All New and Returning Features

There are several new and returning features in Xenoblade Chronicles 3. Read on to learn about new features like interlinking, having 7 party members, fusion arts, and new characters and locations, as well as returning features like arts, gem crafting, and other battle mechanics.

All New Features in Xenoblade Chronicles 3

List of New Gameplay Features
Maximum of 7 Party Members Interlinking to Ourboros Form Dashing and Quick Moves Changing Classes Master and Fusion Arts New Characters New Locations Switch Characters in Battle

Maximum of 7 Party Members

Back in Xenoblade 2, you could have a maximum of 6 members in your party at a time. However, in Xenoblade Chronicles 3, this number is increased by 1, allowing you to have a maximum of 7 party members, which is the most it has ever been in the series.

These additional party members are known as heroes. You can only have one hero join your party at a time.

Fusing to Ouroboros Form

Interlinking is a new battle mechanic introduced in Xenoblade Chronicles 3 where two playable characters combine into what is called their Ouroboros form. This form is more powerful than individual characters and has access to special attacks and abilities.

Ouroboros Guide: How Fusion Works

Dashing and Quick Moves

There is a new movement option in the game that allows players to dash or dodge enemy attacks at high speed. When performing this move, your character will have to put away their weapon, preventing you from attacking.

Changing Classes

There are several classes in Xenoblade Chronicles 3, one for each playable character in the game, including heroes. You can change the class of your characters at any time once a character with that class is added to your party. You can also change the outfit of your party members to fit with each class.

All Classes in Xenoblade Chronicles 3
Swordfighter	Zephyr	Medic Gunner
Tactician	Heavy Guard	Ogre
Guardian Commander	Incursor	War Medic
Yumsmith	Full Metal Jaguar	Stalker
Lone Exile	-	-

All Classes and Roles

Master and Fusion Arts

There are two new types of arts in Xenoblade Chronicles 3, Master Arts and Fusion Arts. Master Arts are arts learned by characters that are outside of their current class, such as when a defender uses art to heal a teammate.

Master arts can also be combined with your regular arts to form what is called a Fusion Art, which has the effects of both chosen arts.

Arts Guide: List of All Arts and Effects

New Characters

The main cast of Xenoblade Chronicles 3 comprises new characters that were never featured in previous games. This means that it will also introduce new storylines for these characters, as well as new attacks and arts.

List of Main Characters and Protagonists

Heroes

In addition to regular playable characters, you will also be able to recruit heroes which are additional party members you can add to your team. However, only one hero is allowed to join your party at a time.

List of Recruitable Heroes and Their Classes

New Locations

Though this is the same overarching world as the previous Xenoblade games, the game will introduce us to several new locations, including the two rival nations at the heart of the game’s story, Keves and Agnus.

Rest Spots

Though they have been seen in Xenoblade Chronicles X, Rest Spots serve a completely different function in this game as they are more used as camps for our playable characters.

In Rest Spots, you can cook food, craft gems, and discuss information from residents to take on new quests.

Rest Spots Feature

Freely Switch Characters in Battle

In previous games, you can change which character you control in the menu before a battle starts. However, in Xenoblade Chronicles 3, you can now switch your controlled character at any time even in battle.

All Returning Features in Xenoblade Chronicles 3

List of Returning Gameplay Features
Arts and Talent Arts Crafting Gems Switch Characters while Exploring Returning Battle Mechanics Colonies Fast Travel and Changing Time

All New and Returning Features

Arts

Arts are special attacks in the Xenoblade series that have a variety of effects. They are confirmed to make a return in Xenoblade Chronicles 3 but, as mentioned, they will have additional features added to them like Master and Fusion Arts.

Each Art is assigned to one of your ABXY buttons to make them quick and easy to execute.
Arts Guide: List of All Arts and Effects

Talent Arts

Each character also has Talent Arts, which change depending on the character’s class. Talent Arts are more powerful than regular arts, but cannot be used unless the Talent Meter gets filled.

Different classes in Xenoblade Chronicles 3 will refill their art gauge differently. Keves classes fill their art gauge by overtime, while Agnus classes fill it with every auto attack hit.

Crafting Gems

Gem Crafting will make a return in Xenoblade Chronicles 3. Gems are crafted using different resources found during your adventure and they can be equipped to characters to raise their stats or improve certain abilities.

Gem Crafting Guide

Freely Switch Characters while Exploring

Like in previous Xenoblade games, you may switch among all of your current playable characters while exploring the world. This will make exploration more interesting and fun as you can see each character travel around the world.

Returning Battle Mechanics

Several battle mechanics from previous games will make a return in the current battle system of Xenoblade Chronicles 3. This will ensure that despite the many new mechanics added, gameplay will remain familiar to long-term fans of the franchise.
Battle System and Combat Guide: Battle Mechanics Explained

Tactics

Tactics are an important battle mechanic in the Xenoblade Chronicles franchise that allows you to control how your allies will position themselves and attack. You can view the Tactics menu by pressing ZL in battle.

Driver Combos

Driver Combos are sets of continuous attacks that can prevent an enemy from attacking or defending. The Driver Combo in this game is similar to that in Xenoblade Chronicles 2, which goes Break → Topple → Launch → Smash.

Chain Attacks

Though Chain Attacks were featured in Xenoblade Chronicles 2 and 1, the mechanic is now very different from its previous iteration. To use a chain attack you’ll need to execute efficient combos with your party to fill up the Chain Attack Gauge.

Once filled, one of your characters can execute a special attack that delivers large amounts of damage.

Attack Canceling

Attack canceling is another returning battle mechanic from Xenoblade Chronicles 2 which allows you to cancel an art by using another art as soon as it hits. This rapidly fills up the Chain Attack Gauge, making it a useful ability.

When using the move, you can see a purple circle appear around your character.

Colonies

One of the most well-known locations in the series is Colony 9 due to its significance in the first Xenoblade Chronicles game. This location will make a return in this game, along with several other colonies that could have been part of previous titles.

Colonies serve a similar function to towns and settlements in previous games. In these locations, you can buy items in shops, eat food, or receive quests from residents.

Fast Travel and Changing Time

Two very convenient gameplay features are also making a return in this game. Xenoblade Chronicles 3 will allow you to Fast Travel and Change Time, which you can use to easily explore and see everything that the world has to offer.

How to Fast Travel

Adjust and Change Game Time

Xenoblade Chronicles 3 Related Guides

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