Top Classes in Xenoblade Chronicles X Revealed

Deciding on the best classes in Xenoblade Chronicles X Definitive Edition can be daunting, given the array of choices 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 fond of the starting class, that's perfectly fine too, as it's one of the most versatile options available.

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Our guide on Xenoblade Chronicles X Definitive Edition classes highlights the five best classes in the game, explaining why they are worth your time.

Drifter

Xenoblade Chronicles X encourages you to move beyond the Drifter class once you reach rank 10, yet Drifter remains a versatile and valuable choice throughout the game. For fans of the original Xenoblade Chronicles, think of Drifter as a Shulk-like class but with a more limited skill set. This class offers a range of debuff and offensive arts, including abilities to stagger and topple enemies, and even one that regenerates health, reducing your dependency on potentially unreliable party healers.

Drifter wields assault rifles for potent ranged attacks and knives for strong melee strikes, making it adaptable to various combat situations. Moreover, Drifter boasts the highest number of skill slots of any class, allowing for extensive customization. Even if you experiment with other classes, returning to Drifter can be beneficial for tailoring 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%, and one skill ensures you maintain this low HP state by reducing your health during attacks. The Ghost Factory skill allows allies to evade incoming attacks, while Electric Surge delivers ether damage—a rare trait among melee classes. Even the basic skill, Shadowstrike, is formidable, making Full Metal Jaguar a thrilling choice for those who dare to live on the edge.

Duelist

Duelist excels as a self-sufficient close-range combatant, yet remains effective at a distance. Utilizing a longsword and an assault rifle, Duelist mirrors an enhanced version of the Drifter's armament. The class offers a variety of useful skills, including Last Stand, which boosts the party's TP using your own, ensuring your team can unleash their strongest attacks when needed.

Soul of the Samurai enhances basic attacks with area-of-effect capabilities, and True Stream Edge recovers TP at higher morale levels. However, Blossom Dance stands out as one of the best skills, staggering enemies and setting them up for toppling while ignoring their resistances, making it invaluable against most foes.

Mastermind

For players who prefer manipulating enemy behavior over raw damage output, Mastermind is an ideal choice. While its arts may not match the Duelist's in power, they simplify prolonged battles against tough adversaries. Mastermind can remove enemy buffs and, at level seven, learns to reduce enemy debuff resistance upon hitting them. Additional skills boost TP and include a capstone art that inflicts the virus effect. Mastering this class requires attentive battle management, but the payoff is significant.

Galactic Knight

While often associated with Skell users, the Galactic Knight offers much beyond its Skell-specific perks. This class can remove debuffs, heal allies, and deliver heavy, specialized damage. Galactic Knights can also shorten their own cooldowns by executing melee combos. Their Skell-focused abilities restore appendage HP and increase combat power without stringent conditions, making Galactic Knight a versatile and powerful option both in and out of Skells.