This is a NG+ run that I recently completed. While I feel that the run itself is sloppy all around with many minor mistakes (my first RPG speedrun so menuing is not the best), I still feel this is a good representation of what NG+ would look like.

While setting up for these runs, I came across a few thoughts in regards to NG+ runs in general and potential rules.

• First and foremost, DLC. I think that DLC personas should be allowed. When min/maxing out stats, I believe the DLCs are about the same level as the high level personas; the only exception I see might be Kaguya only because she is low level so you can sculpt her how you want, and she nulls holy/curse. I'm still building her up so I can test her, but I think it won't make too much of a difference.
• On the subject of DLC, I'm on the fence on whether looking at the box to get the healing items should be allowed. Getting healing items from the doctor should be sufficient enough, and you can simply make coffees if you're SP heavy.
• DLC accessories should be fine since there are much better ones anyway.
• I believe skills gained from network fusion should be allowed. If people take the time to get them, more power to them.
• Network connectivity in general should be turned off however. Shouldn't need it anyway.

That's all I got for now. If you have any questions, I'll try to answer them best I can. Thanks.

There's no point in deviating from DLC restrictions of the actual run of the game. Every DLC should still be banned. It's not so much about "better" or "worse" accessories. It's about the fact that those accessories are otherwise unavailable to obtain. Same goes for DLC Personas, obviously.

Other than that. I personally don't care for NG+ runs as I think they're pointless, but from what I saw when skimming through some of the palaces is that some of your treasure routes are barely faster or actually even slower than the True End run on hard mode. Which is another reason why I personally dislike NG+ runs. They're always quite unoptimized and usually stay that way because no one really cares for them. Of course, everyone's free to do what they want to, but if you're already spending 14 hours on 1-shotting enemies with Hassou Tobi, could probably consider just spending the extra 4 hours on learning the actual game's run at that point.

But that's the big reason why I can't do NG runs. I can barely put in 14 hours in one sitting for NG+, and tacking on another 4+ hours is basically impossible for me. Otherwise, I would take the time to learn the NG route, as I agree that NG+ isn't the most exciting of the two modes.

As for the treasure routes, they're most likely not the best routes, so I can't really say they're "optimized". I'm still figuring them out as I do these runs.

Thanks for the feedback.

Also, I still think that NG+ should be a category here, regardless of personal preference. I am willing to work on the route and improve on the game in general, but if people are marking it as "pointless" and "boring", then it takes a lot of wind out of motivating myself to improve. I would love to hear other people's opinion on it as well.

Personally, I do not care for NG+ because I just don't find it interesting.

However, NG+ is an easy entry barrier into the series. Persona 5 is pretty much at its peak of popularity right now, give it a year and all interest from most people besides the hardcore fans of speedrunning these titles will be lost. It's pretty much as like Nightbarrel put it, most people simply are not gonna put the time into running these games on New Game. Only the incredibly stubborn people, and I know because I am one of those people, will stick around and actually give it a go unless they had some interest in New Game to begin with. Someone who wants to run NG+ is probably far more likely to optimize NG+ than even bothering to try optimize NG if they've been sorta half-forced into it.

Put side by side, NG+ would be more popular for a game such as this, that much is pretty undeniable. Though whilst I personally find NG+ boring and won't touch it, it would probably be a missed opportunity to bring more people into this series;

I initially decided to try go for the difficulty switching run before I just gave in and decided to route Hard, True End because I felt at some point this games difficulty variable was gonna be weeded out. Whether that will happen or was planned to happen, I don't know, but it was an impression I got.

Either way if you want to run NG+, run NG+. Contact a few other people interested in it and compare your times together. This will be my only post on this because I'm at the point where arguing leaderboard politics simply makes the process of speedrunning more of a hassle than it is worth. Just thought I would say what I thought since NightBarrel wanted additional comments.

Additionally, on the subject of DLC and Network fusion, my thoughts:

DLC should remain banned with the exception of voice DLC. Network fusions and abilities should remain banned. Anything that affects gameplay that is based on internet connectivity and the longevity of PSN servers for PS3/4 is a bad idea.