This is a guide to the Time Trial challenge He of the Metal Face (Free Mode) in Xenoblade Chronicles: Definitive Edition (XC1) for the Nintendo Switch. Read on to learn how to beat He of the Metal Face, strategies to use, and how to get an S Ranking.

He of the Metal Face (Free Mode) Rewards and Recommended Level

He of the Metal Face Recommended Party Setup

Recommended Party Leaders

Fiora

Shulk

Shulk's Arts

Stream Edge	Battle Soul	Air Slash	Back Slash
Slit Edge	Enchant	Buster

These are the arts you will mostly use throughout the challenge. Shadow Eye and Stream Edge allow you to fill Shulk's Talent Gauge quickl,y which lets him unleash his Monado Arts. His other Chance arts allow him to quickly fill the party gauge to allow your team to use Chain Attacks.

Shulk's Role

This Challenge forces you to face 2 mechons. Damaging Mechons requires several setups, but the easiest way to do it is by using Monado Enchant. Your goal is to quickly fill Shulk's Talent Gauge and immediately use Enchant to allow your allies to damage the enemy. Shulk's secondary goal is to keep on filling the party gauge to allow your team to unleash Chain Attack after Chain Attack.

Fiora's Arts

Final Cross	Air Fang	Mag Storm	Lock-On
Cross Impact	Spear Blade	Double Blade

These arts allow Fiora to force Topple on the enemy, allowing your party to assault them despite lacking Enchant. Mag Storm and Cross Impact should only be included if your party is equipped with Daze Up Gems, otherwise, remove them or don't use them, as they will slow down your team's damage output.

Fiora's Role

Your focus should be to quickly fill the Party gauge to unleash a Chain Attack. Lock-On improves Fiora's Critical Chance, which can trigger Burst Affinities. Once a Chain Attack is used, immediately topple the target and unleash hell upon them.

Recommended Party Members

Dunban

Fiora

Reyn

As you can see, this team is heavily focused on physical damage and topple locking. Both waves only consist of one enemy, so being abile to render them unable to move is a huge plus. Just make sure to not forget about using offensive arts and not just toppling them forever.

Party Member's Recommended Arts

Steel Strike	Worldly Slash	Peerless	Final Cross
Spear Blade	Sword Drive	Wild Down

Your focus should only be to topple enemies, and then damage them. Don't focus on topple locking them alone, and instead, strike a balance between toppling them, then damaging them. High damaging arts like Worldly Slash and Sword Drive must be used carefully to maximize their damage and improve your time.

Recommended Gems

These gems increase your team's offensive capability. Topple Up should only be equipped if your team isn't lacking in Topple Plus gems. Initial Tension should only be equipped to Fiora and Critical Up to Shulk and Fiora.

Recommended Skills

High Enemy Level Buffs

If your party's level is the same as the recommended level of this challenge (90), make sure to equip skills that boost your stats if you're fighting high leveled enemies. Their coin cost is non-existent, and can give your team a huge buff.

Chain of Friendship and Ultimate Teamwork

Skills that boost the chance and damage of Chain Link are a must have.

Pretty Stars / Love Sun

Time-based buffs are also extremely good. Just make sure to adjust the time before accepting the challenge.

He of the Metal Face (Free Mode) Tips and Strategies

He of the Metal Face General Tips

Your enemy is alone and is a mechon. Relying on Monado Enchant and Anti-Mechon Weapons is a good answer, but we highly recommend a topple locking strategy. Toppling a Mechon makes them vulnerable to normal attacks, and it can render them unable to act as well, which can let you focus on attacking without worries.

Wave 1 Enemies and Strategies

As Shulk, focus on quickly building up your Talent Gauge, then use Enchant. This will allow your team's damage to come in. Lessen your Aggro with Shadow Eye, then pile up your Chance Arts to fill the Party Gauge. Once it's filled up, Topple Mumkhar then go to town on him.

As Fiora, immediately use Lock-On, then unleash a barrage of hits against Mumkhar for a chance to get some Burst Affinity from critical strikes. Use Final Cross if Fiora's Tension get's maxed out, or unleash a Chain Attack when the Party gauge gets filled (whichever comes first) to defeat Mumkhar.

Wave 2 Enemies and Strategies

His Hom's form has a higher damage output, but is vulnerable to break. Quickly apply Break to him. This will give Dunban or Reyn a chance to Topple Mumkhar. From here on out, just keep on piling damage until Mumkhar falls.

Xenoblade Chronicles Related Links

Time Attack Guide and Rewards

Free Mode

Restricted Mode