The Brutal Cavalryman in Persona 5 is one of the early mini-boss encounters that often takes new players by surprise. Appearing in Kamoshida’s Palace, this enemy is intimidating not only because of its design and power, but also due to its high defense and offensive capabilities. Understanding its weaknesses and crafting the right strategy is crucial to overcoming this challenge without wasting precious SP or risking defeat. To make progress efficiently in the Palace and conserve your team’s energy, exploiting the Brutal Cavalryman’s specific weakness is a key part of smart gameplay.
Who is the Brutal Cavalryman?
Location and Role in Kamoshida’s Palace
The Brutal Cavalryman appears as a powerful shadow in the early stages of Persona 5, specifically inside Kamoshida’s Palace. This mini-boss is represented by the Persona Berith, a fiery knight riding a horse, and he’s one of the tougher enemies you’ll face early in the game. As the game introduces you to the mechanics of turn-based combat and enemy weaknesses, this encounter acts as both a challenge and a tutorial on how to effectively identify and exploit elemental vulnerabilities.
Visual and Persona Representation
Brutal Cavalryman is a manifestation of the Persona Berith, which is often associated with the Hierophant Arcana. It rides a burning steed and is clad in red armor, exuding a fearsome aura that makes the encounter feel intense. The design is meant to signal that this is no ordinary enemy, but one that requires deliberate tactics to defeat.
Brutal Cavalryman Weakness in Persona 5
Elemental Weakness: Ice
The most important piece of information in this encounter is the Brutal Cavalryman’s weakness to Ice attacks. Using Bufu or other Ice-based skills is the most efficient way to knock him down and initiate a Baton Pass. This opens up the opportunity for an All-Out Attack, which is essential for taking down his relatively high HP without using too many resources.
- Weakness: Ice (Bufu)
- Resistance: Fire
- Skill used by Brutal Cavalryman: Agi (Fire attack)
Why Ice Attacks Work Best
Brutal Cavalryman uses Fire-based attacks like Agi, which makes Ice an ideal counter in both offensive and defensive terms. If your party includes a Persona with Bufu, like Jack Frost or Silky, you can easily hit his weakness and create the momentum needed to control the fight. Joker, the protagonist, can equip a Persona with Ice skills before initiating combat to ensure you’re ready from the first turn.
Best Strategy to Defeat Brutal Cavalryman
Bring an Ice-User
Make sure Joker has a Persona with Bufu or another Ice skill. This is especially critical because your party members may not yet have access to elemental variety this early in the game. Equipping the right Persona allows you to exploit his weakness and initiate a Baton Pass or All-Out Attack regularly.
Manage SP and Turns Effectively
Since Brutal Cavalryman has high HP for an early enemy, relying purely on physical attacks can take too long and burn through your party’s HP. Using Ice attacks to knock him down shortens the fight and saves resources. Use Baton Pass to transfer turns to stronger attackers and maximize damage after exploiting the weakness.
Watch for His Fire Attacks
Brutal Cavalryman casts Agi, a low-level Fire attack, which can do significant damage to Morgana or other allies weak to Fire. Keep an eye on their HP and consider using Guard on turns when healing isn’t possible. You can also bring a Persona resistant to Fire to reduce incoming damage.
Use Debuffs or Buffs
If your party has access to skills like Rakukaja (defense buff) or Tarunda (attack debuff), these can help you reduce the impact of Brutal Cavalryman’s attacks. While not necessary, these skills can give you a safety net during longer encounters or if you’re playing on a harder difficulty.
Recommended Personas for the Fight
Silky
Silky is a good early Persona with access to Bufu. You can fuse her from other low-level Personas or recruit her during early palace explorations. Her Ice attack is key to exploiting the Brutal Cavalryman’s weakness efficiently.
Jack Frost
While not always available very early, Jack Frost is an excellent Ice Persona that becomes accessible a bit later. If you’re replaying or have access to him early, he makes the fight much easier with powerful Ice spells.
Pixie + Bufu Fusion
If you have access to Persona fusion, you might consider creating a Pixie with Bufu through skill inheritance. This gives Joker flexibility while retaining healing skills, providing both offense and support in the battle.
Other Tips to Win the Encounter
- Save your game before the encounter to retry if needed.
- Target the weakness on the first turn to set the tone of the battle.
- Use Baton Pass smartly to transfer turns to Joker or your strongest attacker.
- Use healing items if Morgana runs low on SP or gets knocked out by Fire skills.
- Guard with any character who is weak to Fire when Brutal Cavalryman charges his next move.
Don’t Rush the Fight
Rushing into battle without preparation can result in a wipe. Make sure your team is healed, Joker has the right Persona equipped, and you know the mechanics of Baton Pass and weaknesses. One well-timed Ice attack can turn the tide in your favor.
Why Knowing Weaknesses Matters in Persona 5
Persona 5’s combat system revolves around identifying and exploiting enemy weaknesses. Each encounter is designed to reward strategy over brute force. Knowing the Brutal Cavalryman’s weakness is just one example of how important it is to study your enemies. Battles become easier, more efficient, and far more enjoyable when you play with precision. This principle applies throughout the game, especially in boss battles and high-level enemy encounters.
Progressing After the Fight
Defeating the Brutal Cavalryman is a key moment in Kamoshida’s Palace. It helps players understand the flow of Persona 5’s combat and prepares them for tougher challenges ahead. Once you’ve passed this mini-boss, continue exploring the Palace, recruit new Personas, and unlock stronger abilities for your party. Always remember to save your progress frequently and rotate Personas to keep your strategies flexible.
The Brutal Cavalryman in Persona 5 may seem like a daunting opponent at first, but understanding his Ice weakness turns the battle into a manageable challenge. With the right Persona equipped and a clear plan, this early mini-boss becomes an excellent lesson in the game’s core mechanics. Use this encounter to sharpen your tactics, prepare your team, and master the art of exploiting weaknesses skills that will serve you well as the story of the Phantom Thieves unfolds.