In comparison to the original game on Wii U,Xenoblade Chronicles X: Definitive Editionboasts several additions that set the game apart from both the original release and other games in the Xenoblade series. Of those new additions, one of the most prominent has to be the new party members added to the game.
The first of these new party members that you may acquire is Neilnail, a Qlurian archaeologist studying ancient xenoform civilizations. This guide will detail how to unlock her affinity quest and how to defeat the difficult enemies present within.

Affinity Quest Prerequisites
Neilnail’s affinity quest, titled “The Qlurian Archaeologist,” only has two major requirements to unlock it.
It is important to note, however, thatthis quest features some strong enemies for this point in the game, so it is important to be sure that you feel properly equipped for this quest, since you don’t want to be locked out of story progression by accepting it unprepared.

The Qlurian Archaeologist
Upon beginning the quest, a cutscene begins showing your avatar character looking at the B.L.A.D.E. concourse, when Neilnail walks up to introduce herself, saying that she has a mission that you would be perfect for. She mentions that she’s an archaeologist, and thatshe’s particularly interested in the large ring ruins in Oblivia.
With Neilnail in tow, your first goal is tohead over to the giant ring in Oblivia’s Barbarich Desert, which shouldn’t be too hard to find since this ring is essentially the centerpiece of the entire region. Once you arrive, you’ll see two large simius enemies blocking your path, meaning it’s up to you to defeat them. These two Outlaw Simius aren’t too hard as long as you make proper use of your soul voices and positional arts.
Once you’ve cleared out the indigens, Neilnail will ask you tosurvey two specific consoles located on the Oblivia ring, which will both be marked on your map.
After analyzing both data points on the ring, you’ll be targeted by two unknown enemy Skells,Unidentified Skell Chalk and Unidentified Skell Slate, who are the two main bosses of this quest. In order to complete this quest, you’re going to have to defeat both of them at the same time. This fight can be incredibly difficult for this point in the game, so here are some tips we have for this fight.
Target Enemy Appendages
Destroying enemy appendages can be the biggest difference-maker in certain fights, especially against enemy Skells. When an enemy appendage is destroyed,that enemy will lose access to a certain art tied to that appendage.
There are several ways to increase damage dealt to appendages in this game, but the most consistent one we found was toequip gear that boosts appendage damage. For those of you using thePartisan Eagle or Astral Crusader classes, the sniper rifle art “Shrapnel"is also an incredibly effective art for destroying appendages in this fight.
Initiate Overdrive
Since Neilnail’s affinity quest is locked behind completing Chapter 5 of the main story, you areguaranteed to have access to the Overdrive mechanicat this point.
Certain classes can utilize Overdrive better than others.
In particular,the Winged Viper and Full Metal Jaguar classes can easily increase the hit count during Overdrivedue to the Dual Swords and Dual Guns having several multi-hit arts, which can even the playing field for this fight.
Wait Until You Have A Skell
While you may’t progress the main story further if you’ve already accepted Neilnail’s affinity quest, if you have completed Chapter 6 before accepting it,you have the opportunity to earn yourself a Skell License alongside a free Skell of your own.
Fighting these two enemy Skells with your own Skell willdrastically tip the odds of this battle in your favor. Though it will likely trivialize the fight in its entirety, so if you still want a challenge for this quest, perhaps it’s better to leave your robot in the garage.
Once you’re able to defeat these two unknown Skells, they fly away back into space, puzzling Neilnail, before she decides that your expedition is complete, marking the end of this quest. Upon completion,you now have the ability to add Neilnail to your party at any point.