Data Probe

Data Probes are devices in Xenoblade Chronicles X. These devices help identify segments around a FrontierNav site so that players can better understand what segment recon is required to increase the Miran survey rate. Additionally, probes grant a source of Miranium, Credits, and Precious Resources.

Appearance
Data Probes are installed using a cylindrical metal device. The top half or the metal cylinder is the probe itself, while the bottom half is a laser that dissolves the soil underneath so the probe can burrow into the depth. This is done to prevent wildlife from damaging the probes.

Plot
During the events of, Team Elma is assigned a training assignment by Commander to install a data probe for FrontierNav, located just outside the East Gate Plain. At the end of the chapter, the team successfully installs one in FN Site 116.

Additionally, Kirsty, the FrontierNav operations manager, gives details about installing data probes through quests like The Probe-fessional and the Planetary Pioneer series of quests.

Obtaining
The player will have an infinite supply of basic data probes, which are installed by default as soon as the probe is installed.

In order to gain new data probes, the player will have to complete quests and find them using their mechanical field skills.

Gameplay
A data probe can be installed once the user goes to a FrontierNav site (or FN Site) to try to install it. Installing the probe counts as a Field Action: when the user's Mechanical Field skill is greater than or equal to the required field skill in that site, the probe is installed after a series of repeated A presses.

Once the probe is installed, the player can check the FrontierNav system on the Wii U gamepad to identify details about the site's production, revenue, combat support capabilities, and mineable resources. It also shows the number of sightseeing spots around the FN site: discovering them increases the amount of Credit revenue generated from the FN site.

After the probe is installed, it is possible to change the Data Probe type as long as the player has enough of that Data Probe and connects them together over the indicated probe lines. If 3, 5, or 8 probes of the same type and level are chained together, each probe in the chain will have an increased effectiveness:
 * 3 probes increase the effect by 30%.
 * 5 probes increase the effect by 50%.
 * 8 probes increase the effect by 80%.

Probe Types

 * Basic Probes: These probes are installed by default when a FN site probe is installed. These cannot be chained, but they give a balance of all resources just by being there.
 * Mining Probes: Increase production of Miranium and Precious Resources.
 * Research Probes: Increase revenue. Scales with sightseeing spots discovered near the FN site.
 * Storage Probes: Increase the player's Miranium capacity.
 * Booster Probes: Increase the ability of adjacent probes.
 * Duplicator Probes: Copies the function of adjacent probes.
 * Fuel Recovery Probes: Refueling rate for parked Skells is increased for the whole region.
 * Melee Attack Probes: Boost melee attack for party members and their Skells for the whole region.
 * Ranged Attack Probes: Boost ranged attack for party members and their Skells for the whole region.
 * EZ Debuff Probes: Increases the chance for debuffs to succeed for party members and their Skells for the whole region.
 * Attribute Resistance Probes: Increase all resistances for party members and their Skells for the whole region.