Choosing the best party members in *Xenoblade Chronicles X Definitive Edition* can be daunting, with a plethora of unlockable characters and overlapping classes. This guide breaks down the five best party members and why they stand out in your team.
Elma
Elma, often the first party member you'll recruit, is far from the weakest. Her Full Metal Jaguar class is one of the best in *Xenoblade X*, and her AI uses it flawlessly across various scenarios. Key skills like Ghostwalker, which creates a decoy, and Ghost Factory, which boosts party evasion, are essential to prioritize. Although Elma's position-based attacks may lead to some downtime as she repositions, her hybrid role as a tank, support, and offensive unit is invaluable. With numerous self-buffs enhancing her critical hit rate and the ability to instantly gain 1,000 TP, Elma significantly boosts your party's effectiveness, especially crucial in story missions.
Irina
Irina is the ultimate supporter in the game, outshining even dedicated support characters like Hope. Her abilities include healing the party, removing debuffs, and boosting evasion, which complements Elma's Ghost Factory skill. Irina also generates TP for the party using skills like Energy Source and Last Stand, albeit at the expense of her own TP. While not designed for solo combat or taking down Tyrants, Irina's role is to ensure the party's longevity and efficiency. Pair her with strong attackers to prevent prolonged battles.
Nagi
Nagi is your go-to if you're not playing as a Duelist yourself. As one of the few Duelists in *Xenoblade X*, he excels at dealing damage and is self-sufficient in combat. Duelists can manage both close and ranged engagements and have access to area-of-effect skills, with Blossom Dance being Nagi's standout ability. This skill not only deals substantial damage but also bypasses enemy resistances, capable of defeating even the toughest foes quickly. To maximize Nagi's potential, include a supporter like Irina or use Mastermind skills to debuff enemies.
Mia
Mia, despite being a Psycorruptor, functions more like a Drifter with her versatile skill set. She can debuff enemies, reduce debuff resistance, and unleash powerful attacks like Beam Barrage and Myopic Screen, the latter of which can cause blackout. Mia's attacks gain strength when an aura is active, and she can even topple enemies. However, she lacks self-defense and healing capabilities, so ensure she's teamed with members who can cover these roles.
H.B.
H.B. is an excellent substitute for Lin when you need enhanced defense, allowing you to swap Lin out for another character. His Shield Trooper+ class not only improves upon Lin's abilities but also excels at drawing enemy attention, making him perfect for aggressive playstyles or when teamed with offensive characters like Elma or Nagi. H.B. can generate TP with his taunt attack, increase debuff resistance, boost ranged attack power, topple enemies, and create a sturdy shield. He's one of the best defenders in the game, making him a crucial addition if you're struggling with survival outside the main storyline.
