Chain Attacks

Learn to execute and optimize powerful Chain Attacks in Xenoblade Chronicles 3. Deal devastating damage and gain battle advantages against tough foes.

Chain Attacks are powerful, turn-based combat sequences that allow your party to unleash devastating damage and gain significant advantages in battle. Mastering them is crucial for overcoming tough enemies, especially Unique Monsters and Bosses. This section will guide you through initiating, executing, and optimizing your Chain Attacks.

Initiating a Chain Attack

To initiate a Chain Attack, your Chain Attack Gauge, located in the top-left corner of the screen during combat, must be full. The gauge fills by performing various combat actions, such as:

• Landing critical hits.
• Successfully canceling Arts.
• Healing allies.
• Inflicting status effects.
• Defeating enemies (especially with Overkill).

Once the gauge is full, press the + (Plus) button on your Nintendo Switch to begin the Chain Attack sequence. The game will pause, and you'll enter the Chain Attack menu.

Chain Attack Mechanics: The Orders System

A Chain Attack consists of multiple rounds, each called an "Order." In each Order, you select three characters to perform an attack. The goal is to reach 100% Tactical Points (TP) or more to activate a "Full Burst" and continue the Chain Attack.

1. Selecting Characters for an Order

• When an Order begins, you'll see your party members, each with a specific "Order Bonus" and a TP value.
• Choose three characters to participate in the current Order. Consider their roles and the Order Bonuses they provide.
• Healers (e.g., Mio, Sena as a Medic Gunner) often have Order Bonuses that restore HP or grant buffs.
• Defenders (e.g., Noah as a Zephyr, Lanz as a Heavy Guard) might draw aggro or reduce incoming damage.
• Attackers (e.g., Eunie as a Flash Fencer, Taion as a Tactician) typically boost damage output.

2. Tactical Points (TP) and Full Burst

• Each character you select will contribute TP to the Order. Their base TP contribution is shown next to their portrait.
• Certain Arts, accessories, and hero skills can increase a character's TP contribution.
• The combined TP of your three selected characters is added to the Order's total.
• If the total TP reaches 100% or more, you achieve a Full Burst. This allows you to continue the Chain Attack into the next Order and significantly boosts the damage multiplier.
• If you fail to reach 100% TP, the Chain Attack ends.

3. Execution and Damage Multipliers

• After selecting your three characters, they will perform their attacks in a cinematic sequence.
• Each successful Order increases the Chain Attack's damage multiplier, making subsequent attacks even more potent.
• The damage multiplier can reach incredibly high numbers, especially with a well-executed Chain Attack.

Overclocking and Ouroboros Orders

A key mechanic within Chain Attacks is the ability to use Ouroboros Forms and Overclock characters.

• Overclocking: When a character is selected for an Order, they become "Overclocked." This means they can be selected again in the *same* Chain Attack after a certain number of Orders have passed, or if another character's Order Bonus specifically allows it.
• Ouroboros Orders: After a certain number of successful Orders (typically 3-4), you'll have the option to unleash an Ouroboros Order. This involves selecting an Ouroboros pair (e.g., Noah & Mio, Lanz & Sena) to perform a combined attack.
• Ouroboros Orders provide a massive TP boost and often have unique effects, such as resetting the Overclock status of all characters, allowing you to reuse them sooner.
• Strategically using Ouroboros Orders is vital for extending Chain Attacks and maximizing damage.

Optimizing Your Chain Attacks: Advanced Strategies

To truly master Chain Attacks, consider these advanced tips:

1. Hero Selection: Your chosen Hero can significantly impact Chain Attack effectiveness.
   • Triton: His "Pirate's Vow" skill can greatly increase TP gain, making it easier to achieve Full Bursts.
   • Monica: Her "Tactical Insight" skill can boost damage multipliers.
   • Ashera: Her "Furious Fencer" class and related skills can contribute high TP and damage.
2. Accessory Loadouts: Equip accessories that boost TP gain or Chain Attack damage.
   • Memory Locket: Increases TP gained by 20%. Can be found in the Cadensia Region, specifically from the Unique Monster "Raging Tirkin" in the Erythia Sea.
   • Titan Belt: Boosts damage dealt during Chain Attacks. Obtainable from various high-level Unique Monsters and as a reward for certain quests.
3. Class Skills: Many classes have skills that enhance Chain Attacks. For example, the Flash Fencer class has skills that increase critical hit rate during Chain Attacks, which in turn fills the Chain Attack Gauge faster.
4. Order Bonus Synergy: Pay close attention to the Order Bonuses characters provide. Some bonuses might allow you to reactivate characters, restore HP, or apply debuffs to the enemy, setting up for even greater damage in subsequent Orders.
5. Targeting: During a Chain Attack, you can still target specific enemy body parts or weaknesses. Focus on breaking or toppling enemies if possible, as this can further increase damage.
6. Overkill Strategy: If an enemy is close to being defeated during a Chain Attack, try to achieve an "Overkill" by dealing significantly more damage than their remaining HP. Overkill grants bonus experience and item drops, making it a valuable strategy for farming.

By understanding these mechanics and applying these strategies, you'll transform Chain Attacks from a simple burst of damage into a sophisticated tool for dominating the battlefields of Aionios.