Choosing the best party members for *Xenoblade Chronicles X: Definitive Edition* can feel daunting due to the game's extensive roster of characters and the complexity of its class system. To help you navigate this challenge, our guide outlines the top five party members you should consider and why they stand out.

Elma

Elma, one of the earliest recruits, is far from weak. Her class, Full Metal Jaguar, is among the best in *Xenoblade X*, and her AI excels at using it effectively. Elma's key skills include Ghostwalker, which generates a decoy, and Ghost Factory, enhancing the party's evasion. Prioritize leveling these skills first. She also boasts strong positional attacks, though they may require some downtime as she repositions. As a hybrid tank, support, and offensive unit, Elma's self-buffs and ability to instantly gain 1,000 TP make her invaluable, especially since she's required for most story missions.

Irina

Irina stands out as the game's premier supporter. She not only heals and removes debuffs but also boosts party evasion, complementing Elma's skills when needed. Her abilities, Energy Source and Last Stand, generate TP for the team at the cost of her own. While not a frontline fighter, Irina's support is crucial. Ensure she's paired with one or two strong attackers to keep battles swift and effective.

Nagi

If you're not playing as a Duelist, Nagi is a must-have. As one of the few Duelists in *Xenoblade X*, he excels in both close and ranged combat, plus he has area-of-effect abilities. His standout skill, Blossom Dance, is incredibly powerful, bypassing enemy resistances to quickly take down tough foes. To maximize his effectiveness, pair Nagi with a supporter like Irina or use Mastermind skills to debuff enemies.

Mia

Mia, a Psycorruptor with Drifter-like versatility, can do a bit of everything. She inflicts debuffs, reduces debuff resistance, and unleashes heavy damage with Beam Barrage and Myopic Screen, the latter possibly causing blackout. Her attacks are enhanced when an aura is active, and she can even topple enemies. Since Mia lacks defensive and healing capabilities, ensure she's teamed with members who can cover these aspects.

H.B.

H.B. is an upgraded version of Lin, perfect for when you need more defense. With his Shield Trooper+ class, he not only defends better but also attracts enemy attention more efficiently, which is crucial for aggressive playstyles or when paired with characters like Elma or Nagi. H.B. generates TP with his taunt, increases debuff resistance, boosts ranged attack power, topples enemies, inflicts debuffs, and creates a sturdy shield. If you're struggling with survival outside the main storyline, completing his affinity mission to recruit him is a smart move.