Selecting the best party members for *Xenoblade Chronicles X Definitive Edition* can feel daunting due to the large number of unlockable characters and the complexity of their roles. However, our guide will help you understand the strengths of the top five party members and how they can enhance your gameplay.
Elma
Elma, the first party member you can recruit, is far from the weakest. Her Full Metal Jaguar class is among the best in *Xenoblade Chronicles X*, and her AI excels in utilizing it across various scenarios. Key skills like Ghostwalker, which creates a decoy, and Ghost Factory, which boosts party evasion, are essential to level up first. Elma also boasts powerful position-based attacks, though they may require some positioning time before execution. As a hybrid tank, support, and offensive unit, she comes equipped with self-buffs that enhance her critical hit potential and can instantly gain 1,000 TP to activate her more potent abilities. Her versatility makes her a valuable asset, especially since she's required for most story missions.
Irina
Irina stands out as the premier supporter in *Xenoblade Chronicles X*. She not only heals and removes debuffs but also boosts the party's evasion, filling the gap if Elma's Ghost Factory is unavailable. Irina's skills like Energy Source and Last Stand enhance party TP at the cost of her own, making her a consistent TP generator. While she won't be leading the charge against Tyrants, her support capabilities are invaluable. Pair her with strong attackers to ensure battles don't drag on unnecessarily.
Nagi
For those not playing as a Duelist, Nagi is an essential addition to your team. As one of the few Duelists available, he excels in dealing damage and can handle himself well in combat. His class allows for versatility in both close and ranged combat, with area-of-effect abilities like Blossom Dance, which is particularly effective as it bypasses enemy resistances and can swiftly take down tough foes. To maximize Nagi's potential, include a supporter or someone who can debuff enemies, such as Irina or a Mastermind skill user.
Mia
Although classified as a Psycorruptor, Mia functions more like a Drifter, capable of performing multiple roles effectively. She can apply debuffs, reducing enemy debuff resistance, and deliver strong attacks like Beam Barrage and Myopic Screen, the latter potentially causing blackout. Mia's attacks gain power when an aura is active, and she can even topple enemies. However, her lack of self-defense and healing necessitates pairing her with party members who can cover these weaknesses.
H.B.
H.B. serves as an excellent substitute for Lin when you need additional defense. His Shield Trooper+ class enhances everything Lin does, making him a superior defender. H.B. effectively draws enemy attention, which is crucial for aggressive playstyles or when using characters like Elma or Nagi. He can generate TP with his taunt attack, increase debuff resistance, boost ranged attack power, topple enemies, apply debuffs, and create a robust shield. If you're finding it hard to survive outside the main storyline, H.B. is a must-recruit after completing his affinity mission.
