Progressing through the Strength Confidant in Persona 5 Royal requires players to complete specific fusion tasks given by the Velvet Room twin wardens, Caroline and Justine. One of the early major roadblocks players encounter is the request to create Neko Shogun possessing the specialized support ability Dekaja. This task can feel quite intimidating because none of the standard base ingredients naturally carry the necessary skill at their default levels without deliberate mechanical planning.
Understanding the Advanced Fusion Requirements
Unlike standard cross fusions that only require two entities, Neko Shogun belongs to the advanced multi-persona fusion category. You will need to unlock the group fusion mechanic in the Velvet Room to combine three separate entities simultaneously. The recipe explicitly demands Kodama of the Star Arcana, Sudama of the Hermit Arcana, and Anzu of the Hierophant Arcana.
Gathering the components involves exploring the early layers of Mementos or negotiating during dynamic Palace infiltrations. If you have already secured these entities previously, summoning them directly from the Compendium remains the fastest option. Ensuring you meet the level requirements for Joker is also necessary before attempting this advanced execution.
Inheriting the Essential Dekaja Skill
The primary puzzle of this specific request is ensuring that your final creation inherits Dekaja, an ability that removes all stat buffs from every active enemy. Neither Kodama nor Sudama possesses this tool natively, meaning the burden falls entirely on preparing a customized version of Anzu. When Anzu reaches level twenty-eight through active battle experience or Confidant burst points, it naturally unlocks the desired support spell.
An alternative method involves utilizing a skill card if you happen to receive one during your daily explorations or itemization tasks. However, leveling up Anzu remains the most reliable and cost-effective approach for standard playthroughs. Once Anzu secures the ability, simply select it during the final inheritance prompt in the Velvet Room menu.
Alternative Skill Sourcing Strategies
If you prefer not to grind your Hierophant level, you can trace the ability back through a chain of preliminary combinations. For instance, fusing a high-level Flauros that already knows the skill with a Nekomata will result in an Anzu that inherits the move early. This prevents you from spending additional time grinding in dangerous dungeons just for a single support option.
Another excellent path involves maximizing your relationship with other Arcana characters to boost your fusion experience rewards. Using the Velvet Room network effectively allows you to bypass extensive combat cycles entirely. Players can explore various community strategies to find the perfect pathing for their specific game state and current Compendium completion rate.
Utilizing Neko Shogun in Tactical Combat
Once you present the finished product to Caroline and Justine, your Strength Confidant rank will instantly advance. Beyond fulfilling this specific rank requirement, this particular Star entity serves as an exceptional utility asset for mid-game party lineups. Its natural resistances and diverse support kit provide excellent survivability during difficult boss encounters.
Keeping Dekaja available in your active loadout ensures that bosses cannot overwhelm your thieves with massive stat enhancements. Having a dedicated support platform allows Joker to flex into offensive roles without losing control of the battlefield pacing. Proper planning transforms a simple checklist task into a powerful tactical advantage for the long journey ahead.
