Persona 5 has never shied away from delivering complex mechanics and mysterious, yet captivating, gameplay challenges. If you’re an experienced Phantom Thief, you’ve probably crossed paths with the infamous Belphegor, one of the more perplexing aspects of the game. Whether you were brimming with excitement or utter confusion when encountering him, you’re not alone. So, let’s dive into the mystery surrounding Persona 5 Belphegor, break down the issues players face, and discover solutions to conquer this bizarre encounter.

The Belphegor Dilemma: What’s the Deal?
So, who is Belphegor? He’s one of the more bizarre and elusive enemies in Persona 5, especially if you’re dealing with the game’s tougher challenges, like the secret bosses or those tricky moments when you’re trying to fuse the most powerful Personas. As a demon from the realm of Hell, Belphegor isn’t just a run-of-the-mill foe—he embodies the sin of sloth, which means he’ll test your patience and your strategy in ways you might not expect.
Belphegor can be a bit of a nightmare, particularly because of his tricky mechanics and the fact that he doesn’t always play by the usual rules you might expect from other boss encounters. Some players find his moveset to be incredibly punishing, especially if you’re under-leveled or lack the proper preparation. And if you’re playing on harder difficulties or in certain New Game Plus scenarios, Belphegor can easily turn your team’s strategy upside down.
The Impact: How Belphegor Affects Your Gameplay
When it comes to Persona 5, every fight can be a high-stakes affair. But Belphegor? He seems to operate on an entirely different level. His status effects and debuffs can be an absolute nightmare, leaving you with that sinking feeling as you realize your carefully laid plans have gone to waste.
But that’s not all—Belphegor is also known for his ability to lower your team’s morale, making it more difficult to execute critical hits or survive his brutal attacks. Combine this with his wickedly effective abilities that mess with buffs and debuffs, and you’ll soon find yourself on a rollercoaster of strategy and frustration.
For some, the battle with Belphegor marks a point where gameplay feels less like a fun adventure and more like an exercise in managing your mental and emotional stamina. Imagine gearing up with all your best moves, only to see your progress derailed by this relentless force.
Platform-Specific Oddities: Does it Vary?
Interestingly, some players have noted that Belphegor behaves a bit differently depending on the platform they’re playing on. On PlayStation 4, things generally seem to run smoothly, but on PlayStation 5 or other systems, some players have encountered a slight performance drop during these battles, possibly due to the increased graphical load or the occasional bug.

While the problem isn’t widespread, it’s worth noting for those players trying to get the best experience possible. If you happen to notice frame rate drops or any weird lag during these encounters, you might want to try reducing some settings or clearing up system space for a smoother fight.
How to Defeat Belphegor: Tips and Tricks
Now that we’ve broken down the problem, let’s look at how to actually tackle this pesky demon. Defeating Belphegor requires more than just brute strength—it takes a mix of patience, strategy, and the right Persona setup.
1. **Prep for Status Effects:** Belphegor is all about the status effects. Make sure you’re packing items or skills that can cure things like sleep or confusion, because he’ll throw those your way with alarming regularity. The right set of accessories can also make a huge difference.
2. **Target Weaknesses:** Every Persona has its strengths and weaknesses, and Belphegor is no exception. Make sure to use Personas that are strong against physical or magical attacks. You’ll need to hit hard and fast to prevent him from overwhelming you with his own debuffs.
3. **Buff Up Your Team:** Given his ability to remove buffs, it’s essential to keep your team strong. Use buffs that are hard for Belphegor to counteract, and always be prepared to refresh your party’s abilities.
4. **Know When to Retreat:** Sometimes the best way to win is to know when to step back and regroup. If things are going south fast, it’s better to try again rather than waste your precious resources.
What Players Are Saying: The Community Weighs In
The Persona 5 community has a lot to say about Belphegor, with many players sharing their frustrations (and victories!) online. Some express surprise at how easily the fight can go from manageable to utterly chaotic, while others revel in the challenge, calling it a true test of strategy and patience.

“I’ve never been more frustrated with a boss in my life,” one player commented on a popular gaming forum. “But when I finally beat him, it felt like the biggest achievement of the game.”
On the other hand, there are players who find Belphegor to be an intriguing puzzle, enjoying the depth he adds to the game. Whether you’re pulling your hair out or feeling a sense of accomplishment, it’s clear that Belphegor is one of those encounters that can make or break your experience.
Over to You: Have You Encountered Belphegor?
So, how about you? Have you faced off against Belphegor in your Persona 5 playthrough? Did you struggle to find the right strategy, or did you breeze through the encounter with ease? We’d love to hear your experiences. Drop a comment below or share your thoughts on social media. Maybe you’ve found a cheeky trick to dealing with this difficult demon that we didn’t mention!
Conclusion: Perseverance Pays Off
At the end of the day, Belphegor is one of those Persona 5 challenges that tests both your patience and your strategic prowess. But with the right preparation and mindset, he can be overcome, and when you finally emerge victorious, it’ll feel like a well-earned triumph.
So, don’t be discouraged if Belphegor has you on the ropes—take a step back, regroup, and try again. And who knows? You might just unlock one of Persona 5’s most rewarding moments in the process.
Good luck, Phantom Thieves!