Xenoblade Chronicles Definitive Edition

What is Spike Damage?

spike damage.jpg
A guide to Spike Damage in Xenoblade Chronicles Definitive Edition (XC1) for the Nintendo Switch. Read on to know learn what spike damage does, spike ability types, and how to counter enemies that deal spike damage.

What is Spike Damage?

Unreducable Damage

Spike Damage is fixed damage that will always deal its original value. This damage cannot be reduced by Defense or Ether Defense.

Enemies with Spike Damage essentially can deal damage to your characters when they are attacked, or just by being in close proximity.

Types of Spike Abilities

Counter Spike

Counter Spike is the most infamous spike ability among all three. Monsters with Counter Spike automatically deal spike damage or debuffs to the attackers when an auto-attack or Art hits them.

Down Spike

Down Spike is a spike ability that triggers when the enemy is toppled. Avoid toppling these foes, and just focus on debuffing them and defeating them through brute force.

Close Spike

Close Spike deals damage or debuffs to all party members that get too close to it. Avoid fighting these foes in melee range if possible, or remove it with Monado Purge.

How to Counter Enemies with Spike Abilities

spike damage.jpg

Use Purge

Shulk learns the Monado Art: Purge at the time these enemies start appearing in the game. Monado Purge removes buffs and auras from enemies temporarily, and spike abilities are among those removed. Make sure to use Purge against these enemies the first chance you get!

Equip Spike Defense Gems

Equipping Spike Defense Gems is the best way to reduce spike damage. It is impossible to use Purge against all spike enemies all the time, so make sure to equip these gems first before heading into the fray against enemies with spike abilities.

Topple Foes With Counter Spike

Foes with counter spike cannot deal spike damage while they are toppled. Topple them the first chance you get, and if possible, try to perpetuate the state of topple.

Avoid Toppling Foes With Down Spike

Conversely, make sure you do NOT topple foes with Down Spike. If you get a chain attack, you will want to simply go for damage via chaining similar colored Arts instead of trying to inflict Topple.

How to Know if Enemy Has Down Spike?

Impossible Aside From Toppling the Enemy

Toppling an enemy is the only real known method of checking if an enemy has a downspike ability. When an enemy shows a spike ability sign on their name, immediately cease all attacks by commanding your allies to come to you.

Xenoblade Chronicles Tips and Tricks

Beginner's Guide to Xenoblade Chronicles: Definitive Edition

Gameplay Mechanics
Battle System and Combat Guide Can You Switch Characters in Battle?
Stats Explained Status Effects Explained
How to Chain Attack What Does Tension Do?
How to Topple | Topple Lock Guide What is Spike Damage?
Trading and Overtrading Guide Collectopaedia Guide and Rewards
Presents Guide How to Change the Weather
What is Weight? -
Guides for Leveling and Grinding
How to Level Up Fast AP Farming Guide
SP Farming Guide How to Farm Money
How to Raise Affinity Tephra Cave Glitch
Leveling Areas Post 70 How to Get Affinity Coins
Optimization Guides
Best Party and Team Setup Best Skill Trees For Each Character
Best Skill Links for Each Character Best Gifts for Each Character
Art Manuals List What to Sell | Best Items to Sell
Miscellaneous Guides
What Carries Over to New Game Plus? What is Expert Mode?
Achievement Guide and List What Happens if You Die?
Appearance Guide | How to Change Appearance List of Missables
100% Playthrough Checklist -
Colony 6 Items
How to Get Gogol Horns How to Get Inferno Element
How to Get Black Liver Bean How to Get Snow Element
How to Get Azure Hollyhocks How to Get Dust Element
How to Get Red Frontier How to Get Empress Beetles
How to Get Rainbow Slugs How to Get Ice Cabbages
How to Get Sturdy Armor How to Get Squall Element
How to Get Bunnia Scent Wood How to Get Fossil Monkey
FAQs
How to Get High Entia Emblem How to Enter Hode's Lair
Where is Banquet Vassago How to Get Bitter Kiwis
How to Enter Power Pipe Ruins -

Author

    Walkthrough Menu

    All rights reserved