Conquering Happiness Hands in Persona 4 Golden: A Comprehensive Guide
Happiness Hands, formidable foes in Persona 4 Golden, randomly appear in dungeons, lurking in the open or springing from chests. Each encounter presents a progressively tougher challenge, making them some of the game's most difficult enemies. However, their defeat yields substantial XP, making the fight worthwhile. This guide focuses on defeating Happiness Hands early in the game, specifically those found in Yukiko's Castle.
Happiness Hand Weaknesses and Strategies
Happiness Hands boast significant resistance to elemental attacks. Your best bet is to exploit their vulnerability to physical attacks. While Almighty attacks are typically effective against Golden Hands, this isn't a viable option early in the game. Happiness Hands inflict minimal damage and sometimes remain idle, but they'll flee if given the opportunity. A weakness exploit or critical hit will trigger their escape. Prioritize targeting a single Happiness Hand if multiple appear; defeating even one before they flee is a significant accomplishment at this stage.
Essential Persona and Tactics
The key to victory lies in fusing Orobas, a Persona possessing the invaluable skill Hysterical Slap. This skill not only delivers a double hit but also has a chance to inflict the Rage status effect. A Raged Happiness Hand will continuously use its basic attack, preventing its escape. Orobas can be fused using the following Persona combinations:
- 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 strategy:
- 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, but defeating a Happiness Hand will significantly boost your party's levels.
Crucial Note: If you down a Happiness Hand, refrain from using an All-Out Attack unless you're certain of a kill. Otherwise, it will recover and flee.