Xenoblade Chronicles 2 (Nintendo Switch)

Finally put a couple more hours into this last night, no idea why I don't play it that often really as I'm really enjoying it! Just got to the part where you learn about elemental combos when you have a full party gauge.

It's quite easy to break and topple an enemy but getting them to launch and smash will probably take a bit more setting up. Hopefully I'll get back on it this evening.

Not sure why but I've played a lot more of this in hand held mode than docked, just seems to suit it better although the graphics do take a huge downgrade sadly.

Robbo-92 wrote:It's quite easy to break and topple an enemy but getting them to launch and smash will probably take a bit more setting up. Hopefully I'll get back on it this evening.

I find your teammates aren't great with assisting with driver combos and it's quite hard to go through break > topple > launch > smash yourself with just your blades (infact I'm not even sure if it is possible as I don't think a blade can have more than one driver combo in their arts, unless I've missed something/it comes in later).

Tomous wrote:

Robbo-92 wrote:It's quite easy to break and topple an enemy but getting them to launch and smash will probably take a bit more setting up. Hopefully I'll get back on it this evening.

I find your teammates aren't great with assisting with driver combos and it's quite hard to go through break > topple > launch > smash yourself with just your blades (infact I'm not even sure if it is possible as I don't think a blade can have more than one driver combo in their arts, unless I've missed something/it comes in later).

I've ensured the accessories maximise the topple and break durations. Having Rex, Morag and Zeke as my drivers tends to make it relatively easy but I need Pyra and Roc in order to do break and smash.

Rex Kramer wrote:

Tomous wrote:

Robbo-92 wrote:It's quite easy to break and topple an enemy but getting them to launch and smash will probably take a bit more setting up. Hopefully I'll get back on it this evening.

I find your teammates aren't great with assisting with driver combos and it's quite hard to go through break > topple > launch > smash yourself with just your blades (infact I'm not even sure if it is possible as I don't think a blade can have more than one driver combo in their arts, unless I've missed something/it comes in later).

I've ensured the accessories maximise the topple and break durations. Having Rex, Morag and Zeke as my drivers tends to make it relatively easy but I need Pyra and Roc in order to do break and smash.

That's a good idea with accessories, I hadn't considered that. All my accessories boost HP and Specials at the moment.

Also, I've been trying to bring Zeke in for awhile but after about 100 core crystals I still can't get him anymore decent blades

If anybody's interested, the voice actress for Pyra (Skye Bennett) has been streaming her first playthrough of the game on Twitch. I've enjoyed watching it so far, she's on chapter 3, and she streams Tuesday's, Thursday's and Saturday's at 8pm. Twitch name is skyedevabennett if any of you want to check it out.

Just fought Zeke for what I'm guessing could be the first time, certainly seems an eccentric character.

Robbo-92 wrote:Just fought Zeke for what I'm guessing could be the first time, certainly seems an eccentric character.

Don't mess with the Zekenator!

Up to Chapter 9 on this, the last few chapters seem to have been quite short with the focus of the game pulling in quite tight compared to the sprawling journey of the earlier stages. Still loving it!

Is anywhere offering this cheap?

I saw a post on HotUKDeals saying Music Magpie had it for cheap (preowned), not sure if it's still available though.

Does anyone know how the DLC works with new game+ ? Only ask as if I fancy a second playthrough of it (which I probably will!) I'm thinking adding the DLC in would be a good way to have some new stuff to experience but does it work with new game+ or will I have to start a new game?

Robbo-92 wrote:Does anyone know how the DLC works with new game+ ? Only ask as if I fancy a second playthrough of it (which I probably will!) I'm thinking adding the DLC in would be a good way to have some new stuff to experience but does it work with new game+ or will I have to start a new game?

it works the same way as in your first play through, you find a load of gifts in the pause menu

shy guy 64 wrote:

Robbo-92 wrote:Does anyone know how the DLC works with new game+ ? Only ask as if I fancy a second playthrough of it (which I probably will!) I'm thinking adding the DLC in would be a good way to have some new stuff to experience but does it work with new game+ or will I have to start a new game?

it works the same way as in your first play through, you find a load of gifts in the pause menu

Is that what the '???' Is for in the pause menu then? Might give it a buy when I've completed it for the first time.

Robbo-92 wrote:

shy guy 64 wrote:

Robbo-92 wrote:Does anyone know how the DLC works with new game+ ? Only ask as if I fancy a second playthrough of it (which I probably will!) I'm thinking adding the DLC in would be a good way to have some new stuff to experience but does it work with new game+ or will I have to start a new game?

it works the same way as in your first play through, you find a load of gifts in the pause menu

Is that what the '???' Is for in the pause menu then? Might give it a buy when I've completed it for the first time.

probably i pre ordered the dlc so i never saw a "???" bar the ones that are there at start of the start of the game

Robbo-92 wrote:

shy guy 64 wrote:

Robbo-92 wrote:Does anyone know how the DLC works with new game+ ? Only ask as if I fancy a second playthrough of it (which I probably will!) I'm thinking adding the DLC in would be a good way to have some new stuff to experience but does it work with new game+ or will I have to start a new game?

it works the same way as in your first play through, you find a load of gifts in the pause menu

Is that what the '???' Is for in the pause menu then? Might give it a buy when I've completed it for the first time.

How far in are you? I think the ??? relates to something you’ll unlock as you progress the story.

Tomous wrote:

Robbo-92 wrote:

shy guy 64 wrote:

Robbo-92 wrote:Does anyone know how the DLC works with new game+ ? Only ask as if I fancy a second playthrough of it (which I probably will!) I'm thinking adding the DLC in would be a good way to have some new stuff to experience but does it work with new game+ or will I have to start a new game?

it works the same way as in your first play through, you find a load of gifts in the pause menu

Is that what the '???' Is for in the pause menu then? Might give it a buy when I've completed it for the first time.

How far in are you? I think the ??? relates to something you’ll unlock as you progress the story.

Part way through chapter 3.

Robbo-92 wrote:

Tomous wrote:

Robbo-92 wrote:

shy guy 64 wrote:

Robbo-92 wrote:Does anyone know how the DLC works with new game+ ? Only ask as if I fancy a second playthrough of it (which I probably will!) I'm thinking adding the DLC in would be a good way to have some new stuff to experience but does it work with new game+ or will I have to start a new game?

it works the same way as in your first play through, you find a load of gifts in the pause menu

Is that what the '???' Is for in the pause menu then? Might give it a buy when I've completed it for the first time.

How far in are you? I think the ??? relates to something you’ll unlock as you progress the story.

Part way through chapter 3.

Yeah without saying more I don’t think what you’re looking at relates to the DLC

I think I’m pretty near the end of this now, which is making me slightly sad in a way!

Quick question for this who have made it as far as Chapter 9:

Jenuall wrote:I think I’m pretty near the end of this now, which is making me slightly sad in a way!

Quick question for this who have made it as far as Chapter 9:

Once you unlock Pyra/Mythra’s “true form” is it only possible to use it once per battle? I’ve had a few instances where I’ve tried to use it again and not been able to but I’m unclear as to whether it’s a firm rule, or whether I just haven’t understood the criteria for uncoiling it properly!

i believe so

shy guy 64 wrote:

Jenuall wrote:I think I’m pretty near the end of this now, which is making me slightly sad in a way!

Quick question for this who have made it as far as Chapter 9:

Once you unlock Pyra/Mythra’s “true form” is it only possible to use it once per battle? I’ve had a few instances where I’ve tried to use it again and not been able to but I’m unclear as to whether it’s a firm rule, or whether I just haven’t understood the criteria for uncoiling it properly!

i believe so

Cool, well I'll remember to save it for when I really need it now then!

Things are starting to get challenging again now, after spending the last 3 or 4 chapters being about 10+ levels above all enemies it's an interesting change of pace!

I'm 105 hours in towards the end of chapter 9 and it's only just occurred to me that sometimes you need to tailor your blade combo's to seal a particular enemy attack (such as seal shackle blade). It's pretty amazing that the battle system in this game has so many variables you can play it pretty much however you want.

I'm about 8 blades short of unlocking them all, still haven't got Wulfric back yet I'm going to have to stop playing again for a while, it's just all consuming.

What a strawberry floating game.