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 Contents
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. | - | - |
Buster | - | Physical Art Use the Monado's full strength to attack all enemies in a line. | 250 ~ 700 | - |
Enchant | - | Ether Art Causes attacks to pierce Mechon armour. Boosts damage slightly. | - | - |
Shield | - | Ether Art Deflects enemy Talent Arts of the same level or lower. | - | - |
Speed | - | Ether Art Envelop an ally in the Monado's power, improving evasion. | - | - |
Purge | - | Ether Art Inflicts Aura Seal, removing enemy Auras and Spike effects. | 200 ~ 353 | - |
Eater | - | Ether Art The Monado's power consumes enemies, including any buffs. | 150 ~ 303 | - |
Armor | - | Ether Art The Monado's protection reduces physical and ether damage. | - | - |
Cyclone | - | Ether Art The Monado's power attacks enemies all around its wielder. | 300 ~ 408 | - |
Slit Edge | 3 | Physical Art Attacking from the side will reduce physical defence. | 60 ~ 204 | 10 ~ 8.2 |
Back Slash | 1 | Physical Art Attacking from behind will inflict a large amount of damage. | 200 ~ 380 | 20 ~ 14.6 |
Light Heal | 1 | Ether Art Gather the ether in the air to restore the HP of 1 party member. | 216 ~ 423 | 25 ~ 18.2 |
Shaker Edge | 23 | Physical Art Slash at the enemy, inflicting Daze. | 120 ~ 246 | 40 ~ 14.8 |
Air Slash | 14 | Physical Art Break the enemy's stance. A side attack may inflict Slow. | 150 ~ 303 | 15 ~ 8.2 |
Shadow Eye | 10 | Ether Art Reduces aggro and increases physical Arts damage. | - | 45 ~ 36.9 |
Battle Soul | 32 | Ether Art Sacrifice half of HP to fill Talent Gauge. | - | 60 ~ 43.8 |
Stream Edge | 5 | Physical Art Swing weapon in front, attacking multiple enemies. | 150 ~ 303 | 30 ~ 21.9 |
Name | Lv. Learnt | Effect | Power (%) | CD (sec.) |
---|---|---|---|---|
Mad Taunt | 1 | Ether Art Taunt an enemy, drawing aggro and becoming the enemy target. | - | - |
Hammer Beat | 1 | Physical Art Swing weapon, drawing aggro from enemies in range. | 110 ~ 254 | 12 ~ 9.8 |
Wild Down | 1 | Physical Art Slice at an enemy's feet, inflicting Topple. | 80 ~ 206 | 25 ~ 13.8 |
Guard Shift | 9 | Ether Art Use weapon to block attacks. | - | 40 ~ 25.6 |
War Swing | 8 | Physical Art Full circle swing, dealing damage to enemies in range. | 30 ~ 66 | 60 ~ 22.2 |
Sword Drive | 16 | Physical Art Stab an enemy, dealing a large amount of damage. | 450 ~ 603 | 90 ~ 57.6 |
Berserker | 19 | Ether Art Aura that disregards defence to prioritise attack. | - | 45 ~ 24.8 |
Shield Bash | 27 | Physical Art Hit the enemy with a shield, inflicting Daze. | 60 ~ 186 | 30 ~ 8.4 |
Engage | 11 | Ether Art Aura that greatly raises aggro, drawing enemy attention. | - | 90 ~ 49.5 |
Last Stand | 23 | Ether Art Aura that revives Reyn once before he is Incapacitated. | - | 120 ~ 87.6 |
Rage | 3 | Ether Art Aura that lowers physical damage. Talent Gauge refills over time. | - | 60 ~ 33 |
Magnum Charge | 35 | Ether Art Reyn gets fired up and his Arts damage increases. | - | 80 ~ 65.6 |
Bone Upper | 1 | Physical Art Assault the enemy with a mighty punch. | 50 ~ 194 | 8 ~ 5.8 |
Dive Sobat | 31 | Physical Art A paralysing kick. Use after Bone Upper to reduce agility. | 130 ~ 256 | 35 ~ 19.2 |
Aura Burst | 5 | Ether Art Available when an Aura is active. Attack reduces enemy strength. | 100 ~ 253 | 20 ~ 16.4 |
Anchor Chain | 39 | Ether Art Aura that prevents Knock-Back, Blow-Down and aggro reduction. | 100 ~ 100 | 60 ~ 33 |
Lariat | 43 | Physical Art Deal damage to multiple enemies in front of Reyn. | 200 ~ 353 | 30 ~ 16.5 |
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 Slash | 1 | Physical Art Stab an enemy quickly and deeply inflicting Bleed damage. | 100 ~ 208 | 15 ~ 12.3 |
Electric Gutbuster | 1 | Physical Art Deal a devastating kick. Inflicts Break if used after Gale Slash. | 60 ~ 186 | 8 ~ 6.6 |
Peerless | 1 | Ether Art Aura of high spirits cures party of Confuse and increases strength. | - | 45 ~ 24.8 |
Worldly Slash | 1 | Physical Art Combo lowering physical defence. After Gale Slash, lowers strength. | 80 ~ 161 | 30 ~ 19.2 |
Battle Eye | 1 | Ether Art Fix your gaze firmly on a single enemy, creating an Aura of focus. | - | 75 ~ 41.2 |
Steel Strike | 1 | Physical Art Pulverise the enemy with a precise attack, inflicting Topple. | 200 ~ 353 | 30 ~ 16.5 |
Serene Heart | 28 | Ether Art A peaceful and focused Aura that increases Accuracy and Evasion. | - | 45 ~ 24.8 |
Final Flicker | 52 | Ether Art Sacrifice HP to refill the Talent Gauge. | - | 60 ~ 33 |
Jaws of Death | 48 | Ether Art Aura that recovers HP just before Incapacitation. | - | 120 ~ 66 |
Tempest Kick | 32 | Ether Art Air waves deal damage. Removes enemy buffs after Gale Slash. | 150 ~ 303 | 30 ~ 19.2 |
Heat Haze | 36 | Ether Art An inscrutable Aura removes all aggro and increases Critical Rate. | - | 90 ~ 65.7 |
Spirit Breath | 22 | Ether Art Aura that removes debuffs and grants Haste. | - | 45 ~ 20.7 |
Soaring Tempest | 44 | Physical Art Spin up into the air, striking foes all around with shockwaves. | 60 ~ 114 | 90 ~ 49.5 |
Thunder | 40 | Ether Art A pulse attacks enemies behind. If used with an Aura, forces Daze. | 250 ~ 403 | 40 ~ 22 |
Demon Slayer | 56 | Physical Art A powerful attack on one enemy reverberates to all others. | 300 ~ 453 | 120 ~ 87.6 |
Blinding Blossom | 24 | Ether Art Impressive exploits draw aggro from a party member to Dunban. | - | 30 ~ 21.9 |
Name | Lv. Learnt | Effect | Power (%) | CD (sec.) |
---|---|---|---|---|
Cool Off | 1 | Ether Art Cools an overheated Ether gun. | - | - |
Heal Bullet | 1 | Ether Art A shot of recovery ether, restoring some HP to target. | 198 ~ 549 | 25 ~ 18.2 |
Thunder Bullet | 1 | Ether Art Two-hit combo, critical against flying enemies. | 90 ~ 207 | 20 ~ 11 |
Shield Bullet | 1 | Ether Art Releases a special barrier of ether that absorbs some damage. | - | 90 ~ 49.5 |
Cure Bullet | 1 | Ether Art Removes debuffs from target and grants temporary debuff immunity. | - | 30 ~ 16.5 |
Drive Boost | 50 | Ether Art Reduces cooldown of all Arts except Drive Boost. | - | 120 ~ 66 |
Heal Blast | 14 | Ether Art A shot of recovery ether, restoring a large amount of HP to target. | 330 ~ 924 | 90 ~ 33.3 |
Heal Round | 18 | Ether Art Shoot recovery ether into the air, restoring HP to the entire party. | 220 ~ 616 | 60 ~ 49.2 |
Head Shot | 42 | Physical Art A critical hit, inflicting Instant Death on enemies suffering Daze. | 300 ~ 453 | 120 ~ 33.6 |
Metal Blast | 16 | Physical Art Shoot a powerful bullet in a straight line, inflicting Break. | 120 ~ 255 | 60 ~ 49.2 |
Aura Bullet | 34 | Ether Art A special ether bullet that extends the duration of an Aura. | - | 60 ~ 38.4 |
Heat Bullet | 22 | Ether Art Releases special ether bullet that increases the tension of the party. | - | 30 ~ 16.5 |
Head Shaker | 30 | Physical Art Pistol whip the enemy, inflicting Daze. | 200 ~ 380 | 90 ~ 57.6 |
Covert Stance | 26 | Ether Art Aura that stops you gaining aggro, reducing attacks from enemies. | - | 45 ~ 32.8 |
Heal Counter | 38 | Ether Art Create a special ether barrier that restores HP when attacked. | - | 60 ~ 43.8 |
Tranquilliser | 12 | Ether Art An ether bullet with hypnotic qualities, inflicting Sleep. | - | 40 ~ 22 |
Cure Round | 46 | Ether Art Removes debuffs, grants a period of debuff immunity to the party. | - | 45 ~ 24.8 |
Name | Lv. Learnt | Effect | Power (%) | CD (sec.) |
---|---|---|---|---|
Yoink! | 1 | Physical Art Steal something that Riki likes from the enemy. | 100 | - |
Happy Happy | 1 | Ether Art Riki does his happy dance, filling the Party Gauge. | - | 90 ~ 67.7 |
Bitey Bitey | 1 | Physical Art Riki bites out, inflicting Bleed. From behind extends duration. | 150 ~ 231 | 30 ~ 24.6 |
Sneaky | 1 | Physical Art Riki sneaks up from behind, dealing lots of damage. | 100 ~ 208 | 15 ~ 12.3 |
Play Dead | 1 | Ether Art Riki plays dead. Enemies ignore him, allowing a surprise attack. | - | 90 ~ 49.5 |
Lurgy | 1 | Ether Art Riki chews poisonous grass from Makna and spits it out in a cloud. | 40 ~ 67 | 45 ~ 32.8 |
Hero Time | 1 | Ether Art The Heropon charges ahead with a blessed Aura surrounding him. | - | 30 ~ 16.5 |
Roly-Poly | 1 | Ether Art The bigger you are, the harder you fall! | - | 60 ~ 33 |
Behave | 1 | Ether Art Riki throws petals from Makna, making any enemy placid. | - | 50 ~ 27.5 |
Riki is Angry | 47 | Ether Art This Aura lets enemies feel the pain of a Heropon's wrath! | - | 120 ~ 55.2 |
Bedtime | 35 | Ether Art Riki spins his weapon, sending all enemies in range straight to sleep. | - | 120 ~ 66 |
You Can Do It | 27 | Ether Art Restore HP to the party. The more debuffs, the more HP restored. | 216 ~ 441 | 30 ~ 19.2 |
Peekaboo | 51 | Physical Art Gleefully thwack the enemy. As a side attack, Confuses Mechon. | 200 ~ 353 | 25 ~ 13.8 |
Say Sorry | 55 | Physical Art Removes debuffs from enemy, but deals extra damage for each one. | 200 ~ 353 | 60 ~ 43.8 |
Burninate | 43 | Ether Art Riki spits out fire, scorching all enemies in range. | 100 ~ 172 | 90 ~ 25.2 |
Freezinate | 31 | Ether Art Riki spits saliva that instantly freezes around an enemy. | 50 ~ 158 | 10 ~ 8.2 |
Tantrum | 40 | Physical Art Riki lashes out at enemies, inflicting Break. | 50 ~ 152 | 20 ~ 11 |
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 Bolt | 1 | Ether Art Electricity increases ether. Discharge inflicts large damage. | 250 ~ 403 | 15 ~ 12.3 |
Summon Flare | 1 | Ether Art Fire increases strength. Discharge inflicts Blaze damage. | 90 ~ 153 | 30 ~ 24.6 |
Summon Ice | 56 | Ether Art Ice reduces ether damage. Discharge inflicts Chill damage. | 120 ~ 201 | 45 ~ 16.7 |
Hypnotise | 1 | Ether Art Wrap the enemy in warm ether, sending them to sleep. | - | 60 ~ 33 |
Spear Break | 26 | Physical Art Throw the enemy back. Physical attack. | 120 ~ 255 | 25 ~ 13.8 |
Shadow Stitch | 29 | Ether Art Ether from the ground restricts movement of enemies in range. | - | 120 ~ 87.6 |
Summon Copy | 38 | Ether Art Resummon the last summoned elemental. | - | 45 ~ 24.8 |
Reflection | 50 | Ether Art A special ether barrier that causes attacks to rebound on the enemy. | - | 30 ~ 16.5 |
Summon Wind | 41 | Ether Art Wind increases agility. Discharge inflicts area damage. | 150 ~ 303 | 25 ~ 18.2 |
Summon Earth | 47 | Ether Art Earth reduces physical damage. Discharge inflicts Poison damage. | 60 ~ 114 | 90 ~ 49.5 |
Summon Aqua | 33 | Ether Art Water causes HP regeneration. Discharge drains enemy HP. | 20 ~ 47 | 15 ~ 12.3 |
Healing Gift | 35 | Ether Art Sacrifice own HP to restore the HP of a party member. | 100 ~ 100 | 10 ~ 8.2 |
Starlight Kick | 44 | Physical Art A devastating kick. Physical close-combat attack. | 150 ~ 312 | 40 ~ 22 |
Power Effect | 53 | Ether Art An Aura that excites elementals, boosting the range of their effects. | - | 45 ~ 32.8 |
Burst End | 1 | Ether Art Release latent power, reducing the defence of enemies in range. | - | 60 ~ 33 |
Mind Blast | - | Ether Art Release internal strength to seal enemy Arts. | 300 ~ 453 | 90 ~ 57.6 |
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 Blade | 1 | Physical Art Attacking from behind will inflict a large amount of damage. | 120 ~ 255 | 15 ~ 12.3 |
Healing Energy | 1 | Ether Art Removes debuffs and creates a Regenerate Aura. | - | 60 ~ 38.4 |
Spear Blade | 1 | Physical Art Heavy damage on enemies suffering Topple. | 240 ~ 393 | 30 ~ 24.6 |
Cross Impact | 1 | Physical Art A kick attack in a cross formation, inflicting Daze. | 160 ~ 259 | 45 ~ 24.8 |
Speed Shift | 61 | Ether Art Aura reduces attack intervals and grants double attack opportunity. | - | 120 ~ 87.6 |
Zero Gravity | 1 | Ether Art Produces a special field that inflicts Paralysis. | 240 ~ 384 | 90 ~ 65.7 |
Lock-On | 46 | Ether Art Lock Fiora's sights onto a single enemy, creating an Aura of focus. | - | 90 ~ 49.5 |
Ether Drain | 1 | Ether Art Special field that absorbs ether. | - | 30 ~ 16.5 |
Double Wind | 42 | Physical Art A dual-bladed outward slash, striking enemies in front. | 200 ~ 335 | 40 ~ 29.2 |
Mag Storm | 49 | Ether Art Release an ether wave striking all in range. Inflicts Daze on Mechon. | 200 ~ 344 | 60 ~ 49.2 |
Shutdown | 52 | Physical Art Strike an enemy, inflicting Sleep. | 150 ~ 303 | 45 ~ 24.8 |
Air Fang | 1 | Physical Art Vicious fang attack, inflicting Break. | 200 ~ 308 | 10 ~ 8.2 |
Power Drain | 58 | Ether Art Create a special field that absorbs strength. | - | 25 ~ 16 |
Guard Shift | 55 | Ether Art Protective Aura that shifts priority from attack to defence. | - | 50 ~ 32 |
Second Gear | 43 | Ether Art Tense all the muscles in the body, increasing physical Arts damage. | - | 120 ~ 44.4 |
Final Cross | - | Ether Art Release a massive ether wave to annihilate enemies. | 300 ~ 408 | 180 ~ 115.2 |
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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?
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.
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