If you’ve just stepped into Persona 5: The Phantom X and are staring at the Newcomer Banner wondering who to summon first — stop scrolling. One name stands out across player forums, tier lists, and community reviews: Ann Takamaki.
She’s not just a familiar face from the original Persona 5 — in P5X, Ann is an early-game powerhouse, offering game-changing crowd control, top-tier damage, and incredible versatility. Here's why picking Ann could be the smartest move you make in your Phantom Thief journey.
🔥 Why Ann is the Best Early Pick
Ann isn’t just strong — she’s smart strong. Here’s what makes her an MVP in your first few weeks of gameplay:
✅ Massive AoE Damage Right Out the Gate
Ann starts with Maragi, a Fire-element spell that hits all enemies. It’s not flashy — it’s just wildly effective. Early Palaces throw waves of enemies at you, and most have low fire resistance. Ann clears them fast, saving turns and SP.
✅ Debuffs + Burn = Tactical Edge
Alongside damage, Ann inflicts Burn, a damage-over-time status effect that chips away at enemy HP each round. She also reduces enemy attack, giving you a defensive edge in boss fights and event missions.
“Ann excels in crowd control and dominates wave-clear scenarios.”
– Times of India Gaming Report (source)
🧠 What Makes Ann a Strategic Early Investment
🏆 She Carries Early Palaces
Community threads on Reddit and Discord rave about how much easier Ann makes exploration. Whether you’re clearing daily missions or navigating early story dungeons, she brings consistent utility that scales well with upgrades.
“Ann basically carried me through the first two Palaces — once you unlock her persona upgrades, she’s a monster.”
– u/phantom_dive on Reddit
⚡ Speed and Efficiency for Auto Play
Ann often acts before enemies due to her high Agility, which is critical when farming materials or running repeat content on auto. Her reliable AoE ensures fights don’t drag on.
🧩 How Ann Fits Into Core Team Compositions
Pair Ann with:
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Joker (MC) – Her Fire skills complement Joker’s physical and curse arsenal.
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Morgana – Great for healing and Wind-based follow-ups.
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Skull or Yusuke – Helps clean up tougher single targets Ann softens.
She fills a vital role in AoE DPS comps and synergizes well with both support and single-target characters.
🆚 Ann vs. Other Banner Picks – Quick Comparison
| Character | Strengths | Weaknesses | Early Utility |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ann | AoE, Burn, Debuff | Low durability | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
| Yusuke (Fox) | Single-target crits | No AoE, needs gear | ⭐⭐ |
| Makoto | Healing, Buffs | SP heavy, needs support | ⭐⭐⭐ |
| Ryuji (Skull) | Tanky, Physical | Low SP recovery | ⭐⭐ |
Unless you’re aiming for niche strategies, Ann wins for most flexible and impactful pick.
🧭 Final Verdict: Pick Ann First — and Don’t Look Back
Whether you’re a free-to-play player trying to maximize every summon or just want an easier time clearing those first grinds, Ann offers everything you need: power, utility, and longevity. She’s a safe, smart pick — and for many, an essential one.
📣 Community Links & Related Articles
Looking to share your Ann build or get team advice? These are the best spots to connect with fellow Phantom Thieves:
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r/PERSoNA5 – General Persona 5 discussion with active P5X threads
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r/gachagaming – Meta analysis, tier lists, and team theorycrafting
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Persona Channel (Atlus) – Official Japanese hub for Persona series news
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