

5

Fatal End, Black Spot, Mighty Swing, Herculean Strike, Heat Wave, Atom Smasher, Maragion, Mabufula, Mazionga, Magarula, Amrita, Resist Fire, Resist Ice, Resist Elec, Resist Wind, Survive Light, Survive Dark, Evade Physical, Evade Fire, Evade Ice, Evade Wind, Evade Elec, Counterstrike, Growth 2

6

Torrent Shot, Vicious Strike, Blade of Fury, Aeon Rain, Poison Arrow, Mustard Bomb, Navas Nebula, Agidyne, Bufudyne, Ziodyne, Garudyne, Hamaon, Mudoon, Diarahan, Mediarama, Energy Shower, Samarecarm, Resist Physical, Endure Light, Endure Dark, Hama Boost, Mudo Boost, High Counter, Regenerate 2, Invigorate 2, Divine Grace, Cool Breeze

7

Gigantic Fist, Tempest Slash, Deathbound, Arrow Rain, Virus Wave, Maragidyne, Mabufudyne, Maziodyne, Magarudyne, Mahamaon, Mamudoon, Ghastly Wail, Tetraja, Endure, Fire Amp, Ice Amp, Elec Amp, Wind Amp, Ailment Boost, Auto-Tarukaja, Auto-Rakukaja, Auto-Sukukaja, Firm Stance

8

Rainy Death, Brave Blade, Myriad Arrows, Vile Assault, Blight, Megidola, Power Charge, Mind Charge, Tetra Break, Makara Break, Repel Light, Repel Dark, Enduring Soul, Angelic Grace, Regenerate 3, Invigorate 3, Growth 3

9

Agneyastra, Akasha Arts, Mediarahan, Tetrakarn, Makarakarn, Auto-Mataru, Auto-Maraku, Auto-Masuku, Spell Master, Arms Master

10

God's Hand, Primal Force, Vorpal Blade, Megidolaon, Salvation, Absorb Physical, Absorb Fire, Absorb Ice, Absorb Elec, Absorb Wind

Magician Card Upgrades

Main article: Skill Change

By selecting a Magician Arcana, one of the protagonist's currently equipped Persona's skills will be randomly selected to upgrade. Which skills can upgrade and what they change into is all predetermined. If the equipped Persona does not have one of the skills that can be upgraded, then there will be no changes.

Before After
Poison Skewer Poison Arrow
Poison Arrow Virus Wave
Virus Wave Blight
Skull Cracker Mind Slice
Hysterical Slap Crazy Chain
Muzzle Shot Seal Bomb
Arm Chopper Atom Smasher
Cell Breaker Mustard Bomb
Cruel Attack Vile Assault
Bash Sonic Punch
Cleave Single Shot
Skewer Single Shot
Sonic Punch Assault Dive
Single Shot Power Slash
Assault Dive Fatal End
Power Slash Mighty Swing
Fatal End Mighty Swing
Mighty Swing Gigantic Fist
Gigantic Fist Brave Blade
Brave Blade God's Hand
Double Fangs Twin Shot
Twin Shot Torrent Shot
Kill Rush Torrent Shot
Torrent Shot Tempest Slash
Swift Strike Blade of Fury
Blade of Fury Arrow Rain
Arrow Rain Akasha Arts
Akasha Arts Myriad Arrows
Myriad Arrows Gale Slash
Gale Slash Heat Wave
Herculean Strike Vicious Strike
Vicious Strike Vorpal Blade
Deathbound Vorpal Blade
Rampage Aeon Rain
Aeon Rain Agneyastra
Before After
Agi Maragi
Agilao Maragion
Agidyne Maragidyne
Garu Magaru
Garula Magarula
Garudyne Magarudyne
Bufu Mabufu
Bufula Mabufula
Bufudyne Mabufudyne
Zio Mazio
Zionga Mazionga
Ziodyne Maziodyne
Megido Megidola
Megidola Megidolaon
Hama Mahama
Hamaon Mahamaon
Mudo Mamudo
Mudoon Mamudoon
Pulinpa Tentarafoo
Evil Touch Evil Smile
Balzac Valiant Dance
Poisma Poison Mist
Soul Break Anima Freeze
Enervation Old One
Makajam Foolish Whisper
Dia Media
Diarama Mediarama
Diarahan Mediarahan
Patra Me Patra
Recarm Samarecarm
Nervundi Energy Shower
Tarunda Matarunda
Sukunda Masukunda
Rakunda Marakunda
Tarukaja Matarukaja
Sukukaja Masukukaja
Rakukaja Marakukaja
Before After
Resist Physical Null Physical
Resist Fire Null Fire
Resist Ice Null Ice
Resist Elec Null Elec
Resist Wind Null Wind
Resist Light Null Light
Resist Dark Null Dark
Dodge Physical Evade Physical
Dodge Fire Evade Fire
Dodge Ice Evade Ice
Dodge Elec Evade Elec
Dodge Wind Evade Wind
Fire Boost Fire Amp
Ice Boost Ice Amp
Elec Boost Elec Amp
Wind Boost Wind Amp
Counter Counterstrike
Counterstrike High Counter
Regenerate 1 Regenerate 2
Regenerate 2 Regenerate 3
Invigorate 1 Invigorate 2
Invigorate 2 Invigorate 3
Growth 1 Growth 2
Growth 2 Growth 3
Endure Enduring Soul
Survive Light Endure Light
Survive Dark Endure Dark
Resist Poison Null Poison
Resist Panic Null Panic
Resist Fear Null Fear
Resist Exhaust Null Exhaust
Resist Enervate Null Enervate
Resist Rage Null Rage
Resist Dizzy Null Dizzy
Resist Mute Null Mute

Nomenclature

Names in Other Languages
Language Name Meaning
Japanese シャッフルタイム Shaffurutaimu Shuffle Time
French Tirage de carte Card Draw
German Karten Mischen Shuffle Cards
Italian Mano arcana Arcane Hand
Spanish A barajar Let's Shuffle

Gallery

Notes

References

General
Cited
  1. Persona 4: The Official Strategy Guide, DoubleJump. Published by DoubleJump Publishing, Inc. 2008. English. 64-65. ISBN-13: 978-0979884863