Masaki Ashiya (Cherish) Guide: Mastering the Phantom Idol in Persona 5: The Phantom X

Hey everyone, it's 2025, and I'm super excited to dive deep into one of the most anticipated characters in Persona 5: The Phantom X—Masaki Ashiya, also known as the Phantom Idol Cherish. As the newest five-star Guardian unit introduced back in Version 2.5, he's been a game-changer for players looking to build sturdy, defense-oriented teams. I've spent a lot of time testing him out, and I can confidently say that if you love tanks who provide incredible shields and taunt effects, Cherish is your go-to guy. He scales with Defense, deals Ice damage, and can even freeze enemies, making him a versatile pick for both new and veteran players. What really sets him apart is his role as the first and only premium Guardian, offering unique buffs and debuffs that complement units like Fox and Puppet. Let's break down everything you need to know to master Cherish and his Main Persona, Amalthea.

First things first, before you start pouring resources into leveling Cherish and Amalthea, it's crucial to understand their core abilities. Masaki Ashiya is obtained through the gacha system in Version 2.5, and he specializes in providing steady shield coverage and taunt effects. His Main Persona, Amalthea, is key to maximizing his support role. I remember when I first got him; his ability to automatically boost his teammates' Defense and Effect Resistance whenever he casts shields was a total lifesaver in tough battles. He also gives bonuses like reduced damage taken and extra Down Points, which prevent your party from getting knocked out easily. If you're running a defense-focused team, Cherish is non-negotiable—he pairs perfectly with Fox, who also scales on Defense.

Now, let's talk about upgrading Amalthea's skills. I've found that prioritizing Winter Fortress and Hoarfrost Vow is the way to go. Maxing out Winter Fortress first is a no-brainer—it not only boosts shield values but also grants that bonus Down Point, which is essential for survival against enemies targeting elemental weaknesses. Next, focus on Hoarfrost Vow; this skill significantly ramps up your main DPS's Defense (think Fox) and adds heavier shields, plus a taunt effect that draws enemy fire away from your supports. After those two, invest in Frost Vines for its Ice damage and damage-taken debuff, and Thief Tactics to enhance barrier effects and reduce party damage. Here's a quick priority list I follow:

• 🔥 Winter Fortress (Top priority for shields and survivability)

• ❄️ Hoarfrost Vow (Great for taunt and Defense boosts)

• 🌿 Frost Vines (Useful for debuffs and Freeze chance)

• 🛡️ Thief Tactics (Improves overall damage mitigation)

When it comes to skill rotations, I switch between two main strategies depending on my team composition. For a debuff-focused setup, alternate Winter Fortress every other turn for shields, then use Frost Vines to deal damage and apply Freeze. This works wonders with attack-scaling DPS like Skull. If you need more taunt effects, start with Winter Fortress to shield everyone, then cast Hoarfrost Vow on your main DPS—this is ideal for teams with Fox or Puppet, as it ensures enemies focus on your tankier units.

Awareness skills are where Cherish really shines if you're willing to invest duplicates. I highly recommend unlocking Floriography: Freesia first—it gives a party-wide Pierce Rate buff and lowers the requirement for his Garden of Promises state. Next, go for Floriography: Gerbera, which now includes a Critical Damage boost in the global version. At Awareness Level 2, shields even convert to HP recovery! For the dedicated players, pushing to Level 6 for True-Hearted Friendship adds a Critical Rate buff when Poise is active. But if you're free-to-play, sticking with his first Awareness skill or his five-star weapon, Spina Sacramenti, is still solid—the weapon boosts damage for shielded allies, which synergizes beautifully.

Revelation cards are another area I've tweaked a lot. For Cherish, Defense Percentage is king on both Space and Heaven cards. I run the Faith and Peace set as his best-in-slot; it offers balanced defensive buffs and shield boosts, perfect for Fox-led teams. If you're on a budget, the Acceptance and Peace combo works well for early game content. Aim for these substats:

• SP Percentage (for skill spam)

• HP Percentage (extra survivability)

• Speed (to control turn order)

• Pierce Rate/Ailment Accuracy (to enhance damage and Freeze chances)

Weapon-wise, if you can swing it, Spina Sacramenti is Cherish's signature five-star Longsword—it amps up his Defense and Ice damage per Knight's Protection shield. For a more accessible option, the four-star Spina Caritatis provides shield boosts that increase when allies' HP drops. Don't forget about Wonder's daggers too! I like All-In for party Defense and healing, or Ex Machina for Ice damage boosts. The Arc Knife is great for debuffing, while Glacial Entity focuses on Ice synergies.

Teammates are where Cherish's versatility really pops. He's a beast with Defense-scaling DPS like Fox, but he also supports others like Skull or Joker with his damage-taken debuffs. In later versions, he pairs amazingly with Mont Figure Skater and Mitsuru Kirijo for mono-Ice teams. For supports, characters like Moko or Rin amplify his debuffs, while healers like Marian add extra layers of safety. Here's a quick table of my favorite teammates by role:

In summary, adding Cherish to your roster is a game-winning move. He's not just a tank; he's a full-support powerhouse who elevates any team with his shields, taunts, and buffs. As Persona 5: The Phantom X evolves, he only gets better with new teammates. So, if you're aiming for top-tier survivability in content like Velvet Trials or Astrolabe, invest in Masaki Ashiya—you won't regret it!