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As one works through the massive adventure that is Xenoblade Chronicles 3, they will unlock several Heroes and brand-new classes as the story unfolds. Undoubtedly, one of the game's most mysterious and exciting characters is Gray, AKA Ashenpelt Gray. His calm and stoic demeanor hides one of the most well-developed Hero backstories in the game, and he is worth unlocking as soon as possible. Thankfully, he can be unlocked as early as Chapter 3 in Xenoblade Chronicles 3.

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Gray is one of the best attackers in the game and is an easy contender for being a permanent member of the team. Gray's class is the dual gun-wielding Full Metal Jaguar; it has a large area of attack that can hit multiple enemies at once from a distance.

Unlocking Gray's Hero Quest

Xenoblade 3 wall climbing traversal skill

Before trying to unlock Gray and participating in his Hero Quest, players will first need to unlock the Wall Climbing Skill and have the party at around levels 25-28. Luckily, there are lots of ways to level up fast in Xenoblade Chronicles 3.

The wall climbing mechanic allows the party to traverse up cliffs using the purple vines. This helps open up even more of Xenoblade 3's already massive world, giving access to new unique monsters and Hero quests like Gray's.

To get the wall climbing ability, players must progress through Chapter 3, and complete Valdi's Hero Quest called The Kind Right Hand. Completing his quest will give the party the wall traversal ability, which like the sand running ability in Xenoblade 3, allows the party to reach previously unreachable locations.

A Gray Matter Hero Quest

The Gray Matter quest can be reached by climbing the cliffs to reach Murmur Rise in Aetia Region. The nearest Fast Travel location to the cliffs is the Kamos Guidepost.

  • Fast travel to the Kamos Guidepost
Xenoblade 3 A Gray Matter Quest location
  • Using the map, place a marker on the climbing location at the cliffs by pressing Y. This makes it easier to locate using the mini-map.
Xenoblade 3 A Gray Matter climbing location
  • Continue following the path to the question mark on the map.
  • A short cutscene will show that the party has discovered some kind of device.
Xenoblade 3 meeting Gray before the fight
  • This will then initiate a fight with the mysterious Gray, giving the player a chance to see Xenoblade 3's Full Metal Jaguar class in action.
  • After getting his health down to half, the fight will be over.
  • However, the party and Gray will be attacked by a group of Keves Soldiers, making a way for Gray to make his escape.
Xenoblade 3 Gray making his escape
  • After the fight, follow Gray by jumping into the water from the cliff.
  • The party should be able to see the quest marker from the edge of the cliff.
Xenoblade 3 Gray's quest marker
  • At the quest marker, the party will need to track and follow Gray's foot trail.
Xenoblade 3 footsteps tips
  • At the time of writing, there is an occasional bug where the footpath may stop progressing. If this happens, just continue forward in the same general direction, and the footpath should reappear.
  • At the end of the trail, Gray will be waiting.
Xenoblade 3 Gray's waiting at the end of the foot trail
  • Initiate a conversation with him, and he will converse about the device the party found.
  • The party and Gray's conversation will get interrupted by some Colony 23 Soldiers that have been hunting him.
Xenoblade 3 fight with Colony 23 Keves soldiers
  • Fight and defeat the soldiers to end the quest and recruit Gray and his Hero class.
Xenoblade 3 A Gray Matter Quest complete

As mentioned, Gray is one of the best fighters in the game, and his long-range abilities complement the rest of the party well. He also has one of the best story arcs in Xenoblade Chronicles 3.

Xenoblade Chronicles 3 is available now for the Nintendo Switch.

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