Xenoblade Chronicles 3: The Ultimate Guide to Party, Combat, Exploration & Upgrades

The story DLC "Future Redeemed" for Xenoblade Chronicles 3 delves into unanswered questions from the base game and features a completely different playable party set in a time period before the main story. This DLC brings a plethora of changes, new features, and gameplay additions to the base game, including tweaks to the combat systems, exploration, and progression. In this guide, we will explore all the modifications and additions that players can expect from this exciting expansion.

The Party & Combat Changes

Future Redeemed introduces a fresh set of playable characters, including newcomers Matthew, A, Nikol, and Glimmer, as well as the familiar faces of Shulk and Rex from Xenoblade Chronicles 1 & 2. Each character boasts a unique class with their own set of Arts and Skills, which cannot be altered throughout the game. Glimmer and A serve as the party's healers, with Glimmer providing attack and critical buffs while also inflicting debilitating status effects on enemies. Meanwhile, A utilizes her Monado to heal the party through attacking and place regeneration fields. Matthew and Rex are the primary attackers, with Matthew utilizing his gauntlets to execute combos of Arts, while Rex focuses on dealing massive damage through critical strikes with the Firelight Swords. Finally, Nikol and Shulk take on the role of Defenders, with Nikol relying on his Variable Backpack to block and reduce damage and Shulk utilizing his Monado REX+ to dodge attacks and strip enemies of their buffs.

The party's Ouroboros Power has yet to reach its full potential, despite being present throughout. As a result, the party can't interlink, opting instead to utilize Ouroboros Arts and Unity Combos. The former replaces Master Arts, enabling Fusion Arts, while the latter allows for two party members to execute a powerful combined attack that can finish a Combo. The new combo chain is Break > Topple > Launch, followed by any Unity Attack, with no party member able to inflict Daze. Furthermore, non-unity arts that inflict smash or burst are also unavailable. Activating a Unity Attack will awaken both party members and trigger their pairing's unity skill. Unity pairings can be changed from the menu. Chain Attacks operate similarly to the main game, with the added feature of party members equipping special accessories that alter their effects when selected during a chain attack and when fulfilling their attack orders. Ouroboros Arts have been replaced by Unity Arts, which serve the same purpose and are accessible once both members of the pairing complete their attack order.

Exploration, Affinity, and Weapon Upgrading

By completing various Affinity Goals such as collecting all treasure chests in a region, defeating unique enemies, or completing sidequests, players can earn Affinity Points. These points can then be utilized to unlock upgrades for each party member through their respective Affinity Charts. The map allows players to easily track their progress in each region, while the Collectopaedia provides information on enemy item drops. As players progress through the story, they can construct useful devices at specific locations on the map, such as towers that reveal collectibles and ladders that lead to new areas. Upgrading weapons is also essential to improving the party's combat abilities, which can be achieved with the assistance of Riku after completing the "Forge Your Destiny" quest.

Throughout the game world, players can discover hidden unlock kits or receive them from defeating mighty enemies. These kits allow players to expand each character's Art, Accessory, and Gem slots, as well as reveal new sections of their affinity charts.

Additionally, completing certain sidequests will enhance the functionality of Colony 9, the main hub that players will frequently revisit throughout the game. Furthermore, players can locate survivors from the City and send them back to Colony 9 to unlock new quests and interactions.

Xenoblade Chronicles 3: Future Redeemed is available for Nintendo Switch.