InXenoblade Chronicles 2, players encounter a variety of complex systems that influence combat, character growth, and strategic planning. Among these, one key attribute known as Bravery plays an important role in certain situations, particularly during the game’s mercenary missions and affinity chart developments. Bravery is not a stat you can increase with items or levels in the traditional sense, but rather one that ties into the deeper progression systems involving Blades, Trust, and Field Skills. Understanding how Bravery functions and how to increase it can give you a significant edge in managing missions and unlocking Blade potential.
Understanding Bravery in Xenoblade Chronicles 2
What Is Bravery?
Bravery is a type of Field Skill used by certain Blades inXenoblade Chronicles 2. Field Skills are passive abilities that allow you to interact with the world in different ways, including opening hidden paths, unlocking treasure chests, and accessing special events. Bravery is most commonly seen in mercenary missions, where it is often a requirement for sending a team of Blades on an expedition.
Unlike stats like Strength or Agility, Bravery isn’t something players typically see in combat. Instead, it represents a Blade’s courage, initiative, and leadership abilities, which are crucial for exploration and completion of side content.
Where Does Bravery Appear?
- Mercenary Missions: Certain missions require a minimum level of Bravery to complete successfully.
- Field Interactions: Rarely, Bravery may be needed to trigger special field actions in exploration.
- Affinity Charts: Some Blades have nodes that require Bravery-related actions or missions to unlock.
Due to its niche yet critical role, knowing how to identify and increase Bravery among your Blades is important for 100% game completion.
How to Increase Bravery Skill Level
Using the Right Blades
Not every Blade possesses the Bravery Field Skill. To increase your team’s overall Bravery, you need to equip Blades who naturally possess this skill. Common Rare Blades and even some Common Blades may come with Bravery as one of their field skills. Check your Blade list and examine their skill set in the Blade menu.
Examples of Blades with Bravery:
- Perceval
- Vale
- Some randomly generated Common Blades
Enhancing Bravery Through Affinity
Each Blade’s Bravery level can be increased by unlocking nodes in their Affinity Chart. These nodes often require the Blade to perform tasks such as:
- Completing specific mercenary missions
- Fulfilling battle challenges (e.g., defeating enemies of a certain type)
- Using special moves under certain conditions
As these nodes are unlocked, the Blade’s Bravery skill level increases, contributing more to missions that require it.
Merc Group Rank Influence
Raising the rank of your Merc Group will unlock more advanced missions and improve the efficiency of Blades sent out. While the Merc Group rank itself doesn’t raise Bravery directly, it enables missions that can boost it or help Blades earn trust, which leads to more Affinity Chart progress.
Best Practices for Mercenary Missions Involving Bravery
Selecting the Right Team
When choosing Blades for a Bravery-required mission, ensure that the total Bravery skill level of the team meets or exceeds the mission’s minimum requirement. You can see this when assigning Blades to the mission it will show if the requirement has been met or not.
Mixing Skills Strategically
Bravery is often one of several required skills for a mission. Others may include Fortitude, Patience, or Focus. Try to assemble a balanced team that covers all required skills, rather than stacking only one. This will increase your success rate and reduce mission time.
Bonding New Blades with Bravery
If you lack Blades with Bravery, consider bonding more Core Crystals. You can view the resulting Blade’s skills immediately upon unlocking. Rare Blades tend to have stronger Field Skills, but Common Blades can also fulfill requirements with proper development.
Bravery and Affinity Chart Development
Unlocking Blade Potential
Some Affinity Chart nodes related to Bravery might require your Blade to:
- Complete a certain number of Bravery-related missions
- Achieve a specific trust level with the Driver
- Perform certain arts a number of times in combat
Completing these tasks strengthens your Blade and often results in stat bonuses or combat abilities.
Trust and Its Effect
Increasing trust with a Blade not only unlocks Affinity Chart nodes but also improves mission outcomes. Trust can be gained by:
- Winning battles with the Blade equipped
- Feeding the Blade their favorite pouch items
- Completing quests and interactions involving the Blade
More trust leads to more Bravery if the Affinity Chart supports it, making the Blade more valuable for future missions.
Tips for Efficient Bravery Progression
Focus on One Blade at a Time
Instead of trying to raise Bravery across many Blades, focus your development on one or two with the skill. Send them on missions frequently and complete Affinity Chart goals. This targeted approach results in quicker leveling and mission readiness.
Use Favorite Items and Accessories
Improve trust and chart progress by feeding your chosen Blade their favorite items. This boosts the bond, unlocking skill nodes faster and improving their effectiveness in missions.
Repeat Bravery Missions
Many mercenary missions can be repeated. If you find one that increases Bravery or contributes to related Affinity Chart goals, don’t hesitate to run it multiple times.
Why Bravery Matters in the Long Term
Completionist Goals
Players aiming for 100% completion will find that many Heart-to-Hearts, hidden events, and late-game content require a combination of high-level Field Skills, including Bravery. Ensuring a few of your Blades have maxed Bravery is a solid investment for unlocking these secrets.
Improving Mission Rewards
Bravery is often tied to rare and valuable mission rewards. Missions requiring Bravery typically offer higher experience points, Gold, and unique items. Fully developing Bravery can help you farm materials and expand your item collection efficiently.
InXenoblade Chronicles 2, Bravery may not be the flashiest skill, but it plays a vital role in exploration, Blade development, and mission success. By understanding which Blades possess this Field Skill and how to enhance it through Affinity Charts and Trust, you can unlock new areas, complete challenging mercenary missions, and deepen your connection with your Blade companions. Taking time to develop Bravery ensures smoother progression and brings you one step closer to mastering everything the world of Alrest has to offer.