In the expansive world of Xenoblade Chronicles X: Definitive Editionbuilding strong relationships, known as Affinity, among your party members is crucial. High Affinity levels not only enhance combat effectiveness but also unlock exclusive missions and deepen character backstories. This guide will delve into the importance of Affinity and provide actionable strategies to elevate it effectively.

Affinity represents the bond between characters in your party. These relationships are visualized in the Affinity Chart, accessible from the main menu. The chart uses colored symbols to denote different Affinity levels:

• Yellow: No Affinity (0 – 999 points)
• Green: Low Affinity (1,000 – 1,999 points)
• Blue: Medium Affinity (2,000 – 2,999 points)
• Purple: High Affinity (3,000 – 4,999 points)
• Pink: Max Affinity (5,000 points)

Elevating Affinity between characters yields several benefits:

1. Enhanced Chain Attacks: Higher Affinity increases the likelihood of Chain Links during Chain Attacks, allowing for extended combos and amplified damage.
2. Skill Links Expansion: As Affinity rises, characters can share more skills through Skill Links, broadening combat strategies and adaptability.
3. Access to Heart-to-Hearts: Certain character interactions, known as Heart-to-Hearts, become available at specific Affinity levels, offering deeper insights into character backgrounds and strengthening bonds.

Strategies to Raise Affinity

Several methods can effectively boost Affinity among party members:

1. Engage in Combat Together
   Participating in battles with various team compositions naturally fosters Affinity. Key combat interactions include:
   • Chain Attacks: Initiating these attacks grants Affinity points among active party members.
   • Burst Affinity: Triggered by actions like critical hits or successful dodges, responding to Burst Affinity prompts with precise timing can significantly boost Affinity.
   • Assisting Allies: Helping teammates recover from negative statuses, such as being toppled or dazed, contributes to Affinity growth.
2. Complete Missions Together
   Undertaking various missions with specific characters in your party enhances Affinity:
   • Affinity Missions: These missions are pivotal, often leading to new story developments and unlocking character-exclusive content.
   • Normal and Story Missions: Completing these with certain characters also contributes to Affinity progression.
3. Participate in Heart-to-Hearts
   These special interactions, unlocked at certain Affinity levels, allow characters to engage in meaningful conversations. Making choices that resonate with a character’s personality during these events can significantly boost Affinity.
4. Engage in Soul Voices
   During combat, characters may issue prompts known as Soul Voices, requesting specific actions. Responding appropriately to these prompts not only enhances combat efficiency but also increases Affinity between characters.
5. Utilize the Gift System
   Presenting items to characters can influence Affinity levels. Each character has preferences, and giving them items they favor will boost Affinity, while disliked items may decrease it. Experimenting with different items or consulting guides can help identify these preferences.
6. Engage in Gem Crafting
   This collaborative activity allows characters to work together to create powerful gems. The success and efficiency of gem crafting are influenced by the Affinity levels between participating characters, making it both a means to enhance equipment and strengthen bonds.

Additional Tips for Maximizing Affinity

• Diversify Party Compositions: Regularly rotating party members ensures that Affinity is evenly distributed, allowing all characters to benefit from strengthened relationships.
• Focus on Area Affinity: Building relationships with NPCs in various regions by completing quests and engaging in dialogues can unlock additional missions and rewards, indirectly benefiting your party’s overall strength.
• Prioritize Affinity-Building Activities: Engage in activities known to boost Affinity, such as completing missions, participating in Heart-to-Hearts, and utilizing the gift system.