Should You Reroll in P5X? | A Practical Guide to Gacha, Pity, and Progress in Persona 5: The Phantom X

✅ TL;DR: Rerolling is optional but strategic. Know your limits before diving in.

If you’re eyeing Persona 5: The Phantom X (P5X) and wondering whether you should reroll to start with a strong unit—like the iconic Joker—you’re not alone. Rerolling is a common tactic in gacha games to start off with a top-tier character, but in P5X, that strategy comes with heavy time costs, low pull rates, and even device-based limits.

While rerolling can be rewarding, the game’s design doesn’t make it essential. In fact, trying to force the perfect start may leave you burnt out before the game even begins.

Let’s unpack the realities, trade-offs, and smarter ways to approach early progress in P5X.

🔍 Context: Why rerolling feels necessary (but isn’t always)

P5X launched globally with high expectations, especially from long-time Persona fans. The inclusion of characters like Joker and Mona in the gacha pool—rather than as free unlocks—immediately sparked reroll discussions across Reddit, Discord, and gaming forums.

Many players hoped to secure Joker right away, either due to nostalgia or raw power. But the actual conditions make that goal pretty steep:

🎲 Joker’s pull rate: ~0.4–0.6%
⏱️ One reroll = ~10 minutes
📱 100 reroll limit per device
💀 No guarantee even with dozens of tries

As HardcoreGamer and ASCII.jp noted, even with soft or hard pity systems in place, you’re likely to fail unless you get lucky early. And since P5X limits reroll attempts per device, this isn’t your average “spam reroll till you win” game.

🧠 Developer Intent: Rerolling isn’t required

In an interview with Denfaminicogamer, developers emphasized they don’t want players to feel forced to reroll. Instead:

The main story provides free characters like Rin and Ann early on.
Beginner missions give extra resources and pulls.
Core progression is designed to be accessible without rare characters.

Their aim is to make rerolling optional—something for the dedicated, not mandatory for everyone.

📊 Gacha Mechanics Breakdown (from HardcoreGamer)

Hard pity ensures a ★5 pull after a certain number of tries—but it’s high (upwards of 90–100 pulls).
Soft pity begins boosting your odds slightly as you approach that number.
Contracts (banners) rotate and include limited-time units like Joker or support characters.

So unless you’re dumping massive time into resets—or spending money—you’re unlikely to start with a ★5 of your choice. And that’s okay.

💬 Real Player Reactions (2025 Highlights)

From blog posts, forums, and Q&A sites, three recurring emotional responses emerge:

“10 minutes per reroll and still no Joker? I gave up after 3 hours.”
— Nyanpaul.com
“The 100 reroll cap makes it feel like a trap. If you don’t get him early, it’s over.”
— ASCII.jp
“Honestly, I just used the beginner missions to build a team. Works fine so far.”
— Yahoo! Japan Answers

The takeaway? Players want the perfect start, but most eventually settle for a good-enough one.

💡 Smarter Strategies: What to actually do

Instead of chasing ultra-low pull rates for days, here’s what works better:

✅ Use the beginner rewards wisely

You can often do 1–2 ten-pulls after the tutorial using free currency. If you pull a strong ★4 or decent ★5 support, that’s a great starting point.

✅ Play until first pity or pickup banner

If you like the game, you’ll soon reach enough pulls for soft pity. Saving currency for a future banner with your favorite character is often better than rerolling now.

✅ Focus on progression, not perfection

With a functional team, you can unlock more content, collect better gear, and prepare for higher-value banners in future updates.

🧩 Why the reroll debate matters emotionally

Rerolling in gacha games isn’t just about power—it’s about identity. Your first pull becomes your “main character,” shaping your early playstyle and memories. That’s why so many players struggle to move forward without their dream unit.

But when rerolling becomes a barrier to entry, it defeats the purpose.

✅ Final Thoughts: Reroll if it motivates you—not if it stresses you

P5X gives you options, not obligations. If pulling Joker on your first day gives you joy—go for it. But don’t let a 0.4% chance keep you from enjoying the story, characters, and atmosphere this game offers.

Sometimes, the best Persona journey starts not with who you pull, but how you play.