Skirmish Guide: Which Side to Choose?

Skirmishes are small battles that players can find while exploring the open world of Xenoblade Chronicles 3. Read on to learn more about Skirmishes including what they are, the rewards they give, and the best side to choose in a Skirmish.

What are Skirmishes?

Open World Battle Instances

Skirmishes are small battles that you can encounter while exploring the lands of Aionios. They occur at fixed locations, often respawning whenever you re-enter the different regions in the game.

The game will typically warn players about nearby skirmishes, displaying an on-screen indicator in the form of a red icon with crossed swords. Hit the ZR button to focus on the skirmish instance.

Offers Players the Choice to Help a Side

When you approach a skirmish in the open world, a pop-up window will be brought up. It will show the details of the combatants, listing their levels, enemy types, and rewards (for choosing their side).

If you want to participate and reap the rewards, pick a side to trigger the battle. Defeat the enemies of the side you chose to help to complete the skirmish. However, if you choose not to assist any side, simply hit the B button to exit out of the skirmish window.

Gives Rewards for Helping a Side

Once the battle concludes, you will be able to collect your chosen reward. Typically, skirmishes offer one of the following items as a reward for helping out a side:

• Nopon Coins
• EXP & Gold
• Colony Affinity

Note: Skirmishes will not offer the same type of reward, twice. It is not possible to encounter a skirmish where both sides offer Nopon Coins, for example.

Fighting the Same Skirmish Again Offers No Rewards

Since skirmishes respawn them at the same location, players can opt to return and fight the same battle again. However, when you do, there will no longer be any rewards. The spoils of victory are only awarded during the very first time you fought the skirmish.

Which Side Should You Choose?

Pick the Side that Offers Nopon Coins

Unlike the other reward types, Nopon Coins are rare items. They are hard to accumulate while being used in a lot of in-game systems and mechanics. When given the choice, always opt to get the Nopon Coins as your reward for a skirmish.

Remember: EXP and Gold can be farmed by killing monsters, and Colony Affinity can be accumulated by fulfilling Collectopaedia Cards. It is only the Nopon Coin reward that has no guaranteed farming method at the moment.

Xenoblade Chronicles 3 Related Guides

Tips and Tricks

Tips and Tricks