Arts Chain (XC2)


 * For the equivalent Skill on other Drivers, see Arts Chain (disambiguation).

Arts Chain is one of 's Driver Skills in Xenoblade Chronicles 2.

The window for cancelling a Driver Art into another Driver Art typically consists of the freeze frames when the last hit of the Art lands. Doing so will build the Special gauge by 1/2 of a level (equivalent to cancelling the second into a Driver Art).

Overview
This is Rex's most important Driver Skill by far — it greatly speeds up the rate at which Driver Arts may be used, resulting in more damage, more healing (when applicable), and more support. In particular, it drastically increases the rate at which the Special gauge may be increased. Without Arts Chain, the most effective way to increase the Special Gauge is to twice and cancel the second into a Driver Art. With Arts Chain, cancelling a Driver Art into a Driver Art produces the same outcome at a much faster rate, as it bypasses the period of time spent auto-attacking.

This skill becomes much more effective still when used in conjunction with Desserts and other Pouch Items which recharge Driver Arts over time; the two effects in conjunction almost (or, in some cases, completely) eliminate the need to auto-attack entirely. The same is true for 's and weapon-specific Arts which recharge on a.

Execution of cancelling a Driver Art into another Driver Art is very easy; as Driver Arts cannot interrupt other Driver Arts except during the cancel window, one may simply mash the button for an Art off cooldown, and it will automatically cancel any Driver Art currently being executed. The same is true for cancelling a Driver Art into itself.

Due to how important this skill is in relation to the others, it is often worth saving right from the start of the game so that it can be acquired as quickly as possible, albeit necessarily after getting Reflex Response and another level 1 Driver Skill (Muscle Builder is a good option for its cheapness and early-game utility) to make it available. Doing so will typically make Arts Chain available for purchase around.