Summary

• Among the variety of characters in Xenoblade Chronicles X, L stands out as one of the best tanks with high defense and endurance.
• Lin is a top tank pick in early gameplay due to her ability to draw enemy focus and trigger Topple for increased damage.
• Elma delivers massive damage and is valuable for most team setups, offering quick bursts of DPS in the JRPG.

Among the characters from the classic game and the fresh additions in the Definitive Edition, Xenoblade Chronicles X has party members with different traits and skills that influence the group’s composition. This variety enhances the combat depth of this JRPG, making it one of the best entries for fans of the Xeno series.

Given the variety of characters and ways to form a team, choosing the best party members in Xenoblade Chronicles X Definitive Edition can be difficult because most are solid picks. Some have stronger skills than others, providing better results in battle and standing out among the strongest allies found in this JRPG.

Some characters on this list are spoilers and only show up in the late game!

10

L

One Of The Best Tanks In Xenoblade Chronicles X Definitive Edition

• How to recruit: Complete Chapter 4.
• Class: Shield Trooper

L is a native of Mira in this Sci-Fi JRPG who stands out as one of the best tanks in Xenoblade Chronicles X Definitive Edition, thanks to strong defense and high endurance. Though damage output is low, L’s knack for soaking powerful hits keeps the party alive and enables safer tactics in tough battles.

L acts as a sturdy shield for the team and is known for a lively, charismatic personality that can brighten any mission. Occasional slips with human idioms lead to comedic moments, revealing L’s limited language skills and making L a valuable ally in combat as well as a pleasant companion on Mira.

9

Lin

A Strong Tank For Early Gameplay

• How to recruit: Join after Chapter 1.
• Class: Shield Trooper

Lin appears in many cutscenes of Xenoblade Chronicles X Definitive Edition and is one of the top tank picks for early chapters, while remaining viable throughout most of the game. Her reliable ability to draw enemy focus cements a near-mandatory spot in the group due to its crucial role in fights.

She triggers Topple on foes with minimal effort, knocking them down for a few seconds and granting Skill Arts or other strikes a 100% hit rate. This condition is vital for boosting damage across many abilities the main character learns, but as the story progresses, Lin’s tank potential dips compared to other allies.

8

Elma

Certain Skill Arts Make Her An Impressive Asset

• How to recruit: Join in the prologue.
• Class: Full Metal Jaguar

Elma is one of the key figures in Xenoblade Chronicles X Definitive Edition due to guiding the protagonist and appearing in many missions, and she delivers massive damage in this JRPG. Alongside Lin, she stands as a best choice for most team setups in the game’s early phases, offering quick bursts of DPS.

As fresh recruits join the party, Elma’s value dips because part of her damage relies on her positioning, which the AI may not optimize. Yet Ghost Factory is a solid buff that grants the entire group a few free evades, ensuring they remain upright with minimal effort and survive tough encounters.

7

Neilnail

A Good Support For Controlling Enemies

• How to recruit: Complete “The Qlurian Archaeologist” quest.
• Class: Full Metal Jaguar+

Neilnail is a Qlurian archaeologist introduced in Xenoblade Chronicles X: Definitive Edition and can be recruited through Affinity Quests, standing out for its high damage potential. She wields ether and shock attacks that inflict elemental damage on enemies and can boost those elements with her own skills, elevating her offensive impact.

Beyond raw strength, Neilnail wields talents like Heroic Tale, which are valuable when seeking tougher foes or better loot and gold in Mira. This Skill not only controls a single target but also raises its level and improves the treasure it may drop once defeated, adding extra depth to her toolkit.

6

Alexa

A Party Member Designed To Pilot Skells In Xenoblade Chronicles X

• How to recruit: Complete “Weaponized” quest.
• Class: Partisan Eagle+

Often, selecting a Skell pilot seems minor, especially since few characters have traits that make them great at this role. Alexa is an exception thanks to the Synchrony Skill, which boosts certain mech stats, and, with the right build, can intensify destructive potential far beyond the norm, giving squads a decisive advantage.

For those building a Skell-focused team in Xenoblade Chronicles X Definitive Edition, Alexa is almost mandatory. She also grows sturdy outside mechs, since Steel Flesh and Fortified Flesh offer a sizable HP boost that helps withstand many hits and remain standing, even during tougher encounters across Mira, ensuring continuous frontline presence.

5

Liesel

A Free Skell Comes With This Party Member

• How to recruit: Complete “New Skell on the Block” quest.
• Class: Partisan Eagle+

Piloting Skells in Xenoblade Chronicles X is a big highlight, but it takes time to get a license, and purchasing these mechs can be expensive. Liesel, introduced in the Definitive Edition, helps manage costs by joining the party with a free Skell right away, removing a major financial burden for new pilots.

This alone makes her one of the best party members in Xenoblade Chronicles X Definitive Edition, yet she remains useful in battle. Her abilities, derived from an enhanced set known as Partisan Eagle+, grant effective ranged options, so while she is more fragile than some allies, she can fight from a safe distance.

4

Mia

Versatility Defines Her In Xenoblade Chronicles X Definitive Edition

• How to recruit: Finish “Mamma Mia!” questline.
• Class: Psycorruptor+

Many JRPG characters excel at one specialized role, but Mia does it all proficiently, making her one of the best in Xenoblade Chronicles X. The journey to recruit her is lengthy, starting with Mamma Mia! in Chapter 3 and finishing near the end of the game, demanding patience from those eager to unlock her potential.

This wait is worthwhile because Mia can fill any missing role in the group, whether tank, damage dealer, or support, thanks to a broad range of adaptive abilities. She also inflicts various debuffs that weaken foes, making her the most versatile ally in the entire game and an excellent failsafe if a slot needs filling.

3

Nagi

A Party Member With The Highest Damage In Xenoblade Chronicles X

• How to recruit: Complete “Nagi’s Time” quest after Chapter 8.
• Class: Duelist+

Nagi is a major yet unexpected addition who has been around since the start as a high-ranking member of NLA’s defense forces, but becomes recruitable only in the final stretch of Xenoblade Chronicles X Definitive Edition. He officially joins after completing the main quest in Chapter 8, followed by his Affinity Mission, proving indispensable in any lineup.

Beyond his narrative role, Nagi shines in battle with unique arts, especially the renowned Blossom Dance, which can eliminate strong foes in one strike. This devastating force, combined with versatility and a charismatic presence, makes him not only a top choice for team-building but also one of the strongest characters in Xenoblade Chronicles X’s Definitive Edition.

2

H.B.

An Excellent Tank With A Challenging Personality

• How to recruit: Complete “A New Rival?” quest.
• Class: Shield Trooper+

Introduced via the Affinity Quest A New Rival?, H.B. displays a large ego that might keep him off some teams, yet those who overlook this find one of the best party members in Xenoblade Chronicles X Definitive Edition, especially as a tank. Many of H.B.’s skills create strong synergy to stay upright and divert enemy focus during fights.

He also supplies solid TP generation, easily reaching Overdrive in battle and dealing extra damage with his skills. As a result, H.B. can function as a tough tank who occasionally hits hard, matching the ego he reveals in conversations and surprising any who doubt him.

1

Irina

One Of The Best Supports In Xenoblade Chronicles X

• How to recruit: Available after Chapter 3.
• Class: Psycorruptor+

Joining the team shortly after Chapter 3, Irina is the finest support in Xenoblade Chronicles X Definitive Edition and ranks among the best party members in this JRPG. Her range of Skill Arts keeps the group healthy in battle, providing healing and multiple buffs that increase party damage and improve team survivability.

Those struggling to keep units alive or seeking a strong support option will find Irina among the most versatile characters in Xenoblade Chronicles X. Her abilities can also be configured to sacrifice some healing and buffs in favor of damage, striking a balance between offense and team protection, thus catering to different playstyles.