Best Classes in Xenoblade Chronicles X

Deciding on the best Xenoblade Chronicles X Definitive Edition classes can be a daunting task, given the wide array of options and the time required to master new weapon skills. While any class can be effective in this RPG, some stand out as particularly advantageous. If you're comfortable with the class you start with, that's perfectly fine, as it's one of the most versatile in the game.

Our Xenoblade Chronicles X Definitive Edition classes guide highlights the five best classes in the game and explains why they're worth your time.

Drifter

Xenoblade Chronicles X encourages you to move away from the Drifter class once you reach rank 10, but Drifter remains a highly versatile and useful class throughout the entire game. For fans of the original Xenoblade Chronicles, Drifter can be likened to Shulk, though with a more limited skill set. This class offers a range of debuff and offensive arts, including skills that can stagger and topple enemies, as well as one that regenerates health, reducing your reliance on party members for timely healing.

Drifter utilizes assault rifles for potent ranged damage and knives for effective melee attacks, ensuring you're well-equipped for any combat scenario. Moreover, Drifter boasts the highest number of skill slots of any class in the game. Even if you experiment with other classes to master new skills, it's beneficial to return to Drifter later to tailor it to your preferred playstyle.

Full Metal Jaguar

Full Metal Jaguar, Elma's class, is a high-risk, high-reward option. It enhances your critical hit rate when your HP drops below 50 percent, and one skill ensures you maintain this low HP state by reducing your health with each attack. The Ghost Factory skill allows allies to evade incoming attacks, while Electric Surge inflicts ether damage—a rarity among melee classes. Even the class's basic skill, Shadowstrike, packs a punch.

Duelist

Duelist is a self-sufficient attacker who excels in close-range combat but is also adept at handling ranged attacks. They wield a longsword and an assault rifle, akin to an enhanced version of the Drifter's arsenal, and have access to a broad spectrum of useful skills. Last Stand uses your TP to boost the party's TP, facilitating heavy attacks from teammates.

Soul of the Samurai enhances basic attacks with area-of-effect capabilities, and True Stream Edge recovers TP when your morale level exceeds one. However, Blossom Dance stands out as one of the game's best skills, staggering enemies and setting them up for toppling while ignoring their resistances—a crucial advantage against most foes.

Mastermind

If you prefer manipulating enemy behavior over dealing massive damage, Mastermind is an excellent choice. While its arts may not match the Duelist's in strength, they simplify prolonged battles against tough opponents. Mastermind can remove enemy buffs and, at level seven, learns a skill that reduces enemy debuff resistance upon landing an attack. Additionally, it offers abilities that boost TP and a capstone art that inflicts the virus effect on opponents. Mastermind requires more attention to battle dynamics, but the payoff is well worth it.

Galactic Knight

While often associated with Skell users, Galactic Knight offers substantial benefits beyond giant fighting robots. They can remove debuffs, heal allies, and deal significant specialized damage. Galactic Knights can also reduce their own cooldowns by executing melee combos. Their Skell-specific abilities restore appendage HP and increase combat power without any prerequisites, making them a versatile choice for any player.