Timeless JRPG Xenoblade Chronicles: The Definitive Edition has released on the Nintendo Switch ten years after its original release on the Nintendo Wii. Its lead character Shulk solidified his status among Nintendo’s top characters when he featured as a fighter in Super Smash Bros.
For many gamers, Nintendo’s fighting series may have been the first time they were introduced to anything Xenoblade related. Thankfully, the definitive edition of Xenoblade Chronicles is the perfect place to start. However, with its massive world, 90 hours plus story, and extra content it can be an intimidating premise for anyone. Here are ten pro tips to get gamers off to a head start in Xenoblade Chronicles: The Definitive Edition.
10 Don’t Get Bogged Down By Side Quests
This may be a strange recommendation for the completionists out there but there are frankly too many side-quests in Xenoblade Chronicles to complete in a lifetime. The game is designed to give its player lots of opportunities to level up and build Affinity with other characters by dishing out a near endless amount of side-quests.
The majority of Xenoblade Chronicles side-quests are usually killing a monster or a fetch quest. So the best recommendation for any player is to simply enjoy the game and tackle side-quests as needed or desired.
9 Side-Quests With A Time Limit
There a lot of side-quests in Xenoblade Chronicles: Definitive Edition. However, some quests are more important than others and are usually the ones initiated by named NPCs. These quests will often have a time limit on them.
This means that the player will have a limited amount of time to complete the quest. As a result, it is always wise to try and complete these quests as soon as possible.
8 Get To Work On Colony 6 ASAP
Early in the game players will come across two very important quests, “Making a New Path” and “For the Restoration.” These quests task the player with the reconstruction of Colony 6 as well as clearing a new shortcut so players can avoid powerful enemies on the field.
Restoring Colony 6 opens up several new opportunities and some good rewards for the player very early on as well. Each level of construction that is complete will reward the player with some extremely useful gifts like EXP Up III and IV.
7 Reconstruct The Ultra Small Reactor For The Gem Man
By continuing to reconstruct Colony 6 players can work towards obtaining one of the most useful key items in Xenoblade Chronicles, the Ultra Small Reactor. It is received as a reward for rebuilding Colony 6 and achieving a level 1 in Nature, Commerce, and Special.
Once the Ultra Small Reactor is in the player’s hands they can give it to the Gem Man at his stall in Colony to complete the “The Gem Man’s Invention” quest. He will then give the party a Mobile Ether Furnace which enables the player to craft gems anywhere in the world without the need to return to the Gem Man’s stall.
6 Use The Time Attack Mode
A brand new and exclusive feature for Xenoblade Chronicles: The Definitive Edition is the Time Attack mode. It works in a similar manner to the Challenge Battle and Land of Challenge modes featured in Xenoblade Chronicles 2.
Completing these trials is a great way for players to obtain all the required materials needed for the reconstruction of Colony 6 as they can be purchased with the Nopostones. As a result, some of the more rare items required for reconstruction can be obtained far easier using Time Attack.
5 Pay Attention To The Color Of The Arts
The attacks and spells in Xenoblade Chronicles are represented by colors. Physical strikes like sword attacks are Red Arts. The Blue Arts are spell attacks which are also known as Ether attacks in the game. Purple Arts cast status negative ailments on enemies while the Orange Arts cast positive status buffs on the party.
Additionally, the pink Break Arts can cause the Break debuff which makes them vulnerable to the green Topple Arts which can floor them for a brief moment. Finally, in their toppled state, players can hit with them the yellow Daze Art which will prevent the enemy’s aggro from increasing.
4 Learn How To Chain Attacks
In addition to paying attention to the colors of the Arts, players need three blocks in the Party Gauge to be filled. This is done by targetting the correct body parts on an enemy using the Red Arts and timing the B-button presses when prompted.
The Chain Attacks can then be initiated by pressing the up button on the D-pad. Making sure each party member is using the same color in the attack chain will yield the best results. For example, using all Red Arts attacks will deal maximum damage.
3 Heal With Chain Attacks
In addition to dealing with a lot of damage to enemies, using Chain attacks will also save the party from the brink of being wiped out by healing instead of attacking for a round using Healing Arts.
Triggering the Healing Arts doesn’t require a cooldown when the Chain Attacks are initiated so getting the party’s best healer like Sharla to cast her best spells during this round of the Chain could potentially restore the majority of the party’s health bars.
2 Breaking The Vision Tags
Shulk’s sword the Monado allows him to see into the future via Vision Tags. These let the player know that a party member is going to get hit with a devastating attack and they have a limited time to prevent it.
One good way of breaking the Vision Tag is using the Daze Art on the enemy via a Chain Attack. The Chain Attacks already slow the process of time allowing the player enough space to counter and respond to the enemy’s planned attack.
1 Leveling Up As Fast As Possible
Thankfully, Xenoblade Chronicles offers its players a lot of ways to level up their characters. Whether this is through combat, exploring, discovering new areas, or completing side-quests there’s never a shortage of ways to increase the party’s stats.
However, this can be increased by equipping the EXP Up Gems obtained as a result of reconstructing Colony 6. Another great way to get an EXP boost is to make sure Riki learns the skills Explore Time, Adore Sun, Riki See, Riki Do, Bestest Stars, and EXP For All. All these skills will provide a boost for the party under certain conditions and are incredibly useful.