Xenoblade Chronicles X Definitive Edition: Soul Voice Guide

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Quick Links

  • What is The Soul Voice Mechanic
  • How to Choose a Soul Voice
    • Picking the Best Voice Type
  • Triggering Party Members’ Soul Voice

At first glance, Xenoblade Chronicles X might appear to have a straightforward combat system. You encounter an enemy, your character launches automatic attacks, and occasionally, you activate certain abilities called “Arts.”

While I delve into this game, I pick up on the nuances of positioning strategies, combo sequences, Overdrive triggers, quick cooldown timers, and Soul Voice modulations. This intricate blend of combat mechanics weaves an immersive and comprehensive JRPG battle experience for me as a gamer.

The game makes an effort to assist the player by providing various lessons for each function, but sometimes it may come across as excessive, particularly at the beginning when you’re still acclimating to the game mechanics.

In this guide on Xenoblade Chronicles X, I’ll clarify the enigmatic mechanic known as Soul Voice. Here, I’ll provide a straightforward explanation of its function, demystifying any confusion surrounding it, and offer effective tactics to maximize its utility.

What is The Soul Voice Mechanic

Every now and then, during a fierce battle, a glowing orange symbol might appear, requiring me to act swiftly and execute a quick-time action. I call these moments ‘Soul Challenges’.

Based on your success in this Quick Time Event, you may receive either a Good or Excellent score, each granting distinct rewards.

  • Good: Heals the Party, grants a Morale bar, and activates the respective Soul Voice bonuses.
  • Perfect: Grants all the benefits of Good plus some extra TP recovery.

To set off a Soul Trial, you should carry out certain tasks related to your Soul Guidance. You have several options to choose from, and it’s entirely up to the player to select which ones to activate.

As you conquer Soul Tests, your Morale meter fills up, visible as a yellow bar under your Arts Palette. A full Morale level makes Soul Voices active more often, yet these challenges become progressively tougher to finish.

How to Choose a Soul Voice

Selecting a Soul Voice for your character can be just as simple as clicking ‘Start’, navigating to the ‘Party’ option, and then picking ‘Soul Voice’. But, if you find yourself encountering this screen for the first time, it might seem a bit daunting.

There are 16 possible Soul Voice triggers, 12 fixed and 4 customizable.

Every Soul Voice has two characteristics:

  • Trigger Condition: The action you need to perform to have a chance at activating a Soul Challenge.
  • Voice Type: The effect your character receives if you successfully complete a Soul Challenge.

Suppose we’re talking about Artful Execution. The event that sets things in motion happens when a character makes use of Art’s unique ability.

Multiple arts come with additional benefits, including striking an opponent from the flank or rear, or performing a close-quarters or long-range combo. Such abilities are considered the unique effects of each art.

For a smoother experience, keep an eye out for a visual clue – a tiny exclamation mark placed above certain artworks. This means that using them next will trigger their unique effects, so remember to give them priority whenever possible.

Regardless of whether Soul Voices initiate combat with a ranged weapon, employ a particular Art, or shatter a monster’s limb, this rule applies to all such actions.

As much as I strive to meet the requirements set by my inner voice, or Soul Voice, it doesn’t necessarily mean I’ll encounter a Soul Challenge. It’s all part of the journey, and sometimes, things don’t always go as planned.

Picking the Best Voice Type

As a devoted follower, I’d like to share an exciting detail about Soul Voices: Each one possesses three distinct Voice Types. Overcoming a Soul Challenge not only tests your mettle but also rewards you with unique effects tailored to each type.

These typically involve bonus attacks, whether close-range (melee) or long-range (ranged), but they may also encompass enhancements for your party (buffs), weakening effects on enemies (debuffs), or even Soul Heal, a recovery ability that restores the entire team’s Health Points (HP).

As an avid Astral Crusader player, specializing in Ranged Arts, I find that the selection of Voice Type significantly leans towards those that boost my sniping abilities.

In addition, you’ll find four adjustable Soul Voice options, covering a spectrum from “Accelerate for three seconds during combat” to uniquely particular scenarios such as “Receive healing from a female comrade.

Option A: You can opt for universal triggers that function effectively across all classes and parties, or

Option B: Alternatively, you can manage your Soul Voices individually each time you switch parties.

Triggering Party Members’ Soul Voice

Every party member also has their own Soul Voices. These aren’t editable and activate differently.

Occasionally during combat, your battle partner may shout an order, signaling you to respond with a particular Art, which in turn activates their Soul Voice abilities.

It can be challenging to discern a party member’s intentions from a single command during a hectic battle, as their true desires may not always be immediately clear.

Fortunately, whenever a party member’s Soul Voice becomes active, one of your skills in the bar will illuminate. If you employ it at that specific instant, you’ll set off a bonus effect.

In the screenshot you see, Yelv’s dialogue boxes seem to activate my ranged abilities. This is indicated by a yellow aura surrounding them.

To summarize, the intensity of the damage dealt will be higher when the radiant Art is utilized for either melee or ranged attacks. However, if it functions as a support, debuff, or aura, you are expected to use Soul Healing to benefit the whole team instead.

Whenever I find myself in a tight spot during a game, it’s crucial to heed my team’s advice. There have been countless instances where I managed to pull through tough battles thanks to my comrades activating their Soul Voices, granting us all the chance to recover and press on.

Instead of indiscriminately using your Arts in Arts, consider waiting for your party member’s Soul Voice to activate for additional benefits alongside the Secondary Cooldown feature. This can sometimes yield better results.

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2025-03-23 22:09