Auto-attack (XC1)

Auto-attacks are generic physical strikes used by characters in combat in Xenoblade Chronicles. They are automatically used when characters are facing and close enough to their targetted foe, and can be used while moving or standing still. Auto-attacks are the main way of building talent gauge.

Auto-attacks are generally close-range strikes that deal physical damage. Once used, there is a short delay of a few seconds before the next one can be used. The delay between auto-attacks is specific to each character and enemy, and can be altered by the and  effects, which also affect the execution speed of auto-attacks.

Party members can have up to three auto-attack animations, which are generally identical in all ways except speed. Seven is the exception, possessing an auto-attack that hits a different number of times and has altered damage to make up for it. Most enemies have a single auto-attack animation, with larger or more major foes having two - no enemies have three. A minority of enemies have auto-attacks with unusual properties, such as dealing ether damage.

There are some circumstances where auto-attack can be used without waiting for the delay: Party members by default have no chance of either double attacks or counter-attacks; these must be provided by gems or skills. Enemies tend to have a chance of one and no chance of the other, though both is not uncommon.
 * Every time an auto-attack is used, there is a random chance of a double attack, which launches another auto-attack without delay.
 * Every time damage is taken, there is a random chance of a counter-attack, which launches an auto-attack immediately.

In the Definitive Edition, a change was made so that a blocked auto-attack does not incur the delay, allowing another auto-attack in quick succession. This is most noticeable against Mechon.

Weaker per hit
Some auto-attacks deal less than 1.0x damage, often because they deal a greater number of hits. The number of hits is based on the animation.

Ether damage
Some auto-attacks deal ether damage rather than physical damage, so they cannot miss without being greatly outlevelled.

Higher accuracy
Some auto-attacks have an extra +100% accuracy, so they cannot miss without being greatly outlevelled.

Unused content
Many unused enemy auto-attacks exist. Most of them are simply normal auto-attacks but with a different element, such as fire or wind; in the final game, the element of enemy attacks has no practical effect. Other unused auto-attacks can strike in a cone instead of simply a single target. By comparison, there are only a few unused auto-attacks for party members, and none of them are unique in any way.