← All game guides
System

HIGHLIGHT Charge Mechanism

By AbsolRoot

The HIGHLIGHT charge mechanism is one of the most important elements, yet it is not explained in-game.

Gauge Values

  • Each Thief action charges the gauge by a base of 17%.
  • Hitting a Weakness charges the gauge by 21% (+4%).
  • If that action triggers ONE MORE or an extra action, and the weakness is hit during that, an additional +4% gauge is charged.

Actions that do not count as a Thief action—such as HIGHLIGHT, All-Out Attack, or Navi Thief actions—do not affect the charge.

Only effects from consuming one action, such as normal attacks, Persona skills, guarding, using items, or gun attacks, will affect HIGHLIGHT gauge charge.

In the past, enemy attacks were also counted, allowing strange strategies like getting hit again by Weakness, but the mechanism has since been simplified. (=This is why old strategies no longer work.)

***

Other Notes

  • If you start the battle with 25% gauge from a Revelation card, you must hit Weakness twice in order to use HIGHLIGHT on the first Thief's turn in round 2.
(25% + 21% + 21% + 17% + 17% = 101%)
  • Additional turn actions, such as those by JOKER or QUEEN, can also charge HIGHLIGHT.
  • The charge cannot exceed 100%.
  • After using HIGHLIGHT, the same character cannot use it again until they have taken 4 more actions.
(If HIGHLIGHT is used before that character’s action in Turn 2, it can be used again in Turn 6.)
  • Wonder’s HIGHLIGHT turn varies depending on the Persona’s Role.
(Personas with the Medic, Defense, and Strategist roles share the same effect, so they also share the same cooldown.)