Choosing the best party members for *Xenoblade Chronicles X Definitive Edition* can feel daunting, given the game's extensive roster and the complexity of its class system. Our guide to the top party members in *Xenoblade Chronicles X* will help you streamline your team and maximize your effectiveness in battle by highlighting the five best allies and what makes them stand out.
Elma
Elma, one of the first characters you'll recruit, is far from being the weakest link. Her class, Full Metal Jaguar, is among the most versatile in *Xenoblade X*, excelling in various combat scenarios thanks to her AI's adept handling. Key skills like Ghostwalker, which deploys a decoy, and Ghost Factory, which enhances party evasion, should be prioritized for leveling. While her position-based attacks might cause occasional downtime as she repositions, Elma's class is designed as a hybrid, balancing tank, support, and offensive roles. With self-buffs that boost her critical hit rate and the ability to instantly gain 1,000 TP, Elma significantly enhances your party's performance, making her an essential member, especially during story missions.
Irina
Irina stands out as the game's premier supporter. Her abilities to heal, remove debuffs, and increase party evasion make her invaluable, particularly when Elma's Ghost Factory is unavailable. Irina's skills, Energy Source and Last Stand, not only boost party TP but do so at the expense of her own, underlining her sacrificial role. Although she won't be leading the charge in battles or tackling Tyrants solo, her presence ensures your party can endure and thrive in prolonged engagements. To maximize her effectiveness, pair Irina with one or two strong attackers.
Nagi
For players not opting for the Duelist class themselves, Nagi is a must-have. As one of the few Duelists in *Xenoblade X*, his self-sufficiency and versatility in combat, both at close and long range, make him a standout. His area-of-effect skill, Blossom Dance, is particularly potent, bypassing enemy resistances and capable of quickly dispatching formidable foes. To fully leverage Nagi's potential, he should be paired with a supporter or someone who can debuff enemies, such as Irina or a character using Mastermind skills.
Mia
Mia, a Psycorruptor with the versatility of a Drifter, is a jack-of-all-trades. She can debuff enemies, reduce their debuff resistance, and deliver heavy damage with attacks like Beam Barrage and Myopic Screen, which can also cause blackout. Her skills are amplified when an aura is active, and she can even topple enemies. While Mia excels in offense and support, her lack of self-defense and healing necessitates her inclusion in a party with members who can cover these aspects.
H.B.
H.B. serves as an excellent substitute for Lin, offering superior defensive capabilities. With the "Shield Trooper+" class, he not only enhances defense but does so more effectively, drawing enemy attention and generating TP with his taunt attack. H.B.'s ability to increase debuff resistance, boost ranged attack power, topple enemies, and create a sturdy shield makes him a top-tier defender. If survival outside the main storyline is a challenge, completing H.B.'s affinity mission to recruit him is highly recommended.