Major story changes here - the Mechonis has awoken. I'm now making my way to the Mechonis Core. I'd really like to know what's going on with Dickson here. There has to be something more to his character. So many questions about everything in general! What is the real deal with Alvis? Does he have a deal? What did Zanza really do to the Monado - or better yet, what did he do to Shulk?

Level 69 now, 66 hours. Hopefully I'll be able to get some time in tomorrow.

@Zero

Well one of the achievements is beating an enemy 10 levels higher than you, so it is definitely doable. Never managed myself though.

@Jargon Oh I'm sure it is possible, but I think there is a difference between what is possible and what is possible with your current gear. I'd think you would have to get some pretty high level stuff to take on someone 10 levels above you. Work the gems and everything to the max.

I think the highest I pulled off was 6 or 7 levels above me. I forget exactly though.

I rarely ever fought enemies that were too high above me, but then again I think I only recently got a true handle on how a lot of the game's systems work. I'm doing a lot better now. I haven't had a problem since landing on the Mechonis to be honest.

Just a curiosity question now that more people have beaten the game: Will anyone be playing the New Game +?

I ask because I don't really see a point in it. So much stuff gets reset, your quests, your collectopedia, you can only carry a few pieces of equipment... It's basically like starting a new game with max levels. Since there are no new story elements or endings to see, and it doesn't help achieve 100% completion, I'm not going to bother with it, and will just start a fresh game if I want to replay it.

@Mop it up It sounds like maybe it's just for convenience, for those who want to breeze through the story again but don't want to put up with the rest of the game.

@Mop it up

I've commented about my 2nd play through in Roy's "Spoiler Thread" ... I'm not sure how far I will go but Pogue has the right idea. I mean, why do players play some games multiple times? I beat Ocarina of Time a few times on 64 and again on 3DS... I've played Chrono Trigger umm - I've lost count (Granted there are multiple endings but I usually went for the 'best' every time), among others.

Your collectopedia is not reset, you can carry up to 30 pieces of equipment (boots/armour/weapons - each type - Do you really any more then that?), your affinity does carry over which is huge for me because I did not get to see all the heart to hearts and I know there are quests I can complete near the end of the game (I mention those in the other thread) so it's something to look forward to. Other things that carry over are your gems, your skills and skill trees. I'm already at the Marsh after just few hours and have enjoyed big battles on the Bionis leg with level 80 enemies and exploring new enemies that I avoided at the Marsh in the night time. I'm one to not bother with all the quests this time around because lets face it, the sidequests are not all that eventful. It's easier to get through the story when you are leveled up and it's fun to just do the quests while 'on the go' instead. It sucks that the quests don't carry over because it would allow me to unlock more skill trees easier but you can't win them all...

@Smerd Oh, the Collectopedia does carry over? I guess I was thinking of something else. As for equipment, you don't need any more than one set for each character, but why can't you collect all of it if you wanted to?

I felt the story was Xenoblade's weakest area, so it wouldn't be a reason I'd play the game again. With everything else, the battles, the sidequests and all that, it would all be boring with maxed characters. I guess the New Game + is for people who didn't do everything the first time, which seems odd to me, but, it seems to be working out for you.

@Mop it up

Yeah..I guess it depends on what you did the first time around...

For me..I did about 90% + of the quests and there were a few that required me to grind needlessly to accomplish more of them - I was wondering why there was such a gap with enemies in the 70's and then 80's - maybe it was meant to be played in the new game +?? maybe?
I think I will do the sidequests that just come to me and finish Colony 6... So far, yeah.it's working for me... Again, I'm not sure how far I'll go but I'm having fun so far..

I've been rolling in this game for a while but I've finally hit a wall, and that wall is Disciple Lorithia. Man. Can't even put a dent in her. I'm going to have to look to the internet for this one.

Edit: Finally got her below half HP, but my god...

@PogueSquadron This was one of the toughest fights in the game. Do your partners keep standing directly in the poison? That totally screwed me up a bunch, had to keep drawing her to the middle just to get my partners to not stand in a stupid spot.

Who are you using? I'd say you absolutely need Shulk and Sharla. I think I also used Riki during that fight.

I forget, but I think the enemies she spawns I just kind of ignored because they didn't do significant damage and they end up going away on their own after a bit. Or something like that?

@PogueSquadron

For that fight I totally switched up my playstyle and used Riki and Sharla. You need someone who can do lots of ether damage.

@PogueSquadron

Dude... I commented on this a page back or so - she is tough and I got spanked the first time.

Change your team. The cutscenes right before the battle focus on a specific character. Use that person plus Riki/Sharla... The battle lasted 5minutes.. I creamed Loritheas clock. Lorithea releases these ether things, have your main character attack those first while the other two focus on Lorithea.

No issues. Good luck!

Well, I've been using Melia/Riki/Sharla or Melia/Sharla/Dunban and I've gotten her below half health. I'll try going a different way with it though. I'm only level 72, so maybe I need to level up. Or maybe I'm just not doing it right haha.

@PogueSquadron Yeah, we all had trouble on this one. I feel like this particular battle was poorly-designed, the AI partners are just too stupid to stay out of the lava. Xenoblade kind of falls apart at the end, but considering how lengthy it is I guess it's no surprise that some sections are better than others, and the weaker sections tend to be later in the game.

@PogueSquadron

Your levels may be a bit low..I was level 76... With Melia, ... attack those things with Ether attacks.. then concentrate on her with the same.. Riki and Sharla both have Ether attacks - forget Dunban/Shulk/Reyn... The battle is possible to win with those other 3 but it makes it much harder. Those small Ether things need to be destroyed first because those are used to heal her shield.

@Mop it up

I agree the room is poorly designed but I didn't have much issues if you use the "Follow" command. They come right out of the danger zones.

I can't remember what level I was when I beat her. When I first got to the battle, it was tough and I came really close to winning a few times before dying (how frustrating is it when you all you need is a heal and Sharla refuses), but rather than trying to eke it out, I just went and did some sidequests and when I got back, the battle was no problem. I used my standard Shulk/Reyn/Sharla.

So guess what a certain someone got for his birthday?

That's right, Pokefreak got Bubsy 3D...wahhh wrong game.
I GOT XENOBLADE!

Only a couple hours in and I only just got Fiore. Been having tons of fun just wandering around the first area, jumping off cliffs and helping old ladies. I don't think I have had this much fun doing nothing since I first got Skyrim!

@Pokefreak911

Awesome! Happy Birthday btw. I guess I gotta try to beat this before you... I'm already 116 hours in. But you still might best me at my rate.

@Pokefreak911

Sweet! For some reason I thought you already had the game... well you are in for a real treat.

@DrFinkelstein
Animal crossing is your worst enemy