Can You Baton Pass In Persona 3 Reload?

Persona 3 Reload is a diligent reimagining of the 2006 classic JRPG, though does it feature one of Persona 5's fan-favorite gameplay mechanics, Baton Pass? In this article, we discuss just that.

Baton Pass in Persona 5 was a game-changer for several reasons. For instance, it gave you a chance to keep your party's turn going, with each subsequent Baton Pass attack being more deadly. When used efficiently, Baton Pass could change the entire flow of the combat. It was also an essential combat tool to use in some cases, especially in the Okumura boss fight in Persona 5 Royal. 

The original Persona 3 and its subsequent spinoffs didn't feature Baton Pass, and we don't blame you for anticipating this revolutionary mechanic in Persona 3 Reload, especially since Atlus wants players to feel like it's an entirely new game in the Persona series instead of a copy-paste remake of a 17 year-old video game. 

Does Persona 3 Reload Feature Baton Pass? Answered

No, Persona 3 Reload doesn't feature Baton Pass. However, it introduces a similar mechanic called Shift. Like Baton Pass, dealing weakness damage to an enemy gives you an extra chance. You can use this to attack enemies yourself or pass it via Shift to one of your party members to deal increased damage. 

You can use Shift to pass around extra attacks until all three party members have had the chance to use it. The final Shift attack deals the maximum amount of damage, so use it wisely.  Like Baton Pass, you can't shift the extra chance to the character who started it. 

Shift also has a different animation style than Baton Pass. You don't high-five your party members. Instead, you point toward their direction to Shift the attack. Personally, we prefer the former, but the latter makes more sense for Persona 3, given the dynamics of the party.