![]() |
For those who have not completed games in the Xenoblade Chronicles series, this page contains spoilers regarding the plot. Discretion is advised. |
- "An endless field of green among the clouds, eh? If the legends are true, even people like me..."
- – Nia
Nia (Japanese: ニア, Nia, Niyah) is one of the main playable characters in Xenoblade Chronicles 2. She is a Gormotti Driver and is accompanied by her special Blade, Dromarch, who calls her "Lady" (お嬢様, Ojōsama) like a butler. She comes from the Gormott Province. Originally a member of Torna, she defects to Rex after Pyra's awakening.
Contents
Personality
Nia usually comes across as sarcastic and cynical, always having a witty put-down at other characters' shortcomings. She is initially unfriendly and dismissive of Rex, particularly due to his belief in Elysium which she sees as childish naivety. She has a good political understanding of the annexing of Gormott by the Empire of Mor Ardain, and opts to save lives where possible in opposition to the other members of Torna. She displays empathy for Pyra's situation and develops a teasing camaraderie with the rest of the party, warming especially to Rex as she gets to know him better.
Appearance
Nia's Driver form is that of a young Gormotti girl with neck-length silver hair styled into a bob cut with matching feline ears on top of her head. She has amber eyes, three white stripe tattoos on her face, and elongated canine teeth. She is quite short and has a petite frame. She wears a feline-hooded yellow one-piece jumpsuit with gold-trimmed white armor plates around her chest and upper arms, and wears a brown utility belt around her hips with three daggers. She wears red and white heeled boots which come up at the top into large decorated white and black cones, which extend past her knees around the front and around her calves from the back.
Alternate Costumes

Blood Witch, Candy Stripe, Fancy Sundress
Nia's Driver form has three alternate costumes which can be obtained as DLC Aux Cores via Challenge Battle Mode. These are:
Story
- "Her life is tied to yours."
- – Nia's Father

Nia resonates with Dromarch
Nia was the Blade of the wealthy lord of Echell in Gormott Province, who had a daughter, Nia's "sister," who was very frail and sickly. Nia studied to be a lady, until her Driver spent all of their money in search for a cure for his daughter and lost his status as a lord. The family became drifters, and the harsher lifestyle took a toll on the lord's daughter, who died not long afterwards. The lord made Nia consume his daughter's body, and Nia became a Flesh Eater and began addressing the lord as her "father."

Nia is rescued by Jin
Soon after the death of her sister, Nia's Driver passed away as well, and Nia found a Core Crystal of his and resonated with it, bonding her to Dromarch. The two began wandering around Alrest. Her status as a Flesh Eater caused the Indoline Praetorium to hunt them down, and the two were captured. Jin manages to free them, leading Nia to join him and the rest of Torna.
Nia meets Rex after she, Jin, and Malos go to Argentum Trade Guild to find help in salvaging a sunken ship. She initially shows skepticism at Rex's dream of finding Elysium, but is nonetheless horrified when Jin kills Rex, which leaves her hesitant to continue to associate with Torna. This causes her to get caught in the Monoceros' attack on the sunken ship, though Azurda manages to save both Rex and Nia in time.

Nia fights alongside Rex
Rex and Nia crash land on Gormott, where they eventually make their way to Torigoth. Upon arrival, several soldiers from the Empire of Mor Ardain see them and attempt to apprehend them with the help of Brighid. Though Rex and Pyra are able to escape, Nia and Dromarch are captured. Mòrag later uses Nia as bait to lure Rex and Pyra into a trap, though the four escape. Nia attempts to part ways afterwards, but Rex's conviction in his goal convinces her to stay.
As Vandham started to lose to Malos, Nia thought about helping, but was afraid to use her power.
After the incident in Temperantia, the Empire of Mor Ardain and the Kingdom of Uraya have a summit where Bana attempts to kill everyone present with an explosive device. Emperor Niall nearly sacrifices himself to save the others, but Nia is able to revive him after asking Dromarch to distract the rest of the party so they do not see her powers.

Nia reveals that she is a Blade
As the group ventures through Spirit Crucible Elpys, she begins showing signs of fatigue, similar to the Blades and Zeke. She begins sharing stories of her past, and Rex tells her to stay true to herself. Nia finally reveals herself as a Flesh Eater in the Vault of Heroes when the party is overwhelmed by Phantasms. She thanks Rex for helping her see that she should not be afraid of who she is, and proclaims that she is free of her past, and of Jin. Nia confesses that she loves Rex for helping her find this freedom, to which he replies that he loves all of his friends, and they team up as Driver and Blade. Together, they fight the Phantasms until the voice of Addam himself tells them that Rex is the one who he has been waiting for to wield the true Aegis.
Nia fights as Rex's Blade as they travel to the Cliffs of Morytha to rescue Pyra. Malos meets the party in Balquors Ruins and taunts Nia for deciding to reveal her true nature having betrayed Torna, and uses his revived Aegis powers to attack the party. Nia explains that Malos' power is to destroy all he touches, but that hers is to restore - which she does, much to Malos' annoyance. Eventually she turns on him and uses her ability to make his cells replicate at an incredible rate, like a very fast-acting cancer, which debilitates him enough that he falls from the ruins and is assumed dead.

Nia on the title screen
Later Rex is manipulated into fighting specters of his friends; Nia and Dromarch's confront him about him loving Pyra instead of Nia, and he flees from them in hurt and confusion.
Finally, upon Pyra and Mythra's revival, Nia gives Rex encouragement to go to them having made her peace with his decision. In the title screen after a completed New Game Plus, she can be seen running to the three and joining their chain of linked hands.
Heart-to-hearts
Nia takes part in 16 Heart-to-hearts:
- "A Tora and Poppi Production"
- "Addam's Appetite"
- "Ardainian Technology"
- "Before the Storm"
- "Blushy-Crushy"
- "Burgeoning Curiosity"
- "Dromarch's Wisdom"
- "Five Centuries of Memory"
- "Little Rex"
- "Morytha the Unknown"
- "Tending to Turters"
- "The Ground Beneath our Feet"
- "The Purest Beauty?"
- "The Real Gramps"
- "Tora's Angst"
- "Unforgiving Terrain"
General stats
Level | Max HP | Max Strength | Max Ether | Max Dexterity | Max Agility | Max Luck |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | 319 | 17 | 20 | 34 | 25 | 18 |
99, no modifier | 6,379 | 341 | 401 | 306 | 223 | 363 |
99, full affinity chart | 6,579 | 341 | 421 | 326 | 243 | 363 |
Thought Cloud
These are Nia's Idea Stats upon joining the party.
- Bravery - Lv. 3
- Truth - Lv. 1
- Compassion - Lv. 0
- Justice - Lv. 0
Default Blade
Dromarch is Nia's default Blade and can only be used by Nia and later, can also be used by Rex. If Nia is in the lead with Dromarch on the field, the player can control him to move on the field, with Nia riding on his back.
Name | Role | Element | Default Core Chip | Obtained |
---|---|---|---|---|
Dromarch | HLR | Lead Chip | Default Blade when Nia joins the party. |
Arts
- Twin Rings
- Butterfly Blade, Break
- Jaguar Slash, HP Potion
- Healing Halo, Heal Party
- Gemini Loop, Side Attack ↑
- Greataxe
- Brutal Blade, Topple
- Rhino Assault, Critical recharge
- Bear Smash, Toppled ↑
- Shadow Slice, AOE / Aquatic ↑
- Megalance
- Vulture Peck, High HP ↑
- Raptor Raid, Back Attack ↑
- Discus Glaive, Aggro Down
- Gyro Break, AOE / Insects ↑
- Ether Cannon
- Pulse Fire, AOE / High HP ↑
- Leopard Blow, Break / Pierce
- Cattle Driver, AOE / Launched ↑
- Breach Shot, Cancel attack ↑
- Shield Hammer
- Hammerhead, Knockback
- Elephant Press, AOE / Aggro up
- Rumbling Smash, Front attack ↑
- Buckler Slam, AOE / Toppled ↑
- Chroma Katana
- Deathbound, Humanoid ↑
- Triple Flash, AOE / Aggro up
- Wolf Fang, Aggroed ↑
- Scorpion Tail, Evasion
- Bitball
- Dolphin Spin, HP Potion
- Falcon Turn, Toppled ↑
- Healing Circle, Heal Party
- Acrobatic Bomber, AOE / Break
- Knuckle Claws
- Jackal Claw, Cancel atk ↑
- Deadly Twister, AOE / HP Potion
- Raptor Beat, Knockback, Side attack ↑
- Comet Punch, AOE / Launch
New Game Plus Arts
- Sword Tonfa
- Sabertooth Slash, Low HP ↑
- Updraft, AOE / Launch
- Whirlwind, AOE / Aggroed ↑
- Universal Beat, Knockback / Aggro Up
- Brilliant Twinblades
- Papillon Dance, Break / Critical recharge
- Cheetah Scratch, Cancel Attack ↑
- Tricksy Loop, AOE / Side Attack ↑
- Lustrous Heal, Heal party
- Decimation Cannon
- Surprise Shot, Front attack ↑
- Porcupine Blow, Break / Pierce
- Mayfly, AOE / Launched
- Phosphorescent Flare, AOE / High HP ↑
- Rockrending Gauntlets
- Lion Claw, Front attack ↑
- Meteor Punch, AOE / Launch
- Raging Screw, AOE / Aggroed ↑
- Buffalo Beat, Knockback / Aggro up
- Calamity Scythe
- Brutal Scythe, Topple
- Capra Assault, HP Potion
- Grizzly Smash, Heal party on attack
- Creeping Slicer, AOE / Aggro down
- Cobra Bardiche
- Condor's Beak, Low HP ↑
- Sand Break, AOE / Insects ↑
- Cobra Raid, Back attack ↑
- Merciless Twister, AOE / HP Down
- Infinity Fans
- Swallowtail, Break
- Scarecrow, Aggroed ↑
- Vicious Circle, AOE / Front attack ↑
- Healing Trick, Heal party
Downloadable Content
The following weapons are exclusive to the Expansion Pass.
- Monado
- Lightning Smash, Machines ↑
- Monado Striker, AOE / Aggro down
- Lucent Glance, AOE / Toppled ↑
- Beam Thrust, Back attack ↑ / Knockback
- Knives
- Air Slash, Break / High HP ↑
- Avian Spin, HP Potion
- Whirling Edge, AOE / Critical recharge
- Soothing Breeze, Recover HP
- Uchigatana
- Regal Hunter, Front Attack ↑
- Tiger Tail, Evasion / Smash
- Dragon Fang, Aggroed ↑
- Dazzling Rush, AOE / Aggro Up
- Dual Swords
- Panther Edge, Break / Evasion
- Sword Slap, Cancel Attack ↑
- Bat Tango, AOE / Back Attack ↑
- Soothing Twilight, Heal party
Favorite Items
- Pouch item types: Seafood, Textiles
- Pouch items: Cream Orange Paratha (Staple Foods), Ardainian Bear Carving (Art)
Affinity Chart
Nia's Affinity Chart contains the following skills.
Hidden Affinity Chart
Nia's hidden Affinity Chart contains the following skills.
Tier | Name | Effect | SP |
---|---|---|---|
1 | Chance Recovery | Heals 25% HP each time a Chain Attack is initiated. | 2,500 |
Tiger's Eye | Boosts Dexterity by 10%. | 3,750 | |
Focused Technique | Reduces enemy Break resist by 25%. | 7,500 | |
Lithe Strength | Increases Strength by 20. | 6,250 | |
Lucky Cat | Increases Luck by 20. | 5,000 | |
2 | Transmit Power | Boosts recharge for Specials after canceling by 20%. | 15,000 |
Cheer Leader | Increases Affinity by 25% after winning a Special button challenge. | 12,500 | |
Inner Strength | Boosts Ether by 10%. | 5,000 | |
Lady of Luck | Boosts Luck by 10%. | 7,500 | |
Wild Life | Boosts maximum HP by 10%. | 10,000 | |
3 | Adrenaline | Restores 3% HP when canceling an auto-attack with a Driver Art. | 15,000 |
Road to Victory | Slightly fills the Party Gauge for each critical hit delivered. | 25,000 | |
Sore Loser | 50% chance to survive hit with 1 HP + 5 secs invincibility (once per battle). | 30,000 | |
Bear Knuckles | Boosts Strength by 10%. | 20,000 | |
Tigergirl | Boosts Agility by 10%. | 10,000 |
Battle
A spectral version of Nia is fought as a Driver enemy during Chapter 10, in the First Low Orbit Station. She is the first of the four party members to be fought and is supported by her Blade, Dromarch.
Chapter 7

Nia as a Blade
As revealing herself as a Special Legendary Blade in Chapter 7, Nia can grant tremendous power to her Driver Rex and his allies. She uses the water element, wields a Catalyst Scimitar, and acts as an Healer in battle. After transforming into a Blade, Nia can return to Driver form and back at any time in the menu.
When being used as a Blade, Nia will not obtain any experience, SP or WP. Instead she will gain bonus experience.
Appearance
As a Blade, Nia drops her feline mannerisms and appears more visually similar to a kitsune. She retains her facial markings, eyes, and elongated canines from her Driver form. Her hair now comes down to her legs and is styled into very low twintails tied up with red shimenawa-like rope. Her ears are now much longer, point upwards and outwards, and are decorated around the base. Her clothing resembles a miko outfit, which consists of a white gold-and-red trimmed leotard, with her Core Crystal - shaped like an upside down blue geometric kite with red blotches from being a Flesh Eater - visible on her chest, and matching large detached sleeves with white gloves. Both the leotard and sleeves are adorned with red rope with the former decorated with gold-colored bells. Her boots are now red with large gold spikes on the toe caps, with gold-trimmed white thigh-high leggings. Her default Catalyst Scimitar is a long blue blade with flowers running along it, with a guarded golden hilt.
Alternate Costumes

Devoted Marigold, Loyal Bellflower, Sincere Primrose
Nia's Blade form also has three alternate costumes which can be obtained as DLC Aux Cores via Challenge Battle Mode. These are:
Abilities
Blade Specials
- Lv. 1 - Last Hope - Drain enemies' life force, and distribute it to allies.
- Lv. 2 - Merciful Heart - Attack enemies with a water shock wave.
- Lv. 3 - Redeeming Strike - Destroy enemies from within by manipulating the power of regeneration.
- Lv. 4 - Divine Sword - Invert the power of regeneration to erode the enemy from within.
- Lv. 4 (Max. Affinity with Pyra) - Nexus Force - Beat the enemy to a pulp with a medley of fire and water.
Blade Arts
- Debuff Cancel - Cancels debuffs from enemies.
- Absorb Damage - Erects a barrier that absorbs fixed dmg.
Battle Skills
- Sea of Plenty - Periodically restores HP to entire party while at max Affinity.
- Instant Regen - Adds chance of restoring HP after taking a hit.
- Cellular Stimulus - Restores HP of damage dealt after a successful auto-attack.
Field Skills
- Water Mastery - Lv. 3
- Forestry - Lv. 3
- Fortitude - Lv. 3
Favorite Items
- Pouch item types: Seafood, Instruments
- Pouch items: Snowbaby Potato Salad (Veggies), Sneak-Thief King (Board Games)
Affinity Chart
Type | Name | Skill Level | Affinity Level | Effect | Prerequisite | Count | Flavor Text |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Key Affinity Reward | 1 | 1 | Unlocks level 1 of the Affinity Chart. | ||||
2 | 2 | Unlocks level 2 of the Affinity Chart. | Increase Trust | 100 | "I can do better, I know it." | ||
3 | 3 | Unlocks level 3 of the Affinity Chart. | Increase Trust | 1,300 | "Think I'm looking more powerful?" | ||
4 | 4 | Unlocks level 4 of the Affinity Chart. | Increase Trust | 3,300 | "I gotta get strong enough to protect you all." | ||
5 | 5 | Unlocks level 5 of the Affinity Chart. Affinity bond will be easier to sustain. | Increase Trust | 7,800 | "I'd do anything to protect you guys." | ||
Blade Art | Last Hope | 1 | 1 | Restores 10% HP of damage dealt when a Special connects | |||
2 | 2 | Restores 12% HP of damage dealt when a Special connects | Use Specials to heal a certain amount of HP | 40,000 | "I got you covered for healing and stuff, yeah?" | ||
3 | 3 | Restores 15% HP of damage dealt when a Special connects | Use Last Hope | 11 | "I got the power and I know what to do with it!" | ||
4 | 4 | Restores 17% HP of damage dealt when a Special connects | Perform a Blade Combo | 10 | "You ain't seen nothing yet!" | ||
5 | 5 | Restores 20% HP of damage dealt when a Special connects | Use Specials to heal a certain amount of HP in total | 400,000 | "What'd you lot do without me, huh? Die of your injuries, that's what!" | ||
Merciful Heart | 1 | 1 | Spawn a small HP Potion on hit, with a 60% chance to spawn 2 | ||||
2 | 2 | Spawn a small HP Potion on hit, with a 70% chance to spawn 2 | Defeat a Moist Upa at Spirit Crucible Elpys | 5 | "I wouldn't be up to much if I couldn't see off a lame opponent like that!" | ||
3 | 3 | Spawn a small HP Potion on hit, with a 80% chance to spawn 2 | Use Specials to heal a certain amount of HP in total | 80,000 | "Sure if you get messed up, I'll help you out. But try not to do anything stupid..." | ||
4 | 4 | Spawn a small HP Potion on hit, with a 90% chance to spawn 2 | Use Merciful Heart | 9 | "I'm getting better all the time! Just as well..." | ||
5 | 5 | Spawn a small HP Potion on hit, with a 100% chance to spawn 2 | Defeat a Kustal Sovereign at the World Tree | 5 | "Good fight! Face it, with me on our side, we're never gonna lose!" | ||
Redeeming Strike | 1 | 1 | When landing a hit, restores 30% of damage dealt to the whole party | ||||
2 | 2 | When landing a hit, restores 35% of damage dealt to the whole party | Use Redeeming Strike | 5 | "Gotta admit, I can really handle myself now! I bet I'll put you all to shame in the next battle!" | ||
3 | 3 | When landing a hit, restores 40% of damage dealt to the whole party | Defeat a Dusky Riik at Spirit Crucible Elpys | 5 | "I'm gonna whip something special out in the next battle. That's a promise." | ||
4 | 4 | When landing a hit, restores 45% of damage dealt to the whole party | Use Specials to heal a certain amount of HP in total | 160,000 | "Seems like I spend my whole life patching you dolts up. What's up with you?" | ||
5 | 5 | When landing a hit, restores 50% of damage dealt to the whole party | Use Redeeming Strike | 8 | "If you've got any doubts, just watch me in action!" | ||
Battle Skill | Sea of Plenty | 1 | 1 | Periodically restores 4% HP to entire party while at max Affinity | Raise affinity in combat | 3 | "I learned something new today." |
2 | 2 | Periodically restores 5% HP to entire party while at max Affinity | Raise affinity in combat | 2 | "We can do it if we work together." | ||
3 | 3 | Periodically restores 6% HP to entire party while at max Affinity | Speak to Nia at the inn in Tantal to view the Heart-to-Heart "Tending to Turters" | "That's the spirit, Shellhead. Keep aiming for new heights of stupidity." | |||
4 | 4 | Periodically restores 7% HP to entire party while at max Affinity | Raise Affinity in combat | 6 | "I won't let anything happen to you guys..." | ||
5 | 5 | Periodically restores 8% HP to entire party while at max Affinity | Sell items and earn money | 400,000 | "That's a decent wad of cash. I hope you didn't sell anything we needed." | ||
Instant Regen | 1 | 1 | Adds 25% chance of restoring 4% HP after taking a hit | ||||
2 | 2 | Adds 25% chance of restoring 6% HP after taking a hit | Block an attack | 5 | "I'm even stronger than I was before." | ||
3 | 3 | Adds 25% chance of restoring 8% HP after taking a hit | Block an attack | 7 | "Yeah! I feel even stronger! Can't wait for the next battle!" | ||
4 | 4 | Adds 25% chance of restoring 10% HP after taking a hit | At Rex's Secret Base in Leftheria view Heart-to-Heart "Little Rex" | "So, Rex was the same even when he was little. Makes sense..." | |||
5 | 5 | Adds 25% chance of restoring 12% HP after taking a hit | Fall from a high place (unit in peds) | 250 | "Hey, you know I hate heights! I hope no one broke anything!" | ||
Cellular Stimulus | 1 | 1 | Restores 5% HP of damage dealt after a successful auto-attack | Perform a Driver Combo (It's enough to just be present.) | 2 | "Now wasn't that quite something?" | |
2 | 2 | Restores 7% HP of damage dealt after a successful auto-attack | Use a Chain Attack | 2 | "Nothing like a decent combo, huh?" | ||
3 | 3 | Restores 9% HP of damage dealt after a successful auto-attack | Perform a Blade Combo | 7 | "Get a load of the power of water!" | ||
4 | 4 | Restores 10% HP of damage dealt after a successful auto-attack | Perform a Driver Combo (It's enough to just be present) | 10 | "Leave it to me. I got your back." | ||
5 | 5 | Restores 12% HP of damage dealt after a successful auto-attack | Get money | 600,000 | "We've collected a lot of money... But shouldn't we have more? Did we spend it?" | ||
Field Skill | Water Mastery | 1 | 1 | The power of a Water Blade | |||
2 | 2 | Use Nia's favorite pouch items. (Seafood category) | 4 | "Lovely. I'm sure I fight better after I've had a little taste of something good." | |||
3 | 4 | Use Nia's favorite pouch item from the Vegetable category | 4 | "Ah, it's gotta be Snowbaby Potato Salad. Ever tried it?" | |||
Foresty | 1 | 1 | Knowledge related to trees | ||||
2 | 3 | Acquire Tree items from the Collectibles list | 25 | "Who'd have thought there'd be so much to learn about trees?" | |||
3 | 5 | Acquire Tree items from the Collectibles list | 30 | "I'm a bit of an expert on this stuff now. So I'll be even more indispensable!" | |||
Fortitude | 1 | 1 | The power to endure hardships. It even helps cope with boring jobs | ||||
2 | 3 | Engage in combat alongside Pyra or Mythra | 10 | "Pyra! Mythra! I feel like we can take on anything together!" | |||
3 | 5 | Engage in combat alongside Pyra or Mythra | 15 | "I feel way better having Pyra and Mythra around." |
NPC
Nia is a temporary NPC found along with Dromarch at the C.S.E.V. Maelstrom's Interior in the Argentum Trade Guild nation.
In Super Smash Bros.
A Nia costume is available for Mii Fighters in Super Smash Bros. Ultimate. Nia also has a Spirit that can be unlocked on the Spirit Board.
Gallery
Artwork
Screenshots
Characters in Xenoblade Chronicles 2 | |
---|---|
Playable Characters | Rex · Nia · Tora · Vandham · Zeke · Mòrag |
Special Blades | Pyra · Mythra · Dromarch · Poppi α · Poppi QT · Poppi QTπ · Roc · Pandoria · Brighid |
Supporting Characters | Amalthus · Azurda · Cole · Fan la Norne · Turters |
Torna | Jin · Malos · Akhos · Mikhail · Patroka |