What's Your Reason For Not Using Demon Masks?

Noticed a way long time ago no one really wants to use Demon Masks or even bother to use negotiations. I can guess a lot of ways why. But I'd like you guys to tell me yourselves why you guys don't want to give them a try more. I may revamp something based on your explanation. Feel free to be as critical as you wish.

Cuz only losers do drugs demons.

Seriously though, this is why. Starting characters broke af, need items, need Soul Skills, I can just sell the shards and get what I need and I don't need Demon Masks. They look like a fun little extra for rounding out your build but having to feed uses into the Masks instead of your character was a turn off, I'm really glad that changed recently.

Secondly it means you need to negotiate with Demons to get them and that's sorta its own issue just a little bit. On Wicked she hits all the elements, so if it has a Weakness we have Shuffle Time and I'll pick Shuffle Time any day of the week since my SQs suck. In the dungeons I haven't been doing it because all but a few enemies have been stronger than my characters in levels. So I can't. I understand that dashes are better for that sort of thing and really what they're for but I'm giving my own experience, I'm not using Demon Masks because I either can't get shards or it isn't a smart decision to spend money on.

I mean, the only reason I could even make a mask right now is because of an event lottery. I wouldn't have the shards otherwise. And with so much being a higher level than me, I can't even negotiate for them most times.
Even if that changes in Dashes, I've not been free for a Dash yet.
I also don't have much info on how negotiation works other than "select the option and do the thing". Unless I've been led on, the level requirements for negotiation isn't even listed in the guide, and I don't know how much else I'm missing.
Finally...l just need uses right now, so I can get more skills and up my stats. XP, too. Beating things down until their HP is gone is how you get XP outside of quest rewards, and you can't get uses without going through fights either. In a system of limited encounters, and as such, limited opportunities for growth, you kinda need to take every opportunity you get while you're at the point of needing to get stronger. Even if I was at a satisfactory power level, I would be depriving anyone who wasn't in the team by going for negotiation.

Little speculative for me at this point, but you really can't afford negotiation unless everyone's on board if you're considering other people when you go for it - and people either want or need to get stronger. Sure, masks can give you skills or little stat benefits, but that comes later, gated behind having enough of the shard type you need for the mask you want (which relies on encountering the right type of demon, something you once more can't rely on and have limited opportunities to do) and having an...unspecified amount of cash. Seriously, there's no guideline I know of for mask costs.
Oh, yeah - uses on your mask won't count on your main persona too, so there's that. Even with the change in requirements to rank up masks, you're still costing yourself uses for ranking up by using masks, which once more holds back your growth. It's not an issue once your progression is done, but it is at any point before that.

I...think that's everything I can think of right now?

Kogami

My personal opinion on demon shards is the fact that latecomers probably want to play the catchup game, which requires more attention and resources invested elsewhere. Negotiations aren't always beneficial for some members so you would have to bite the bullet instead of going mask hunting or take your chances in dashes (which can never be fully completed) in demon negotiations there.

It's consideration, as well as the time it takes in regarding the people you play with.