Persona 4 Golden: Athletes (Strength) social link choices & unlock guide
Every social link in Persona 4 Golden is slightly different, but one of the more unique ones is the Strength Social Link because it branches - it can be with two characters, Daisuke Nagase or Kou Ichijo.
Your choice of character for this s-link depends on if you join the school Basketball Team or the Soccer Team. Each character has its own set of s-link ranks and conversation choices to level up the relationship.
If you want more of this kind of thing, be sure to check out our full P4G Social Link choices guide, which details the conversation options for every character.
Persona 4 Golden Athletes / Strength Social Link Guide
This page differs from our other social link guides for Persona 4 Golden in that it’s split in two. One half covers the Daisuke social link and the other covers the Kou social link, the two of which are fairly different.
The guide still features all of the social link ranks and conversation choices, presented in as spoiler-free a manner as possible.
The points next to each answer show how many bonus points you get towards ranking up your s-link from each answer. These values are based on when you have a bonus from having an Arcana of the matching type - Strength - equipped when hanging out with these characters.
- Daisuke and Kou are available on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Saturday and Sunday, but not on rainy days.
- It's worth noting that the Strength social link is a gateway to three missable books - you have to be certain ranks at certain times to get them. We list the full details on our page all about Persona 4 Golden books and how to get them.
- If you want to know more about the choice between Kou and Daisuke, we've got a guide page which details Basketball vs Soccer as a choice and what to expect.
Rank 1:
- To start the Social Link, regardless of if it’s with Kou (Basketball Club) or Daisuke (Soccer Club), you’ll need to visit the head office and speak to your teacher on or after April 19. This unlocks school clubs.
- Once clubs are unlocked, head to the Learning Building 1F. You can join one sporting club: Basketball Club (which leads to Kou as the Strength Social Link) or Soccer Club (which leads to Daisuke as the Strength Social Link).
- Depending on which club you pick, the conversations on each rank will be different, even though you’ll get to know both characters. We list both below.
Daisuke Nagase (Soccer Club) S-Link Guide - Strength
Rank 1 > 2:
Choices that impact your relationship this rank:
- Hey. Tear down the goals and clean up before you leave, alright?
- “Got it.” [Understanding Raised]
- Still, it went pretty fast with three people.
- “Thanks for the help.” +2
Rank 2 > 3:
Choices that impact your relationship this rank:
-
This rank up is entirely automatic once you hang out.
Rank 3 > 4:
Choices that impact your relationship this rank:
- Whatever… girls are a pain in the ass, right?
- “Right on.” +2
Rank 4 > 5:
Choices that impact your relationship this rank:
- Kou is also beaming like it’s all thanks to him...
- “I’m just getting warmed up.” +3
- “Thanks guys.” +2
Rank 5 > 6:
Choices that impact your relationship this rank:
- I have to do some family stuff today, though. Would next time be okay?
- “Anything for you guys.” +3 (Level 4 Understanding required)
- “No problem.” +2
Rank 6 > 7:
Choices that impact your relationship this rank:
- I have to do the class record today, so don’t wait up for me.
- Either Answer.
- Tell you what, we’ll talk over mapo rice. My treat!
- “Sounds good.” +3
- You think it could be related…?
- “Could be.” +3
- What do you think?
- “We’ve got a problem.” +3
- Kou is looking at you expectantly…
- “Count me in.” +3
Rank 7 > 8:
Choices that impact your relationship this rank:
- The quarrel starts to escalate...
- “Stop them.” +3
- You got that?! It’s my life! You guys have nothing to do with it.
- Either Answer.
- You can be pretty sincere when you want to, Daisuke.
- “That’s his charm.” +3
Rank 8 > 9:
Choices that impact your relationship this rank:
- I wonder if she’s as stuck in the past as I am...
- “Could be.” +3
- “I don’t know.” +3
Rank 9 > 10:
Choices that impact your relationship this rank:
-
All choices are neutral.
When your Daisuke/Soccer (Strength) s-link hits the rank of 10, you’ll get the Spike Brush key item. That’ll let you fuse Zanou-Gongen.
Kou Ichijo (Basketball Club) S-Link Guide - Strength
Rank 1 > 2:
Choices that impact your relationship this rank:
- Hey, Aiya or Junes? You decide.
- “Junes.” +3
- “Aiya.” +3
- “Let’s go home.” +2
- Well, I do like me some sweets…
- “I’m jealous.” +2
- You like sweets? Want me to get you some, too?
- “Sure.” +2
- “That’s okay.” +2
Rank 2 > 3:
Choices that impact your relationship this rank:
- ...I want you to help him out.
- “Just tell me how.” +3
- She calls it “barbaric”.
- “But it’s just a sport…” +2
- “I can see that.” +2
- So… I want you to help him out.
- “Leave it to me.” +3
- “What can I do?” +2
Rank 3 > 4:
Choices that impact your relationship this rank:
- Just the other day I was greeting people at one of those high society gatherings. Can you imagine? Me at one of those things?
- “It’s hard to imagine.” +2
- “I can see that.” +2
- Kou tries to sound cheerful...
- “That’s good for you.” +2
- “Cheer up, man.” +2
Rank 4 > 5:
Choices that impact your relationship this rank:
- Hey. Practice over already?
- “You’ve got some nerve…” +3
- “Something wrong?” +2
- But me, I’m feeling like I’ve sunk to the bottom of the ocean.
- “Let’s go do something fun.” +3
- “You just need a rest.” +2
Rank 5 > 6:
Choices that impact your relationship this rank:
- Hey, what’s his problem? Is he sick or something?
- Any Answer
- Right?
- “You’re right.” +3
- “A real game? Impossible…” +2
- “We gotta save Kou.” +2
- I got some dirt on a bunch of other guys too, so we should have no problem getting together a full team.
- “You’re quite a strategist.” +2
- “Isn’t that blackmail…?” +2
- “What about yourself?” +2
Rank 6 > 7:
Choices that impact your relationship this rank:
- Should I just leave?
- Either Answer.
- Yeah, the orphanage.
- Either Answer.
- I was thinking maybe I’d ask about my real parents.
- Any Answer.
Rank 7 > 8:
Choices that impact your relationship this rank:
- I’m kinda worried.
- “Let’s catch up to him.” +3
- What are you two doing here?
- “You alright?” +3
- “Find anything out?” +3
Rank 8 > 9:
Choices that impact your relationship this rank:
- And now that I don’t have to wear that mask any more… I guess it’s time to step off the stage.
- “Don’t jump to conclusions?” +3
- ...what do you think?
- “It was written recently?” +3
- How ‘bout you? Wanna go for a dip?
- Either Answer.
Rank 9 > 10:
Choices that impact your relationship this rank:
-
All choices are neutral.
When your Kou/Basketball (Strength) s-link hits the rank of 10, you’ll get the Letter to Kou key item. That’ll let you fuse Zanou-Gongen.