Top Xenoblade Chronicles X Party Members Revealed

Choosing the ideal party members for *Xenoblade Chronicles X Definitive Edition* can be a daunting challenge. With numerous characters to unlock and classes that seem similar, the game doesn't rush to clarify the intricacies of team composition. Our guide to the best party members in *Xenoblade Chronicles X* highlights five standout allies, explaining what makes them exceptional additions to your team.

Elma

Elma, one of the earliest recruits, is far from weak. Her class, Full Metal Jaguar, is among the top in Xenoblade X, and her AI excels in utilizing it across various scenarios. Key skills like Ghostwalker, which generates a decoy, and Ghost Factory, which enhances party evasion, should be your initial focus for leveling. Elma also boasts a range of potent, position-specific attacks. While she may experience some downtime as she repositions, Full Metal Jaguar is designed as a versatile hybrid class, blending tank, support, and offensive capabilities rather than focusing solely on DPS. With an array of self-buffs, including those boosting her critical hit rate, and the ability to instantly gain 1,000 TP for powering up her stronger skills, Elma is a vital asset, especially given her necessity in most story missions.

Irina

Irina stands out as the game's premier supporter, even surpassing other dedicated support characters like Hope. Her ability to heal, remove debuffs, and increase party evasion is invaluable, particularly when Elma's Ghost Factory is unavailable. Irina also continuously generates TP, albeit at the cost of her own, through skills like Energy Source and Last Stand. Though not suited for solo combat or tackling Tyrants, Irina's role is clear: support. Ensure she's teamed with one or two powerful attackers to prevent prolonged battles.

Nagi

For those not choosing the Duelist class themselves, Nagi is an essential addition to your party. As one of the few Duelists in Xenoblade X, he not only deals significant damage but can also fend for himself. Duelists are adept at both close and ranged combat, with access to area-of-effect abilities like Blossom Dance, Nagi's signature move. This powerful attack bypasses enemy resistances and can decimate even the toughest foes swiftly. To maximize Nagi's potential, pair him with a supporter or someone capable of debuffing enemies, such as Irina, or utilize Mastermind skills for debuffing if your party slots are full.

Mia

Though classified as a Psycorruptor, Mia embodies the versatility of a Drifter. She excels at multiple roles, providing debuffs that lower enemy debuff resistance, and delivering heavy damage with attacks like Beam Barrage and Myopic Screen, the latter potentially causing blackout. Her attacks gain potency under an active aura, and she can even topple foes. However, Mia lacks self-defense and healing capabilities, making it crucial to include a party member who can cover these areas.

H.B.

H.B. serves as an excellent substitute for Lin when additional defense is needed, allowing you to switch Lin out for another character. As a Shield Trooper+, he surpasses Lin in every aspect of her role. H.B. not only excels at drawing enemy attention, which is invaluable for aggressive playstyles or when teamed with characters like Elma or Nagi, but he can also generate TP with his taunt attack. Beyond defense, H.B. boosts debuff resistance, increases ranged attack power, can topple enemies, inflict debuffs, and generate a robust shield. If you're struggling to survive outside the main storyline, completing H.B.'s affinity mission to recruit him is a wise move.