Xenoblade Chronicles Definitive Edition

Arts List and Guide

Arts Menu.png
A guide to Arts, a mechanic in Xenoblade Chronicles: Definitive Edition (XC1) for the Nintendo Switch. Here you can find a list of all Arts, as well as an explanation on how to use and level up Arts.

List of Arts

Shulk

Name Lv. Learnt Effect Power (%) CD (sec.)
Turn Strike 1 Physical Art
Heavy damage to a single target, and inflicts Break (10 sec).
500 -
Activate Monado - - Art
Unleash the Monado's power to use a Monado Art.
- -
BusterBuster - Physical Art
Use the Monado's full strength to attack all enemies in a line.
250 ~ 700 -
EnchantEnchant - Ether Art
Causes attacks to pierce Mechon armour. Boosts damage slightly.
- -
ShieldShield - Ether Art
Deflects enemy Talent Arts of the same level or lower.
- -
SpeedSpeed - Ether Art
Envelop an ally in the Monado's power, improving evasion.
- -
PurgePurge - Ether Art
Inflicts Aura Seal, removing enemy Auras and Spike effects.
200 ~ 353 -
EaterEater - Ether Art
The Monado's power consumes enemies, including any buffs.
150 ~ 303 -
ArmorArmor - Ether Art
The Monado's protection reduces physical and ether damage.
- -
CycloneCyclone - Ether Art
The Monado's power attacks enemies all around its wielder.
300 ~ 408 -
Slit EdgeSlit Edge 3 Physical Art
Attacking from the side will reduce physical defence.
60 ~ 204 10 ~ 8.2
Back SlashBack Slash 1 Physical Art
Attacking from behind will inflict a large amount of damage.
200 ~ 380 20 ~ 14.6
Light HealLight Heal 1 Ether Art
Gather the ether in the air to restore the HP of 1 party member.
216 ~ 423 25 ~ 18.2
Shaker EdgeShaker Edge 23 Physical Art
Slash at the enemy, inflicting Daze.
120 ~ 246 40 ~ 14.8
Air SlashAir Slash 14 Physical Art
Break the enemy's stance. A side attack may inflict Slow.
150 ~ 303 15 ~ 8.2
Shadow EyeShadow Eye 10 Ether Art
Reduces aggro and increases physical Arts damage.
- 45 ~ 36.9
Battle SoulBattle Soul 32 Ether Art
Sacrifice half of HP to fill Talent Gauge.
- 60 ~ 43.8
Stream EdgeStream Edge 5 Physical Art
Swing weapon in front, attacking multiple enemies.
150 ~ 303 30 ~ 21.9

Reyn

Name Lv. Learnt Effect Power (%) CD (sec.)
Mad Taunt 1 Ether Art
Taunt an enemy, drawing aggro and becoming the enemy target.
- -
Hammer BeatHammer Beat 1 Physical Art
Swing weapon, drawing aggro from enemies in range.
110 ~ 254 12 ~ 9.8
Wild DownWild Down 1 Physical Art
Slice at an enemy's feet, inflicting Topple.
80 ~ 206 25 ~ 13.8
Guard ShiftGuard Shift 9 Ether Art
Use weapon to block attacks.
- 40 ~ 25.6
War SwingWar Swing 8 Physical Art
Full circle swing, dealing damage to enemies in range.
30 ~ 66 60 ~ 22.2
Sword DriveSword Drive 16 Physical Art
Stab an enemy, dealing a large amount of damage.
450 ~ 603 90 ~ 57.6
BerserkerBerserker 19 Ether Art
Aura that disregards defence to prioritise attack.
- 45 ~ 24.8
Shield BashShield Bash 27 Physical Art
Hit the enemy with a shield, inflicting Daze.
60 ~ 186 30 ~ 8.4
EngageEngage 11 Ether Art
Aura that greatly raises aggro, drawing enemy attention.
- 90 ~ 49.5
Last StandLast Stand 23 Ether Art
Aura that revives Reyn once before he is Incapacitated.
- 120 ~ 87.6
RageRage 3 Ether Art
Aura that lowers physical damage. Talent Gauge refills over time.
- 60 ~ 33
Magnum ChargeMagnum Charge 35 Ether Art
Reyn gets fired up and his Arts damage increases.
- 80 ~ 65.6
Bone UpperBone Upper 1 Physical Art
Assault the enemy with a mighty punch.
50 ~ 194 8 ~ 5.8
Dive SobatDive Sobat 31 Physical Art
A paralysing kick. Use after Bone Upper to reduce agility.
130 ~ 256 35 ~ 19.2
Aura BurstAura Burst 5 Ether Art
Available when an Aura is active. Attack reduces enemy strength.
100 ~ 253 20 ~ 16.4
Anchor ChainAnchor Chain 39 Ether Art
Aura that prevents Knock-Back, Blow-Down and aggro reduction.
100 ~ 100 60 ~ 33
LariatLariat 43 Physical Art
Deal damage to multiple enemies in front of Reyn.
200 ~ 353 30 ~ 16.5

Dunban

Name Lv. Learnt Effect Power (%) CD (sec.)
Blossom Dance 1 Physical Art
Unleash the power within, slicing for as long as your focus endures.
150 -
Blossom Dance (2nd Strike) 1 Physical Art
A follow-up for Blossom Dance triggered by timing a B press at the right time.
200 -
Blossom Dance (3rd Strike) 1 Physical Art
Follows up Blossom Dance 2nd Strike, and hits twice.
125 -
Blossom Dance (4th Strike) 1 Physical Art
Follows up Blossom Dance 3rd Strike, hits enemies within a close range and draws aggro.
450 -
Gale SlashGale Slash 1 Physical Art
Stab an enemy quickly and deeply inflicting Bleed damage.
100 ~ 208 15 ~ 12.3
Electric GutbusterElectric Gutbuster 1 Physical Art
Deal a devastating kick. Inflicts Break if used after Gale Slash.
60 ~ 186 8 ~ 6.6
PeerlessPeerless 1 Ether Art
Aura of high spirits cures party of Confuse and increases strength.
- 45 ~ 24.8
Worldly SlashWorldly Slash 1 Physical Art
Combo lowering physical defence. After Gale Slash, lowers strength.
80 ~ 161 30 ~ 19.2
Battle EyeBattle Eye 1 Ether Art
Fix your gaze firmly on a single enemy, creating an Aura of focus.
- 75 ~ 41.2
Steel StrikeSteel Strike 1 Physical Art
Pulverise the enemy with a precise attack, inflicting Topple.
200 ~ 353 30 ~ 16.5
Serene HeartSerene Heart 28 Ether Art
A peaceful and focused Aura that increases Accuracy and Evasion.
- 45 ~ 24.8
Final FlickerFinal Flicker 52 Ether Art
Sacrifice HP to refill the Talent Gauge.
- 60 ~ 33
Jaws of DeathJaws of Death 48 Ether Art
Aura that recovers HP just before Incapacitation.
- 120 ~ 66
Tempest KickTempest Kick 32 Ether Art
Air waves deal damage. Removes enemy buffs after Gale Slash.
150 ~ 303 30 ~ 19.2
Heat HazeHeat Haze 36 Ether Art
An inscrutable Aura removes all aggro and increases Critical Rate.
- 90 ~ 65.7
Spirit BreathSpirit Breath 22 Ether Art
Aura that removes debuffs and grants Haste.
- 45 ~ 20.7
Soaring TempestSoaring Tempest 44 Physical Art
Spin up into the air, striking foes all around with shockwaves.
60 ~ 114 90 ~ 49.5
ThunderThunder 40 Ether Art
A pulse attacks enemies behind. If used with an Aura, forces Daze.
250 ~ 403 40 ~ 22
Demon SlayerDemon Slayer 56 Physical Art
A powerful attack on one enemy reverberates to all others.
300 ~ 453 120 ~ 87.6
Blinding BlossomBlinding Blossom 24 Ether Art
Impressive exploits draw aggro from a party member to Dunban.
- 30 ~ 21.9

Sharla

Name Lv. Learnt Effect Power (%) CD (sec.)
Cool Off 1 Ether Art
Cools an overheated Ether gun.
- -
Heal BulletHeal Bullet 1 Ether Art
A shot of recovery ether, restoring some HP to target.
198 ~ 549 25 ~ 18.2
Thunder BulletThunder Bullet 1 Ether Art
Two-hit combo, critical against flying enemies.
90 ~ 207 20 ~ 11
Shield BulletShield Bullet 1 Ether Art
Releases a special barrier of ether that absorbs some damage.
- 90 ~ 49.5
Cure BulletCure Bullet 1 Ether Art
Removes debuffs from target and grants temporary debuff immunity.
- 30 ~ 16.5
Drive BoostDrive Boost 50 Ether Art
Reduces cooldown of all Arts except Drive Boost.
- 120 ~ 66
Heal BlastHeal Blast 14 Ether Art
A shot of recovery ether, restoring a large amount of HP to target.
330 ~ 924 90 ~ 33.3
Heal RoundHeal Round 18 Ether Art
Shoot recovery ether into the air, restoring HP to the entire party.
220 ~ 616 60 ~ 49.2
Head ShotHead Shot 42 Physical Art
A critical hit, inflicting Instant Death on enemies suffering Daze.
300 ~ 453 120 ~ 33.6
Metal BlastMetal Blast 16 Physical Art
Shoot a powerful bullet in a straight line, inflicting Break.
120 ~ 255 60 ~ 49.2
Aura BulletAura Bullet 34 Ether Art
A special ether bullet that extends the duration of an Aura.
- 60 ~ 38.4
Heat BulletHeat Bullet 22 Ether Art
Releases special ether bullet that increases the tension of the party.
- 30 ~ 16.5
Head ShakerHead Shaker 30 Physical Art
Pistol whip the enemy, inflicting Daze.
200 ~ 380 90 ~ 57.6
Covert StanceCovert Stance 26 Ether Art
Aura that stops you gaining aggro, reducing attacks from enemies.
- 45 ~ 32.8
Heal CounterHeal Counter 38 Ether Art
Create a special ether barrier that restores HP when attacked.
- 60 ~ 43.8
TranquilliserTranquilliser 12 Ether Art
An ether bullet with hypnotic qualities, inflicting Sleep.
- 40 ~ 22
Cure RoundCure Round 46 Ether Art
Removes debuffs, grants a period of debuff immunity to the party.
- 45 ~ 24.8

Riki

Name Lv. Learnt Effect Power (%) CD (sec.)
Yoink! 1 Physical Art
Steal something that Riki likes from the enemy.
100 -
Happy HappyHappy Happy 1 Ether Art
Riki does his happy dance, filling the Party Gauge.
- 90 ~ 67.7
Bitey BiteyBitey Bitey 1 Physical Art
Riki bites out, inflicting Bleed. From behind extends duration.
150 ~ 231 30 ~ 24.6
SneakySneaky 1 Physical Art
Riki sneaks up from behind, dealing lots of damage.
100 ~ 208 15 ~ 12.3
Play DeadPlay Dead 1 Ether Art
Riki plays dead. Enemies ignore him, allowing a surprise attack.
- 90 ~ 49.5
LurgyLurgy 1 Ether Art
Riki chews poisonous grass from Makna and spits it out in a cloud.
40 ~ 67 45 ~ 32.8
Hero TimeHero Time 1 Ether Art
The Heropon charges ahead with a blessed Aura surrounding him.
- 30 ~ 16.5
Roly-PolyRoly-Poly 1 Ether Art
The bigger you are, the harder you fall!
- 60 ~ 33
BehaveBehave 1 Ether Art
Riki throws petals from Makna, making any enemy placid.
- 50 ~ 27.5
Riki is AngryRiki is Angry 47 Ether Art
This Aura lets enemies feel the pain of a Heropon's wrath!
- 120 ~ 55.2
BedtimeBedtime 35 Ether Art
Riki spins his weapon, sending all enemies in range straight to sleep.
- 120 ~ 66
You Can Do ItYou Can Do It 27 Ether Art
Restore HP to the party. The more debuffs, the more HP restored.
216 ~ 441 30 ~ 19.2
PeekabooPeekaboo 51 Physical Art
Gleefully thwack the enemy. As a side attack, Confuses Mechon.
200 ~ 353 25 ~ 13.8
Say SorrySay Sorry 55 Physical Art
Removes debuffs from enemy, but deals extra damage for each one.
200 ~ 353 60 ~ 43.8
BurninateBurninate 43 Ether Art
Riki spits out fire, scorching all enemies in range.
100 ~ 172 90 ~ 25.2
FreezinateFreezinate 31 Ether Art
Riki spits saliva that instantly freezes around an enemy.
50 ~ 158 10 ~ 8.2
TantrumTantrum 40 Physical Art
Riki lashes out at enemies, inflicting Break.
50 ~ 152 20 ~ 11

Melia

Name Lv. Learnt Effect Power (%) CD (sec.)
Elemental Discharge (Electric) 1 Ether Art
Fires off the element summoned through Summon Bolt and attacks the enemy.
250 ~ 403 -
Elemental Discharge (Fire) 1 Ether Art
Fires off the element summoned through Summon Flare at the enemy and attacks the enemies within range with Blaze Damage.
90 ~ 153 -
Elemental Discharge (Ice) 54 Ether Art
Fires off the element summoned through Summon Ice in a circle around Melia to inflict Chill Damage to enemies in the area.
120 ~ 201 -
Elemental Discharge (Wind) 38 Ether Art
Fires off the element summoned through Summon Wind and attacks enemies within the area.
150 ~ 303 -
Elemental Discharge (Earth) 46 Ether Art
Fires off the element summoned through Summon Earth to attack and poison enemies.
60 ~ 114 -
Elemental Discharge (Water) 30 Ether Art
Fires off the element summoned through Summon Aqua and attacks the enemy, absorbing their HP.
20 ~ 47 -
Summon BoltSummon Bolt 1 Ether Art
Electricity increases ether. Discharge inflicts large damage.
250 ~ 403 15 ~ 12.3
Summon FlareSummon Flare 1 Ether Art
Fire increases strength. Discharge inflicts Blaze damage.
90 ~ 153 30 ~ 24.6
Summon IceSummon Ice 56 Ether Art
Ice reduces ether damage. Discharge inflicts Chill damage.
120 ~ 201 45 ~ 16.7
HypnotiseHypnotise 1 Ether Art
Wrap the enemy in warm ether, sending them to sleep.
- 60 ~ 33
Spear BreakSpear Break 26 Physical Art
Throw the enemy back. Physical attack.
120 ~ 255 25 ~ 13.8
Shadow StitchShadow Stitch 29 Ether Art
Ether from the ground restricts movement of enemies in range.
- 120 ~ 87.6
Summon CopySummon Copy 38 Ether Art
Resummon the last summoned elemental.
- 45 ~ 24.8
ReflectionReflection 50 Ether Art
A special ether barrier that causes attacks to rebound on the enemy.
- 30 ~ 16.5
Summon WindSummon Wind 41 Ether Art
Wind increases agility. Discharge inflicts area damage.
150 ~ 303 25 ~ 18.2
Summon EarthSummon Earth 47 Ether Art
Earth reduces physical damage. Discharge inflicts Poison damage.
60 ~ 114 90 ~ 49.5
Summon AquaSummon Aqua 33 Ether Art
Water causes HP regeneration. Discharge drains enemy HP.
20 ~ 47 15 ~ 12.3
Healing GiftHealing Gift 35 Ether Art
Sacrifice own HP to restore the HP of a party member.
100 ~ 100 10 ~ 8.2
Starlight KickStarlight Kick 44 Physical Art
A devastating kick. Physical close-combat attack.
150 ~ 312 40 ~ 22
Power EffectPower Effect 53 Ether Art
An Aura that excites elementals, boosting the range of their effects.
- 45 ~ 32.8
Burst EndBurst End 1 Ether Art
Release latent power, reducing the defence of enemies in range.
- 60 ~ 33
Mind BlastMind Blast - Ether Art
Release internal strength to seal enemy Arts.
300 ~ 453 90 ~ 57.6

Seven


The following Arts are for Fiora, who is the seventh party member to join your team.

Name Lv. Learnt Effect Power (%) CD (sec.)
Cannon Drones I - Ether Art
Drones form a cannon, unleashing a large beam in a straight line.
1000 -
Cannon Drones II - Ether Art
Drones form a cannon, unleashing a large beam in a straight line.
1500 -
Shield Drones I - Ether Art
Drones become a barrier, granting Fiora the Shield effect.
- -
Shield Drones II - Ether Art
Drones become a barrier, granting temporary debuff immunity.
- -
Gun Drones I - Ether Art
Drones surround Fiora, firing deadly beams in all directions.
120 -
Gun Drones II - Ether Art
Drones surround Fiora, firing deadly beams in all directions.
180 -
Sword Drones I - Ether Art
Drones turn into four arms, slicing viciously at the targeted enemy.
100 -
Sword Drones II - Ether Art
Drones turn into four arms, slicing viciously at the targeted enemy.
125 -
Sword Drones X - Ether Art
Drones turn into four arms, slicing viciously at the targeted enemy.
150 -
Double BladeDouble Blade 1 Physical Art
Attacking from behind will inflict a large amount of damage.
120 ~ 255 15 ~ 12.3
Healing EnergyHealing Energy 1 Ether Art
Removes debuffs and creates a Regenerate Aura.
- 60 ~ 38.4
Spear BladeSpear Blade 1 Physical Art
Heavy damage on enemies suffering Topple.
240 ~ 393 30 ~ 24.6
Cross ImpactCross Impact 1 Physical Art
A kick attack in a cross formation, inflicting Daze.
160 ~ 259 45 ~ 24.8
Speed ShiftSpeed Shift 61 Ether Art
Aura reduces attack intervals and grants double attack opportunity.
- 120 ~ 87.6
Zero GravityZero Gravity 1 Ether Art
Produces a special field that inflicts Paralysis.
240 ~ 384 90 ~ 65.7
Lock-OnLock-On 46 Ether Art
Lock Fiora's sights onto a single enemy, creating an Aura of focus.
- 90 ~ 49.5
Ether DrainEther Drain 1 Ether Art
Special field that absorbs ether.
- 30 ~ 16.5
Double WindDouble Wind 42 Physical Art
A dual-bladed outward slash, striking enemies in front.
200 ~ 335 40 ~ 29.2
Mag StormMag Storm 49 Ether Art
Release an ether wave striking all in range. Inflicts Daze on Mechon.
200 ~ 344 60 ~ 49.2
ShutdownShutdown 52 Physical Art
Strike an enemy, inflicting Sleep.
150 ~ 303 45 ~ 24.8
Air FangAir Fang 1 Physical Art
Vicious fang attack, inflicting Break.
200 ~ 308 10 ~ 8.2
Power DrainPower Drain 58 Ether Art
Create a special field that absorbs strength.
- 25 ~ 16
Guard ShiftGuard Shift 55 Ether Art
Protective Aura that shifts priority from attack to defence.
- 50 ~ 32
Second GearSecond Gear 43 Ether Art
Tense all the muscles in the body, increasing physical Arts damage.
- 120 ~ 44.4
Final CrossFinal Cross - Ether Art
Release a massive ether wave to annihilate enemies.
300 ~ 408 180 ~ 115.2

What Are Arts?

Powerful Battle Attacks

Arts Menu.png
Arts are essentially active specials, and unlike auto-attacks, you will have to select Arts when you want the character you control to use one. Arts can deal damage, restore HP to party members, cast buffs or debuffs, provide protection, and more, helping to define that character's role. Arts can be classified as either Physical Arts (relying on a character's Strength stat), or Ether Arts (relying on a character's Ether stat).

Your teammates will use their attacks and arts automatically, so other than selecting the ones that they have set, you cannot choose which Arts they use outside of a Chain Attack. Arts all have cooldown, which needs to recharge before you can use them again. Additonally, using Arts to attack the enemy rapidly will increase your Aggro, making you the target of your enemy.

Two Types of Arts

There are two main types of Arts: Battle Arts and Talent Arts. A character can set up to 8 Battle Arts at a time, while their Talent Art is fixed.

Battle Arts

Except for Shulk, who will always have the same Arts set, each character can set up to 8 of these. They are usable from the start of battle, and have a specific amount of cooldown, which is lowered by leveling up the Art with AP. These can have a wide array of effects, and the color of their icon indicates something about what they do.

  • Red: Physical attacks that often have an additional effect, such as inflicting Bleed.
  • Pink: Inflicts Break on an enemy, making them susceptible to Topple.
  • Green: Inflicts Topple on an enemy (usually one who has been inflicted with Break).
  • Yellow: Inflicts Daze on an enemy (usually one who has been inflicted with Topple).
  • Blue: Heals or buffs party members.
  • Purple: Ether attacks.
  • Orange: Auras that grant some kind of boost.

Talent Arts

Each character has one of these, and it sits in the middle of their Arts. It is typically their most unique Art, and does something totally different for each character. Unlike Battle Arts, which have a fixed cooldown, Talent Arts fill via varying methods, depending on the character. For most characters, the Talent Gauge fills via auto-attacking or using other arts that charge the meter.

These are black colored, and in a chain attack, they can be chained with other Arts to increase the multiplier of whatever color comes before it and after it. It is essentially a wild card in chain attacks, allowing you to link different colors.

How to Level Up Arts

Leveled Up Through AP

Battle Arts (and Shulk's Monado Arts) can be leveled up by manually spending AP (Art Points). Like EXP, these are collected via battling and finding new landmarks. You can spend this AP through the Arts menu.

AP Farming Guide

Each time you level up an Art, its effect will increase and its cooldown will shorten. The amount of AP required to level up depends on the Art, and it will increase with each level up. This means you should prioritize only your best Arts, so you don't waste AP on skills you never use.

Best Arts | Which Arts Should You Level Up?

Use Art Books to Level Further

Arts have a certain limit to how many times they can be leveled up. At this point, Art Books can be purchased in shops to raise arts to intermediate levels. Higher levels of arts also become available after defeating unique monsters!

Art Books are generally the only thing you'll want to spend money on, but you'll need to farm a bit of gold to buy them all.

How to Farm Money

Xenoblade Chronicles Definitive Edition Related Links

Xenoblade Chronicles Wiki Top Page

Xenoblade Chronicles Links
Story Walkthrough Beginner's Guide
Characters Side Quests
Arts Heart-to-Hearts
Gems Time Attack
Colony 6 Reconstruction News
Super Bosses Extra Skill Trees
All Maps List Message Boards

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