Top Classes in Xenoblade Chronicles X Revealed

Deciding on the best classes in Xenoblade Chronicles X Definitive Edition can feel overwhelming given the variety available and the time required to master new weapon skills. While any class can be effective in this RPG, some stand out for their utility and versatility. If you find yourself attached to your starting class, that's perfectly fine, as it's one of the game's most adaptable options.

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

Drifter

Xenoblade Chronicles X encourages you to move beyond the Drifter class once you reach rank 10, but this starting class remains a highly versatile and useful choice 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 abilities that stagger and topple enemies, as well as one that regenerates health, reducing your dependence on possibly unreliable party healers.

Drifter utilizes assault rifles for strong ranged damage and knives for powerful melee attacks, ensuring you're well-equipped for any combat scenario. Moreover, Drifter boasts the highest number of skill slots of any class, making it an excellent choice to return to after experimenting with other classes to tailor it to your preferred playstyle.

Full Metal Jaguar

Elma's class, Full Metal Jaguar, is a high-risk, high-reward option. It enhances your critical hit rate when your HP dips below 50%, and one skill actively reduces your health to keep you in that advantageous state. The Ghost Factory skill helps your allies evade attacks, while Electric Surge delivers ether damage, a rarity among melee classes. Even the basic skill, Shadowstrike, packs a punch, making Full Metal Jaguar a thrilling choice for those who thrive on the edge.

Duelist

The Duelist is a self-sufficient combatant who excels in close-range battles but also manages ranged combat adeptly. Armed with a longsword and an assault rifle, similar to but more advanced than the Drifter's setup, Duelists have access to a broad spectrum of valuable skills. Last Stand converts your TP into a boost for the party's TP, facilitating powerful attacks from your teammates.

Soul of the Samurai enhances basic attacks with area-of-effect capabilities, while True Stream Edge recovers TP when your morale is high. However, Blossom Dance stands out as one of the game's premier skills, staggering and setting up enemies for toppling while ignoring their resistances, making it invaluable against most foes.

Mastermind

For players who enjoy manipulating enemy behavior over direct damage, the Mastermind class is an excellent choice. While its arts may not match the Duelist's in raw power, they significantly ease the burden of long, challenging fights. Mastermind can remove enemy buffs and, at level seven, reduces enemy debuff resistance upon landing an attack. Additionally, it offers TP-boosting abilities and a capstone art that inflicts the virus effect, requiring a more strategic approach to battle but rewarding with its effectiveness.

Galactic Knight

Commonly associated with Skell users, the Galactic Knight class extends its utility beyond these giant fighting robots. It can remove debuffs, heal allies, and deal substantial, specialized damage. Galactic Knights can even shorten their own cooldowns with a melee combo. Their Skell-specific abilities enhance appendage HP and combat power without any prerequisites, making this class a versatile and powerful option on and off the Skell.