Monolith Soft has added a new Merc Assault mode in Xenoblade Chronicles 2 Nintendo Switch 2 Edition, but, as with the game’s other content, you will need to unlock this dynamic battle mode in which you can directly control Blades.
You will first need to fast travel (or Skip Travel) to the Mercenary HQ in Garfont Village, which is in the Kingdom of Uraya. Yew will approach Rex and ask whether he’s gotten the hang of the whole merc life malarkey, before introducing him to Merc Assault.
While the company continues to dispatch Blades on Merc Missions, Yew explains that the souped-up Nintendo Switch 2 Edition now lets you take active, hands-on control over those Blades as they do the dirty work. Your Blades still get experience, and you receive the same rewards as normal.
After Yew’s explanation is over, you will receive the quest Vandham’s Other Ask, unlock Merc Assault, and are free to tackle Merc Assault Missions. The quest simply tasks you with completing a Merc Assault Mission and reporting back to Yew at Mercenary HQ.
If you complete a single Merc Assault Mission, you will also receive the new costumes for Pyra and Mythra as a special reward.
Importantly, once Merc Assault is unlocked, you can access it through the in-game menu (+ Button), selecting Merc Group to then have the option to choose Merc Assault. This means that you can access the new mode from wherever you are in-game.
Xenoblade Chronicles 2 Nintendo Switch 2 Edition is now available digitally on the Nintendo eShop for Nintendo Switch 2 worldwide, with a physical version to be made available through retailers from 1 October 2026.
