Xenoblade Chronicles X features an engaging combat system that requires players to constantly change their position, monitor the cooldowns of their Arts, complete timing-based events, and more. This can be a lot to keep up with, and players may occasionally find that they have attacked an unintended target while attempting to maximize their efficacy in battle. Fortunately, there is a setting that can prevent such an accident from occurring, and it can make combat in Xenoblade Chronicles X feel way less frustrating.
The setting of interest is related to Enemy Targeting, which can be found in the Battle UI category within the Settings menu. By default, this setting is set to "All Enemies," and it is recommended that Xenoblade Chronicles X players switch it to "Enemies in Battle." Indeed, this change makes it so that once a player strikes an indigen, they cannot target an out-of-battle creature until the fight comes to an end. While nearby hostile indigens can still join in on an active fight, setting Enemy Targeting to "Enemies in Battle" means that players no longer need to worry about accidentally switching to an unwanted target and bringing them into the battle.
Xenoblade Chronicles X Players Need to Be Patient With Skells
While Skells ultimately play important roles in Xenoblade Chronicles X, players should not expect to control one of those mechs in the early game.
Xenoblade Chronicles X's 'Enemies in Battle' Targeting Fixes a Big Problem
This is a huge boon, as accidentally engaging additional indigens while already fighting a creature can cause some significant problems. This is especially true if the initial engagement was with a creature of a much higher level than Xenoblade Chronicles X's protagonist or with a Tyrant. Indeed, battles with those types of creatures can be difficult even when there is no outside interference, and accidentally targeting a docile indigen in the middle of the fight may lead to a complete party wipe.
Why to Change Targets During a Fight in Xenoblade Chronicles X
For those readers who may be wondering why a player would be pressing inputs that alter their targeting during a battle in Xenoblade Chronicles X if they did not want to target an out-of-battle enemy, there are several good reasons for doing so. The first, and perhaps most obvious, reason is that players will occasionally engage several enemies simultaneously, and they may want to swap targets throughout those multiple-enemy engagements. Without setting Enemy Targeting to "Enemies in Battle," it is very easy to hit a nearby docile creature during that target swapping and accidentally draw their aggression.
The other reason why a player might be messing with their targeting in the middle of a fight is Xenoblade Chronicles X's appendage system. For the uninitiated, many of the creatures in the game have appendages, like tails and limbs, that can be individually targeted in an attempt to disable certain abilities. To select those appendages, players must hold the standard targeting input (R or L) and press another input, and it is easy to accidentally switch targets completely if the targeting input is not properly held.
Xenoblade Chronicles X's 'Enemies in Battle' Targeting Does Not Change Targeting Outside of Battle
To note, setting Enemy Targeting to "Enemies in Battle" does not alter the way that targeting functions outside of battle, and players who adjust the setting can still target any indigen that they encounter. While it is necessary that this be the case, as players need to have the freedom to select their desired target, it does feel as though the targeting system could be improved with some additional adjustable settings. For example, it would be nice to be able to adjust the maximum distance at which an indigen can be targeted. This would be particularly useful in densely populated areas, as players may find that they need to cycle through many indigens, including those in the distance, before they land on their desired target in those locations.
While the game's targeting system can take some time to get used to, and is certainly not without its quirks, players who work to be precise with their targeting inputs should ultimately find it serviceable. Additionally, the system can be made better simply by setting Enemy Targeting to "Enemies in Battle," and it is highly recommended that players, particularly those that find that they are frequently bringing unwanted creatures into their fights, take a quick break from working on missions in Xenoblade Chronicles X and make that adjustment.
- 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
