Heir to the Monado. Shulk General Discussion/Social Thread

[Solfiner]

I'm at Valak Mountain right now. My entire team is Level 45, and I'm going to the bottom of the mountain as said by the plot. Strange thing is, I'm having a lot more difficulty with Valak Mountain than I have in any other portions of the game so far. I haven't avoided grinding, and I've done a good chunk of sidequests. The enemies aren't completely wrecking me, but despite the fact that I'm around the same level as them, I'm having MUCH more difficulty with battles. In fact, in a battle with a same level (45) enemy, my entire team except for Dunban fainted, and I BARELY finished off the enemy with him. Is Valak Mountain just a difficulty spike in general?
Here's my current team, should I shuffle it around or should I just grind a bit?
Dunban - Shulk - Melia

It is a difficulty spike actually. I would advice you to get to at least lvl 48-49 before you progress.

 

[False Sense]

How about an event called "No ordinary swordsmen" where you have to fight Robin and Shulk? I would throw Isaac in too, if makes it in as playable.

I can't be the only one who wants to see a battle between Robin and Shulk, right?

 

[AuraWielder]

It is a difficulty spike actually. I would advice you to get to at least lvl 48-49 before you progress.

By "progress", you mean before I hit my destination, right?

 

[Solfiner]

By "progress", you mean before I hit my destination, right?

Yeah, I'm pretty sure about that. You should maybe check with @ erico9001 too, in case my memory is wrong.

 

[erico9001]

I just had an interesting mechanic idea for Shulk that I haven't seen tossed around before.

How about in Smash 4 there is a different hitbox for if Shulk hits the opponents with the metal part of the sword instead of the blade of energy part. It is like how Marth is most powerful at the tip but to a larger extent. This would make sense, and would help balance out the long reach I think the Monado would have.
-

I'm at Valak Mountain right now. My entire team is Level 45, and I'm going to the bottom of the mountain as said by the plot. Strange thing is, I'm having a lot more difficulty with Valak Mountain than I have in any other portions of the game so far. I haven't avoided grinding, and I've done a good chunk of sidequests. The enemies aren't completely wrecking me, but despite the fact that I'm around the same level as them, I'm having MUCH more difficulty with battles. In fact, in a battle with a same level (45) enemy, my entire team except for Dunban fainted, and I BARELY finished off the enemy with him. Is Valak Mountain just a difficulty spike in general?
Here's my current team, should I shuffle it around or should I just grind a bit?
Dunban - Shulk - Melia

Is Dunban your tank? Is he not working? If so, maybe try Reyn instead. Since Melia and Shulk are rather fragile, you would need a good tank to balance it out. Shulk+Melia have good enough healing arts I think :x

I never found myself needing to grind until the end of the game so it might be the team. If you try different approaches and still aren't finding much success then grind some levels I guess.

 

[Kikkipoptart12]

I'm at Valak Mountain right now. My entire team is Level 45, and I'm going to the bottom of the mountain as said by the plot. Strange thing is, I'm having a lot more difficulty with Valak Mountain than I have in any other portions of the game so far. I haven't avoided grinding, and I've done a good chunk of sidequests. The enemies aren't completely wrecking me, but despite the fact that I'm around the same level as them, I'm having MUCH more difficulty with battles. In fact, in a battle with a same level (45) enemy, my entire team except for Dunban fainted, and I BARELY finished off the enemy with him. Is Valak Mountain just a difficulty spike in general?
Here's my current team, should I shuffle it around or should I just grind a bit?
Dunban - Shulk - Melia

I don't use Melia that much because most of her moves seem are duffs or debuffs and don't do much damage and have you try to level up your moves with ap? after I did that it helps a little.

 

[AuraWielder]

I just had an interesting mechanic idea for Shulk that I haven't seen tossed around before.

How about in Smash 4 there is a different hitbox for if Shulk hits the opponents with the metal part of the sword instead of the blade of energy part. It is like how Marth is most powerful at the tip but to a larger extent. This would make sense, and would help balance out the long reach I think the Monado would have.
-

Is Dunban your tank? Is he not working? If so, maybe try Reyn instead. Since Melia and Shulk are rather fragile, you would need a good tank to balance it out. Shulk+Melia have good enough healing arts I think :x

I never found myself needing to grind until the end of the game so it might be the team. If you try different approaches and still aren't finding much success then grind some levels I guess.

I'll try a Dunban - Reyn - Melia setup.

 

[SkittleE]

I'll try a Dunban - Reyn - Melia setup.

Melia is AMAZING, but only if you control her. Her AI is sadly pretty crap. If you've already gotten to Ose Tower and are now progressing to the bottom of the mountain, then I'd definitely advise getting to level 48-49.

 

[erico9001]

I don't use Melia that much because most of her moves seem are duffs or debuffs and don't do much damage and have you try to level up your moves with ap? after I did that it helps a little.

Summon bolt is pretty powerful, but her other attacks do damage over time which I guess could be bad in some instances, such as when the battles don't last very long.

You know what... I think I might replay Xenoblade from level one while I wait for smash 4 to come out.
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It is a difficulty spike actually. I would advice you to get to at least lvl 48-49 before you progress.

Melia is AMAZING, but only if you control her. Her AI is sadly pretty crap. If you've already gotten to Ose Tower and are now progressing to the bottom of the mountain, then I'd definitely advise getting to level 48-49.

Yeah, this might be a good idea. I don't remember much from that area anyways.

 

[AuraWielder]

Melia is AMAZING, but only if you control her. Her AI is sadly pretty crap. If you've already gotten to Ose Tower and are now progressing to the bottom of the mountain, then I'd definitely advise getting to level 48-49.

Guess I'll take control of her, then. She's not my BEST character, but when I play her, she suddenly seems to be a hell of a lot better than AI Melia.
Anyway, haven't gotten to Ose Tower yet. I'm actually going towards that tower right now. I just didn't know what it was called because ALVIS NEVER TOLD ME.

 

[SkittleE]

Guess I'll take control of her, then. She's not my BEST character, but when I play her, she suddenly seems to be a hell of a lot better than AI Melia.
Anyway, haven't gotten to Ose Tower yet. I'm actually going towards that tower right now. I just didn't know what it was called because ALVIS NEVER TOLD ME.

There are some pretty easy monster quests in Valak that you should probably pick up if you're underleveled, there's no reason not to. Don't worry, you can't miss 'em, all but one of them are given from Nopon in landmarks you're required to pass by in order to progress.

 

[zippy3214]

Guess I'll take control of her, then. She's not my BEST character, but when I play her, she suddenly seems to be a hell of a lot better than AI Melia.
Anyway, haven't gotten to Ose Tower yet. I'm actually going towards that tower right now. I just didn't know what it was called because ALVIS NEVER TOLD ME.

You can get Dunban's 4th skill branch after a story quest in that area, just go back to the entrance from Makna Forest with Dunban as lead and one of the Nopon should give it.

 

[MooseSmuggler]

You can get Dunban's 4th skill branch after a story quest in that area, just go back to the entrance from Makna Forest with Dunban as lead and one of the Nopon should give it.

That Nopon is actually at the research camp on the bottom level, not the group at the entrance.

 

[zippy3214]

That Nopon is actually at the research camp on the bottom level, not the group at the entrance.

Oh, well I guess I have memory loss. Who's Dunban?

 

[Kikkipoptart12]

Oh, well I guess I have memory loss. Who's Dunban?

this is Dunban

 

[AuraWielder]

You can get Dunban's 4th skill branch after a story quest in that area, just go back to the entrance from Makna Forest with Dunban as lead and one of the Nopon should give it.

4th... skill branch?
I thought they were only 3.

 

[FlareHabanero]

4th... skill branch?
I thought they were only 3.

Every character has 5 skill trees, 3 by default and 2 more you need to unlock by fulfilling certain objectives.

 

[zippy3214]

4th... skill branch?
I thought they were only 3.

You get the 4th one for each character through quests specific to them being in the lead, sometimes having to have affinity with an area at around 3 stars. The 5th one for everyone is impossible to get until much later in the game.

 

[Andyjoe522]

4th... skill branch?
I thought they were only 3.

On top of what those above me have said, I'd also recommend going back to colony 9 to grind some quests until you get the one for Shulk's fourth branch, Pessimism. It has some useful skills which help to keep his aggro low, and the final skill in the tree also helps to prevent debuffs.

 

[Spazzy_D]

I also want to say, don't be afraid to have Sharla in your party if things are going rough for you at any point. She is a very inefficient character, but she can still help you power through tougher fights - especially if you aren't very good at gem optimization (or have just never taken the time out to get better at it.)

 

[AuraWielder]

On top of what those above me have said, I'd also recommend going back to colony 9 to grind some quests until you get the one for Shulk's fourth branch, Pessimism. It has some useful skills which help to keep his aggro low, and the final skill in the tree also helps to prevent debuffs.

Hmm. I'll try that for Shulk.
Didn't even know all of this stuff 'cause I wanted to play through the game without a guide. But I'll do it anyway. I just want to reach another landmark first for easy traveling later.
But for now, it's bedtime for me.
'Night.

 

[Cereal Bawks]

Oh, well I guess I have memory loss. Who's Dunban?

He's LITERALLY the best character in Xenoblade.

 

[SkittleE]

He's LITERALLY the best character in Xenoblade.

Besides Alvis, of course, but I'm sure that goes without saying.

 

[TitanTeaTime]

He's LITERALLY the best character in Xenoblade.

AHEM
No but in all seriousness, Reyn Time

 

[TheFearsomeRyan]

hello friends

I'm not saying I made an account here just for the sake of Shulk speculation but

I made an account here just for the sake of Shulk speculation

 

[zippy3214]

He's LITERALLY the best character in Xenoblade.

We need to calm down, we all know the best character is Juju's buggy.

 

[Andyjoe522]

hello friends

I'm not saying I made an account here just for the sake of Shulk speculation but

I made an account here just for the sake of Shulk speculation

@BluePikmin11 We've got another one!

Welcome aboard, fellow Bronado!

 

[TitanTeaTime]

hello friends

I'm not saying I made an account here just for the sake of Shulk speculation but

I made an account here just for the sake of Shulk speculation

Well, you're not in luck here. Most of us go to sleep around now unless you're an insomniac like me and it'd may as well be the Xenoblade discussion group
...But still, welcome!

 

[TheFearsomeRyan]

Well, you're not in luck here. Most of us go to sleep around now unless you're an insomniac like me and it'd may as well be the Xenoblade discussion group
...But still, welcome!

that's good too bro I haven't had anyone to talk to about Xenoblade in forever

I'm not an insomniac but I do stay up unreasonably late.

 

[TitanTeaTime]

though tbh it's actually like 4am where I live. almost 5am
so
I need sleep
night

 

[Juliusaurus]

I'm no Shulk fan, not really a fan of anime pretty boys in general... I feel we already have plenty of those. But I see Shulk as very likely, especially with how Nintendo is now making a franchise out of Xenoblade by keeping the name going for the Wii U sequel. Before then, I shrugged away Shulk as if he was a one-off... and even if he as a character is still a one-off, the franchise of Xenoblade itself isn't, and therefore is worthy of a playable rep, just as games like F-zero, Star Fox, Earthbound, and Pikmin were when they first got characters in Smash.

I still can't stand the character though... He just looks so generic to me (as do the Fire Emblem characters). It just isn't my style, so you won't see me celebrating his reveal.

 

[AlvisCPU]

that's good too bro I haven't had anyone to talk to about Xenoblade in forever

I'm not an insomniac but I do stay up unreasonably late.

Don't worry, I'll always be here at this time complaining about time zones.

Also, Xenoblade characters don't need to sleep. They can just run around all night and be completely fine. Sleep is for the weak, weak and pathetic!

Hmm. I'll try that for Shulk.
Didn't even know all of this stuff 'cause I wanted to play through the game without a guide. But I'll do it anyway. I just want to reach another landmark first for easy traveling later.
But for now, it's bedtime for me.
'Night.

Just go explore a bit, clean up a few quests and come back to it. That's what I did whenever I felt underlevelled.

 

[TheFearsomeRyan]

Don't worry, I'll always be here at this time complaining about time zones.

Also, Xenoblade characters don't need to sleep. They can just run around all night and be completely fine. Sleep is for the weak, weak and pathetic!

adventure never sleeps

 

[SkittleE]

I'm no Shulk fan, not really a fan of anime pretty boys in general... I feel we already have plenty of those. But I see Shulk as very likely, especially with how Nintendo is now making a franchise out of Xenoblade by keeping the name going for the Wii U sequel. Before then, I shrugged away Shulk as if he was a one-off... and even if he as a character is still a one-off, the franchise of Xenoblade itself isn't, and therefore is worthy of a playable rep, just as games like F-zero, Star Fox, Earthbound, and Pikmin were when they first got characters in Smash.

I still can't stand the character though... He just looks so generic to me (as do the Fire Emblem characters). It just isn't my style, so you won't see me celebrating his reveal.

Sir, Shulk is no generic anime character. Besides the fact that he wields a friggin' lightsaber sword that grants buffs and debuffs out the wazoo as well as showing him the future, he's a scientist, thinks things through, is generally a nice and not annoying guy, and has some great character development. Of course, anyone in this thread could probably explain things better than me, as I firmly believe that words are hawd.

 

[ZXMechonHunter]

I'm no Shulk fan, not really a fan of anime pretty boys in general... I feel we already have plenty of those. But I see Shulk as very likely, especially with how Nintendo is now making a franchise out of Xenoblade by keeping the name going for the Wii U sequel. Before then, I shrugged away Shulk as if he was a one-off... and even if he as a character is still a one-off, the franchise of Xenoblade itself isn't, and therefore is worthy of a playable rep, just as games like F-zero, Star Fox, Earthbound, and Pikmin were when they first got characters in Smash.

I still can't stand the character though... He just looks so generic to me (as do the Fire Emblem characters). It just isn't my style, so you won't see me celebrating his reveal.

I feel you man, I'm pretty sick of anime characters and pretty boys too.
Good thing Shulk is neither!

 

[Juliusaurus]

I meant he's generic looking, I'm sure his skillset is unique (though I'm not sure how time travel/future prediction would work in a multiplayer fighting game, or how a lightsaber sword is anything new to Smash).

Just looking at his face though, there's nothing about him that stands out. The sword, the Monado, is very unique looking however.

 

[TitanTeaTime]

Guess who couldn't go to sleep--
A detractor? How long has it been since we've had one of those? I'll make this quick. If you don't see the appeal, you obviously haven't played Xenoblade Chronicles and will see the appeal when he's inevitably revealed.
EDIT: I just wasted another milestone post didn't I.
Well shoot.
*sigh*
maybe I'll remember post #2000

 

[Andyjoe522]

Besides, Shulk has a British accent! Can you name one other likely Smash Bros. candidate who has a British accent? Didn't think so.

 

[Juliusaurus]

I own the game and have played it a little, but generally Anime/RPG games aren't my thing, so I don't think I'll ever see the appeal.

Again though, I expect the character, and based on how Nintendo is treating the Xenoblade franchise I actually want the character, it's only fair after all when other characters have gotten in with similar treatment.

 

[GuyWithTheFace]

I feel you man, I'm pretty sick of anime characters and pretty boys too.
Good thing Shulk is neither!

....

Well we gotta admit he's at least a little pretty. Maybe not like Alvis or Marth tier...