Let’s be real, when you start Persona 5: The Phantom X, Wonder doesn’t exactly scream “powerhouse.” He’s your default unit, the guy you didn’t have to pull for, and the one that quietly tags along while you focus on flashier characters like Joker or Queen. But here’s the thing: Wonder is always on your team. That alone makes him one of the smartest investments you can make, especially if you’re playing long-term. This guide breaks down exactly how to get the most out of him, from weapon leveling tricks to speed tuning and talent tree must-haves, I’ve got everything here in one place.
Wonder Build Guide
Unlike limited or gacha-locked characters like Joker, Queen, or Fox, Wonder is the one constant in your Phantom Thieves squad. He’s your default unit, but default doesn’t mean disposable. In fact, Wonder is a core part of your team’s success, no matter the meta.
If you build him right, he enables your carries, buffs your team, and delivers consistent value in every fight. If you build him wrong? You’ll feel that gap in every palace and challenge. He may not be flashy, but he’s reliable, adaptable, and absolutely worth the investment.
Weapons: Don’t Stress, Just Progress
Wonder’s weapon system is one of the most forgiving in the game. Why? Because weapon levels carry over, no matter what dagger you use. Level up a common weapon now, and that level sticks when you swap to something better. So don’t get analysis paralysis early on, just invest and keep moving.
Recommended Weapon Pairings & Weapons to Avoid:
- With Haru: Equip daggers that boost side damage (synergizes with her AOE-focused playstyle)
- With Violet: Grab weapons that enhance Bless damage
- Solo Use/General Team: Equip a dagger that boosts the element of Wonder’s current Persona (especially useful if you open with Curse-heavy setups)
Weapons to Avoid? The default dagger from the first palace. It’s fine early, but falls off fast. Replace it ASAP.
Where to Get Weapons
- Palace Milestones: 50% and 100% completion often unlock unique weapons
- In-Game Shops: Use currencies earned from minigames, events, and challenge modes (not premium-only!)
TL;DR: Equip based on team comp. Upgrade when you can. Leveling early weapons is never wasted.
Skill / Talent Tree: Power Through Progression
Unlike most characters who upgrade their Personas directly, Wonder grows through his Talent Tree. It’s vertical, meaning you often need to unlock nodes from top to bottom. In Global, this may follow stricter “1-1-1” or “2-2-2” unlock paths, so plan your route!
Resetting costs 10,000 Soul Stones, so be thoughtful, but don’t be afraid to experiment early.
Talent Priorities
- Bottom Row:
- Two Persona Skill Level nodes – These scale Wonder’s damage and utility the most.
- One More Highlight, melee, and gun nodes also add punch.
- Bottom-Left Node: Adds extra skill effect %, great synergy with Persona abilities.
- Flat Stats (Top Row): HP, ATK, DEF – Build these before percentage boosts.
- % Stats: Stack later for min-maxing.
- Crit Rate / Crit DMG: Optional unless you’re enabling crit teams.
- Hit Rate: Only if you rely on debuffs regularly.
What to Skip
- Healing/Shielding Nodes: Not Wonder’s job.
- Resistance Effect: Very low impact.
Cheat Sheet (or List) for Talent Tree Prioritization
- Persona Skill nodes (bottom)
- Bottom-left skill node
- Flat stats (top-left)
- % Stats (top-right)
- Crit stats (middle)
- Hit Rate (optional)
- Skip healing/shielding unless you’re desperate
Inspiration Points: Fuel for the Tree
You can’t upgrade Wonder’s tree without Inspiration Points (the little lightbulb icons), which come in two types:
- Basic Inspiration (White/Blue Bulbs):
- Earned by unlocking or fusing new Personas in the Compendium.
- Even unused ones give Wonder points (you’ll see a feather icon, tap that to claim them), so start fusing early and often.
- Tip: Fuse everything you can early. Even if you’re not using a Persona in combat, unlocking it grants essential Inspiration Points.
- Advanced Inspiration (Gold Bulbs): These are rarer and tied to key skills in the lower tree. You’ll get them from:
- Palace Progress: Clearing Palaces to 100% (check those reward tracks!)
- Velvet Room Trials: Hit 90 stars in the Velvet Room’s first trial set to unlock all major skill nodes.
- You’ll have what you need to fully unlock Wonder’s best skills, plus gems, weapon dupes, and materials for leveling Wonder to 99.
Tip: Prioritize Persona farming, it’s one of the most efficient ways to strengthen Wonder. It’s a slow burn, but crucial.
Speed Tuning: Buff First, Strike Later
This part trips up a lot of players: Wonder needs to act before your DPS. If Joker hits before Wonder buffs the team, that buff does nothing.
How to Control Speed
- Speed Master (1–4):
- Equip via Persona Inheritance (VIP Services in Velvet Room)
- Inherit from other Personas using coins
- Re-roll if needed to get higher Speed
- Slow Down Teammates:
- Harder to manage, but possible via card loadouts or gear
Goal: Ensure Wonder goes before Joker, Queen, or your main carry. That makes your buffs land when they count.
Wrap-Up
That’s the full breakdown of how I’ve been building Wonder, and trust me, he punches way above his “freebie” status. If you’re just getting into the Global version of P5X or pushing through endgame content, building Wonder right is a game-changer.
He’s not here to carry raw damage, but he’ll make your whole team stronger, more consistent, and smoother to play. Treat him like a cornerstone, not a placeholder. Build him well. Play smart. And remember: sometimes, the best support isn’t the flashiest, it’s the one you can always count on.
Up next, if you’re now wondering (yeah, pun totally intended) how to build a team around Wonder and really unlock his full potential, I’ve got you covered. Check out my full team building guide for Persona 5: The Phantom X, it pairs perfectly with this one and helps you bring the whole squad together.
