Skells are the giant mechs you see wandering about New Los Angeles in Xenoblade Chronicles X: Definitive Edition, but it'll be a while before you can get your own. To pilot a Skell, you need a Skell License. The license is locked behind eight sidequests of varying difficulty. One of them is "Proficiency Exam 3," which requires you to track down and slay Shatskikh, the Flash. Shatskikh is a rare spawn in Xenoblade Chronicles X, so here are some tips to make it appear quicker and how to defeat it.
How to Farm Money (Credits) Fast in Xenoblade Chronicles X: Definitive Edition
Players can earn a ton of money in Xenoblade Chronicles X: Definitive Edition using the credit-farming method detailed in this guide.
Where to Find Shatskikh, the Flash in Xenoblade Chronicles X: Definitive Edition
How to Spawn Shatskikh
After you complete Chapter 6, you should head on over to the taskboard and pick up the Skell LIcense mission. Return to the BLADE Barracks and speak to Vandham to get all eight proficiency exam missions. Each time you complete one of the proficiency exams, you'll get x1 License. You don't have to do the exams in order, and it's likely you'll have completed some of them upon accepting the missions.
Proficiency Exam 3 is modeled after the Harriers, meaning you're going to need to take down a Tyrant. Warp to Northpointe Cove (to the right of Arendt Bridge), turn and face the shoreline, and you should see Shatskikh, the Flash. Shatskikh is a large, manta-ray creature with a narwhal-like horn. You'll see other monsters like it flying around the shore, but you can distinguish Shatskikh by the white symbols around his name.
Proficiency Exam 3's recommended level is 25, which is the same level as Shatskikh. However, it's recommended you're a few levels higher. Tyrants can be extremely tricky to defeat even if your level matches theirs.
If you go to Northpointe Covea and can't find Shatskikh, respawn at Northpointe Cove until he appears. He's classified as a rare spawn, so you may have to keep re-warping to the Northpointe Cove landmark until he appears.
Closest FN Sites/Fast-Travel Points
You'll likely already have the fast-travel point for Northpointe Cove. If not, you should have Arendt Bridge or FN Site 115. The cove is a ways southeast of Arendt Bridge, and to the west of FN Site 115. Since you'll likely have to keep respawning until Shatskikh appears, it's highly recommended you unlock the Northpointe Cove landmark/travel point before rhe Proficiency Exam 3.
Xenoblade Chronicles X: Definitive Edition - Best Irina Build
Here's a breakdown of Irina's best arts, skills, and gear in Xenoblade Chronicles X: Definitive Edition.
How to Defeat Shatskikh, the Flash
Shatskikh, the Flash Resistances
Shatskikh, the Flash is a level 25 Tyrant with 53788 HP. If you're battling this monster at level 30 or higher, then you shouldn't have much of a problem defeating it. If not, then you'll want to put together a team and equip the appropriate gear before fighting it.
Shatskikh resists and is weak to three elements. If you really want to exploit its weakness, then use weapons that inflict electric damage. Shatskikh has -45 resistance to electric, and -20 gravity and ether resistance.
He also has the following arts:
|
Art |
Effect |
Appendage |
|---|---|---|
|
Horn Charge |
Inflicts physical damage in a line directly in front of Shatskikh. |
Horn |
|
Jam |
Inflicts HP Recovery down on targets around Shatskikh. |
N/A |
|
Ether Shot |
Inflicts ether damage to a single target 3x. |
N/A |
|
Ether Bomb |
Inflicts ether damage to a single time 4x. |
N/A |
Arts Info
- Horn Charge will send Shatskikh flying across the field. Unfortunately, this can put him closer to surrounding monsters, making it harder to use arts that hit everything around you. It's recommended you get rid of the Horn appendage first.
- You'll also want to be mindful of Jam, and have someone who can get rid of debuffs (like Irina) if you and your team are afflicted by it.
- Ether Shot and Ether Bomb can be dangerous even though they can only hit one target at a time. Both moves deal 3-4 ether hits, which can be a problem if your armor has no ether resistances. To make matters worse, they're homing attacks, so they'll pursue Shatskikh's target.
Recommended Equipment
You'll want to wear armor that has ether resistance. Since you'll likely be battling Shatskikh around level 25 or 30, you'll only be able to equip armor within that level range. This applies for weapons, too.
Avoid equipping weapons that inflict beam damage, as it's one of the elements that Shatskikh resists. If you're using Psycho Launchers, which can be used by Blast Fencer and Galactic Knight Class (for the main character), then choose something that has the electric attribute. This also applies to your melee weapons. You'll find that a good chunk of melee weapons with the electric attribute are javelins, which can only be equipped through the Partisan Eagle and Astral Crusader Class.
You can check the attributes and resistances of your gear by hovering over the item you want to equip in the Ground Gear menu.
As for arts, equip yourself with electric attribute attack s, like Arcing Horn (Partisan Eagle) or Shooting Star (Blast Fencer). Consider bringing the following party members if you need more electric attribute arts:
- Lao (joins mid chapter 4)
- Alexa (complete Chapter 4)
- Boze (complete Chapter 5)
- L (joins mid chapter 4)
- Released
- March 20, 2025
- ESRB
- Teen // Animated Blood, Language, Suggestive Themes, Use of Alcohol, Violence
- Developer(s)
- Monolith Soft
- Publisher(s)
- Nintendo
- Multiplayer
- Online Co-Op
