All Essential Side Quests

Updated: Feb 19, 2026 10:36am UTC

There are a mountain of Side Quests that you can complete throughout your time playing Xenoblade Chronicles X. A handful of them are essential, as they're required for you to progress the main story, but they also unlock a useful skills, party members, and shops that you can use to purchase more items or gain additional equipment. Here's a full list of all the essential side quests you should complete during your XCX journey.

This guide is based on information from Xenoblade Chronicles X: Definitive Edition on Nintendo Switch. While it should largely be the same for the Wii U version, there could be some differences.

This guide contains side quest spoilers! Proceed at your own risk.

All Essential Side Quests in Xenoblade Chronicles X

Nearly all of the Affinity Missions in Xenoblade Chronicles are considered to be required, as they unlock additional Arts that you can use in combat or new party members. You'll want to go out of your way to track these ones down, and make sure you're keeping on your toes of where to find them while also working on the larger main story quests.

Essential Side Quests in XCX
Quest	Location	Prerequisites	Rewards	Complete?
BLADE Level Basics	Administrative District, New Los Angeles	Complete Chapter 3: Builders of a Legacy	Tap to Reveal	BLADE Level Basics
Rise of the Blood Lobster	Outfitters Test Hangar, New Los Angeles	• Complete Chapter 3: Builders of a Legacy • Complete A Hero's Ride Normal Mission	Tap to Reveal	Rise of the Blood Lobster
Off the Record (Biological)	Mission Control Terminal	Complete Chapter 3: Builders of a Legacy	Tap to Reveal	Off the Record (Biological)
Off the Record (Mechanical)	Mission Control Terminal	Complete Chapter 3: Builders of a Legacy	Tap to Reveal	Off the Record (Mechanical)
Off the Record (Archaeological)	Mission Control Terminal	Complete Chapter 3: Builders of a Legacy	Tap to Reveal	Off the Record (Mechanical)
City Saviors	Division Drive, New Los Angeles	• Complete Chapter 3: Builders of a Legacy • 15% Primordia Survey Rate	Tap to Reveal	City Saviors
Prone Sweet Prone	Administrative District, New Los Angeles	Complete Chapter 5: Ma-non Maneuvers, discover Oblivia Survey Rate 40%	Tap to Reveal	Prone Sweet Prone
The Silver Membership	Ma-non Ship, New Los Angeles	Complete Chapter 6: Dark Matters, The Membership, and complete Survey of Mira up to 40%	Tap to Reveal	The Silver Membership
Rescue at the Ensconced Citadel	BLADE Tower, New Los Angeles	Complete Chapter 6: Dark Matters, and Noctilum Survey 30% progress	Tap to Reveal	Rescue at the Ensconced Citadel
Dead Men Tell No Tales	BLADE Tower, New Los Angeles	Complete Chapter 7: Treachery, and Survey 50% of Primordia	Tap to Reveal	Dead Men Tell No Tales
The Gold Membership	Ma-non Ship, New Los Angeles	Complete Chapter 8: The Gathering Storm, The Silver Membership, and Survey 50% of Mira	Tap to Reveal	The Gold Membership
Sparking a Smile	Nopon Bazaar, New Los Angeles	Complete Chapter 8: The Gathering Storm, BFFs, and Survey 40% of Mira	Tap to Reveal	Sparking a Smile
Herbivores, Unite!	Deliverance Park, New Los Angeles	Complete Chapter 9: Warriors of Wroth, Circle of Life, Prone Sweet Prone, and Survey 45% of Noctilum	Tap to Reveal	Herbivores, Unite!
The Platinum Membership	Ma-non Ship, New Los Angeles	Complete Chapter 10: The Zu Pharge Menace, The Gold Membership, and Survey 60% of Mira	Tap to Reveal	The Platnium Membership
A New Life	Ma-non Ship, New Los Angeles	Complete Chapter 11: Consequences, Here Comes the Bride, and Survey 70% of Oblivia	Tap to Reveal	A New Life
Mia is Missing!	Ganglion Antropolis, Cauldros	Complete Chapter 11: Consequences, Definian Downfall, It's-a Mia, and Survey 65% of Cauldros	Tap to Reveal	Mia is Missing!
The Divine Nopopon	Ishmael Hills, New Los Angeles	Complete Chapter 12: Into the Core, BFFs, and Survey 80% of Mira	Tap to Reveal	The Divine Nopopon
A Fateful Choice	Residential District, New Los Angeles	Complete Chapter 12: Into the Core, Circle of Life, No-show Nen'celeg, The Nopon Heir, and Survey 85% of Noctilum	Tap to Reveal	A Fateful Choice
The Mad Monk	East Gate, New Los Angeles	Backup Request accepted	Tap to Reveal	The Mad Monk
A New Rival?	BLADE Concourse, New Los Angeles	Complete Chapter 3: Builders of a Legacy, and reach character level 12	Tap to Reveal	A New Rival?
We Were Soldiers	BLADE Barracks, New Los Angeles	Complete Chapter 3: Builders of a Legacy, reach Affinity level 1 with Ela, and reach character level 12	Tap to Reveal	We Were Soldiers
The Repair Job	BLADE Barracks, New Los Angeles	Complete Chapter 3: Builders of a Legacy, reach Affility level 1 with Lin, and reach character level 13	There are two different rewards based on your choices: Tap to Reveal Tap to Reveal	The Repair Job
Meeting Yelv	North Founders Street, New Los Angeles	Complete Chapter 3: Builders of a Legacy, and reach character level 14	Tap to Reveal	Meeting Yelv
Renewed Will	Central Melville Street, New Los Angeles	Complete Chapter 3: Builders of a Legacy, and reach character level 15	Tap to Reveal	Renewed Will
Foggy Dilemma	Water Purification Plant, New Los Angeles	Complete Chapter 4: The Ganglion Menace, get Backup Request, and reach character level 13	Tap to Reveal	Foggy Dilemma
Weaponized	Outfitters Test Hangar, New Los Angeles	Complete Chapter 4: The Ganglion Menace, the Outfittest Test Hangar not in use, accept Guinea Pigs Wanted!, and reach character level 17	Tap to Reveal	Weaponized
The Ties That Bind	East Melville Street, New Los Angeles	Complete Chapter 4: The Ganglion Menace, and reach character level 15	Tap to Reveal	The Ties That Bind
A Day in the Life	BLADE Barracks, New Los Angeles	Complete Chapter 4: The Ganglion Menace, and reach character level 16	Tap to Reveal	A Day in the Life
Bottoms Up	Repenta Diner, New Los Angeles	Complete Chapter 4: The Ganglion Menace, reach character level 19, and accept it during nighttime	Tap to Reveal	Bottoms Up
A Friend in Need	BLADE Barracks, New Los Angeles	Complete Chapter 5: Ma-non Maneuvers, and reach character level 19	Tap to Reveal	A Friend in Need
Close Comrades	BLADE Concourse	Complete Chapter 4: The Ganglion Menace, and reach character level 20	Tap to Reveal	Close Comrades
Nine Lives	Barista Court, New Los Angeles	Complete Chapter 5: Ma-non Maneuvers, and reach character level 20	Tap to Reveal	Nine Lives
My Dream	Administration District Hangar, New Los Angeles	Complete Chapter 5: Ma-non Maneuvers, and reach character level 22	Tap to Reveal	My Dream
A False Hope	BLADE Tower, New Los Angeles	Complete Chapter 5: Ma-non Maneuvers, reach character level 24, and reach Affinity level 2 with Hope	Tap to Reveal	A False Hope
BFFs	BLADE Barracks, New Los Angeles	Complete Chapter 5: Ma-non Maneuvers, The Ties That Bind, and reach character level 22	Tap to Reveal	BFFs
The Matchmaker	Barista Court, New Los Angeles	Complete Chapter 6: Dark Matters, reach character level 26, and reach Affinity level 1 with Lao	Tap to Reveal	The Matchmaker
Arms and the Man	BLADE Concourse, New Los Angeles	Complete Chapter 6: Dark Matters, reach character level 28, and reach Affinity level 2 with Yelv	Tap to Reveal	Arms and the Man
The King of Fear	Cathedral, New Los Angeles	Complete Chapter 7: Treachery, A New Rival?, BFFs, Prone Sweet Prone, Survey 25% of Noctilum, reach character level 32, and reach Affinity level 2 with HB. Must have H.B	Tap to Reveal	The King of Fear
A Great Divide	Ishmael Hills, New Los Angeles	Complete Chapter 7: Treachery, Bottoms Up, reach character level 30, and Affinity level 2 with Phog. Must have Phog	Tap to Reveal	A Great Divide
Spy Games	BLADE Tower, New Los Angeles	Complete Chapter 7: Treachery, and reach level 28	Tap to Reveal	Spy Games
Soldier of the Harriers	Mimeosome Maintenance Center, New Los Angeles	Complete Chapter 7: Treachery, reach character level 33, and reach Affinity level 3 with Doug	Tap to Reveal	Soldier of the Harriers
Bozé's Way	BLADE Tower, New Los Angeles	Complete Chapter 7: Treachery, The Mad Monk, reach character level 30, and reach Affinity level 2 with Bozé	Tap to Reveal	Bozé's Way
Blitzkrieg	East Gate, New Los Angeles	Complete Chapter 8: The Gathering Storm, A Great Divide, reach Affinity levels 3 with Frye and Phog	Tap to Reveal	Blitzkrieg
Nagi's Time	BLADE Barracks, New Los Angeles	Complete Chapter 8: The Gathering Storm, and reach character 32	Tap to Reveal	Nagi's Time
Manhunt	BLADE Tower, New Los Angeles	Complete Chapter 8: The Gathering Storm, and reach character level 33	Tap to Reveal	Manhunt
Prospective Partners	BLADE Barracks, New Los Angeles	Complete Chapter 9: Warriors of Wroth, reach character level 34, and Survey 18% in Mira	Tap to Reveal	Prospective Partners
New in New LA	Integrated Production Plant, New Los Angeles	Complete Chapter 9: Warriors of Wroth, Manhunt, and reach character level 44	Tap to Reveal	New in New LA
Climbing the Ladder	Administrative District, New Los Angeles	Complete Chapter 9: Warriors of Wroth, The King of Fear, reach character level 37, and reach Affinity level 4 with H.B.	Tap to Reveal	Climbing the Ladder
What the Skell?!	Outfitters Test Hangar, New Los Angeles	Complete Chapter 9: Warriors of Wroth, Weaponized, reach character level 36, and reach Affinity 2 with Alexa	Tap to Reveal	What the Skell?!
A Present for Hope	Deliverance Park, New Los Angeles	Complete Chapter 10: The Zu Pharg Menace, A False Hope, reach character level 44, and reach Affinity Level 4 with Hope	Tap to Reveal	A Present for Hope
L's Conundrum	Armory Alley, New Los Angeles	Complete Chapter 10: The Zu Pharg Menace, Booming Business, reach character level 38, and reach Affinity level 2 with L	Tap to Reveal	L's Conundrum
Reporting for Duty	BLADE Tower, New Los Angeles	Complete Chapter 10: The Zu Pharg Menace, reach character level 41, and reach Affinity level 3 with Nagi	Tap to Reveal	Reporting for Duty
The Little Rich Girl	Division Drive, New Los Angeles	Complete Chapter 10: The Zu Pharg Menace, Haywire!, My Dream, reach character level 39, and reach Affinity level 2 with Murderess	Tap to Reveal	The Little Rich Girl
Boot Camp	Outfitter's Test Hangar, New Los Angeles	Complete Chapter 10: The Zu Pharg Menace, Nine Lives, reach character level 41, reach Affinity level 1 with Gwin, and the Outfitters Test Hangar is not in use	Tap to Reveal	Boot Camp
A Challenger Approaches	BLADE Barracks, New Los Angeles	Complete Chapter 10: The Zu Pharg Menace, Prospective Partners, and reach character level 42	Tap to Reveal	A Challenger Approaches
Two Peas in a Pod	BLADE Barracks, New Los Angeles	Complete Chapter 11: Consequences, A Day in the Life, reach character level 47, and reach Affinity level 3 with Lin	Tap to Reveal	Two Peas in a Pod
Fathers and Sons	BLADE Barracks, New Los Angelles	Complete Chapter 11: Consequences, A Girl's Wings, reach character level 50, and reach Affinity level 4 with Irina	Tap to Reveal	Fathers and Sons
Yelv's Partner	North Founder's Street, New Los Angeles	Complete Chapter 11: Consequences, Arms and the Man, find Mimeosome Left and Right legs, Survey 50% of Oblivia, reach character level 50, and reach Affinity level 5 with Yelv	Tap to Reveal	Yelv's Partner
Fitting In	Outfitters Test Hangar, New Los Angeles	Complete Chapter 11: Consequences, BFFs, A Girl's Wings, New in New LA, reach character level 46, and reach Affinity level 3 with Celica	Tap to Reveal	Fitting In
Brotherly Love	Division Drive, New Los Angeles	Complete Chapter 11: Consequences, Blitzkrieg, reach character level 46, reach Affinity Level 4 with Phog and Frye	Tap to Reveal	Brotherly Love
Rapid Misfire	Industrial District, New Los Angeles	Complete Chapter 11: Consequences, What the Skell?!, reach character level 50, and reach Affinity level 4 with Alexa	Tap to Reveal	Welcome Back, Conner
Lionhearted	O'rrh Sim Castle Ruins, Cauldros	Complete Chapter 12: Into The Core, A Challenger Approaches, reach character level 51, and reach Affinity Level 2 with Ga Jiarg	Tap to Reveal	Lionhearted
Serial Thriller	North Founders Street, New Los Angeles	Complete Chapter 12: Into the Core, A False Hope, reach character level 53, and reach Affinity level 4 with Murderess	Tap to Reveal	Serial Thriller
To Serve Nopon	BLADE Barracks, New Los Angeles	Complete Chapter 12: Into the Core, BFFs, Sparking a Smile, Trade Agreement, reach character level 52, and reach Affinity level 4 with Lin	Tap to Reveal	To Serve Nopon
Mia Grows Up	Division Drive, New Los Angeles	Complete Chapter 12: Into the Core, Mia is Missing!, Sparking a Smile, reach character level 53, and reach Affinity level 4 with Mia	Tap to Reveal	Mia Grows Up
Then and Now	BLADE Barracks, New Los Angeles	Complete Chapter 12: Into the Core, We Were Soldiers, reach character level 58, and reach Affinity level 4 with Elma	Tap to Reveal	Then and Now
Hope Springs Eternal	Cathedral, New Los Angeles	Complete Marry Me! and reach character level 21	Tap to Reveal	Hope Springs Eternal
New Skell on the Block	Administrative District, New Los Angeles	Complete Chapter 6: Dark Matters, The Skell License, and reach character level 24	Tap to Reveal	New Skell on the Block
The Qlurian Archaeologist	BLADE Concourse, New Los Angeles	Complete Chapter 5: Ma-non Maneuvers, and reach character level 21	Tap to Reveal	The Qlurian Archaeologist
A Girl's Wings	Outfitters Test Hangar, New Los Angeles	Complete The Skell License, grab the Flight Module Basic Mission, reach character level 33, and the Outfitters Test Hangar is not in use	Tap to Reveal	A Girl's Wings