Persona 4 Golden adds in many new features to the original PlayStation 2 RPG classic. This includes new characters, events, and content. Among the most elusive is the difficult battle with the Velvet Room attendant, Margaret. Not only do you need to complete the game once and be on a New Game Plus playthrough, but you also need to fully be on the path to the True Ending. The Persona series is already known for having punishing optional boss fights against supportive characters, and Margaret is by no means an exception.

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Not only are the requirements to unlock the battle mysterious and meticulous, but the encounter itself will also prove to be arduous. Margaret has many offensive attacks, healing capabilities, and other nasty tricks. There will be certain tactics to keep in mind, along with good preparation and a bit of luck.

Unlocking the Margaret Boss Fight in Persona 4 Golden

Persona 4 Golden Margaret Conversation

As mentioned previously, Margaret can only be fought during New Game Plus. If you are in your first playthrough, she will not issue a challenge even if you complete all other tasks. Next, you need to have already met the requirements to gain the True Ending before reaching March 30.

One of the other main requirements is entering previous dungeons and defeating secret bosses located in the final rooms. Each one only appears after a certain date and all must be beaten before the first day of February. The bosses, locations, and dates are as follows:

  • Contrarian King, Yukiko’s Castle, May 1 or after
  • Intolerant Officer, Steamy Bathhouse, June 7 or after
  • Momentary Child, Marukyu, July 12 or after
  • Escapist Soldier, Void Quest, August 13 or after
  • Extreme Vessel, Secret Lab, October 6 or after
  • Lost Okina, Heaven, November 20 or after

In addition to this, you also need to max out the Empress Social Link. Margaret will always be in the Velvet Room, so head there to work on her Social Link. There is only a short window to do this, starting on March 3. To make this task less stressful, it is best to have the requirements in hand far in advance. In most cases, Margaret will ask for a Persona that knows skills they can’t naturally learn via leveling. This means you will often need to create a fusion Persona from others that actually have such abilities. Here is everything needed to reach rank 10 Empress:

  • Player character must have level 3 Knowledge
  • Have a Ippon-Datara that knows Sukukaja
  • Have a Matador that knows Mahama
  • Have a Gdon that knows Rampage
  • Have a Neko Shogun that knows Bufula
  • Have a Black Frost that knows Auto Sukukaja
  • Have a Yatagarasu that knows Megido
  • Have a Yatufusa that knows Mediarama
  • Have a Ganesha that knows Tetrakarn
  • Have a Trumpeter that knows Mind Charge

Now, progress along the storyline until Igor gives you the Orb of Sight. Re-enter the Velvet Room, and if all four requirements were achieved, Margaret will hand you an Aqua Invitation and challenge you to a brawl at the end of Heaven. Head there and get ready for one of the hardest fights in Persona 4 Golden.

Winning the Margaret Boss Fight in Persona 4 Golden

Persona 4 Golden Margaret In Game

As this is one of the hardest challenges in the game, you want to be as powerful as possible. Any team you bring should be as close to max level; in most cases, it is advised to not even attempt this fight until you are at least level 80 or more. Be sure to have lots of curative items. Buy or save up Macca Leaves, Bead Chains, Soma, Soul Food, Sentou Fruit, Balm of Life, and anything else that restores HP and SP. You will also want to farm equipment dropped by the Grim Reaper boss, who is already a reoccurring staple of the Persona franchise.

In addition, have a dedicated healer like maxed Social Link Yukiko with Sumeo Okami, Personas such as Ishtar or Kohryu, or fused Persona that have Samarecarm and Salvation. For offense focus on physical damage, as Margaret has rotating elemental resistance. This means having a Persona like Yoshitsune, maxed Social Link Chie with Haraedo no Okami, and Kanji with Takeji Zaiten.

Margaret has a huge gambit of attacks. She can deal massive Fire, Ice, Wind, Electric, and Almighty damage to one character or the whole party. She can also Mind Charge or Power Charge to double the output of her next attack. Whenever she casts an elemental spell, she will acquire drain for that element; absolutely avoid using the corresponding attacks or you will outright heal Margaret by huge amounts.

Margaret can always act twice, making her extremely deadly. You are working against the clock, as every 50 turns she will use a special Megidolaon, instantly dealing max damage and causing a game over unless you have auto revival. The first time you deal 12,500 damage she will recover to full health, but after the second 12,500 she will no longer use the upgraded Megidolaon.

The trick will be to buff your stats right at the start of the fight, while also debuffing Margaret. Power Charge yourself often and utilize physical attacks like Primal Force and Hassou Tobi. Defend after Margaret uses Mind Charge and heal accordingly.

As with any encounter, winning this boss fight will have some randomness. But, with proper strategy and perseverance Margaret will eventually fall.

Next: Persona 5: Beginner Tips & Tricks

Persona 4 Golden is available now on PS Vita and PC.