Zenobia

Zenobia
Zenobia in Xenoblade Chronicles 2
Wind
Greataxe
Rare
Gender	Female
Type	Humanoid
Role	Attacker
Aux Cores	3
Source	Random Core Crystal
Merc Group Title	Boss Buster Band
Voice actor (EN)	Jessica Preddy
Voice actor (JP)	Ayana Taketatsu
Illustrator	Minoru Iwamoto
Appearances	Xenoblade Chronicles 2

Zenobia (Japanese: ヤエギリ, Yaegiri) is a Rare Blade in Xenoblade Chronicles 2. She can grant tremendous power to her Drivers, Rex, Nia, Zeke or Mòrag, and their allies. Zenobia uses the wind element, wields a Greataxe, and acts as an Attacker in battle. She is full of energy as she is trained as a warrior seeking a strong opponent.

Zenobia was designed by Minoru Iwamoto, character designer for Tales of Vesperia, who also designed Godfrey.

Personality

While generally well meaning in what she does, Zenobia also has an incredible lust for battle and constantly seeks stronger and stronger opponents to fight. This seemingly insatiable desire to fight strong enemies have led her to theorize that in a previous life during the Aegis War, she sided with Malos so that she could fight Mythra.

Appearance

Zenobia is a horned, floating woman with a lot of white hair and a white bag of winds, likely a reference to the Japanese god Fūjin, that floats around her head. She wears very little clothing beyond boots and a skirt, and has a capelet resembling wings on her shoulders. Zenobia's eyes are green and her horns are blue with white and black stripes. She bears a strong resemblance to Zaveid from Tales of Zestiria, which her designer also worked on.

Heart-to-heart and Blade Quest

Zenobia's Heart-to-heart, "Stronger than Light", takes place in the Womb Hollow in the Land of Morytha between Zenobia, her driver, and Mythra. Zenobia expresses a desire to fight Mythra as, as the Aegis, she is one of the strongest possible opponents.

Zenobia during her Blade Quest

Zenobia's Blade Quest, A Real Challenge, is initiated upon accepting the Merc Mission "We Need To Talk!". Zenobia calls the party for a meeting in Argentum in which she expresses frustration at not being sent to fight enough dangerous foes, to which Mythra suggests that they release an ancient sealed monster for Zenobia to fight. Upon researching this monster and unlocking the four seals that restrain it, the party awaken the Thanatobeast Andraz and fight it. Discovering that it cannot be killed due to an incredibly fast recovery rate, Zenobia smacks it hard enough that it is sent flying far in the distance, perhaps never to return.

Abilities

Blade Specials

• Lv. 1 - Diabolic Zephyr - Gently raise the axe overhead then bring it down crashing.
• Lv. 2 - Adamantine Axe - Quickly raise the axe overhead and attack quickly.
• Lv. 3 - Ascension Blade - Fly around cutting up the enemy with powerful slash attacks.
• Lv. 4 - Twixt Heaven & Hell - Strike down on the enemy from on high with a powerful weapon.

Blade Arts

• Recharge Boost - Boost Arts recharge from auto-attack.
• Arts Plus - Boosts power of next art.
• Critical Up - Increase critical hit rate.

Battle Skills

• Carnage - Increases damage dealt when battling a boss or unique enemy.
• The Indomitable - Increases damage dealt to higher-level enemies.
• Greatest Warrior - More damage dealt for each enemy in the battle.

Field Skills

• Wind Mastery - Lv. 5
• Superstrength - Lv. 5
• Leaping - Lv. 5

Favorite Items

• Pouch item types: Meats, Literature
• Pouch items: Char-Grilled Grumbird (Meats), Portrait of Ger the Hero (Art)

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.	Complete the Merc Mission Zenobia's Enemy 1		"Well, that's Argentum all well and searched. Let's look somewhere different for a challenger next!"
		3	3	Unlocks level 3 of the Affinity Chart.	Complete the Merc Mission Zenobia's Enemy 2		"Well, that's Gormott all well and searched. Let's look somewhere different for a challenger next!"
		4	4	Unlocks level 4 of the Affinity Chart.	Complete the Merc Mission Zenobia's Enemy 3		"Well, that's Uraya all well and searched. Let's look somewhere different for a challenger next!"
		5	5	Unlocks level 5 of the Affinity Chart. Affinity bond will be easier to sustain.	Complete the Merc Mission Zenobia's Enemy 4		"Well, that's Mor Ardain all well and searched. Let's look somewhere different for a challenger next!"
Blade Special	Diabolic Zephyr	1	1	Increases damage dealt by 100% when HP is 30% or less
		2	2	Increases damage dealt by 110% when HP is 30% or less	Defeat Cunning Saggie in Uraya		"That was a bit underwhelming. Let's go see if we can find some stronger enemies!"
		3	3	Increases damage dealt by 120% when HP is 30% or less	Defeat Confiscator Jimmy in Leftheria		"Let me fight someone REALLY strong!"
		4	4	Increases damage dealt by 130% when HP is 30% or less	Defeat Machine-Gun Julio at the Cliffs of Morytha		"The enemies around here are actually kind of tough. I might be able to have a bit of fun here."
		5	5	Increases damage dealt by 150% when HP is 30% or less	Defeat Crimson Derrick at the Cliffs of Morytha		"That guy was pretty tough. But he's still not the kind of real challenge I crave."
	Adamantine Axe	1	1	Increases damage dealt to toppled enemies by 100%
		2	2	Increases damage dealt to toppled enemies by 110%	Defeat Martial Kamron in Uraya		"C'mon, let's go find the next strong enemy! I know we can do better than that last one!"
		3	3	Increases damage dealt to toppled enemies by 120%	Defeat Skyfist Remington in Leftheria		"That was a pretty fun battle. But not exactly what I was looking for."
		4	4	Increases damage dealt to toppled enemies by 130%	Defeat Evileye Mambor at the Cliffs of Morytha		"I am just ITCHING for a good fight. C'mon, let's go find someone strong!"
		5	5	Increases damage dealt to toppled enemies by 150%	Defeat Vagrant Baldr in Mor Ardain		"Nope, not this one either. Let's keep searching for a real challenger!"
	Ascension Blade	1	1	Increases damage dealt to higher-level enemies by 60%
		2	2	Increases damage dealt to higher-level enemies by 70%	Defeat Demon-Shell Jacob in Mor Ardain		"Pretty strong. But not strong enough. Next challenge, please!"
		3	3	Increases damage dealt to higher-level enemies by 80%	Defeat Azure Reginald in Uraya		"I hope our next battle is more fun than this one."
		4	4	Increases damage dealt to higher-level enemies by 90%	Defeat Soul-Eater Stanley in the Land of Morytha		"There's some pretty weird enemies around here, huh? Not really the kind of foes I'm looking for, mind."
		5	5	Increases damage dealt to higher-level enemies by 100%	Defeat Parasite Aplacus in the Land of Morytha		"Another dud. We really need to find stronger enemies than this!"
Battle Skill	Carnage	1	1	Increases damage dealt by 60% when battling a boss or unique enemy
		2	2	Increases damage dealt by 70% when battling a boss or unique enemy	Defeat Acute Melvyn in Gormott		"C'mon, let's go find the next one! No dawdling when there's strong enemies out there to challenge!"
		3	3	Increases damage dealt by 80% when battling a boss or unique enemy	Defeat Jadeite Polly in Leftheria		"Well, she was stronger than the last guy. But I'm still not exactly impressed."
		4	4	Increases damage dealt by 90% when battling a boss or unique enemy	Defeat Malicious Dimitri in the Land of Morytha		"Still not quite doing it for me... Where's the next challenger?!"
		5	5	Increases damage dealt by 100% when battling a boss or unique enemy	Defeat Praetorian Argus at the World Tree		"* sigh* When are we going to find the kind of challenge I'm really looking for?"
	The Indomitable	1	1	Increases damage dealt to higher-level enemies by 20%	Use Zenobia's favorite pouch items (Meat category)	2	"New power? Awesome! Let's go try it out on some serious tough guys!"
		2	2	Increases damage dealt to higher-level enemies by 35%	Defeat Supercharged Alfonso in Gormott		"Hey, are there other strong enemies to fight round these parts? Lemme have a little look around.""
		3	3	Increases damage dealt to higher-level enemies by 50%	Defeat Decapitator Marvin in Mor Ardain		"I still haven't found a single opponent worthy of unleashing my full power.
		4	4	Increases damage dealt to higher-level enemies by 65%	Defeat Glamorous Alfred in Spirit Crucible Elpys		"See, this one's not right either. Will this search ever end?"
		5	5	Increases damage dealt to higher-level enemies by 80%	Defeat Praetorian Medea at the World Tree		"Now this was a pretty strong opponent. Just...not quite the one I'm after."
	Greatest Warrior	1	1	20% more damage dealt for each enemy in battle (max: 250%)
		2	2	25% more damage dealt for each enemy in battle (max: 250%)	Defeat Implacable Dylan in Uraya		"Well, I guess he was stronger than the other Rodonya around here."
		3	3	30% more damage dealt for each enemy in battle (max: 250%)	Defeat Myrmidon Eugene in Mor Ardain		"How many have we defeated at this point? And still no sign of the kind of opponent I'm really dying to meet."
		4	4	35% more damage dealt for each enemy in battle (max: 250%)	Defeat Holy Lancer Efrain in Spirit Crucible Elpys		"Nope, this one's no good! C'mon, on to the next!"
		5	5	40% more damage dealt for each enemy in battle (max: 250%)	Defeat Atrocious Hermes in Temperantia		"You know, I think that might've been the strongest Igna I ever fought."
Field Skill	Wind Mastery	1	1	The power of a Wind Blade
		2	2		Defeat Sniping Brent in Gormott		"Not as strong as I was expecting..."
		3	3		Defeat Judicial Kollin in Mor Ardain		"Over already? What an anticlimax. C'mon let's go find a different one."
		4	4		Defeat Runaway Train Bool in Temperantia		"I'm not really feeling it... Sometimes I start to wonder if the opponent I'm seeking even exists."
		5	5		Defeat Ravenwing Skull in Temperantia		"I mean, that one was strong. Sure. But it just...didn't excite me, you know?"
	Superstrength	1	1	Extraordinary physical strength. Used to break things, lift them, etc.
		2	2		Defeat Sad Bernard in Gormott		"That one was all bark and no bite. Next opponent, here I come!"
		3	3		Defeat Man-Eating Glenn in Mor Ardain		"When am I going to get a chance to cut loose and let it all out? C'mon, I know there are stronger opponents out there!"
		4	4		Defeat Peerless Beaufort in Leftheria		"Next time I'll find a real challenge for sure, right? Right?!"
		5	5		Accept the "We Need To Talk!" Mission, head to Goldmouth Res. Dist. then complete "A Real Challenge".		"That was fun! But there might be even more fun battles out there somewhere. Let me know if you find any!"
	Leaping	1	1	The power to jump. Used to reach high places
		2	2		Defeat Moonlighting Elwyn in Gormott		"That was just disappointing... But hey, there's always next time!"
		3	3		Defeat Tattooed Hugo in Mor Ardain		"Hey, that was definitely stronger than the last one."
		4	4		Inside a Titan in the Land of Morytha, view the Heart-to-Heart "Stronger Than Light"		"I'm still in training, anyway. One day, though..."
		5	5		Defeat Impassable Edgar in Tantal		"Next time, let's find an even stronger opponent, shall we?"

Etymology

Zenobia may be named after the queen of the Palmyrene Empire between 270 and 273 or the queen of the Ancient Kingdom of Armenia from 51 to 53 and 54 to 55. The Palmyrene Empire was a territory in Syria formerly owned by the Roman Empire before queen Zenobia declared independence from the Empire during the Third Century Crisis; she was defeated by Emperor Aurelian. Zenobia of Armenia was an Iberian princess and became the wife of King Rhadamistus. Her Japanese name Yaegiri may come from the legendary Princess and mother of Kintarō, a folk hero from Japanese folklore.

Trivia

• Zenobia shares her English voice actor, Jessica Preddy, with Vale and X from Xenoblade Chronicles 3.

Quotes

Post-Battle Dialogue

• Main Cast
• Rare Blades

Main Cast

Chapter 4 spoilers:

Zenobia	"How about we spar sometime, Mòrag? I feel like we'd learn a lot from each other."
Mòrag	"Heh, why not? Anything that gives me the opportunity to hone my skills."

Brighid	"Your combat technique is as forceful as ever, Zenobia."
Zenobia	"That's right! And it hasn't failed me yet. Ha!"

Chapter 5 spoilers:

Condition: New Game Plus not activated.
Zenobia	"When am I going to actually see this 'Eye of Shining Justice'?"
Zeke	"Uhh... Someday. The eye has to, um... charge a bit longer."

Pandoria	"Zenobia, mind keeping it down a bit? You've nearly blown off my hat."
Zenobia	"Sorry! Thing is, I'm only using about a third of my power already."

Rare Blades

• A - G
• H - R
• S - Z

Zenobia	"Gah! I just can't best your speed, Boreas!"
Boreas	"The key is to go (gulp), and just swallow without chewing."
Zenobia	"Sorry! I'm not really into speed eating."

Dahlia	"Your mind's always on battle, huh, Zenobia. Come on! At least make it prettier."
Zenobia	"Like I'd have time for that! If I'm not training every second of the day, I'd get left behind!"

Electra	"Hey, Zenobia.  I just had the best idea.  How about we make a combo move?"
Zenobia	"Okay.  You do your sparky thing, and I'll blow you into the enemy.  How does that sound?"
Electra	"On second thoughts, forget it."

Zenobia	"That's the warm-up done! Time for the main event!"
Godfrey	"Uh, hey? I thought we were supposed to be fighting together?"

Zenobia	"You should really stop limiting yourself and fight properly, Herald. You'd have way more fun that way."
Herald	"You enjoy fighting. I have never once felt a thrill from battle."

Zenobia	"You seem different to the rest of us Blades, KOS-MOS. Sure you're not from an alternate reality or something?"
KOS-MOS	"I am a Blade, just like you, Zenobia."

Newt	"Zenobia, you're a warrior too. Wouldn't you rather wear a more formal outfit like me?"
Zenobia	"It's much easier to fight this way. And change the way I dress? You're one to talk."

Zenobia	"Nice form, Perceval! Looks like I've found my sparring partner!"
Perceval	"Weapons are tools, not toys."

Chapter 3 spoilers:

Roc	"Your gale is fearfully bracing, Zenobia."
Zenobia	"Really? I thought it was more of a gentle breeze myself."

New Game Plus spoilers:

Sever	"Hahahaha!"
Zenobia	Unused※
Nia	"Sever! Zenobia! Cut the giggling!"

※: In this conversation, Zenobia doesn't speak. However she is required in the active party to trigger it, alongside Sever and Nia.

Sheba	"That was a stunning display of skill, Zenobia! Strong women are very much our type!"
Zenobia	"If you can beat me one-on-one, I might just consider joining your 'entourage'."

Theory	"You fight so... messily, Zenobia."
Zenobia	"What! That is so not true. I'm just making sure they can't dodge."

Vale	"Huh! They're all pathetic."
Zenobia	"Nothing can stand in the way of the two of us, huh? Hahahaha!"

Zenobia	"Wulfric, tell me, how are you strong? Where's all that power coming from?"
Wulfric	"I just do not know when to quit."

Gallery

Official artwork of Zenobia

Alternate artwork of Zenobia

Zenobia activating her level 3 special

Zenobia in-game

Zenobia during her Blade Quest

Zenobia's awakening

Zenobia during her Blade Quest