Choosing the optimal party members in *Xenoblade Chronicles X Definitive Edition* can feel daunting, given the game's extensive roster of characters and classes. Our guide aims to simplify this process by highlighting the top five party members and their unique strengths.
Elma
Elma, the first recruit you encounter, is far from the weakest. Her class, Full Metal Jaguar, is one of the best in *Xenoblade X*, and her AI excels in utilizing it across various scenarios. Key skills like Ghostwalker, which creates a decoy, and Ghost Factory, which enhances party evasion, should be prioritized for leveling. Elma also boasts a range of potent, position-based attacks. While she may experience downtime as she repositions, her role as a hybrid tank, support, and offensive unit is invaluable. With self-buffs that boost her critical hit rate and the ability to instantly gain 1,000 TP for powerful skills, Elma is a crucial asset, especially since she's required for most story missions.
Irina
Irina stands out as the game's premier supporter, even surpassing other support specialists like Hope. She excels at healing, removing debuffs, and boosting party evasion, making her an essential complement to Elma's Ghost Factory. Irina also generates TP for the party, albeit at the expense of her own, through skills like Energy Source and Last Stand. While not suited for solo combat or tackling Tyrants, Irina's role is to enhance the effectiveness of your party's attackers, ensuring battles are swift and decisive.
Nagi
For those not opting for the Duelist class, Nagi is an indispensable addition to your team. As one of the few Duelists in *Xenoblade X*, he delivers exceptional damage and can handle himself in both close and ranged combat. His area-of-effect ability, Blossom Dance, is particularly potent, capable of bypassing enemy resistances and felling even the toughest foes quickly. To maximize Nagi's potential, pair him with a supporter like Irina or use Mastermind skills to debuff enemies.
Mia
Despite being a Psycorruptor, Mia embodies the versatility of a Drifter. She excels in multiple roles, from inflicting debuffs to dealing significant damage with attacks like Beam Barrage and Myopic Screen, the latter of which can cause blackout. Mia's attacks gain potency when an aura is active, and she can even topple enemies. However, she lacks self-defense and healing capabilities, necessitating a party member who can cover these areas.
H.B.
H.B. serves as an enhanced version of Lin, offering superior defense and versatility. His Shield Trooper+ class not only excels at drawing enemy attention but also generates TP through taunt attacks. Beyond defense, H.B. can increase debuff resistance, boost ranged attack power, topple enemies, and apply debuffs. His ability to create a sturdy shield makes him one of the game's top defenders. If you're struggling with survival outside the main storyline, completing H.B.'s affinity mission to recruit him is highly recommended.
