Xenoblade Chronicles X Combat System Outlined: Attacking, Weapons, Equipment, Upgrading, And More

Monolith Soft has unveiled a new unofficial Nintendo Direct, explaining the combat systems of Xenoblade Chronicles X. Our translation of details from the Direct comes thanks to @Cheesemeister3K.

Tatsu can’t join in the combat, like Riki could in the first Xenoblade Chronicles, but you will want to stay in constant contact in him as your most reliable source of information.

Simple attacks use the sword and gun, activated by auto attack. The more advanced techniques are called arts. There are five in all: fighting, shooting, support, and weakening arts. Arts have a casting and cool down period, so you’ll want to balance out when to use arts and auto attacks. You’ll also want to coordinate this with your party members, and you can do so using Soul Voice. Soul Voice is kind of like making calls in a football game, giving out preset strategies your party members will execute.

Arts will allow you to execute combos, which in turn, increase damage by 1.5x. You can use strategies like hit from behind, shoot from above or below, or target specific enemy parts to break down their defenses.

There is also double recast, a way to boost art power by allowing arts to refill twice over after using. Of course, you don’t have to just be standing there, and can use auto attack while waiting for double recast. There is also triple recast, and awesomely, Overclock Gear, an ability that reduces recast refill time.

Fallen party members can be revived via resuscitation.

You can look at enemy to learn their power level and other information. If you see an eye, this means it requires visual search. If you see a bolt, you’ll want to tread carefully as it means seismic activity. If there’s a circle around the eye icon, it means that enemy hunts in packs, and will call others if you are spotted.

There are shooting and melee weapons. There is armor for the head, body, left arm, right arm, and legs. The more you use weapons and armor, the more you will be supplied new equipment. This equipment can then be slotted onto your weapons and armor to modify stats.

You can gain experience in combat, but also from finding treasure and accomplishing other things. Unlock arts and you open up even more. You get to choose which class and art sets you unlock and switch into.

You can form four person parties, and each character has unique characteristics. Of course, when all else fails, you can always bring the Dolls.

Xenoblade Chronicles X is coming exclusively to the Wii U in 2015.