HP Down

HP Down is a debuff in Xenoblade Chronicles. It reduces the victim's max HP. Current HP remains the same unless it would be above the new maximum, in which case it is lowered to match. When the debuff ends, max HP is restored, but current HP is not.

HP Down is a very scary effect, especially on characters that already have low HP, and it tends to last for quite a while. If afflicted by it and no source of debuff clearing is available, it is probably in the victim's best interest to lay low for a while and avoid damage as much as possible. Depending on the situation, it may instead be best to simply try and die in order to be revived without the debuff.

While the player has no means to inflict HP Down on enemies directly, Melia's Reflection can send the debuff back at its user. The debuff is even stronger on foes, due to enemies generally lacking enough healing arts to fill themselves back up when their max HP returns to normal, and can be a huge advantage if pulled off.