Choosing the best party members for *Xenoblade Chronicles X Definitive Edition* can be a daunting task given the game's extensive roster and diverse class system. To help you navigate this complex RPG, here's a detailed guide on the top five party members you should consider recruiting and why they are essential to your team's success.
Elma
Elma, one of the first characters you can recruit, is far from being the weakest. Her class, Full Metal Jaguar, is among the best in *Xenoblade X*, and her AI uses it effectively in nearly all scenarios. Key skills like Ghostwalker, which creates a decoy, and Ghost Factory, which enhances the party's evasion, are crucial and should be prioritized for leveling. Elma also boasts strong, position-based attacks, although these may result in some downtime as she repositions. As a hybrid tank, support, and offense class, Full Metal Jaguar isn't solely focused on DPS, but Elma compensates with numerous self-buffs that boost her critical hit rates and an ability to instantly gain 1,000 TP, making her an indispensable asset, especially since she's required for most story missions.
Irina
Irina stands out as the game's premier supporter. Even with other support specialists like Hope, Irina's ability to heal, remove debuffs, and increase party evasion is unparalleled. Her skills, Energy Source and Last Stand, not only boost the party's TP but do so at the expense of her own, making her an essential TP generator. While Irina won't be dealing significant damage or taking down Tyrants solo, her role is to bolster your team's survivability and efficiency. To maximize her effectiveness, pair her with at least one, preferably two, strong attackers to avoid prolonged battles.
Nagi
If you're not playing as a Duelist, Nagi is a must-have addition to your party. As one of the few Duelists in *Xenoblade X*, he excels at dealing damage and can handle himself in both close and ranged combat. His access to area-of-effect abilities, particularly Blossom Dance, is a game-changer. Blossom Dance not only hits hard but also bypasses enemy resistances, capable of defeating some of the toughest foes in just a few hits. To maximize Nagi's potential, pair him with a supporter like Irina or use Mastermind skills to debuff enemies.
Mia
Although classified as a Psycorruptor, Mia operates more like a Drifter with her versatile skill set. She excels in debuffing, reducing enemy debuff resistance, and dealing heavy damage with attacks like Beam Barrage and Myopic Screen, which can also inflict blackout. Mia's effectiveness is amplified when an aura is active, and she can even topple enemies. However, she lacks self-defense and healing capabilities, so it's crucial to include party members who can cover these roles.
H.B.
H.B. is an excellent substitute for Lin when you need enhanced defense, allowing you to swap Lin out for another character. As a Shield Trooper+, H.B. is an upgraded version of Lin, excelling in defense and more. He efficiently draws enemy attention, making him invaluable if you're using aggressive classes or have members like Elma or Nagi in your party. H.B. can also generate TP with his taunt attack, increase debuff resistance, boost ranged attack power, topple enemies, inflict debuffs, and create a strong shield. If you're struggling to survive outside the main storyline, completing H.B.'s affinity mission and recruiting him is highly recommended.
By strategically selecting and synergizing these top party members in *Xenoblade Chronicles X Definitive Edition*, you can significantly enhance your gameplay experience and overcome even the toughest challenges the game throws at you.
