Xenoblade Chronicles 3: BEST Builds & Classes

Xenoblade Chronicles 3 is the newest addition to the Xenoblade universe. This action role-playing game has the players enthralled with its mesmerizing gameplay. The game allows players to explore different classes and cement themselves as victors. However, you need to know the best builds to ensure you can stand tall. Hence we provide you with this Xenoblade Chronicles 3 Best Builds guide.

Xenoblade Chronicles 3 provides you with ample characters to play and explore as in the Xenoblade world. One of such characters is Mio. She excels when you go for a zephyr build. If you want more information on her, check out our Xenoblade Mio guide. You can also go for Nia or Rex, which have their uniqueness to them.

However, all these characters are made to have the most proficiency in one class. And to ensure that you dominate your battles, you need to know what builds go with what class. Thus sit tight as you go through this Xenoblade Chronicles 3 Best Builds guide.

So without further ado, let’s jump right in.

Xenoblade Chronicles 3 Classes

Before we get into the builds, you need to be aware of the different classes. We will examine the classes and what kind of playstyle they specialize in. This will give you more of an understanding of what type of build suits them. This will allow you to create even a more personalized build according to your preferences if need be. So, let’s take a look at all the different classes.

Zephyr

Zephyr is a class focused on defense and pulling enemy attention. One of the game’s protagonist default classes is Zephyr, meaning you will have to play it and some point. Those of the Zephyr class specialize in dodging attacks and getting the enemy aggro so that their teammates can finish off the enemy without worrying about taking damage,

This class blends some tank aspects with maneuverability. You can act as the most forward fighter with the skills to dodge enemy attacks carefully. This is a powerful class that can bear fruitful results if used correctly.

Swordfighter

Next up, we have the Swordfighter class. Swordfighters are the main damage dealers. They finish off enemies with explosive decisive blows. Moreover, they show expertise in movement, allowing them to attack more creatively.

This is arguably the most potent class in the Xenoblade universe, which even the protagonist of the game, Noah, specializes in.

Medic Gunner

Moving on, we have the Medic Gunner Class. Medic Gunners are essential to a team due to their immense healing capabilities. They restore their allies’ health and enable them to fight without worry. The increased survivability and outplay potential allow them and their teammates to become victorious in their fights.

Tactician Class

Moving on, we have the tactician class. Tacticians play a supporting role and overall elevate the team synergy and plays. Tacticians use talismans to give buffs to teammates and debuffs to opponents. This allows allies’ attacks to excel and enemy attacks to derail and become useless.

This is a mighty class in the right hands and can allow you to turn battles.

Heavy Guard

As the name suggests, this is a defensive class. Using their humongous weapons, they draw out the enemy aggro and tank the attacks to allow their allies to launch counterattacks. Their huge HP bar makes it easier for them to keep going and drawing aggro, giving more freedom to their partners.

When fighting giant monsters, this class is absolutely essential as it will help you take them down more effectively.

Ogre

Ogre is an aggressive attacking class. They wield heavy weapons that damage and decimate whoever stands in their way. Their specialty lies in their damage which cannot be compared to any other class. However, due to their heavy weapons, their movement isn’t the best making it harder to dodge enemy attacks.

Flash Fencer

Flash fencer is also among the attacking classes, which takes short duels to keep chipping away at their opponent’s health. They don’t have any flashy attacks and damage; however, their consistent trades keep them standing victorious in fights. This is also the default class of one of the best recruitable characters of the game, Ethel.

War Medic

War Medic is also a straightforward class. They are a blend of the Tactician and Medic Gunner classes. This class provides its allies with heals and buffs to ensure they can outlast their enemies. They do not have any offensive abilities meaning they are the backline that keeps the team flowing.

If you have trouble with survivability, this is my recommendation for a healing pick as it provides utility and healing.

Guardian Commander

Lastly, we have the Guardian Commander. This defender class incorporates offensive attacks in its kits, forming a hybrid playstyle. It allows you to tank and launch counterattacks yourself. This class can be helpful if you wish to do everything with a single character. Moreover, Noah can quickly adapt to this class, making it highly viable.

Now that you are aware of the playstyle and the outline of the classes in Xenoblade Chronicles 3, it is time we talk about what build suits them the best and allows them to shine. Thus let’s move to the Xenoblade Chronicles 3 Best Builds.

Xenoblade Chronicles 3 Best Builds

The builds we will discuss will include the combat arts, the master arts, skills, the gems, and the best accessories that elevate the damage according to the classes.

Best Zephyr Build

Let’s start off with the Zephyr Class. If you want to go for a Zephyr build, you have to take these skills as they are too good to pass up. They allow the class to shine and cover its shortcomings.

Combat Arts

Art	Area of Effect	Effect
Butterfly Blade	Singular Target	This art elevates the aggro drawn by 50%.
Air Fang	Singular Target	This art heightens your attack damage by 50% towards enemies who have aggro on you.
Speed Demon	On character	It provides more maneuverability, 30% increased evasion speed, and 15% reduced damage taken.

These are the best combat arts to utilize for a Zephyr build, as they allow you to expand upon your strengths and use them to counter your enemies. Air fang helps out a lot, especially when facing a single strong monster.

Lower Rank Master Arts

Art	Effect
Gale Slash	Draws in Aggro
Noble Taunt	Taunts your enemies
Crash Out	Captures high Aggro

Arts like Gale Slash and Crash out boost your aggro and attack damage allowing you to launch counterattacks while keeping the enemy focused on you. This glues really well with the Zephyr playstyle and will enable you to emerge victorious from your fights.

Higher Rank Master Arts

For the Rank 20 master Arts, you can go for Blossom Dance which allows you to have insane armor piercing. It shreds through enemies’ hides and makes it so much easier for you to finish them. Moreover, it pulls in their aggro allowing your allies to take hold of the battle.

Lower Rank Master Skills

Skill	Effect
Defensive Soul	This skill increases your defense by 10%, giving sustainability.
Protector’s Pride	When targeting those of non-defense class, 30% increased recharge speed.
Natural Selection	If HP is below 30%, damage taken is reduced by 20%.

Higher Rank Master Skills

Skill	Effect
Fortified Ether Guard	Increased 10% Ether Defense.

This skill is precious due to its effect. However, it also means it is hard to obtain. This skill will most likely be available to you in the post-game, but make sure you do not miss out on this.

Accessories

Moving on, we have the accessories that work well the most in a Zephyr Build. All the items have different effects, so you can choose the one you feel you need the most.

Item	Effect
Beastfang Necklace	Increased damage to enemies with aggro on you.
Metal Foot Protector	Higher evasion speed when standing still.
Signet Ring	Higher aggro even after dodging attacks.

In this Xenoblade Chronicles 3 Best Builds guide, we recommend you go for the Beastfang Necklace as it is too good to give up. The increased damage makes a lot of difference in a fight and can help you win.

Gems

Lastly, we have the gems for you to choose from.

Item	Effect
Ironclad I	Increases Health Bar
Tailwind I	Provides more maneuverability
Steady Striker I	Increases your attack speed.

These are the gems that are best suited to a Zephyr Build. This Xenoblade Chronicles 3 Best Builds guide recommends you to go Tailwind I as it helps you dodge enemy attacks and give your avenues to counterattack.

Best Swordfighter Build

This is the best Swordfighter build which capitalizes on the class’s strengths and makes it a goliath to go up against.

Combat Arts

Art	Area of Effect	Effect
Sword Strike	Singular Target	Attack from a side with this art will thrust Break on the enemy.
Edge Thrust	Singular Target	Sneak attacks or attacks from the back do 100% more damage.
Shadow Eye	On Character	Decreases aggro on yourself by 50%.

Lower Rank Master Arts

Art	Effect
Maximum Voltage	20% increased damage and blows that enemies cannot block
Violent Flurry	Higher Chance for Defense Penetration
Flamelord	Increased Positional Damage

Maximum Voltage is a potent art that will enable you to change the outcome of your battles. The increased damage coupled with the unblockable blows make it very strong and deadly.

Higher Rank Master Arts

Art	Effect
Supreme Sword	Launches Enemies in the Air

This art is an alternative to the default master art. The default master art dazzes enemies while this art launches them up. Depending on your team composition, you can choose to take either of them as they are equally strong.

Lower Rank Master Skills

Skill	Effect
Critical Strike	Critical hit damage increased by 30%.
Fighting Prowess	Physical arts do 30% more damage.
Positioning Pro	You can use 1 more positional art in the art palette.

The most powerful skill that you can utilize in a swordfighter build is Fighting prowess. It makes you an absolute monster and allows you to destroy anything that stands in your way.

Higher Rank Master Skills

Skill	Effect
Dynamite Spirit	If HP is above 90%, deal 30% more damage.

This is a compelling skill to have but is only available once you are at a high level. That is why we recommend you use this in place of positioning pro, as it will tremendously boost your overall attack damage.

Accessories

These accessories allow you to elevate your build to another level by providing you with various effects.

Item	Effect
Silver Belt	This item increases your attack damage by 20%.
Carbon Gloves	This item increases your overall agility.
Victor Gauntlet	This item allows you to deal 50% more damage by allowing yourself to take 20% more damage.

Gems

Item	Effect
Steelcleaver I	This item increases your attack damage by 20%.
Accurate Grace I	This item increases your overall agility.
Disperse Bloodlust I	Take less aggro even when using arts.

With these gems, we complete our best swordfighter build.

Best Medic Gunner Build

Next up in this Xenoblade Chronicles 3 Best Builds guide, we have the Medic Gunner Build.

Combat Arts

Art	Area of Effect	Effect
Myopic Screen	Singular Target	Attack damage
Group Heal	Small field around character	Heal allies in the field
Power Ring	Small field around character	Increase allies stats

Lower Rank Master Arts

Art	Effect
Hornet	Healing on hits
Overfall	Lower Enemies Ether Defense
Ring o’ Roses	Allows for fast recharge in a small field

Higher Rank Master Arts

Art	Effect
Soulfire	Allies Heal on every attack hit Decreases Enemy attack damage

Lower Rank Master Skills

Skill	Effect
Healing License	Increased HP healing by 20% while using healing arts.
Strengthening Gambit	Buff lasts longer by 30%.
All About Support	Adds one more field art to the arts palette.

Higher Rank Master Skills

Skill	Effect
Life-Saving Fists	Heals you for every auto-attack hit.
Swiftsong	Increases allies’ stats (evasion and accuracy by 10%.

Accessories

Item	Effect
Affection Ring	Take less aggro upon using healing arts.
Glowing Medal	It keeps enemies stunned for longer.
Immaculate Necklace	Increases the amount of health healed

I suggest you take the Affection ring as it will be crucial that you do not take enemy aggro due to your slow movement speed and need for the team. This item will help you stay safe and out of harm’s way.

Gems

Item	Effect
Lifebearer I	More healing
Swelling Blessing I	Grants stronger buffs
Disperse Bloodlust I	Take less aggro even when using arts.

Swelling Blessing I is an absolute monstrous gem to have. It boosts your buffs by a ton allowing your allies to push past their limits and win their battles.

Best Tactician Build

Combat Arts

Art	Area of Effect	Effect
Overfall	Singular Target	Attack Damage
Stormy Skies	Field around character	Provides healing
Avenging Eagle	Field around character [in front]	Attack in a small field in front

Lower Rank Master Arts

Art	Effect
Ether Cannon	Decreases Enemy’s accuracy
Multi Blast	Healing in a small field upon hit
Energy Grenade	Damaging field

Higher Rank Master Arts

Art	Effect
Soulfire	Allies Heal on every attack hit Decreases Enemy attack damage

Soufire is very helpful in this build as it allows you to heal and debuff enemies at the same time. Even though it is hard to obtain, it is worth all the hard work.

Lower Rank Master Skills

Skill	Effect
Sappy-Sappy Drain!	Debuffs have a 15% more chance of success
Cursed Edge	Deal 50% more damage to a rebuffed enemy
Ninja Healer	Take 30% less aggro when using arts.

Accessories

Item	Effect
Affection Ring	Take less aggro upon using healing arts.
Glowing Medal	It keeps enemies stunned for longer.
Circlet of Intellect	Increases the amount of health healed

Affection Ring can be quite helpful as it will allow you to stay out of the enemy’s crosshairs and keep supporting your team from a safe distance.

Gems

Item	Effect
Refined Incantation I	Debuffs last longer
Swelling Scourge I	Grants stronger debuffs
Disperse Bloodlust I	Take less aggro even when using arts.

Best Heavy Guard Build

Combat Arts

Art	Area of Effect	Effect
Bull Rush	Singular Target	Deals physical attack damage
Crash Out	Small field	50% more aggro generated.
Solid Stance	On character	Deal 25% increased damage and take 25% reduced damage

Lower Rank Master Arts

Art	Effect
Glow Ring	It locks you on a target
Mighty Beat	It generates aggro and allows you to smash in a small field
Flamelord	Increased Front Attack

Mighty Beat is an outstanding art to utilize as it allows you to deal an AOE attack while keeping the enemy aggro on you. It will also enable your team to launch a counterattack while you pull all the aggro.

Higher Rank Master Arts

For the Rank 20 master Arts, you can go for Blossom Dance which allows you to have insane armor piercing. It shreds through enemies’ hides and makes it so much easier for you to finish them. Moreover, it pulls in their aggro allowing your allies to take hold of the battle.

Lower Rank Master Skills

Skill	Effect
Defensive Soul	This skill increases your defense by 10%, giving sustainability.
Protector’s Pride	When targeting those of non-defense class, 30% increased recharge speed.
Natural Selection	If HP is below 30%, damage taken is reduced by 20%.

Higher Rank Master Skills

Skill	Effect
Mind for Guarding	Take 10% less damage when blocking.
Come and Get Me!	Deal 100% attack damage to the enemy when blocking
Fortified Ether Guard	10% increased Ether Defense

Accessories

Item	Effect
Titanium Temple Guard	Higher Health Bar
Dragonfang Necklace	Deal more damaged when having enemy aggro
Solid Weak Guard	Higher Block Rate

It is best to take Dragonfang Necklace as it will help you keep the enemy aggro and deal more damage.

Gems

Item	Effect
Ironclad I	Higher Health Bar
Steel Protection I	Higher Block Rate
Brimming Spirit I	Take higher enemy aggro

Xenoblade Chronicles 3 Best Ogre Build

Combat Arts

Art	Area of Effect	Effect
Maximum Voltage	Singular Target	20% increased damaging blows that enemies cannot block
Hammerhead	Singular Target	Side attacks deal 100% increased damage
Big Impact	On Character	Front attacks deal blowback to the enemies

Maximum Voltage is the best combat art that you can have due to its broken effects. The unblockable attacks will allow you to deal some damaging blows. This will give you the edge in fights.

Lower Rank Master Arts

Art	Effect
Shadow Eye	Take 50% less aggro and deal more damage
Fatal Bite	Increase side attacks
Shield Bash	Concuss your enemies

Higher Rank Master Arts

Art	Effect
Violent Streak	Increased evasion speed and Defense piercing

Lower Rank Master Skills

Skill	Effect
Positioning Pro	You can use 1 more positional art in the art palette.
Now That’s Tactics!	5% increased TP when performing chain attacks
Cursed Edge	Deal 50% increased damage to debuffed enemies

Higher Rank Master Skills

Skill	Effect
Covert Attack	20% reduced aggro
Shock Shot	Enemies performing arts take 60% more damage

Shock Shot is advantageous when facing off against an annoying healing enemy. This will allow you to deal with them quickly and effectively.

Accessories

Item	Effect
Silver Belt	Increased Attack Damage
Assault Stone	Auto Attacks do more damage
White Wraps	Enemies in Air take more damage

Assault Stone is a really useful accessory to have due to its excellent effect. You can dish out so much more damage with each auto attack allowing you to obliterate any opponent.

Gems

Item	Effect
Steelcleaver I	Increased Attack Damage
Steady Striker I	Increased Attack Speed
Doublestrike I	Increased chance of a twice auto-attack

Steady Striker I really work well with this kit. The increased auto attacks with the more significant auto attack damage make this combo lethal.

Best Flash Fencer Build

Moving on in this Xenoblade Chronicles 3 Best Builds guide, we have the best flash fencer build that capitalizes on this class’s capabilities.

Combat Arts

Art	Area of Effect	Base Effect
Cross Impact	Singular Target	Buffs character with power charge on hitting an enemy with this art
Null Slash	Small field	50% increased critical strike chance when attacking from a side
Revolution Edge	Singular Target	100% increased attack damage when striking from behind.

Master Arts

Art	Effect
Maximum Voltage	20% increased attack damage that enemies cannot block
Giant Swing	Knock backs opponents
Overfall	Decreases enemies ether defense

Master Skills

Skill	Effect
Cypher Edge	Critical strike chance increased by 10%
Fighting Prowess	Physical Arts deal 30% increased damage

Accessories

Item	Effect
Steam Belt	Deal more damage
Attack Stone	Auto attacks deal more damage

As you will participate in many short trades, attack stone is an absolute must. You will be auto-attacking a lot, meaning the increased damage will help a ton. This skill will allow you to do more chip damage and cement your victory in a fight.

Gems

Item	Effect
Empowered Combo I	Deal more damage when canceling attacks
Analyze Weakness I	Critical strikes deal more damage

Analyze Weakness I works best with the build and will enable you to deal chunks of damage every trade.

Xenoblade Chronicles 3 Best War Medic Build

Combat Arts

Art	Area of Effect	Base Effect
Multi Blast	Singular Target	When art hits, nearby allies are healed up to 100%.
Advanced Cooldown	Small field around the character	Lowers the cooldown of skills of allies in the small field
Cure Bullet	Small area around the character	Allows you to negate debuffs

Lower Rank Master Arts

Art	Effect
Overfall	Decrease Enemy’s Ether Defense
No Love Lost	Decrease Enemy’s Physical Defense
Resonant Flag	Share Buff with allies

As this class lacks offensive arts, it is best to take multiple debuffs to weaken enemies to the extent that you can take them down. This will enable you to help your team in fights. Moreover, the Resonant Flag art will ensure that you can share buff with everyone instead of jumping in a small field.

Higher Rank Master Arts

Art	Effect
Soulfire	Allies Heal on every attack hit Decreases Enemy attack damage

This Skill is instrumental in bringing out the full potential of this build and allowing it to excel past others.

Lower Rank Master Skills

Skill	Effect
Ethereal Ability	Ether arts deal 30% more damage
Ninja Healer	Take 30% reduced enemy aggro
Strengthening Gambit	Buffs last longer by 30%

Etheral Ability is really good as it allows you to showcase some offensive prowess. Strengthening Gambit will enable you to ensure that your utility has more impact on the outcome of a battle.

Higher Rank Master Skills

Skill	Effect
Eternal Formation	Field Effect time increased by 30%
Abundant Oceans	!0% increased Healing Allies take 10% less damage

Abundant Oceans allow your allies to overcome adversities and provide them with survivability. The damage reduction on top of the healing keeps them in the battle for much longer and will enable them to take care of their opponents effectively.

Accessories

Item	Effect
Harvest Necklace	Increases the amount of HP Healed
Long-Range Memory	Increases the amount of HP Healed
Friendship Ring	Take less aggro while performing healing arts

Gems

Item	Effect
Lifebearer I	More Healing
Swelling Blessing I	Strengthens the buffs’ effects
Refined Blessing I	Buffs last for longer

Swelling Blessing is a precious gem to have. The strengthened buff will reinforce your allies’ confidence when heading into battle and will make them shine more.

Best Guardian Commander Build

Lastly, in this Xenoblade Chronicles 3 Best Builds guide, we have the Best Guardian Commander build that makes this class stand out.

Combat Arts

Art	AoE	Base Effect
Imperial Sword	Singular Target	Deal 50% increased damage while awakened
Noble Taunt	Singular Target	Taunts your enemy to pull aggro
Shield Bash	Singular Target	Deal a Physical blow

Imperial Sword is a powerful combat art to use as it boosts your damage explosively when awakened, allowing you to deal with strong enemies.

Master Arts

Art	Effect
Maximum Voltage	20% increased damage and attacks that enemies cannot block
Giant Swing	Knock backs opponents
Mighty Beat	It generates aggro and allows you to smash in small field

As mentioned previously, Maximum Voltage is too good of an art to give up. It is a must-have if you are going for the best build.

Master Skills

Skill	Effect
Defensive Soul	Physical Defense increased by 10%
Fighting Prowess	Physical Arts do 30% more damage

The increased damage from fighting prowess makes this build viable and a contender for the best Guardian Commander build. It allows you to dish out heaps of damage while tanking the enemies’ damage.

Accessories

Item	Effect
Iron Temple Guard	Increased Physical Defense
BeastFang Necklace	Does more damage when having enemy aggro

As Guardian Commander, you are expected to tank a lot of damage. Thus you need to ensure that you can do so. The Iron Temple Guard serves this purpose by keeping you alive from all the powerful attacks. The increased defense comes in handy when facing tough opponents with high armor piercing.

Gems

Item	Effect
Steel Protection I	Higher chance of Blocking
Ironclad I	Higher Health Bar

In order to sustain in fights, Ironclad I could make the difference. It will give you enough health that you are able to stand tall after suffering countless blows.

All these builds shine when used with their corresponding class. There are dozens of other skills and arts you can choose from. However, these are the tried and tested builds that have proved fruitful time and time again.

Additionally, some parts of the kits mentioned might not suit your playstyle, so feel free to change them and make them more personalized. Even though these are the strongest builds, they are only as good as you know how to utilize them. Thus ensure that you are well aware of your capabilities.

This concludes our Xenoblade Chronicles 3 Best Builds guide. Let us know down below which class and build is your favorite!