Xenoblade Chronicles 2 Classes Guide: All the jobs and roles available to party members

Each character in Xenoblade Chronicles 2 has a role attached to them defined by the Blade weapons on them. When you receive a Blade, it comes with one of three roles: an attacker (ATK), a healer (HLR), or a TNK (tank). Attackers solely focus on offense and generally do the most damage. Healers support the team with powerful healing spells to keep everyone healthy. Tanks have great abilites to keep the enemy's eyes on them and boast impressive defensive skills to reinforce the constant aggro on them.

A Driver's Class is defined not only by what kinds of Blades they have, but also the amount that are on them. Early in the game, you'll only be able to equip two Blades at once. Shortly after the opening chapters, you'll be able to equip up to three at once. Keeping a balanced party that can deal with the worst situations is key.

Each character has one set Blade that they can't unequip though. Rex and Nia can't freely unequip Pyra and Dromarch respectively. Since Pyra is an ATK Blade and Dromarch is a HLR Blade, there'll be some jobs and classes that Rex and Nia can't become. Plan accordingly and master the job system in Xenoblade Chronicels 2 down below.

Need more Xenoblade Chronicles 2 help? We've got more pages to assist you:

• Dual Audio: how to get Japanese Voices via download
• Battle System Guide: combat strategy tips and tricks
• Blades Guide: the best blades, plus unlocking, upgrading and using overdrive protocol
• Rare Blades Guide: All elements, roles, field skills, and where to find every rare blade
• Booster Guide: all about Bravery, Truth, Compassion and Justice Boosters
• Pouch Items and where to find Pouch Expansions
• Tiger Tiger Guide: how to play and upgrade Poppi
• Unlocking Vess via the Tranquility side quest
• Finding Confusion Ivy for the Concerned Carpenter Side Quest
• Snow-White Rhino Location for the Young Man's Prize Side Quest

Single Blade Classes

Each of these Xenoblade 2 classes is determined by a single equipped blade, and these are the most basic classes in the game.

Fighter

• 1 ATK Blade
• Class Effect: Boosts damage dealt (+1)

Healer

• 1 HLR Blade
• Class Effect: HP Potion effect up (+1) / Lowers Arts/Specials aggro (+1)

Defender

• 1 TNK Blade
• Class Effect: Reduces damage taken (+1) / Boosts auto-attack aggro (+1) / Boosts Arts/Specials aggro (+1)

Double Blade Classes

Once you start equipping two blades things get a little more complicated. There are powered-up versions of Xenoblade 2's single-blade classes, but then there are some mix-and-match classes when you have different types of blade working together.

Elite Fighter

• 2 ATK Blades
• Class Effect: Boosts damage dealt (+2)

Elite Healer

• 2 HLR Blades
• Class Effect: HP Potion effect up (+2) / Lowers Arts/Specials aggro (+2)

Elite Defender

• 2 TNK Blades
• Class Effect: Reduces damage taken (+2) / Boosts auto-attack aggro (+2) / Boosts Arts/Specials aggro (+2)

Cavalier

• 1 ATK Blade & 1 HLR Blade
• Class Effect: Boosts damage dealt (+1) / HP Potion effect up (+1) / Lower Arts/Specials aggro (+1)

Warrior

• 1 ATK Blade & 1 TNK Blade
• Class Effect: Reduces damage taken (+1) / Boosts damage dealt (+1) / Boosts Arts/Specials aggro (+1)

Knight

• 1 HLR Blade & 1 TNK Blade
• Class Effect: Reduces damage taken (+1) / HP Potion effect up (+1)

Triple Blade Classes

Xenoblade 2 really opens up once you're able to equip a character with three different blades. Not only do the most powerful forms of the most basic classes unlock at this point, but you'll also get some seriously unique mix-and-match classes including jacks of all trade or powerful classes in one role with a decent sub-class skill set.

Master Fighter

• 3 ATK Blades
• Class Effect: Boosts damage dealt (+3)

Master Healer

• 3 HLR Blades
• Class Effect: HP Potion effect up (+3) / Lowers Arts/Specials aggro (+3)

Master Defender

• 3 TNK Blades
• Class Effect: Reduces damage taken (+3) / Boosts auto-attack aggro (+3) / Boosts Arts/Specials aggro (+3)

Wild Cavalier

• 2 ATK Blades & 1 HLR Blade
• Class Effect: Boosts damage dealt (+2) / HP Potion effect up (+1) / Lowers Arts/Specials aggro (+1)

Wild Warrior

• 2 ATK Blades & 1 TNK Blade
• Class Effect: Reduces damage taken (+1) / Boosts damage dealt (+3) / Boosts Arts/Specials aggro (+1)

Holy Cavalier

• 2 HLR Blades & 1 ATK Blade
• Class Effect: Boosts damage dealt (+1) / HP Potion effect up (+2) / Lowers Arts/Specials aggro (+2)

Holy Knight

• 2 HLR Blades & 1 TNK Blade
• Class Effect: Reduces damage taken (+1) / HP Potion effect up (+2) / Lowers Arts/Specials aggro (+1)

Royal Warrior

• 2 TNK Blades & 1 ATK Blade
• Class Effect: Reduces damage taken (+2) / Boosts damage dealt (+1) / Boosts Arts/Specials aggro (+2)

Royal Knight

• 2 TNK Blades & 1 HLR Blade
• Class Effect: Reduces damage taken (+2) / HP Potion effect up (+1) / Boosts Arts/Specials aggro (+1)

Jack-of-all-Trades

• 1 ATK Blade, 1 HLR Blade, & 1 TNK Blade
• Class Effect: Reduces damage taken (+1) / Boosts damage dealt (+1) / HP Potion effect up (+1)