Top Party Members for Xenoblade Chronicles X Revealed

Choosing the best party members in *Xenoblade Chronicles X Definitive Edition* can seem daunting with its vast array of unlockable characters and seemingly similar classes. This guide simplifies the selection process by highlighting the top five party members and what makes them exceptional choices for your team.

Elma

Elma, the first recruit you meet, is far from the weakest member of your party. Her class, Full Metal Jaguar, is one of the most versatile in *Xenoblade X*, excelling in tanking, support, and offensive roles. Elma's AI makes the most out of this class, particularly with skills like Ghostwalker, which creates a decoy, and Ghost Factory, which boosts party evasion. Prioritize leveling these skills. While she has potent position-based attacks, her downtime when repositioning can be a minor drawback. However, with numerous self-buffs, including critical hit boosts and the ability to gain 1,000 TP instantly, Elma is a vital asset, especially since she's required for most story missions.

Irina

Irina stands out as the game's top supporter, surpassing even specialized support heroes like Hope. Her abilities to heal, remove debuffs, and increase party evasion make her indispensable, particularly when Elma's Ghost Factory isn't available. Irina also generates TP for the party at the expense of her own, using skills like Energy Source and Last Stand. While not suited for direct combat or taking down Tyrants, Irina's role is crucial in supporting powerful attackers to ensure battles don't drag on.

Nagi

If you're not playing as a Duelist, adding Nagi to your team is a smart move. As one of the few Duelists in *Xenoblade X*, Nagi excels in dealing damage and maintaining self-sufficiency in combat, effective at both close and long ranges. His signature move, Blossom Dance, is exceptionally powerful, ignoring enemy resistances and capable of felling tough foes quickly. To maximize Nagi's potential, pair him with a supporter like Irina or use Mastermind skills to debuff enemies.

Mia

Mia, classified as a Psycorruptor, brings the versatility of a Drifter to your party. She excels in various roles, from debuffing to dealing significant damage with attacks like Beam Barrage and Myopic Screen, the latter possibly causing blackout. Her skills are enhanced when an aura is active, and she can even topple enemies. However, Mia lacks self-defense and healing capabilities, making it essential to include party members who can cover these aspects.

H.B.

H.B. is an excellent substitute for Lin when you need enhanced defense. As a Shield Trooper+, he outperforms Lin in every aspect, from attracting enemy attention to generating TP with taunt attacks. H.B. also boosts debuff resistance, increases ranged attack power, topples enemies, and can create a sturdy shield. His versatility makes him one of the best defenders in the game, crucial for surviving outside the main storyline. Make sure to complete his affinity mission to recruit him.