Xenoblade Chronicles 3

Beginner's Guide

Xenoblade Chronicles 3 Beginner

Want to know how to get the best start in Xenoblade Chronicles 3? Don't fret! With our comprehensive beginner's guide, you'll be set on the right track! Learn all about Combat, Arts, Exploration, and more!

Getting Started in Xenoblade Chronicles 3

Getting Started







Know Your Roles

XC3 - Classes.jpg

Class Role
Attacker Icon Attacker Attackers are your primary damage-dealing classes, they find and exploit enemy weak spots.
Defender Icon Defender Defenders are used to draw out enemy aggro so Attackers can maneuver to weakpoints and deal critical blows.
Healer Icon Healer Healers are your support classes, providing aid in the form of heals and buffs.

All Classes will fall under one of these three major Roles. At first, characters will only have their starting class to work with, but later on you will have access to classes outside your starting class. Be sure to experiment with what suits your playstyle!

All Classes and Roles

Know Your Controls

Combat Exploration
NSW - Left Analog - Move Character
NSW - B/NSW - X/NSW - Y - Use Art
NSW - A - Use Talent Art
NSW - Dpad Up/NSW - Dpad Right/NSW - Dpad Down - Use Master Art
NSW - ZR - Select Fusion Art
NSW - Dpad Left - Interlink
NSW - Dpad Up(while Interlinked) - Switch Interlinked Character
NSW - Dpad Down(while Interlinked) - Cancel Interlink
NSW - ZL - Select Tactics
NSW - ZL+NSW - Dpad Left - Any Combo
NSW - ZL+NSW - Dpad Up - Focus Attack
NSW - ZL+NSW - Dpad Right - Fusion First
NSW - ZL+NSW - Dpad Down - Follow Leader
NSW - ZL+NSW - L/NSW - R - Switch Characters
NSW - Plus - Use Chain Attack
NSW - Left Analog - Move Character
NSW - B - Jump
NSW - X - Open Menu
NSW - Y - Show / Hide Objectives
NSW - A - Interact / Talk
NSW - Right Analog Click - Enlarge Minimap
NSW - Y + NSW - Plus - Open Map
NSW - Dpad Up - Lure Enemy
NSW - ZR - Draw Enemy Attention
NSW - L/NSW - R - Switch Characters
NSW - ZL + NSW - Plus - Edit Shortcuts
NSW - ZL - Show Shortcuts
NSW - ZL + NSW - A/NSW - B/NSW - X/NSW - Y - Shortcuts
NSW - ZL + NSW - Right Analog - Camera Position and Direction
NSW - ZL + NSW - Right Analog Click - Reset Camera

You can still however change the button mapping of your controller on the Nintendo Switch system itself. This has been made possible since the V10.0.0 system update last April 13, 2020. However, this is only compatible with official Nintendo Joy-Con and Pro Controllers, and the Nintendo Switch Lite.

How to Change Button Mapping

Learn How to Use Arts

Using Arts can help you win battles easily

Arts are the bread and butter of combat in Xenoblade 3. Though you can rely on auto-attack, using Arts will deal more damage as well as provide buffs for you and your team. Arts come in different types, each with their own use.

Art Type Info
Combat Generally geared towards offense, ranging from buffing attack, or even healing.
Talent Special skills that can be unleashed upon filling up the charge gauge around its Arts icon
Master Skills that are unlocked upon maxing out a class, however these are not class-locked.
Fusion Skills that combine two Arts and stack its effects together.
Ouroboros Skills that can be unleashed only when characters are in their Ouroboros forms

Using Field Skills

Xenoblade Chronicles 3 - Field Skills are Coming Back

Fields Skills are special actions that enable the player to navigate terrain you wouldn't be able to go through, such as walking through tightropes or climbing walls. To use Field Skills, press NSW - A to interact with obstacles you cannot normally traverse. Unlock more Field Skills as you progress the story by talking to people.

Complete Side Quests

Xenoblade Chronicles 3 Discuss Side Quests
Hero Quest Hero Quest Standard Quests Standard Quest Collectopaedia Cards Collectopaedia

Xenoblade 3 offers lots of side content to keep you hooked for hours on end. Some Standard Quests are needed to progress through the main story. Hero Quests are special quests that allow you to meet new heroes, learn their classes, learn Field Skills, and more. Collectopaedia Cards are useful in gaining more Affinity with colonies and getting accessories in exchange for items you find in the overworld.

How to Heal

In Combat

Team members assigned to a Healer class will automatically use Arts that can heal surrounding teammates when you are not controlling them directly.

While Exploring

There are no consumables in the game that will heal you outside of combat. Instead, healers will constantly heal you even as you take fall damage from cliffs and ledges.

Familiarize Yourself with Combat

Time your Arts with Auto-Attack

Xenoblade Chronicles 3 - Combat Arts
You won't have to button mash to attack enemies as the game implements an auto-attack system. However, you should use this auto-attack function to your advantage as you plan out strategies on combat as some Arts will deal more damage when done from a certain position or if the enemy is in a certain status effect.

Avoid High Level Enemies

Do not engage the giant enemies

XC3 - Avoid High Level Enemies.jpg

In the world of Aionios, monsters of different levels can be seen roaming around all in the same general area. This means that even though you are only starting out, you might see a giant monster that is 20, or even 40, levels above you in the same area!

Take note of the icons beside enemy levels

Xenoblade 3 - Sycophantic Lilith.png

Some monsters will have icons next to their levels, even though they may seem low-levelled, these are Elite and Unique monsters and will give you a run for your money.

All Unique Monster Locations

Useful Beginner Information

Other Beginner Essentials







Difficulty Settings

Change_difficulty_in_the_game_menu.png

The game allows you to choose from 3 playable difficulties, each catering to a specific player type. Lowering the difficulty will significantly affect how much damage you take from enemy attacks, while not affecting how much damage you can deal, as well as the rewards you can get.

Easy For those who want an easier time during combat, preferring to focus on progressing the story.
Normal For those who want moderately-difficult, generously-balanced combat.
Hard For those who enjoy challenging themselves with fairly difficult combat.

Use Nopon Coins Efficiently

Xenoblade Chronicles 3 - Containers

Throughout your journey you will encounter containers containg Silver Nopon Coins and Gold Nopon Coins. These coins can also be obtained from assisting one side in Skirmishes, and defeating Unique Monsters. These special coins can act as another form of currency in-game that allows you to craft Gems, cook meals at rest stop, and even unlock new Classes!

How to Farm Nopon Coins

How to Fast Travel

Xenoblade Chronicles 3 - Skip travel time

You can freely traverse the open world from the Map menu and fast travel to any point or landmark in the map that you have already unlocked. In addition to fast travel, you can also choose the time of day when you arrive at the next waypoint.

How to Flee

In Combat

XC3 - How to Flee.jpg

If you hold NSW - Minus Button while in battle, this Battle menu will pop up. You can give up the fight and be transported back to the nearest landmark, but you will lose all the items you have found up until that point.

While Exploring

While you are exploring the world, it is inevitable that you will catch the attention of some of the monsters roaming around. You can choose to engage them in combat, but if you want to flee, all you need to do is to run the opposite direction! In most cases, enemies can only run a limited distance where they try to chase you.

How to Change Classes

Class Changing is Unlocked in Chapter 2

XC3 - Changing Classes.jpg

The ability to change classes is unlocked in Chapter 2 after completing the Standard Quest: The Hillside Hulk. After a short tutorial, you can now change classes in the Characters menu to better suit your taste and playstyle.

How to Unlock Other Classes

Increase EXP and rewards with cooking

Xenoblade Chronicles 3 - Use collected materials to cook

You can cook meals at Rest Stops to provide temporary buffs ranging from increased EXP rewards to increased Drop Rates and even increased CP rewards for a short period of time. While you can cook meals with the Collectible ingredients you will find in the overworld, you can also cook meals using Nopon Coins if you do not have all the necessary ingredients.

How to Save the Game

3 Ways to Save the Game

Ways to Save the Game
A XC3 - Quick-Save.jpg
Quick-Saving
Quick-saving from the Main Menu is done by holding NSW - Y immediately when you open the Main Menu
B XC3 - Manual Save.jpg
Manual Saving
Manual Saving is done by: Opening the Main Menu > System > Save.
C XC3 - Rest Spot Save.jpg
Rest Stop Saving
Rest Spot Saving is done by choosing "Save" while stationed at a Rest Spot.

The game allows you to save in 3 ways. These methods are merely options for players to choose from as there is virtually no difference saving from the Main Menu, System Menu, or Rest Spot.

Going Ouboros

Interlink to Gain the Power of Ouroboros

Xenoblade Chronicles 3 - Ouroboros Meter

Ouroboros Form is a new form introduced to Xenoblade Chronicles 3 that allows two partner characters to fuse into one stronger being during battle! This unlocks stronger and unique moves and its form can even be swapped between two forms to adjust in the heat of battle!

Ouroboros Interlink Partners
NoahNoah MioMio
EunieEunie TaionTaion
LanzLanz SenaSena

Ouroboros Form and Strength Depends on the Dominant Link

Ouroboros Form
Noah OuroborosNoah Form
Specializes in high-damage attacks
Mio OuroborosMio Form
Specializes in highly evasive movements
Lanz OuroborosLanz Form
FIghting style prioritizes defending
Sena OuroborosSena Form
Unleashes attacks that ignore defense
Eunie OuroborosEunie Form
Specializes in healing
Taion OuroborosTaion Form
Specializes in status effects

The form and specialty of the Ouroboros is determined by the leader, which can be changed during the fusion process. Make sure to pick the appropriate form to cater to your current strategy.

Other Tips and Tricks

Gameplay Tips and Tricks
Battle System and Combat Guide Ouroboros Guide: How to Interlink
How to Farm Nopon Coins How to Fast Travel
Gem Crafting Guide How to Raise Affinity Level
All Field Skills and How to Unlock How to Run From Battle
How to Change Characters Soldier Husks Guide
Training Drills Guide and Completion Rewards How to Use Combos
Missables and Points of No Return How to Perform Chain Attacks
Amiibo Compatibility Guide How to Use Talent Arts
CP Farming Guide Best Accessories For Each Class
Best Gems to Craft SP Farming Guide
How to Use Fusion Arts EXP Farming Guide
Best Classes for Each Character Best Recipes and Dishes
Best Hero Tier List New Game Plus
Best Arts for Each Class Gold Farming Guide
All Shards Locations Challenge Battle Guide
Inoswap Guide Noponstone Farming Guide
Nopon Archsage Guide HD Ether Cylinder+ Guide
Beginner Guides
How to Cancel Attacks How to Use Auto-Run
How to Save Stat Guide: All Stats Explained
List of Enemy Types and Effects How to Adjust and Change Game Time
List of Controls What Are Rest Spots?
How to Heal Your Party Members Skirmish Guide: Which Side to Choose?
How to Revive Allies All Status Effects Explained
How to Open Locked Supply Drop All Ferronis Hulk Locations
All Secret Area Locations Ship Controls and How to Move
All Colony Locations -
FAQ
Flame Clock Explained What Happens If You Die?
Difficulty Setting Differences Story Explained
What Does Cleaning Equipment Do? How to Customize Your Character
How to Change Outfits How to Get Bonus EXP
How to Raise Interlink Level How to Skip Cutscenes
How to Change Language Warning Level Meaning and How to Check
What Does Art Follow-Up Do? How to Make It Rain
All Swimsuit Outfits From Expansion Pass DLC -

Xenoblade Chronicles 3 Related Guides

Xenoblade Chronicles 3 Wiki Front

Xenoblade Chronicles 3 Guides
Xenoblade Chronicles 3 Story WalkthroughStory Walkthrough Xenoblade Chronicles 3 Side QuestsSide Quests
Xenoblade Chronicles 3 ClassesClasses Tips and TricksTips and Tricks
Xenobalde Chronicles 3 - CharactersCharacters Xenoblade Chronicles 3 List of All ArtsList of All Arts
Xenoblade 3 - MapsMaps Xenoblade Chronicles 3 Food Recipes and Dishes PartialFood and Dishes
Xenoblade Chronicles 3 AccessoriesAccessories Xenoblade 3 - All Enemy Monsters Partial Banner.pngEnemies
Xenoblade 3 Items PartialItems Xenoblade 3 - List of Skills Partial.pngSkills
Xenoblade Chronicles 3 Message BoardsMessage Boards Xenoblade Chronicles 3 Latest News and Events PartialNews and Events

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