Best arts for each class in Xenoblade Chronicles 3

It's impossible to master combat in Xenoblade Chronicles 3 without fully understanding the best arts available. Sure, inflicting damage is important, but there are plenty of other things to consider in this matter. Players shouldn't be using too many arts with long cooldowns and should also look to inflict statuses like Break or Daze whenever possible.

Which are the best arts to use in Xenoblade Chronicles 3?

Swordfighter

This basic class really utilizes its base kit well in the early game of Xenoblade Chronicles 3. Edge Thrust and Sword Break are nice, quick arts that don't have long cooldowns. Some of the other arts, like Shadow Eye, aren't as worth it because of their negative effects after use.

Zephyr

Wide Slash and Glow Ring are definitely the standouts in this class. Glow Ring can lock down a single enemy, while Wide Slash lets the user evade attacks while it charges.

Medic Gunner

Myopic Screen is certainly valuable since it applies the Daze effect, which players can synergize with other effects like Break. Power Ring is another good art that raises teammates' Attack so long as they are on the field.

Tactician

Though it takes a while to get, the best art in this class is arguably Dark Banner. This can put enemies to sleep, leading to some devastating setups. Stormy Skies is also a decent AOE heal.

Heavy Guard

The best arts in this class are the ones that increase aggro, such as Uppercut Slash. Characters in this class are usually very bulky, so players will want them to take the hits as opposed to their other, more fragile units.

Ogre

The best art in this class is usually Maximum Overdrive, which gives the user an increased Attack. When paired with another character that can inflict Daze, though (like a Medic Gunner), Cannonball actually gets increased power.

Flash Fencer

Cross Impact and Null Slash are the standouts here. Cross Impact provides an Attack buff on impact, while Null Slash gives the user a higher critical hit rate.

War Medic

Advanced Cooldown is an interesting tool that could be used to give the squad an area to fight in and be bulkier as they fight. Heal Bullet is another useful ability for providing that all-important AOE heal.

Guardian Commander

The only standout art here is really Shield Bash, which provides a Topple effect. Guard Protection increases Block but lowers Attack, so it's hard to judge its effectiveness.

Thaumaturge

Leaping Current is an excellent support tool, as it's an AOE that increases Attack power. The only other art of note in this class is really Divine Protection, which grants Armor Veil to anyone inside the field.

Yumsmith

Flashback is a valuable tool for inflicting a side Break from this class. Energy Grenade creates a field that damages enemies over time. Yumsmith can also make this field boost other attackers with the Determination art, which also synergizes with other fields.

Full Metal Jaguar

The useful arts from this class really depend on what the user is going for team-wise. Some characters excel at Back hits, which means Fatal Barrage would help their damage output. Otherwise, Quickdraw is useful for the evade, but it boosts Attack from the front.

Related: Where to find all 19 Nopon caravans locations in Xenoblade Chronicles 3

Strategos

Not too many arts inflict bind in Xenoblade Chronicles 3. Strategos can, though, with the Earth Bind art. Stategos also get access to a regenerating field with Moondog.

Stalker

This is an interesting class because it has one art for each direction of attack (Front, Back or Side). The best overall art in this class is Landslide since it allows the user to evade incoming attacks.

Lone Exile

Lone Exile has access to a very potent combo. Demon Slayer gives high aggro, which focuses enemies on the user. As the user gets damaged, Eye of the Storm grows more powerful, dealing up to 200% more damage.

Incursor

Aerial Slash from Incursor gives the user a free evade as well as a high critical hit ratio. The other notable art from Incursor would be Glitter Stream since it deals with a Side Break.

Lost Vanguard

This class provides the Might Beat art, which can be used to increase aggro onto the user as well as inflicting the Smash effect on the enemy. The other valuable art from Lost Vanguard is Electro Field, which gives the Armor Veil effect just like Divine Protection.

Signifier

Perhaps the most popular art on Signifier is Aureole, which provides one random buff. The signifier also gets access to Resonant Flag, which shares that buff with all teammates.

Soulhacker

There are only three arts from this class. The only really valuable one would be Draining Vaccum, which provides and AOE Heal.

Martial Artist

Honestly, every art this class accesses is worth getting in some way. The best ones, though, are Detonating Hit (inflicts Side Daze) and Jackal Claw (provides Evade as well as high critical hit ratio).

Troubador

Autumn Rain is a fantastic art from Troubador, since it provides AOE regenerating. Ring o' Roses can also be useful, since it increases recharge. Other units in this field might appreciate cycling through cooldowns more quickly.

Seraph

Unfortunately, most of the arts in this class damage the user a bit. At times it's worth it, though, such as with Inferno Dance which gives an AOE Blaze effect. Leveling Fire is also a large Attack buff at the cost of some health.

Machine Assasin

Havoc Slayer is a very interesting art from Machine Assassin as it spreads debuffs arounds. Fatal Bite is the other key art from Machine Assassin since it increases Side Attack power.

Related: Best Healers in Xenoblade Chronicles 3 – Healer Class Tier List

Lifesage

This class has one of the best arts in the game in Aqua Mind. This phenomenal ability gives regeneration to allies as well as increases their charge speed. On top of that, Water Lily provides a regenerating field.

Royal Summoner

This class is notable for employing the use of elementals. Summon Element gets them on the field, and Elemental Discharge allows them to fight. Royal Summoner also can use Shadow Snitch, which can inflict the Bind status.

Noponic Champion

This class gets Refractive Edge, which creates both an Evade and high aggro for the user. Tri-slash is the other useful art from this class as it's guaranteed to inflict Break.

Want more Xenoblade Chronicles 3 guides? Pro Game Guides has you covered with Best Defenders in Xenoblade Chronicles 3 – Defender Class Tier List.