How To Use Overdrive In Xenoblade Chronicles X

Many mechanics make combat in Xenoblade Chronicles X: Definitive Edition unique, such as the ability to combine different Skill Arts and the fact that it strays from genre traditions, delivering an experience akin to a real-time MMORPG. Although this creates a longer learning curve, it remains one of the key charms of the JRPG.

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One of these mechanics, for example, is Overdrive, a skill that players learn as the story progresses and is vital for various battles, especially against stronger enemies. Mastering it from the moment it becomes available and knowing the ideal moments to use it is essential for anyone interested in making the most of all the content this game offers.

How To Unlock Overdrive In Xenoblade Chronicles X

Chapter 5 cutscene featuring Tatsu in Xenoblade Chronicles X

Gaining access to Overdrive in Xenoblade Chronicles: X Definitive Edition is a simple task, but like the Skells, it is not available to players from the beginning. The only requirement is to progress in the main story until reaching chapter 5, where this new ability becomes accessible to all party members.

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In addition to unlocking Overdrive during battles, Chapter 5 of Xenoblade Chronicles X: Definitive Edition marks a significant moment for the entire lore of the JRPG. It clearly explains why humans are desperate in their search for Lifehold and that the dangers facing humanity are far greater than previously imagined.

How To Activate Overdrive In Xenoblade Chronicles X

One of the first things players must understand is that Overdrive is a powerful ability that can change the outcome of combat, which is why it is not always available. To activate it, players must accumulate 3000 TP (Tension Points), after which it becomes accessible, as indicated by the gear icon on the bar that once displayed the character’s weapons.

TP is a resource gained as characters perform auto-attacks on enemies, and by checking each weapon’s profile, players can see its TP Gain. The higher the value, the more of this resource is added with each hit, and each character has their own amount. Additionally, some Skill Arts also provide TP, so for those aiming to build a setup focused on Overdrive, it is important to remain attentive.

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Another aspect of TP management that players must note is that 3000 not only is the required amount to activate Overdrive, but it is also the same quantity needed to revive a fallen ally during combat in Xenoblade Chronicles X Definitive Edition. Therefore, assessing the battle’s momentum is crucial before deciding how to use them; if the enemy still has ample health, reviving the NPC is preferable to inflicting additional damage.

Some skills also consume TP when activated.

How Overdrive Works In Xenoblade Chronicles X

On the Nintendo Switch, once players have gathered the required 3000 TP to use Overdrive in Xenoblade Chronicles X: Definitive Edition, they can simply click the central gear-icon circle to enter this mode. Upon activation, the game interface undergoes several minor changes:

Overdrive Counter: Using two Skill Arts of the same type consecutively increases the counter by +1 per hit, granting bonuses such as extended Overdrive, extra damage, and TP gain as the counter rises. Additionally, its color changes based on the last Art used by the character.
Overdrive Time: Displays the remaining duration for which this ability remains active.

That said, to understand how to make the most out of Overdrive in Xenoblade Chronicles X Definitive Edition, it is crucial to know which skills should be used during this mode. For instance, Overdrive is not only useful for reducing the cooldown of Art Skills or maximizing damage. Depending on the order in which players use their attacks, it can also extend the duration of the mode. Here’s how:

Green (buff): Extends Overdrive by 0.05s × counter value
Blue (aura): Extends Overdrive by 0.1s × counter value
Purple (debuff): Grants 10 TP × counter value

Overdrive Combos In Xenoblade Chronicles X

Upon entering Overdrive mode, a new piece of information appears in the top right corner of the screen, displaying several combos that can be used during battles in Xenoblade Chronicles X through color indicators. These colors indicate the specific type of ability a character should use to maintain attack combinations and maximize effectiveness, in the following order: Orange (Melee), Yellow (Ranged), Green (Buff Arts), Blue (Aura Arts), and Purple (Debuff Arts).

These are the possible combinations and their effects:

Aura + Buff: Recover 10% of HP.
Aura + Debuff: Increases the debuff duration by 25%.
Buff + Melee, Ranged or Aura: Increases the Overdrive Counter according to the number of successful attacks.
Debuff + Melee or Ranged: Deals 50% more damage to enemies during Appengade.
Triple Melee Combo: Earn 10% extra EXP, which can stack up to 200% (20 times).
Triple Ranged Combo: Earn 10% extra Class EXP, which can stack up to 200% (20 times).

These combinations make Overdrive in Xenoblade Chronicles X: Definitive Edition a powerful ability for combat, as the correct order of skills allows players to increase the counter and obtain several beneficial buffs, including the possibility to reactivate Overdrive. In short, mastering this mechanic can completely transform combat in favor of the player.

Using Overdrive With Allies

Issuing party commands while using Overdrive against high-level enemies in Xenoblade Chronicles X

Overdrive is not exclusive to the protagonist of Xenoblade Chronicles X; during combat, all allies accumulate TP from their strikes and, upon reaching 3000, can also activate these bonuses. Players can influence this process using Battle Commands, such as selecting “Keep your tension up!” by pressing + during combat to prevent characters from using Arts that consume TP while also instructing them to use Overdrive when the prerequisites are met.

When setting each character’s Skill Arts in Xenoblade Chronicles X, players can also choose not to equip those with the TP symbol, as this prevents allies from using them during combat, saving Tension to be used for activating Overdrive.

Additionally, there is an extra mechanic called Party Chain. When more than one character besides the protagonist activates their own Overdrive, new benefits are granted during combat, making it advisable for players seeking a strong composition in Xenoblade Chronicles X: Definitive Edition to include characters who can quickly increase TP. The effects are as follows:

Allies in Overdrive	Effect
2 allies in Overdrive	Increases the chance of Soul Voices activation by 50%.
3 allies in Overdrive	Recovers 50 TP with each successful Skill Art.
4 allies in Overdrive	Grants the special effect Super Armor, reducing all received damage by half and ensuring immunity to mobility debuffs (Stagger, Topple, Knockback, Launch, and Flinch).

Allies in Overdrive

Effect

2 allies in Overdrive

Increases the chance of Soul Voices activation by 50%.

3 allies in Overdrive

Recovers 50 TP with each successful Skill Art.

4 allies in Overdrive

Grants the special effect Super Armor, reducing all received damage by half and ensuring immunity to mobility debuffs (Stagger, Topple, Knockback, Launch, and Flinch).

Using Overdrive In Skells

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Overdrive is also a skill that can be used by Skells in Xenoblade Chronicles X once players earn the license to operate them. However, the resource used to activate this mode while piloting these mechs is not TP but GPs (Gears Points), and players must accumulate 3000 points before the ability becomes available.

During activation, the Skell does not consume Fuel and temporarily receives specific bonuses based on the equipped Frame, such as HP Regeneration or Damage Reflection. Additionally, Skell Overdrive operates in rounds, with the first round lasting 15 seconds and subsequent rounds being reduced to 13 seconds each, potentially lasting for up to six consecutive rounds.

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Progression between rounds is not automatic in all cases; the first two rounds are guaranteed, while the chance for a third round drops to 50 and becomes nil for subsequent rounds. However, activation of Cockpit modes during rounds, the use of certain abilities, or even some augments for the Skell can influence this calculation.