Choosing the optimal party members in *Xenoblade Chronicles X Definitive Edition* can be daunting, especially with the game's array of unlockable characters and seemingly similar classes. This guide aims to simplify your decision by highlighting the five best party members and explaining what makes them stand out.
Elma
Elma, one of the earliest recruits in *Xenoblade Chronicles X*, is far from the weakest. Her class, Full Metal Jaguar, is among the game's best, and her AI utilizes it effectively in various scenarios. Key skills like Ghostwalker, which creates a decoy, and Ghost Factory, which enhances the party's evasion, should be prioritized for leveling. While Elma's position-based attacks may lead to some downtime as she repositions, her class is designed as a versatile hybrid, excelling in tanking, support, and offense. With a range of self-buffs that boost her critical hit rate and a method to instantly gain 1,000 TP, Elma is indispensable for most story missions, providing substantial support to your party.
Irina
Irina stands out as the game's premier supporter, even surpassing other dedicated support characters like Hope. She excels at healing, removing debuffs, and boosting the party's evasion, making her a vital asset if Elma's Ghost Factory is unavailable. Irina also generates TP for the team through skills like Energy Source and Last Stand, although at the cost of her own TP. While not suited for solo combat or taking down powerful foes like Tyrants, Irina's role is crucial in maintaining party efficiency. Ensure she's paired with at least one or two strong attackers to prevent prolonged battles.
Nagi
For those not interested in playing as a Duelist, Nagi is an excellent addition to any team. As one of the few Duelists in *Xenoblade Chronicles X*, he delivers high damage and is self-sufficient in both close and ranged combat. His signature move, Blossom Dance, is exceptionally powerful, ignoring enemy resistances and capable of defeating some of the game's toughest enemies in a few hits. To maximize Nagi's effectiveness, pair him with a supporter or someone who can debuff enemies, like Irina, or use Mastermind skills to weaken foes if your party slots are full.
Mia
Despite being a Psycorruptor, Mia embodies the versatility of a Drifter. She excels in various roles, from inflicting debuffs and reducing debuff resistance to dealing significant damage with attacks like Beam Barrage and Myopic Screen, which can also cause blackout. Mia's abilities are enhanced when an aura is active, and she can even topple enemies. However, she lacks self-defense and healing capabilities, so ensure she is teamed with members who can cover these weaknesses.
H.B.
H.B. serves as an enhanced version of Lin, offering superior defensive capabilities under the Shield Trooper+ class. His ability to draw enemy attention is invaluable, particularly if you're playing an aggressive class or have members like Elma or Nagi in your party. H.B. not only generates TP with his taunt but also boosts debuff resistance, increases ranged attack power, topples enemies, inflicts debuffs, and creates a robust shield. If you find yourself struggling to survive outside the main storyline, H.B. is a must-have defender. Complete his affinity mission to recruit him and bolster your team's resilience.
