Xenoblade Chronicles 2 Direct live stream, blog

Today’s Xenoblade Chronicles 2 Direct will be beginning shortly. Nintendo intends to start the presentation at 6 AM PT / 9 AM ET / 2 PM in the UK / 3 PM in Europe.

You can watch the Xenoblade Chronicles 2 Direct as it happens below. We’ll also have a live blog going after the embed.

Live blog

– One day the people of Elysium were cast out
– Humanity sought refuge on Titans
– Not even Titans live forever
– Dual audio confirmed
– New trailer shown

Blades

– Blades such as Pyra are artificial lifeforms that bond with Drivers to lend powers in battle
– Bonds form when a driver touches a Core Crystal
– Can resonate with many Blades
– Different weapons, abilities
– Blades are random
– Earn Blades’ trust, grow stronger

Wildlife

– Wildlife can depend on location, time of day, etc.
– Some travel in herdes, some have strange rituals
– Wildlife may call for help
– Some monsters can have strong items; when you defeat them, their grave will appear

Blade abilities

– May increase the number of items you collect
– Open up new paths to explore
– Initiate other special effects
– When fighting with a Blade, may use Blade arts to strengthen their attacks, etc.
– Elemental type and other factors differ between Blades
– Aux Cores: enhance abilities, Blade accessories
– Core Chips: alter a weapon by raising its stats and changing appearance
– Each Blade has an affinity chart
– Can trigger heart-to-hearts
– Merc Groups: dispatch Blades for missions
– After some time, they’ll return with EXP, rewards, more trust

Exploring

– Cloud sea ebbs and flows
– This changes what secrets you can access on a Titan at a given time
– Pick up valuable items
– Salvage Points: get treasure below
– Return to landmarks once you’ve visited them
– Can remove the map from your screen
– Trading Posts can be found throughout the world

Collection / customization

– Use pouches to enhance combat stats
– Customize a Blade by playing a special game

Battle

– Up to 3 Drivers
– Have Blades to Switch between
– Change out Pyra for Mythra anytime
– Use auto attacks to build up Driver Arts
– Highest level is 4 for Arts
– Attacks, Tanks, Healers for Blades
– 4 Driver Arts
– 9 Arts per driver
– Earn EXP, teach new skilsl, etc.
– Driver Combos by chaining Arts together
– Blade Combos: change together specials
– Fusion Combos: begin a Blade combo while a Driver Combo is in effect
– Chain Attacks are back

Expansion Pass

Support items for your journey – December 2017
New quests for the main game – January 2018
New rare Bade – Spring 2018
New Challenge Battle Mode – Summer 2018
New Story and Adventure – Fall 2018

Zelda: Breath of the Wild tie-in quest

– November 9, get Rex’s costume