Corvin/Gameplay

Corvin
Driver	any
Gender	Male
Type	Humanoid
Weapon	Uchigatana

This article is about Corvin's gameplay in this specific game. For information on the character in general, see Corvin.

Corvin is a Rare Blade in Xenoblade Chronicles 2.

Overview

Corvin is a very strong evasion tank/attacker hybrid, who serves as a general jack-of-all-trades that can fit into many team compositions. Although he is listed as a tank blade, he is part of the highest critical rate tier, has some of the strongest Special damage ratios in the game, and comes with a skill that provides a 90-150% additive increase to damage at Max Affinity. This makes him one of the strongest damage dealers. Moreover, he provides a smash art to every driver, providing critical Driver Combo access to drivers that may lack a versatile smash art. His circle AoE/Evasion/Smash art on Zeke, Galactic Strike, along with his AoE Lv.1 and Lv.2 Specials, give him some of the best crowd control in the game as well.

Corvin can also function as likely the best evasion tank because of his Ictus skill, which recharges arts upon evasion. Combined with his class providing evasion arts to every driver, 100% evasion uptime is viable. His Lv3 special also provides evasion of the 4-6 next attacks. This, combined with his natural Agility mod and passive 15-25% evasion increase at Max Affinity, allow him to function as an evasion tank who can actually hold and maintain aggro.

Corvin also provides support abilities that can enrich many different playstyles. His skill Alae Custodiae provides large amounts of Party Gauge on critical hits, which when combined with Corvin's high critical rate, means that he can fill the party gauge incredibly quickly. On Easy and Normal difficulties, this combined with his powerful specials makes him a natural asset towards Chain Attack focused teams. This party gauge gain also provides a remedy to the nerfed party gauge gain on the Bringer of Chaos difficulty, and this combined with his defensive capabilities makes him one of the strongest blades on this difficulty. Moreover, his Lv.2 Special, Lacerna Noctis, is the only way to purge the Rage status from enemies, which can be invaluable for avoiding Rage Strikes and the buffs enemies get when enraged. He can even heal via his Lv.1 Special, although as healing options go this is not the most efficient.

Corvin's weapon type, Uchigatana, is a clone of the Chroma Katana weapon type, although all drivers gain a Smash art from this weapon. All drivers also get one Evasion art from this weapon type as well.

Strategy

On Easy and Normal Difficulty, Corvin provides utility on Chain Attack focused builds, due to his party gauge gaining skill Alae Custodiae, high critical rate, and strong, defense-piercing Specials. Corvin on any driver (optionally combined with an Omega Drive accessory) can gain party gauge so fast that Chain Attacks can essentially be used defensively, providing invincibility frames from any attack. However, in multi-round chain attacks his Lv.2 and 3 Specials, having many hits and high damage ratios, can do massive damage.

Corvin can be used to evade tank as well: his Ictus skill, which recharges arts upon evasion, combined with his evasion art, can provide essentially 100% evasion to any attacks. Time use of evasion arts to when enemies attack, so that the resulting evasions recharge the evasion art. This combined with Art Recharge pouch items should allow for evasion of essentially all attacks. In particular, this can be used for very effective crowd control using Zeke's AoE Evasion art Galactic Strike. In crowd fights, Galactic Strike is essentially spammable since the hits evaded from the mob of enemies will recharge the art very fast. This combined with the art's AoE and high damage ratio, especially when combined with Dagas's Kaiser Zone, can very effectively manage most mobs of enemies. Likely the most infamous use case of this is in the challenge mode battle Elma: Redux, where the continuous barrage of enemy attacks functions to recharge Galactic Strike instantly, and Galactic Strike can be spammed for the whole battle, allowing Zeke to vanquish all enemies in relative safety.

Since Corvin provides Smash arts to all drivers, and has a very short (12.5s) blade cooldown stat, he naturally fits into any driver combo loop focused team. In fact, Zeke with the correct blade setup (Adenine or Kora, Pandoria, and Corvin, all with Fast Blade Switch Aux Cores), can reliably perform three of the four driver combo stages without an Overclocking Bangle. He pairs naturally with Mythra on Rex or Shulk on Mòrag as well, allowing Rex or Morag to topple and smash enemies which another driver can break and launch. Even Nia can smash with Corvin, which she cannot do with any other Blade/Weapon type.

Corvin's powerful specials and high crit rate can also provide a reliable source of Damage over Time (DoT), which is a useful source of damage especially on the Bringer of Chaos difficulty. Corvin's relatively fast, strong, and defense-piercing Lv.2 special can be performed on a launched enemy to provide a powerful damage over time effect which can then be extended and strengthened through driver combo loops. Blades which can increase damage in this situation, such as Dagas or Crossette (who provide extra damage via their Kaiser Zone and Fireworks skills respectively), naturally pair with Corvin to provide large Damage over Time effects. This, combined with his crowd control, evasiveness, party gauge gain, and combo access, make Corvin invaluable on many teams in the Bringer of Chaos difficulty mode.

Stats

General stats

Element	Light
Weapon class	Uchigatana
Default weapon	Halteclere
Cooldown time	12.50s
Aux Core Slots	3
Merc Group name	Hrafnagud
Base strength	15

Stat modifiers

Physical defense	+35%
Ether defense	+45%
Maximum HP	+0%
Strength	+0%
Ether	+0%
Dexterity	+0%
Agility	+20%

Affinity modifiers

Base affinity	500
Affinity gain	±0%
Affinity loss	-20%

Favorite items

Categories	Drinks
	Board Games
Items	Twinklejuice
	Nopon Chess Set

Base rarity

Condition	Blade has been released
Group 1	1%
Group 2	1%
Group 3	1%
Group 4	1%
Group 5	1%
Pity Blade	—

Skills

Specials

Level	Name	Description
	Fuga Daemonum	Slash foes in the surrounding area with blades made of light.
	Lacerna Noctis	Lead with a mighty cleaving blow, then follow-up with a cape swipe.
	Ex Tenebris Lux	A dual-sword combo assault using the power of Durandal.
	Evello Mortem Tyrannis	Let loose with a series of slashes, followed with a strike from mid-air.

Blade Arts

Name	Probability	Recharge	Description
Recharge Boost	50%	22.5s	Boosts Arts recharge from auto-attack.
Accuracy Up	75%	15s	Increases accuracy.
Debuff Cancel	50%	15s	Cancels debuffs from enemies.

Battle Skills

Name	Effect
Alae Custodiae	Fills the Party Gauge by 8-16 for each critical hit delivered.
Ensis Lucis	Increase dmg. dealt by 90-150% and eva. rate by 15-25% when Affinity is at max.
Ictus	Boosts recharge for Driver Arts by 0.5-2.5 when you evade an attack.

Field Skills

Name	Description
Light Mastery	The power of a Light Blade.
Forestry	Knowledge related to trees.
Ancient Wisdom	Knowledge of ancient civilizations. Used to decode writing, etc.

Affinity Chart

		Level 1	Level 2	Level 3	Level 4	Level 5
Key affinity condition		(unlocked)	Increase Trust. (x100)	Increase Trust. (x700)	Increase Trust. (x2,000)	Increase Trust. (x4,000)
Reward text			Glad to see we get on well with each other!	We really have to share more stories.	Oh, hey! We're pretty tight friends now, huh?	We have absolute faith in each other now, right? Not just a one-way dealio?
Reward			Justice x200	Justice x300	Justice x500	Justice x800
Fuga Daemonum	Effect	When landing a hit, restores 6% of damage dealt to the whole party.	When landing a hit, restores 7% of damage dealt to the whole party.	When landing a hit, restores 8% of damage dealt to the whole party.	When landing a hit, restores 9% of damage dealt to the whole party.	When landing a hit, restores 10% of damage dealt to the whole party.
	Condition	(unlocked)	Defeat a Nomad Rhinon at Farlaine Wells in Uraya, etc. (x2) Revealed After increasing Corvin's Light Mastery to level 2. After the party winds up in Uraya	Defeat a Flow Bunnit at Rigitte Harbor in Leftheria, etc. (x2) Revealed After increasing Corvin's Light Mastery to level 3. After the party enters the Cloudway in Leftheria	Defeat a Grad Gogol at the Genbu Drifts in Tantal, etc. (x2) Revealed After increasing Corvin's Light Mastery to level 4. After the party reaches Tantal	Defeat a Organl Griffox at the Chansagh Wastes in Mor Ardain. (x2) Revealed After increasing Corvin's Light Mastery to level 5. After the party arrives in Mor Ardain
	Reward text		Those Nomad Rhinon were a rowdy bunch!	I could make an incredible pot roast with this Flow Bunnit meat. Look forward to that!	Grad Gogol... Now that's one enemy I won't be forgetting any time soon.	The Organl Griffox must be breeding like Bunnits!
	Reward		Justice x200	Justice x300	Justice x500	Justice x800
Lacerna Noctis	Effect	On using Special, has 60% chance to purge enemy rage status.	On using Special, has 70% chance to purge enemy rage status.	On using Special, has 80% chance to purge enemy rage status.	On using Special, has 90% chance to purge enemy rage status.	On using Special, has 100% chance to purge enemy rage status.
	Condition	(unlocked)	Defeat a Bobbile Brog at Farlaine Wells in Uraya, etc. (x2) Revealed After increasing Corvin's Light Mastery to level 2. After the party winds up in Uraya	Defeat a Sloam Runner on Daram Isle in Leftheria, etc. (x2) Revealed After increasing Corvin's Light Mastery to level 3. After the party enters the Cloudway in Leftheria	Defeat a Vint Griffox at the Genbu Drifts in Tantal, etc. (x2) Revealed After increasing Corvin's Light Mastery to level 4. After the party reaches Tantal	Defeat a Berserker Mammut at the Chansagh Wastes in Mor Ardain. (x2) Revealed After increasing Corvin's Light Mastery to level 5. After the party arrives in Mor Ardain
	Reward text		Bobbile Brogs are giving folk hassle, are they? Shame. Their expressions are hilarious!	You know, come to think of it, how are Sloam Runners and Chituk Rapchors different, exactly? They look identical!	There was no way we were leaving those Vint Griffox unchecked.	Remind me never to get on a Berserker Mammut's bad side again.
	Reward		Justice x200	Justice x300	Justice x500	Justice x800
Ex Tenebris Lux	Effect	On Special, Driver receives afterimage, evading next 4 attack(s).	On Special, Driver receives afterimage, evading next 4 attack(s).	On Special, Driver receives afterimage, evading next 5 attack(s).	On Special, Driver receives afterimage, evading next 5 attack(s).	On Special, Driver receives afterimage, evading next 6 attack(s).
	Condition	(unlocked)	Defeat a Massido Ardun at the Sternum Arch in Uraya, etc. (x2) Revealed After increasing Corvin's Light Mastery to level 2. After the party winds up in Uraya	Defeat a Segel Ansel on Daram Isle in Leftheria, etc. (x2) Revealed After increasing Corvin's Light Mastery to level 3. After the party enters the Cloudway in Leftheria	Defeat a Bland Upa at the Genbu Drifts in Tantal, etc. (x2) Revealed After increasing Corvin's Light Mastery to level 4. After the party reaches Tantal	Go to Theoscaldia Palace in Tantal and complete the quest "Corvin's Approach". Revealed After chapter 8 begins After increasing Corvin's Light Mastery to level 4. After having access to Rex, Nia, Tora, Zeke, Mòrag, and Poppi QT
	Reward text		Poor Massido Ardun. It knew no wrong...	Someday, I'll find a way to tame a Segel Ansel and fly around Alrest!	Bland Upa are tenacious lil' critters. You've gotta be to live in these harsh conditions.	I can tell this is going to be the beginning of a beautiful friendship!
	Reward		Justice x200	Justice x300	Justice x500	Justice x800
		Level 1	Level 2	Level 3	Level 4	Level 5
Ensis Lucis	Effect	Increase dmg. dealt by 90% and eva. rate by 15% when Affinity is at max.	Increase dmg. dealt by 105% and eva. rate by 17% when Affinity is at max.	Increase dmg. dealt by 120% and eva. rate by 20% when Affinity is at max.	Increase dmg. dealt by 135% and eva. rate by 22% when Affinity is at max.	Increase dmg. dealt by 150% and eva. rate by 25% when Affinity is at max.
	Condition	(unlocked)	Defeat a River Bunnit at the Cleansing Spring in Uraya, etc. (x2) Revealed After increasing Corvin's Light Mastery to level 2. After the party winds up in Uraya	Defeat a Buma Hiln in Fonsett, Leftheria, etc. (x2) Revealed After increasing Corvin's Light Mastery to level 3. After the party enters the Cloudway in Leftheria	Collect Broom Icicles in Tantal. (Previous instances count toward total.) (x10) Revealed After increasing Corvin's Light Mastery to level 4. After the party reaches Tantal	Defeat a Tempest Pterix at the Chansagh Wastes in Mor Ardain. (x2) Revealed After increasing Corvin's Light Mastery to level 5. After the party arrives in Mor Ardain
	Reward text		I reckon Pyra could make something delicious out of this River Bunnit meat!	I wonder where Buma Hiln get those funny objects they carry in their beaks?	I thought you might be able use a Broom Icicle as an actual broom. Alas, it was not to be...	We really would have been better off letting Mor Ardain take that Tempest Pterix down with one of their gunships.
	Reward		Compassion x200	Compassion x300	Compassion x500	Compassion x800
Alae Custodiae	Effect	Fills the Party Gauge by 8 for each critical hit delivered.	Fills the Party Gauge by 10 for each critical hit delivered.	Fills the Party Gauge by 12 for each critical hit delivered.	Fills the Party Gauge by 14 for each critical hit delivered.	Fills the Party Gauge by 16 for each critical hit delivered.
	Condition	(unlocked)	Defeat a Nuruba Upa at Farlaine Wells in Uraya, etc. (x2) Revealed After increasing Corvin's Light Mastery to level 2. After the party winds up in Uraya	Collect Stream Navy in Leftheria (Previous instances count toward total.) (x10) Revealed After increasing Corvin's Light Mastery to level 3. After the party enters the Cloudway in Leftheria	Defeat an Arno Kapiba at the Genbu Drifts in Tantal, etc. (x2) Revealed After increasing Corvin's Light Mastery to level 4. After the party reaches Tantal	Defeat a Sarabashi Ropl at the Chansagh Wastes in Mor Ardain. (x2) Revealed After increasing Corvin's Light Mastery to level 5. After the party arrives in Mor Ardain
	Reward text		No more Nuruba Upa! Uraya should probably thank us for that.	Stream Navy swim around so quickly. They kept slipping through my hands!	Arno Kapiba look so warm and cozy...	Whew. Sarabashi Ropl mean business!
	Reward		Compassion x200	Compassion x300	Compassion x500	Compassion x800
Ictus	Effect	Boosts recharge for Driver Arts by 0.5 when you evade an attack.	Boosts recharge for Driver Arts by 1 when you evade an attack.	Boosts recharge for Driver Arts by 1.5 when you evade an attack.	Boosts recharge for Driver Arts by 2 when you evade an attack.	Boosts recharge for Driver Arts by 2.5 when you evade an attack.
	Condition	(unlocked)	Collect Rainbow Bugs in Uraya. (Previous instances count toward total.) (x3) Revealed After increasing Corvin's Light Mastery to level 2. After the party winds up in Uraya	Defeat a Yurem Puffot in Fonsett, Leftheria, etc. (x2) Revealed After increasing Corvin's Light Mastery to level 3. After the party enters the Cloudway in Leftheria	Defeat a Klim Anlood at the Genbu Drifts in Tantal, etc. (x2) Revealed After increasing Corvin's Light Mastery to level 4. After the party reaches Tantal	Defeat a Growsa Aspar at the Chansagh Wastes in Mor Ardain. (x2) Revealed After increasing Corvin's Light Mastery to level 5. After the party arrives in Mor Ardain
	Reward text		I can't imagine what you'd use Rainbow Bugs for...	Yurem Puffot plumage is just spectacular. Just...wow.	I bet Klim Anlood are lovely and soft to the touch.	Can't say I enjoy the whole skin- shedding thing Growsa Aspar do. They really make life difficult!
	Reward		Compassion x200	Compassion x300	Compassion x500	Compassion x800
		Level 1	Level 2	Level 3	Level 4	Level 5
Light Mastery	Effect	The power of a Light Blade.
	Condition	(unlocked)	Hear out Elaria near Waypoint Market, Uraya. (Requires Nia.) Revealed after the party winds up in Uraya	Hear out Kitson near Messet Point, Leftherian Archipelago. (Requires Rex.) Revealed After the party enters the Cloudway in Leftheria After increasing Corvin's Light Mastery to level 2.	Hear out Phyllistrata near Theospiti Temple Ruins, Tantal. (Requires Zeke.) Revealed After the party reaches Tantal After increasing Corvin's Light Mastery to level 3.	Hear out the 8th Decade Sergeant near Hardhaigh Palace, Mor Ardain. (Requires Mòrag.) Revealed After the party arrives in Mor Ardain After increasing Corvin's Light Mastery to level 4.
	Reward text		Come on, Nia, there's people in need. We've gotta do our part!	We could never turn down a request from Fonsett now, could we, Rex?	Seems like a hard life, living in Tantal, Zeke. I'll do whatever I can to make it a little easier!	Mor Ardain's future's not looking too bright, is it, Mòrag? If there's anything I can help you with, just tell me.
	Reward		Compassion x200	Compassion x300	Compassion x500	Compassion x800
Forestry	Effect	Knowledge related to trees.
	Condition		Collect Blue Ladybirds in Uraya. (Previous instances count toward total.) (x10) Revealed After increasing Corvin's Light Mastery to level 2. After the party winds up in Uraya	Collect Killi-Killi Killifish in Leftheria. (Previous instances count toward total.) (x3) Revealed After increasing Corvin's Light Mastery to level 3. After the party enters the Cloudway in Leftheria		Collect Nitrotoluite in Mor Ardain. (Previous instances count toward total.) (x5) Revealed After increasing Corvin's Light Mastery to level 5. After the party arrives in Mor Ardain
	Reward text		Yeah, I think I'm pretty keen on bugs!	Killi-Killi Killifish... Do I want to know what you use those for?		Nitrotoluite's used to make bullets, as I recall. Useful stuff!
	Reward		Compassion x200	Compassion x300		Compassion x800
Ancient Wisdom	Effect	Knowledge of ancient civilizations. Used to decode writing, etc.
	Condition	(unlocked)			Collect Emerald Snow in Tantal. (Previous instances count toward total.) (x5) Revealed After increasing Corvin's Light Mastery to level 4. After the party reaches Tantal	Collect Sand Salmon in Mor Ardain. (Previous instances count toward total.) (x10) Revealed After increasing Corvin's Light Mastery to level 5. After the party arrives in Mor Ardain
	Reward text				Is Emerald Snow pretty, or is it pretty?! Makes me want to start hunting for precious stones...	Sand Salmon is a prized commodity to the Ardainians, you know.
	Reward				Compassion x500	Compassion x800

Dialogue

Main article: Corvin/Gameplay (XC2)/Dialogue

Gallery

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  Corvin's Affinity Chart