Choosing the best party members in *Xenoblade Chronicles X Definitive Edition* can be daunting, given the game's extensive roster and the complexity of its class system. To help you build the most effective team, we've put together a guide on the top five party members you should consider for your squad, detailing what makes them stand out in the game.
Elma
Elma, one of the earliest party members you can recruit, is far from weak. Her class, Full Metal Jaguar, is among the best in *Xenoblade X*, and her AI utilizes it exceptionally well across various scenarios. Key skills like Ghostwalker, which creates a decoy, and Ghost Factory, which enhances the party's evasion, should be prioritized for leveling. Elma also boasts a range of strong, position-based attacks. Although she may experience some downtime while positioning herself, her role as a hybrid tank, support, and offense class makes her invaluable. With self-buffs that boost her critical hit potential and a way to instantly gain 1,000 TP for her powerful skills, Elma is a versatile asset, especially since she's required for many story missions.
Irina
Irina stands out as the game's premier supporter. Even with other support specialists like Hope in the mix, Irina excels at healing the party, removing debuffs, and boosting evasion, complementing Elma's Ghost Factory skill. Her abilities, Energy Source and Last Stand, generate TP for the party at the expense of her own, making her a crucial source of TP if managed correctly. While Irina isn't built for solo combat or taking down Tyrants, she's essential for keeping your team in fighting shape. Pair her with at least one, preferably two, strong attackers to prevent prolonged battles.
Nagi
If you're not playing as a Duelist yourself, Nagi is a must-have for your team. As one of the few Duelists in *Xenoblade X*, he's a formidable damage dealer who can manage himself well. Duelists are versatile, capable of handling enemies at close and long range, and they have access to area-of-effect abilities. Nagi's signature move, Blossom Dance, is exceptionally powerful, ignoring enemy resistances and capable of defeating even the toughest foes swiftly. To maximize Nagi's effectiveness, 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 multiple roles, from debuffing to dealing heavy damage with attacks like Beam Barrage and Myopic Screen, which can also cause blackout. Most of her attacks are enhanced when an aura is active, and she can even topple enemies. While Mia lacks in self-defense and healing, she's a valuable addition to any party that includes members capable of filling those gaps.
H.B.
H.B. is an excellent substitute for Lin when you need enhanced defense. As a Shield Trooper+, he surpasses Lin in every aspect, not just in defense. H.B. excels at drawing enemy attention, making him a perfect fit for parties with aggressive members like Elma or Nagi. He can generate TP through his taunt attack, increase debuff resistance, boost ranged attack power, topple enemies, inflict debuffs, and create a sturdy shield. If survival outside the main storyline is a challenge, recruiting H.B. by completing his affinity mission is highly recommended.
