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Spoiler alert

The future doesn't belong to you!

For those who have not completed games in the Xenoblade Chronicles series, this page contains spoilers regarding the plot. Discretion is advised.


"The Monado... I hope I can figure out the secret of its power one day."
— Shulk

The Monado (Japanese: モナド) (English dub: /moˈnɑːdoʊ/) is a mythical sword in Xenoblade Chronicles. The reasons of its existence and powers are the core of the story. It is said to be the weapon used by Bionis in its war with Mechonis.

Characteristics[]

The Monado is a powerful energy blade that can manipulate the ether around it, and by doing so, change the material and immaterial shape of the world. One's ability to control the Monado depends on the strength of will of its user; most Homs who try to use the sword cannot control it. At the beginning of the game, the Monado cannot harm any of the sentient beings (Homs, High Entia, and Nopon) of Bionis.

The Monado grants its elected wielder the power of foresight. It is said that this is possible because all of the ether in the world is calculable in its changes. This allows the user to see where every ether particle is, was, and will be.

According to Alvis, the Monado emits a particular ether wavelength in its ground state that attracts Telethia. Also, the Monado can be counteracted by opposing particles to that of the Monado.

All of the seers must touch the Monado to receive their divination powers.

Story[]

Xenoblade Chronicles[]

Creation[]

When Klaus split the original world with the Conduit, Ontos, one of the three cores of the Trinity Processor, was sucked into another dimension alongside half of Klaus's body, which became Zanza, and Galea, who became Meyneth. At some point, Ontos awakened as Alvis and created the Monado, eventually bestowing Zanza with its power. Another Monado was bestowed to Meyneth.

The Sword of Bionis[]

Bionis vs Mechonis DE Intro

Bionis wielding the Monado against Mechonis

At some point, Zanza's soul became housed inside the Monado, which ended up at what would eventually become the Companions' Forum on the Bionis' Shoulder. The Monado ended up being discovered by the Giant Arglas, who ended up being possessed by Zanza to wage war against Mechonis. After the battle, Zanza's body was imprisoned on Prison Island and the Monado, with Zanza's soul within, was sealed in Ose Tower, which would become the Sealed Tower.

The Monado's Discovery[]

14 years before the events of Xenoblade Chronicles, a group of Homs explorers left Colony 9 in search of the Monado, said to have been wielded as a blade of light by the Bionis itself. Their travels took them to Valak Mountain, where they supposedly disappeared. In truth, when the explorers found the Monado, Zanza's soul inside the sword awakened. In order to replenish his life force, Zanza sucked their life forces, before possessing the body of a young boy who was among the Homs, reviving the boy. Later arrived Dickson, who found the bodies of the research team in the Sealed Tower, next to the Monado. He took the weapon along with the only survivor, who would grow up to be Shulk.

13 years later, the first known Homs wielder of the Monado, Dunban, was able to exercise limited control of the sword and use it as a weapon against the Mechon at the Battle of Sword Valley. In doing so, he was able to thwart an attack against Colony 9. Due to sheer discipline and strength, he could wield the blade, even though he could not fully control it. Dunban unwittingly sacrificed the use of his right arm for victory in the battle against the Mechon.

The Heir to the Monado[]

Shulk with Monado 1

Shulk wielding the Monado for the first time

Shulk dedicated his entire life to solving the secrets of the Monado and thus is not only able to wield the blade without problems, but also able to unlock its great power. Shulk experiences this great power for the first time when he sees the future while holding the Monado in his laboratory. However, he learns that he has no control over what he sees, so he does not know he was granted foresight at the beginning.

When the Mechon attack Colony 9, Dunban joins Shulk and Reyn wielding the Monado as the latter two are struggling against them in the Central Plaza. As the three of them head to the Residential District, Dunban, not yet recovered from his injuries, tries to use again the Monado. When the Monado flies out of Dunban's hand, Shulk picks up the Monado. At this point, he unintentionally gains the ability to predict the future. Thanks to the Monado's foresight, Shulk avoids getting killed. However, he is unable to damage Metal Face in any way with the Monado, which leaves him helpless against the Faced Mechon when he kills Fiora.

Unlocking the Monado's Powers[]

Shield Symbol 2

Monado Shield

Shulk and Reyn decide to avenge Fiora and set out for Colony 6. While in Tephra Cave, Shulk has a vision of the Arachno Queen killing Reyn. The prediction proves true when Shulk and Reyn fall into the Arachno Queen's Nest. Shulk unlocks a new power of the Monado, Monado Shield, allowing him to change the future that the Monado had predicted.

Shulk learning Monado Purge

Shulk activates Monado Purge

While looking for ether crystals alone in Makna Forest, Shulk is attacked by Telethia. When he tries to confront them, however, he is unable to face them, as they can read his thoughts. However, a mysterious Homs by the name of Alvis takes the Monado and unlocks another of its powers. He explains to Shulk that the Monado does not control its power, but its user does.

Release the Shackles[]

Monado II Unlocked DE

The Monado's shackles being unleashed

After arriving in Alcamoth, the High Entia capital, the party learns that the Monado was sealed away by the High Entia forefathers.

When the party follows Emperor Sorean to Prison Island, they meet a Giant by the name of Zanza, who was also locked away by the same forefathers. He claims to be the creator of the Monado, and offers to remove the restriction that prevent the Monado from harming the sentient beings of Bionis if he is released. Shulk agrees, and even though Zanza is apparently killed by Metal Face, the Monado is released, transforming into the Monado II in the process, and Shulk can finally harm Faced Mechon like Metal Face. However, he also hears the voice of Zanza through the blade for the first time.

Affected by the Apocrypha[]

The leader of Mechonis, the Machina Egil, uses the Apocrypha Generator, that is located in the Central Factory from Galahad Fortress, to revert the Monado to its inert state. Even after the battle ends, Shulk still cannot use the Monado. He finally forces it to awaken when protecting a weakened Fiora on the Fallen Arm, but the use of the Monado takes a physical toll on his health.

He learns from the goddess of Mechonis, Meyneth, in Agniratha that the Monado was used against Mechonis and the Machina by Zanza.

Zanza's Return[]

Zanza Monado DE

Zanza with his Monado

After the party defeats Egil's Faced Mechon Yaldabaoth, Egil explains that Zanza inhabits the beings of Bionis in order to live, and his soul dwells in the Monado. After Egil tells the story about Zanza, Dickson appears and shoots Shulk with his rifle, revealing himself to be a disciple of Zanza's and a traitor. Zanza leaves Shulk's body while also revealing that the Monado is the weapon of destruction as well as the holder of Zanza's soul. After this revelation, Meyneth comes out from Fiora's body and uses her own Monado to battle Zanza. When Zanza defeats Meyneth, he takes her Monado. With it, Zanza no longer needs to inhabit a living being to survive. However, he did not realise that there was another Monado, Shulk's Monado.

After losing the Monado, Shulk is given a replica of the sword from Miqol.

The True Monado[]

True Monado Finisher

Shulk using the True Monado to finish off Zanza

During the party's final battle against Zanza, Shulk unlocks the power of the True Monado. Upon overcoming Zanza, a light connects the three Monados (Zanza's, Meyneth's, and Shulk's). After this, Alvis explains that he is Monado, the fabric of reality. He tells Shulk that he can decide the fate of the universe now that he possesses the sword's full power. Shulk decides to create a world with no need for gods, refusing to become a god and giving up both his Monado and his power to see the future in the process.

Future Connected[]

Shulk's Personal Monado[]

At some point after the world's recreation, Shulk constructed his own replica of the Monado, the Monado Replica EX, based on the prototypes built by Miqol, which is able to use most of the same abilities as the Monado. He uses this new weapon while on the Bionis' Shoulder. Later on, Shulk, with help from Radzam, upgrades it into the Monado Replica EX+ in order to defeat the Fog King.

Xenoblade Chronicles 3: Future Redeemed[]

Alpha and A's Monados[]

The Monado in its original form reappears in Xenoblade Chronicles 3: Future Redeemed, wielded by Alpha. When Alpha transforms into his final form during the final battle, the Monado transforms as well. Another version of the Monado, this one with a more slender appearance, also appears as A's Blade. Additionally, Shulk wields his Monado REX+ as his Blade. A's Monado and Shulk's Monado REX+ are among the few weapons capable of destroying Ferronis Flame Clocks.

Arts[]

Shulk can select Monado Arts by activating his Talent Art, Activate Monado, granting access to the weapon's most powerful abilities. Buster and Enchant are available upon obtaining the Monado; additional Arts are unlocked through story progression or side quest completion. Monado Arts can be upgraded like typical Battle Arts, but are initially capped at level 4. After the events on Prison Island, all Monado Arts can be upgraded to level 10. In the Definitive Edition, Monado Arts are the only Arts with upgrades that can not reach level 12, as they do not have corresponding Master Books. Shulk's Monado Arts include the following:

  • Buster: Powerful attack with a larger blade in a straight line ahead. Deals double damage to Mechon and Machina.
  • Enchant: Strengthens the weapons of the party. Allows normal weapons to damage Mechon. (Unavailable in Future Connected)
  • Shield: Generates a barrier that protects the party from enemy Talent Arts of the same level or lower.
  • Speed: Gives the targeted party member a greater chance to dodge physical attacks.
  • Purge: Ranged ether blast that inflicts Aura Seal and nullifies Spike effects.
  • Armour: Reduces physical and ether damage taken. Percentage (30%-75%) depends on this Art's level.
  • Cyclone: Damages all enemies around the user and inflicts topple on enemies suffering from break.
  • Eater: Strips away enemy buffs and causes bleed damage in a frontal cone.

The following Arts are only seen in the final battle and can not be obtained by Shulk during normal gameplay, being exclusively used by the final boss and their guardians.

  • Shooter: 8 hit combo, large damage with each shot.
  • Brave: strength up and ether up buffs.
  • Fear: inflicts strength down and ether down debuffs to the party
  • Recover: heals a fairly large amount of health.

In Xenoblade Chronicles 2[]

As a Blade Weapon[]

The Monado is Shulk's weapon as a Blade in Xenoblade Chronicles 2. The Monado is a clone of the Shield Hammer weapon, but has faster attacks and is a ATK weapon instead of a TNK weapon. It can be used by Rex, Nia, Mòrag and Zeke, each one of them with their own arts, including a variation of Monado Shield for Rex and Zeke. Shulk himself can use Purge, Cyclone, Buster, and the unique Monado Unbound as his Specials, and Enchant and Speed as his Battle Skills.

Monado Driver Arts[]

Arts Effect
Monado Shield Defense
Monado Storm AOE / Aggro Down
Monado Burst Back attack ↑
Monado Beat AOE / Toppled ↑

Arts Effect
Lightning Smash Machines ↑
Monado Striker AOE / Aggro Down
Lucent Glance AOE / Toppled ↑
Beam Thrust Back attack ↑ / Knockback

Arts Effect
Sudden Smite Machines ↑
Blade Masquerade AOE / Aggro Down
Echo Edge Toppled ↑
Steel Brand Topple

Arts Effect
Monado Shield Defense
Helios Circle AOE / Aggro Down
Ragnarok Slash Launch
Nemesis Beat Machines ↑

Aegis Sword[]

Malos's Monado Armor

Malos's Monado

The Aegis Swords in Xenoblade Chronicles 2 bear many similarities to the Monado. When Malos uses his powers as an Aegis during the two boss fights at the Cliffs of Morytha and the two boss fights in Torna ~ The Golden Country, he wields a purple Monado and is able to use the following arts:

  • Armor: creates a barrier that surrounds himself and his allies which reduces the time for Blade Combos and increases defensive capabilities.
  • Buster: causes damage to the enemies in front of him and inflicts Blowdown.
  • Cyclone: causes damage to all enemies and inflicts Blowdown.
  • Eater: causes damage to the enemies in front of him and reduces Blade affinity.
  • Jail: inflicts Shackle Blade on the entire party.

In Xenoblade Chronicles 3[]

As a Weapon Attachment[]

XC3 Monado Amiibo Screenshot

The Monado in Xenoblade Chronicles 3

In Xenoblade Chronicles 3, scanning the Shulk amiibo will unlock a Monado weapon attachment for the Swordfighter class's Veiled Sword. It can also be unlocked by completing the game for the first time on any difficulty.

Monado REX+ Arts[]

In Xenoblade Chronicles 3 and Future Redeemed, Shulk, as a Grand Marshal, is able to use multiple Monado arts with his Monado REX+. He can use Monado Purge, Monado Armor, and the new Monado Rage as arts, Buster as his Talent Art, and Cyclone during Unity Combos.

In the Super Smash Bros. series[]

Shulk-Smash Bros Ultimate

Shulk wielding the Monado (with the Smash Art activated) in Super Smash Bros. Ultimate

Shulk is a playable character in Super Smash Bros. for Nintendo 3DS / Wii U and Super Smash Bros. Ultimate. He uses the Monado (in its first form) in battle, and when it is activated in battle, Shulk's features and abilities change. These games include two Monado Arts that do not appear in the Xenoblade Chronicles series; Jump (翔, lit. "soar"), which gives Shulk higher jumps, a higher-height Air Slash and lower defense, and Smash (撃, lit. "attack/strike"), which gives Shulk stronger knockback/launching power but at the cost of lower damage output and launching resistance. Shulk can also use Speed, which gives Shulk higher movement but at the cost of shorter jumps and a little less damage output, Shield, which increases Shulk's defense and makes him heavier but at the cost of greatly reduced speed, damage output, and jump height, and Buster, which gives Shulk stronger damage outputs but at the cost of lower defense and reduced knockback/launching power.

By copying Shulk, Kirby gets his own Monado that he can use to utilise the same Monado Arts Shulk is able to use.

In Super Mario Maker[]

Shulk Pose Mario Maker

The Monado in Super Mario Maker

In Super Mario Maker, when Mario uses Shulk's Mystery Mushroom costume, pressing up on the controller will make Shulk hold up the Monado.

Notes[]

Etymology[]

  • The name Monado is likely derived from Gnosticism, in which the Monad is the Supreme Being, the highest god that created lesser gods or divine entities. Gnostic references have been a recurring theme throughout Tetsuya Takahashi's works, including Xenogears and Xenosaga.
  • The Gnostic concept in turn was inspired by Greek philosophy. Pythagoreans called the first thing that came into existence "monad", which begat the dyad, which begat numbers, points, lines, etc. It meant the first being or the totality of all beings.

Trivia[]

  • Xenoblade was originally advertised as Monado: Beginning of the World. The game was given its final name in January, 2010.
  • Despite the game's lore saying the Monado cannot harm anything born of Bionis, in gameplay it has no difficulty harming any of the monsters that inhabit Bionis, including humanoids like Chilkins, Hodes, Ignas, Kromars, and Tirkins. However, when Shulk's party is attacked by the Metal Face in Colony 9 and Xord in the Ether Mine, the High Entia assassins in Alcamoth and Tyrea in the High Entia Tomb, Shulk's attacks will bounce off their bodies. This restriction will be latter removed by Zanza which allows the Monado II to harm anything born in Bionis and Face Mechon.
  • In various cutscenes throughout the game, the Monado displays the Japanese kanji that corresponds to what it is capable of destroying. The initial Monado displays the kanji for "Machine." The Monado II displays the kanji for "Person." The Monado III displays the kanji for "God."
  • Each art of the Monado shows a different colour of the blade of light when used. This trait is also present with the Monado REX+.
    • Buster: Blue
    • Enchant: Violet
    • Shield: Yellow
    • Speed: Light blue
    • Purge: Green
    • Armor: Orange
    • Cyclone: White
    • Eater: Black
    • Rage: Red
  • The powers of the Monado are similar to those of the Zohar, an object that was present in both Xenogears and Xenosaga. The explanation Alvis gives about the origin of the Monado suggest that he has similar capabilities to the Zohar.
  • The Monado's shift from red to white/teal is also seen in the evolution of Weltall in Xenogears and the Aegis sword in Xenoblade Chronicles 2.
  • In Xenoblade Chronicles: Definitive Edition, the saturation and brightness changes on the models cause the Replica Dogma and Replica Rudra's colours to closely match the colour schemes of Elma and Malos, respectively.
  • In Xenoblade Chronicles 2, every Monado Art symbol from Xenoblade Chronicles can be seen during gameplay (except Enchant). The symbols for Purge, Cyclone, and Buster appear when Shulk uses them as his Blade Specials, the symbol for Speed appears during Shulk's Level IV Special, Monado Unbound, the symbol for Shield appears when Rex or Zeke use their Driver Art of the same name, and the symbols for Armor, Buster, Cyclone, and Eater appear on Malos's Aegis Sword when he uses them, but are slightly different. Additionally, every Monado Symbol seen in Xenoblade Chronicles, plus the symbol for Rage, is present within Xenoblade Chronicles 2's files, including the original versions of the symbols displayed on Malos's Aegis Sword.

Gallery[]

Official Artwork[]

Screenshots[]

Models & Renders[]

Monado Blades[]

Xenoblade Chronicles: Definitive Edition[]

Xenoblade Chronicles 2[]

Xenoblade Chronicles 3: Future Redeemed[]

Monado Combat[]

Xenoblade Chronicles: Definitive Edition[]

Xenoblade Chronicles 2[]

Xenoblade Chronicles 3: Future Redeemed[]

Monado Symbols[]

Xenoblade Chronicles: Definitive Edition[]

Xenoblade Chronicles 2[]

Xenoblade Chronicles 3[]

Future Redeemed[]

Super Smash Bros.[]

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