The Hermit Social Link inPersona 3 Reloadis unusual for a number of reasons. First, you end up building a relationship with someone you never truly meet in person. Second, everything about the Social Link isa reference toPersona 2: Innocent Sin.
The Hermit can be a hard link to boost thanks to the limited days that Maya is available on, but it’s well worth your time. Not only does Maya providesome remarkable insight into Gekkoukan High School, but she’s also the only way to unlock the Devil Social Link.
General Information
The Hermit Arcana represents a wise person, but also someone who withdraws from public life and isolates themselves from others. Meeting someone through an online game would seem to fit this isolation, but Maya also fits the description in her personal life.
To start the Hermit Social Link, you have towait until 4/29,which is when the dorm’s internet connection goes back up. On the day before, 4/28, Junpei gives the protagonist a copy of an old MMORPG,Innocent Sin. Starting on 4/29, you can use the desk in the protagonist’s room during the day (assuming you can get inside the dorm without the day ending) to playInnocent Sinand initiate the Hermit link.
After the first day,you may only advance the Hermit link on Sundays and holidays. This means you can’t meet with Maya during most of summer break, even though the days are red on the calendar. This also means you shouldn’t accept every hangout invite you get, since you’ll need to spend some of your days off playingInnocent Sin.
Like other Social Links, what you say determines how fast you’re able to advance the relationship. You may have to spend one session hanging out with Maya without advancing the Social Link, but you can otherwise get through this link quickly by holding a Hermit Persona and choosing the best responses listed below.
Hermit Rank 1
The protagonist logs ontoInnocent Sinfor the first time and meets a fellow player. She takes pity on the newbie and suggests he call himself Tatsuya, and she renames herself Maya to match. (For reference, Tatsuya and Maya are the main protagonists ofPersona 2: Innocent Sinand its direct sequel,Eternal Punishment. The events of the game were undone by its ending, but presumably enough memory of it remainedto inspire an MMORPG.)
Chooseany dialogue options you want,since you won’t get any points until the rank 2 event.
Hermit Rank 2
Maya’s happy to see the protagonist back again, though she gripes about spending the day indoors. Choose the following responses:
Hermit Rank 3
Maya is drinking and gaming, and her spelling is even worse than normal. Choose the replies below:
Hermit Rank 4
Maya’s mother is bothering her about not being married yet, and she mentions seeing a sketchy-looking man at Paulownia Mall. This unlocks access to the Devil Social Link, althoughyou’ll also need Charm 4for the man to take notice of you.
Hermit Rank 5
This time Maya is complaining about her coworker, whom she only calls “Mr. E.” In the process, she reveals more about her job than she intended.
The fifth answer is another reference, because Maya inPersona 2is a reporter.
Hermit Rank 6
Maya continues complaining about Mr. E, along with the time she spends at the gym to stay fit.
Hermit Rank 7
Maya starts wondering whether she’s just too old to fall in love, and she complains about a fellow teacher who somehow keeps her youthful looks.
Hermit Rank 8
In a complete reversal from last time, Maya admits she has a crush on a student, and in the process she revealsher real-world identity and the identity of her crush.
Hermit Rank 9
TheInnocent Sindevelopers announce the end of the game’s support. Maya isn’t happy, and pledges to send her chat logs to the developersto prove the game’s importance.
Hermit Rank 10
After reviewing the chat logs, Maya realizes she’s been spending her free hours complaining about everything. She resolves to change her ways, and her first step is to quitInnocent Sineven before the servers shut down. The points no longer matter, sochoose the responses you like.
Your reward for completing the Hermit Social Link is the key item Screenshot Data. This unlocks access to Arahabaki, the ultimate Hermit Persona. you may carry this item into New Game Plus to keep permanent access to this Persona.
