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Xenoblade Chronicles 3

Difficulty Setting Differences: How to Change Difficulty

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Xenoblade Chronicles 3 - How to Change Difficulty

Xenoblade Chronicles 3 allows you to choose between three different difficulty settings. Read on to learn the differences between difficulty modes and how to change the game difficulty!

How to Change Difficulty

Change in the Main Menu

1. Press the X button to open the menuPress X to open the Menu while in the field.
2. Select System then Options in the menu
3. Change the difficulty by selecting the Game settingSelect the Game Category and choose your desired difficulty.
You will be asked to confirm the changes before exiting the menuPress B to exit the menu, at which you will be asked to confirm the changes.

You Can Change the Difficulty Anytime

You can change the difficulty at any time

While you are given a chance to set the difficult at the title screen when starting a new game, you can change it at any time while playing by accessing the in-game menu. If you are struggling with a particular section, you can always lower the difficulty when in need!

Choose a Starting Difficulty

When you start the playing, the game will also make a prompt and ask you about what difficulty you want to start the game in! The game will start with this difficulty setting and it cannot be changed immediately until a little bit of progress has been made.

Difficulty Setting Differences

Affected gameplay elements
  • Enemy HP
  • Damage received from attacks
  • Unaffected gameplay elements
  • Damage dealt 
  • EXP and CP earned
  • Difficulty Mainly Affects Enemy Strength

    Changing the difficulty primarily affects the damage received from enemies, while other elements, such as EXP and CP earned and player damage is unchanged.

    Results From Playtesting

    Easy Normal Hard
    Enemy HP
    ( based on Total damage)
    542
    (x0.52)
    1049
    (x1)
    2063
    (x1.97)
    Damage received
    (based on Normal Attacks of enemies)
    20~26
    (x0.72)
    28~36
    (x1)
    34~46
    (x1.25)

    Results were calculated using median values

    The above results are based on fighting the same enemies multiple times after saving and reloading. Damage dealt by enemies changed by about 0.25, while enemy HP changed by 0.5 over each difficulty.

    No Penalty from Lowering the Difficulty

    Unless you are looking for a challenge, there is no penalty derived from lowering the difficulty level, since the amount EXP and CP earned, as well as the type of dropped items found do not change between difficulties. This means you can feel free to choose any difficulty, and adjust as you go.

    Xenoblade Chronicles 3 Related Guides

    Tips and Tricks

    Tips and Tricks

    Tips and Tricks

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

    Comment

    1 Caffrey Caffrey over 3 years

    It's worth noting that on Hard difficulty Chain Attack starts with lower multiplier and also drains more of the Chain Bar after choosing character's tactic (if I recall correctly on Hard it takes 3 Heroes' commands to fully deplete the gauge whilst on Normal it's 4)

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