Xenoblade Chronicles Definitive Edition

Skill Tree Guide: Best Skill Trees For Each Character

Xenoblade Chronicles Skill Tree.jpg
This is a guide to Skill Trees and choosing the best skill trees for every character in Xenoblade Chronicles: Definitive Edition (XC1) for the Nintendo Switch. Read on to learn which Skill Trees you should be using!

What Are Skill Trees?

Xenoblade Chronicles Skill Tree.jpg
Each Character has Skill Trees which, when upgraded, give them certain skills and passive buffs as long as they are equipped. There are exactly skills per skill tree. Each character has five skill trees: three that they start out with and two that they can obtain through quests.

Characters only get the passive buffs and skills from the currently equipped Skill Tree, although Skill Links apply as long as they are equipped from another character (regardless of tree). Skill Trees can be improved by acquiring SP from defeating enemies and discovering new locations.

SP Farming Guide | How to Grind SP

Explanation of Skill Tree Icons

Each skill has a color, shape, and icon that all indicate something different about the skill. Here is the guide to understanding what a skill does and who it affects!

Xenoblade Chronicles Skill Color Blue.jpg Blue skills are active whether or not the character is in the battle party.
Xenoblade Chronicles Skill Color Orange.jpg Orange skills are only active if the character is in the battle party.
Xenoblade Chronicles Single Character.jpg This skill only affects the party member who has the skill.
Xenoblade Chronicles Party Skill.jpg This skill affects all battle party members.
Xenoblade Chronicles Skill All.jpg This skill affects the entire party.
Xenoblade Chronicles Skill Shape Diamond.jpg Skills with diamond shapes cannot be linked to other skills. See more about skill links down below.

What Are Skill Links?

Xenoblade Chronicles Skill Links.jpg
Using Affinity Coins, characters can link skills from another character, activating the skill for both of them. This activates the skill for the host, regardless of their currently equipped skill tree.

The number of skills they can link from another character is dependent on the affinity level with that character. Raising affinity level with that character unlocks linking more slots and more varied skills. Additionally, each skill must have the right shape in order to be linked between characters.

Best Skill Links for Each Character

Best Skill Tree for Shulk

Shulk needs critical rate boosts because it boosts his Arts, and his regular attacks, which will be used a lot to fill up his talent art gauge. That being said, Bravery is the best choice. Alternatively, Intuition guarantees hits so that's the best choice before Bravery is unlocked.

Bravery Skill Tree

Effect How to Unlock
Counter Rate Up Default Skill Tree unlocked when Dunban becomes playable.
0 1 2 3 4 5
2% 4% 6% 8% 10% 15%

Bravery Skills

Skill Effect SP Coins
Medium Equipment Allows medium weight armour to be equipped. - 10
Invincible Hero In battle, boosts strength when HP is at max (10%). 700 6
Warrior's Ambition Increases tension after successful Battle Start Affinity (25). 1000 8
Overwhelming Increases aggro drawn by when dealing damage (10%). 2000 2
Hero's Valour Grants HP Up buff at start of battle (20%, 40 sec). 3500 3

Intuition Skill Tree

Effect How to Unlock
Agility Up Default Skill Tree unlocked when Shulk becomes playable.
0 1 2 3 4 5
2 5 8 10 12 15

Intuition Skills

Skill Effect SP Coins
Battle Cry Increases tension gained from Battle Start Affinity (20). 300 13
Underdog Agility Up buff at start of battle with higher level enemies (15%, 30 sec). 700 2
Equipment Master Reduces weight of equipment (5). 1000 5
Fever Pitch Increases chance of Fever when gem crafting. 2000 18
Element of Surprise Improves Arts with Bonus Effects from behind. 3500 20

Shulk Build, Arts, Skill Trees, and Usage Guide

Best Skill Tree for Reyn

As Reyn is mainly a tank, using Camaraderie to increase his Physical Defense is his best move. Before that, using Spirit to increase his strength is also a good move because most of his arts are Physical Arts. However, sticking with Spirit to keep his strength high is a great option as well (especially if playing as Reyn).

Camaraderie Skill Tree

Effect How to Unlock
Physical Defense Up Acquired through completing the Friendship Tokens Side Quest.
0 1 2 3 4 5
5 10 20 30 40 50

Camaraderie Skills

Skill Effect SP Coins
Ties of Friendship Increases chance of a Chain Link (5%). 200 14
Shoulder to Shoulder Heals the party after a chain attack (10%). 500 25
Flying Start Battle Start Affinity grants Haste buff to the party (15%, 30 sec). 800 10
Solitary Fight Grants Strength Up when a party member is Incapacitated (25%, 15 sec). 1000 3
Friends Forever Boosts the affinity gained when encouraging an ally (30%). 1500 30

Spirit Skill Tree

Effect How to Unlock
Strength Up Default Skill Tree unlocked when Reyn becomes playable.
0 1 2 3 4 5
5 10 30 50 70 100

Spirit Skills

Skill Effect SP Coins
Medium Equipment Allows medium weight armour to be equipped. - 10
Mental Fortitude Grants Phys Def Up at start of battle with higher level enemies (10%, 30 sec). 700 2
Unrelenting Spirit Prevents Incapacitation from lowering tension. 1000 28
Feel the Heat Increases tension when damage is taken (5). 2000 40
Sheer Determination Boosts physical defence when HP is at half (15%). 3500 7

Reyn Build, Best Arts, Skill Trees, and Usage Guide

Best Skill Tree for Sharla

Because Sharla is incredibly squishy, you want to keep her alive using the Perseverance skill tree to increase her survivability.

Perseverance Skill Tree

Effect How to Unlock
Physical Defense Up Default Skill Tree unlocked when Sharla becomes playable.
0 1 2 3 4 5
5 10 20 30 40 50

Perseverance Skills

Skill Effect SP Coins
Firm Defence Boosts physical defence (5%). 300 18
Ether Expansion Increases ether (25). 700 8
Solid Defence Grants Physical Defence Up buff at start of battle (20%, 30 sec). 1000 6
Ether Unleashed Increases ether when HP is at half (15%). 2000 2
Ultimate Sniper Reduces the duration of Cool Off (50%). 3500 -

Sharla Build, Best Arts, Skill Trees, and Usage Guide

Best Skill Tree for Dunban

Dunban is a good damage dealer that has a lot Physical Arts, so increasing his Strength with the Enthusiasm skill tree is a good idea. Before that, Wisdom is the best of his initial trees.

Enthusiasm Skill Tree

Effect How to Unlock
Strength Up Acquired through completing the Stunted Growth Side Quest.
0 1 2 3 4 5
10 30 40 50 70 100

Enthusiasm Skills

Skill Effect SP Coins
Charge Acceleration Grants Haste buff at start of battle (30%, 15 sec) 200 8
Counter Rage Increases chance of a counter-attack (10%). 500 6
Ardent Strike Increases tension gained after a critical hit (10). 800 7
Deadly Determination Increases tension gained when using Arts (10). 1000 48
Blazing Aura Fills Party Gauge when activating an Aura (20). 1500 43

Wisdom Skill Tree

Effect How to Unlock
Agility Up Default Skill Tree unlocked when Dunban becomes playable.
0 1 2 3 4 5
2 5 8 10 12 15

Wisdom Skills

Skill Effect SP Coins
Spiritual Awakening Greatly increases aggro when no armour is equipped (25%). 300 2
Reckless Abandon Increases agility when HP is at half (15%). 700 8
Twin Swords Increases chance of a double attack (5%). 1000 18
Natural Born Warrior Reduces weight of equipment (5). 2000 5
Inner Peace Greatly increases agility with no armour equipped (30%). 3500 18

Dunban Build, Best Arts, Skill Trees, and Usage Guide

Best Skill Tree for Riki

Initially, you'll want Riki to be on the Vivacity Skill Tree until he maxes out to 9999 HP, then switch him to Cowardice afterwards to further increase his survivability.

Cowardice Skill Tree

Effect How to Unlock
Block Rate Up Acquired through completing the Getting Bigger Side Quest.
0 1 2 3 4 5
2% 5% 10% 12% 15% 20%

Cowardice Skills

Skill Effect SP Coins
Pretty Stars! Increases strength during the night (15%). 200 7
Watch Out! Increases agility when HP is at half (20%). 500 8
Amazing Stars! Reduces cooldown during the night (15%). 800 13
Bullseye! Improves accuracy of back attacks (50%) 1000 45
Bestest Stars! Increases EXP awarded in battles during the night (20%). 1500 13

Vivacity Skill Tree

Effect How to Unlock
HP Up Default Skill Tree unlocked when Riki becomes playable.
0 1 2 3 4 5
2% 4% 6% 8% 10% 15%

Vivacity Skills

Skill Effect SP Coins
Like Sun! Increases strength during the day (10%). - 7
Friends Now! Allows low-value items to be offered when trading (5%). 700 -
Love Sun! Reduces cooldown during the day (10%). 1000 18
Lucky Me! Improves chance of monsters dropping silver chests (10%). 2000 30
Adore Sun! Increases EXP awarded in battles during the day (15%). 3500 18

Riki Build, Best Arts, Skill Trees, and Usage Guide

Best Skill Tree for Melia

Because Melia mostly uses Ether Arts, her best tree to use would be Passion once it is unlocked. Before that, Honesty is a good choice because it increases the damage and crit rate of her elementals.

Passion Skill Tree

Effect How to Unlock
Ether Up Acquired through completing the Ancient High Entia Mystery Side Quest.
0 1 2 3 4 5
10 30 40 50 70 100

Passion Skills

Skill Effect SP Coins
Nonchalant Heart Reduces tension loss when an attack fails (5). 200 7
Awakening Strike Boosts damage dealt to enemies suffering Sleep (50%). 500 10
Telethia Killer When an aura is active, increases damage dealt to Telethia (50%) 800 48
Passion of Flame Extends Blaze duration when dealt to an enemy (20 sec). 1000 -
Rejection of Evil Greatly reduces the effects of Spike attacks (50%). 1500 50

Honesty Skill Tree

Effect How to Unlock
Critical Hit Rate Up Default Skill Tree unlocked when Melia becomes playable.
0 1 2 3 4 5
2% 4% 6% 8% 10% 15%

Honesty Skills

Skill Effect SP Coins
High Speed Increases agility (15). 300 20
Whisper of the Wind Boosts Wind damage (25%). 700 -
Amplified Ether Grants Ether Up buff at the start of battle (25%, 30 sec). 1000 5
Electric Shock Boosts electric damage (25%). 2000 -
Enlightenment Increases accuracy of ether attacks. 3500 25

Melia Build, Best Arts, Skill Trees, and Usage Guide

Best Skill Tree for Seven

The best skill tree for Fiora, the seventh party member to join you, is Courage. A boosted Crit Hit rate for an attacker like Fiora is a huge bonus.

Courage Skill Tree

Effect How to Unlock
Critical Hit Rate Up Default Skill Tree unlocked when Fiora becomes playable.
0 1 2 3 4 5
2% 4% 6% 8% 10% 15%

Courage Skills

Skill Effect SP Coins
Mechonis Equipment Allows special armour from Mechonis to be equipped - -
Desperate Daggers Increases counter-attack rate when HP is at half (15%). 700 2
Second Wind Increases amount of HP restored when revived (20%). 1000 -
Ultimate Strike Increases damage of critical hits (20%). 2000 13
Unwavering Courage Fills Party Gauge if two allies are Incapacitated (50). 3500 28

Fiora Build, Best Arts, Skill Trees, and Usage Guide

Related Links - Xenoblade Chronicles: Definitive Edition

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 -

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