Xenoblade Chronicles 2 New Game Plus: All Features & Tips!
🚨 Quick Guide
- New Game Plus Introduction: Overview of New Game Plus mechanics.
- Starting Conditions: Details on starting as Wrecks with specific blades.
- Blade Unlocking: How to unlock additional party members and blades.
- New Abilities: Introduction to new skills and abilities available.
- Item Carryover: What items and progress carry over from the first playthrough.
- New Blades: Information on the 7 new blades available in New Game Plus.
Introduction to New Game Plus
Welcome to the Xenoblade Chronicles 2 New Game Plus guide! New Game Plus is a mode that offers players a fresh challenge with new opportunities and rewards. In this mode, you'll start as Wrecks with only the blades bonded to him from the first playthrough. Let's dive into all the features and tips you need to know!
Starting Conditions
In New Game Plus, you'll begin as Wrecks by himself with access to only the blades that were specifically bonded to him in the first playthrough. Your other party members like Nia and more AG are locked behind story progression and won't join you from the very beginning. Rex also loses his master driver ability to equip any blade in the party until you can unlock it again in the story.
Unlocking Blades
As you progress through the story, you'll unlock additional party members and blades. Rock, Aion, and Poppy Cutie and Cutie Pie are locked behind story progression, while the second form of Poppy won't be available until chapter 4. You get the third form at the same time as the second, so you don't need to redo that quest line later in the game.
New Abilities
New Game Plus introduces new abilities, including the ability to reduce enemy break resist. The most notable skill upgrade is Zeke's Shining Eye of Justice, which gives him incredibly fast skill cooldowns, higher damage, and immunity to certain status effects.
Item Carryover
All of your items from the first playthrough carry over to the second. Courtships, collectibles, and scores are all preserved. However, keys for specific doors and stamps acquired during Ursula's side quest are not carried over and must be restarted from the beginning unless you have completed it entirely.
New Blades
New Game Plus gives you access to 7 new blades: Aqus, Petrukha, Brona, Cressida, Sever, Perdido, and Michael. These blades are obtained from opening core crystals and come with new weapon types. They have high base stats and are available from the beginning.
New Game Plus Gameplay Tips
Here are some tips to help you make the most out of your New Game Plus experience:
Leveling Up
Keep in mind that enemies and the world around you remain at the same low level as in the first playthrough. You'll likely be one-shotting enemies for a long time unless you go and level down at Ins, which is a new ability exclusive to New Game Plus.
Skill Points
All these skill upgrades are so expensive that it becomes an entirely new grind for skill points. Prioritize skills that are most beneficial to your playstyle.
Trading and Items
Bonus experience gained in combat now has a bit of a monetary value, which can be traded in for specific items from bards scattered throughout the world. Notable items include the expansion kit, which gives you three accessory slots and the ability to purchase overdrive protocols.
Merc Missions
You can easily unequip story-related blades like Pandora and Pyrrha and send them out on merc missions that are unlocked at the end of chapter 3. This can be a great way to earn extra resources and experience.
New Endings
Completion of New Game Plus provides you with two new ending title screens. If you're curious what they look like, check out the clips at the end of the video.
FAQs
What happens if I regret my class choice?
Once you select a class in Xenoblade Chronicles 2, the decision is permanent. However, you can create a new character if you want to explore a different class.
Can I play as a Mage but use a sword?
Yes, but it won't be as effective as choosing a class that complements that playstyle, like Knight or Rogue.
Which class is best for solo play?
Mage is ideal for solo play due to its powerful spells and ranged attacks. However, Rogue also works well if you want more mobility and hybrid play.
Conclusion
New Game Plus in Xenoblade Chronicles 2 offers a fresh challenge with new blades, abilities, and rewards. By understanding the starting conditions, unlocking blades, and utilizing new abilities, you can make the most out of your New Game Plus experience. Remember to level up, manage your skill points wisely, and take advantage of merc missions and trading for extra resources. Happy gaming!