Margaret in Persona 3 Portable stands as one of the most formidable optional bosses, testing players’ mastery of the game’s mechanics and strategic depth. This guide provides a comprehensive breakdown of her challenging fight, offering phase-by-phase strategies to help you conquer this powerful opponent. Understanding Margaret’s unique rules and phases is crucial for victory.
Understanding Margaret’s Rules and Conditions
Before diving into the phases, it’s essential to grasp the specific rules Margaret imposes, mirroring those of her siblings, Elizabeth and Theodore. These rules dictate your approach and can lead to immediate defeat if ignored:
- Armageddon Restriction: Avoid using the Armageddon fusion spell unless it guarantees a finishing blow. While not strictly mandatory for victory, skillful play aims to defeat her without relying on this powerful move.
- Damage Threshold Per Phase: Each phase demands dealing at least 5,000 damage within 10 turns. Failure to meet this threshold results in an instant Megidolaon Game Over. This rule emphasizes consistent and significant damage output.
- Omnipotent Orb Prohibition: Equipping the Omnipotent Orb on any party member is strictly forbidden and leads to immediate defeat. However, skills that nullify, drain, or repel attacks are permitted, focusing the restriction solely on the equipment itself.
- 50-Turn Limit: The battle has a 50-turn limit. Exceeding this limit triggers an instant Game Over via a Megidolaon from Slime. Using Infinity to survive this Megidolaon will be countered with Diarahan by Margaret, prolonging the inevitable.
Furthermore, similar to Elizabeth and Theodore, Margaret acts twice per turn. This accelerated pace necessitates quick adaptation to debuff durations and her offensive pressure. With a substantial 30,000 HP, aiming for roughly 6,000 damage per phase is a good benchmark for a strategic, Armageddon-free victory.
Navigating Margaret’s Fight Phases
Margaret’s fight is structured into distinct phases, each themed around different Persona archetypes and combat styles, demanding adaptable strategies.
Phase 1: Phys Heavenly Kings
In this initial phase, Margaret summons the Four Heavenly Kings – Jikokuten, Zouchouten, Koumokuten, and Bishamonten – each embodying Slash, Strike, Pierce, and all Physical attacks respectively. A key mechanic of this phase is that Margaret will drain the last Physical element she used. If she scores a critical hit with her two moves, she will Power Charge using three of the Heavenly Kings (excluding Bishamonten), telegraphing the Physical element she will drain next.
During this phase, Margaret nullifies all magic elements, limiting your offensive options to:
- Non-drained Physical Spells: Utilize Physical skills that don’t align with the element she is currently draining.
- Almighty Spells: Almighty attacks bypass her elemental nullification and provide consistent damage.
- Elemental Break Spells: Combining Break skills with their corresponding element can temporarily bypass her nullification, but this strategy is less reliable due to the break effect expiring at the start of her turn instead of lasting the standard three turns.
Phase 2: Magic, Ailments, Physical & Insta-Kills (Persona 4 Style)
Phase two introduces Personas from Persona 4, specifically Mokoi and Neko Shogun. Mokoi focuses on inflicting ailments like Rage, Charm, and Poison using Stagnant Air. Neko Shogun employs a diverse skillset including AoE magic, instant death spells, and Physical attacks. Notably, Neko Shogun prioritizes Physical attacks on enraged characters.
In this phase, Margaret becomes vulnerable to almost all attack types, excluding instant death spells themselves. Exploit this vulnerability by utilizing a wide range of offensive skills while managing potential ailments.
Phase 3: Magic Mitamas
Margaret shifts to using the four Mitamas in phase three, focusing on AoE magic damage. If a party member has an elemental weakness that isn’t covered by Armor of Light or similar protection, Margaret will aggressively target that weakness.
During this phase, her vulnerabilities are restricted to Almighty attacks and the element opposite to the last element she used. As a reference:
- Ara Mitama: Weak to Ice
- Nigi Mitama: Weak to Fire
- Saki Mitama: Weak to Wind
- Kushi Mitama: Weak to Elec
The Elemental Break strategy from Phase 1 can be more effectively employed here, allowing for targeted elemental damage when exploiting her temporary weaknesses.
Phase 4: The Moirae Sisters
Phase four features the Moirae Sisters – Clotho, Lachesis, and Atropos – each playing a distinct role mirroring their mythological functions. Clotho initiates the sequence with Power Charge or Mind Charge (“Threading of the string”). Lachesis follows with -karn spells, Marakunda, and Evil Smile, potentially leading to Ghastly Wail if ailments land (“Determining the length of the string”). Finally, Atropos executes a Mind Charged Megidolaon and a Power Charged AoE Physical skill (“Cutting of the string, ending one’s life”). This sequence is consistent and predictable.
Margaret is vulnerable to all attack types during this phase. The Power Charge and Mind Charge from Clotho carry over to the final phase, making this a crucial setup phase for her most dangerous form.
Phase 5: Copycat Siblings (Elizabeth’s Personas)
The final phase sees Margaret mimicking her sister Elizabeth, utilizing Elizabeth’s Persona roster and resistances. This phase introduces the “Vulnerability/Half-Weakness” gimmick. Margaret’s actions are reactive, mirroring the party’s last move.
- Healing Spell: Margaret will heal herself.
- Magic Spell: Margaret will cast the same magic element.
- Buff Spell: Margaret will use Mahamaon.
- Debuff Spell: Margaret will use Mamudoon.
Due to these unpredictable and potentially punishing responses, entering this phase with a full party is highly risky. Ideally, aim to defeat Margaret before this phase or utilize Armageddon if you find yourself pushed into it unprepared.
Conclusion: Mastering Margaret’s Challenge
Defeating Margaret in Persona 3 Portable requires meticulous planning, strategic adaptability, and a deep understanding of her mechanics. By mastering each phase, respecting her rules, and exploiting her vulnerabilities, you can overcome this ultimate challenge and claim victory against one of Persona 3’s most demanding bosses. This guide provides the foundation for your strategy; now it’s time to put your skills to the test and conquer Margaret!
