Top Classes in Xenoblade Chronicles X Revealed

Deciding on the best classes in Xenoblade Chronicles X Definitive Edition can be a daunting task, given the vast array of options and the time it takes to master new weapon skills. While any class can be effective in this RPG, some stand out for their utility and versatility. If you stick with the starting class, the Drifter, you'll find it's one of the game's most adaptable options.

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Our Xenoblade Chronicles X Definitive Edition classes guide highlights the top five classes and explains their unique strengths.

Drifter

Xenoblade Chronicles X encourages you to move on from the Drifter class once you reach rank 10, but Drifter remains a highly versatile and useful choice throughout the game. For fans of the original Xenoblade Chronicles, Drifter is akin to Shulk but with a smaller skill set. This class provides access to a range of debuff and offensive arts, including abilities that can stagger and topple enemies, as well as one that regenerates health, ensuring you're not dependent on possibly unreliable party members for healing.

Drifter wields assault rifles for potent ranged attacks and knives for strong melee combat, making it versatile in both close and long-range engagements. Its greatest advantage is the highest number of skill slots among all classes, making it ideal for customization even after experimenting with other classes.

Full Metal Jaguar

Full Metal Jaguar, Elma's class, is a high-risk, high-reward option. It boosts critical hit rates when your HP drops below 50%, and one skill even reduces your HP when you attack, ensuring you often stay in this dangerous yet powerful state. The Ghost Factory skill helps allies dodge attacks, while Electric Surge deals ether damage, a rarity among melee classes. Even the basic skill, Shadowstrike, packs a punch.

Duelist

The Duelist is a self-sufficient class that excels in close-range combat but also handles ranged engagements well. Armed with a longsword and an assault rifle, Duelists have access to a broad array of skills. Last Stand uses your TP to boost the party's TP, ensuring that crucial high-damage skills can be deployed when needed.

The Soul of the Samurai skill enhances basic attacks with area-of-effect capabilities, and True Stream Edge restores TP when your morale level is high. However, Blossom Dance stands out as one of the game's best skills, capable of staggering and toppling enemies while ignoring their resistances, making it extremely valuable against most foes.

Mastermind

If you prefer manipulating enemy behavior over raw damage output, the Mastermind is an excellent choice. Though its arts may not be as powerful as those of the Duelist, they significantly simplify battles against tough opponents. Mastermind can remove enemy buffs and, at level seven, reduce enemy debuff resistance upon landing an attack. Additionally, it offers TP boosts and a capstone art that inflicts the virus effect. Mastering this class requires close attention to battle dynamics but pays off handsomely.

Galactic Knight

While commonly associated with Skell users, the Galactic Knight offers much more than Skell-specific bonuses. They can remove debuffs, heal allies, and deliver heavy, specialized damage. Galactic Knights can also shorten their own cooldowns through melee combos. Their Skell abilities include restoring appendage HP and increasing combat power without additional conditions, making them versatile in and out of Skells.