Choosing the best party members in *Xenoblade Chronicles X Definitive Edition* can feel daunting. With over a dozen unlockable characters and seemingly similar classes, the game doesn't rush to clarify how everything functions. Our guide on the best party members for *Xenoblade Chronicles X* highlights five essential allies and what makes them stand out.
Elma
Elma, your first recruitable party member, is far from weak. Her class, Full Metal Jaguar, is among the best in Xenoblade X, and her AI leverages it effectively in various scenarios. Elma's key skills, Ghostwalker and Ghost Factory, create decoys and boost party evasion, respectively. Prioritize leveling these skills. She also boasts strong, position-based attacks, though there might be some downtime as she repositions. As a hybrid tank, support, and offense class, Full Metal Jaguar isn't designed for pure DPS, but Elma's self-buffs and ability to instantly gain 1,000 TP for powerful skills make her an invaluable asset, especially since she's mandatory for most story missions.
Irina
Irina stands out as the game's top supporter. Even with other support specialists like Hope, Irina excels at healing, removing debuffs, and boosting party evasion, which complements Elma's Ghost Factory skill. She's also a reliable source of TP, thanks to skills like Energy Source and Last Stand, which boost party TP at the cost of her own. Irina isn't built for solo combat or taking down Tyrants, but she's crucial for keeping your team in fighting shape. Pair her with one or two powerful attackers to avoid prolonged battles.
Nagi
If you're not playing as a Duelist, Nagi is a must-have. As one of the few Duelists in Xenoblade X, he's a self-sufficient damage dealer who can handle both close and ranged combat, with access to area-of-effect abilities. His signature move, Blossom Dance, is particularly potent, ignoring enemy resistances and capable of felling even the toughest foes in one or two hits. To maximize Nagi's effectiveness, pair him with a supporter like Irina or use Mastermind skills to debuff enemies.
Mia
Mia, a Psycorruptor with the versatility of a Drifter, excels in multiple roles. She can debuff enemies, reducing their resistance, and deliver heavy damage with attacks like Beam Barrage and Myopic Screen, the latter potentially causing blackout. Her attacks gain power when an aura is active, and she can even topple enemies. However, Mia lacks defensive and healing capabilities, so ensure she's supported by team members who can cover these areas.
H.B.
H.B. is an enhanced version of Lin, offering superior defense. His Shield Trooper+ class not only attracts enemy attention more effectively but also generates TP with his taunt attack. H.B. boosts debuff resistance, increases ranged attack power, topples enemies, inflicts debuffs, and creates a sturdy shield. If you're struggling with survival outside the main storyline, complete H.B.'s affinity mission to recruit this top-tier defender.
