Top Classes to Master in Xenoblade Chronicles X

If you're diving into Xenoblade Chronicles X Definitive Edition and are overwhelmed by the array of classes available, fear not! While it takes time to master new weapon skills, almost any class can be viable. However, some stand out due to their versatility and utility. Even if you stick with your starting class, it's one of the most adaptable options in the game.

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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 exceptionally versatile and useful throughout the entire game. For those familiar with the original Xenoblade Chronicles, think of Drifter as a Shulk-like class, though with a smaller pool of skills. Drifter offers a variety of debuff and offensive arts, including skills that 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 formidable melee attacks, ensuring you're equipped for any combat scenario. What's more, Drifter boasts the highest number of skill slots among all classes, making it a prime choice for customization. Even if you experiment with other classes to master new skills, returning to Drifter later to tailor it to your playstyle is highly recommended.

Full Metal Jaguar

Full Metal Jaguar, Elma's class, is a high-risk, high-reward option. It thrives on maintaining low HP to amplify your power. When your HP dips below 50 percent, you gain a critical hit rate boost, and one skill ensures you're often in this dangerous zone by reducing your health during attacks. The Ghost Factory skill allows allies to evade incoming attacks, while Electric Surge delivers ether damage—a rarity among melee classes. Even the 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. Armed with a longsword and an assault rifle, Duelists have an upgraded version of the Drifter's weapon setup and access to a broad range of skills. Last Stand uses your TP to boost the party's TP, ensuring heavy attacks are ready when needed.

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

Mastermind

If you prefer manipulating enemy behavior over raw damage output, Mastermind is your go-to class. While its arts may not match the Duelist's in strength, they simplify long 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 boosts TP and has a capstone art that inflicts the virus effect. 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 much more than Skell-specific bonuses. It can remove debuffs, heal allies, and deal heavy, specialized damage. Galactic Knights can also reduce their own cooldowns through melee combos. Their Skell-centric abilities restore appendage HP and boost combat power without any prerequisites, making them a versatile choice both in and out of Skells.