Xenoblade Chronicles X: How to Beat Proficiency Exam 3 and Find Shatskikh Fast

In the game Xenoblade Chronicles X: Definitive Edition, Skells, these massive mechanical beasts roaming New Los Angeles, might catch your eye, but don’t expect to command one right away. To operate a Skell, you need a Skell License, which can only be obtained after completing eight tasks of different complexities. One such task is “Proficiency Exam 3,” where you must locate and vanquish Shatskikh, the Flash. As a rare entity in Xenoblade Chronicles X, here are some strategies to make it appear more frequently and guidelines on how to defeat it.

Where to Find Shatskikh, the Flash in Xenoblade Chronicles X: Definitive Edition

How to Spawn Shatskikh

Once you finish Chapter 6, please move to the taskboard and select the “Skell License” mission. Then return to BLADE Barracks and chat with Vandham to obtain all eight proficiency test missions. Each time you pass one of these tests, you’ll earn a License. You can complete these tests in any order, and it’s possible that you’ve already finished some of them when you accept the mission assignments.

For Exam 3, which resembles the Harriers, you’ll be tasked with defeating a Tyrant. Navigate to Northpointe Cove, located to the right of Arendt Bridge. Once there, align yourself facing the coastline, and Shatskikh, also known as The Flash, should appear along the shore. Shatskikh is a substantial manta-ray creature adorned with a narwhal-like horn. Other similar creatures may be seen hovering around the coast, but you can identify Shatskikh by the distinctive white markings near his name.

For Exam 3 Proficiency, the suggested ability level is 25, which corresponds to Shatskikh’s level. However, it’s advisable for you to be a bit further ahead in levels. Tyrants can prove to be cunning adversaries even when your skill level aligns with theirs.

If you visit Northpointe Cove and can’t locate Shatskikh, wait at Northpointe Cove instead until he shows up. He is categorized as a rare appearance, so you might need to continuously return to the Northpointe Cove marker until he appears.

Closest FN Sites/Fast-Travel Points

As a gamer, I’ve probably already got a fast-travel spot for Northpointe Cove tucked away in my game map. If not, I’ll find myself at Arendt Bridge or FN Site 115 instead. Northpointe Cove is situated quite some distance southeast of Arendt Bridge and to the west of FN Site 115. Since I might need to respawn a few times before Shatskikh shows up, it’s wise to unlock the Northpointe Cove landmark or travel point before the Proficiency Exam 3.

How to Defeat Shatskikh, the Flash

Shatskikh, the Flash Resistances

Shatskikh, The Tyrant known as Flash is at level 25 with an impressive 53788 HP. If your character is level 30 or above, you should find it relatively straightforward to conquer this beast. However, if your character falls below level 30, it would be wise to gather a team and ensure you have the right equipment before engaging in battle with Flash.

Shatskikh is vulnerable and has a low tolerance for three types of elements. To effectively take advantage of this vulnerability, employ weapons that deal electric damage. Notably, it has a resistance of -45 against electric attacks, and -20 each for gravity and ether attacks.

He also has the following arts:

Art	Effect	Appendage
Horn Charge	Inflicts physical damage in a line directly in front of Shatskikh.	Horn
Jam	Inflicts HP Recovery down on targets around Shatskikh.	N/A
Ether Shot	Inflicts ether damage to a single target 3x.	N/A
Ether Bomb	Inflicts ether damage to a single time 4x.	N/A

Arts Info

Horn Charge will send Shatskikh flying across the field. Unfortunately, this can put him closer to surrounding monsters, making it harder to use arts that hit everything around you. It’s recommended you get rid of the Horn appendage first.
You’ll also want to be mindful of Jam, and have someone who can get rid of debuffs (like Irina) if you and your team are afflicted by it.
Ether Shot and Ether Bomb can be dangerous even though they can only hit one target at a time. Both moves deal 3-4 ether hits, which can be a problem if your armor has no ether resistances. To make matters worse, they’re homing attacks, so they’ll pursue Shatskikh’s target.

Recommended Equipment

It would be beneficial for you to don armor offering ether protection, as you’re expected to engage with Shatskikh roughly between levels 25 and 30. Consequently, the armor and weaponry you can utilize should fall within this level spectrum.

Instead of arming yourself with weapons causing beam damage, opt for those that deal electric damage, as this is an element Shatskikh resists. If you’re employing Psycho Launchers, available to Blast Fencer and Galactic Knight Class characters, prioritize items with the electric attribute. This advice applies to your close-combat weapons too. Notably, a significant number of electric attribute melee weapons are javelins, which can be equipped via the Partisan Eagle and Astral Crusader Classes.

You can explore the characteristics, such as attributes and resistances, of an item you wish to wear by simply moving your cursor over the desired item within the Equipment Menu on the Ground.

For artistic endeavors, arm yourself with electrical-based attack skills such as “Arc Horn” (Partisan Eagle) and “Shooting Star” (Blast Fencer). If you require additional electric attribute abilities, consider including these party members in your group.

Lao (joins mid chapter 4)
Alexa (complete Chapter 4)
Boze (complete Chapter 5)
L (joins mid chapter 4)

2025-04-15 15:05