Xenoblade Chronicles X Lets You Be A Member Of Eight Different Factions

We know that in Xenoblade Chronicles X, you’ll take on the role of a new member of BLADE, a private military organization. What exactly will you be doing on the planet of Mira, though? This week’s issue of Famitsu magazine shares more details on BLADE and their various factions.

As a member of BLADE, your role is to find “Life” as there are still some cryogenically-frozen humans sleeping in escape pods that were scattered across Mira when the ship from Earth crash-landed onto the planet’s surface. In addition to finding Life out on Mira, you’ll use the “Frontier Net” information system, with the Wii U GamePad, to gather other data you might come across as you explore Mira.

Once the data is probed, you’ll have access to it from then onward.

Missions in Xenoblade Chronicles X can vary according to which of the eight factions, called “Unions,” a member of BLADE is a part of, so you might be doing a different type of exploring depending on what you choose to do. Later in the game, you’ll be able to switch back and forth between factions at any time. Here are the eight Union factions:

Path Finder: A union of the pioneers, with the significance of a pioneer. They’re in charge of setting data probes, and expanding the Frontier Net.

Interceptor: A Union in charge of exterminating protists. They take on the role of guards that protect the survey teams, or help in the rescue of New Los Angeles citizens.

Avalanche: The Interceptors are about “protecting,” and Avalanche are their opposite as the “attackers”. Their role is to subdue dangerous creatures.

Testament: A Union in charge of search and recovery of remains from the wreckage of the White Whale spaceship. They are also in charge of recovering things that get lost in the battlefield.

Colepedian: A pioneer Union similar to the Path Finder, but Colepedians go ahead of any other Union to survey and gather material.

Land Bank: This Union is in charge of maintaining the livelihoods of the people. They search Mira for resources and gather minerals.

Arms: The Union in charge of helping the Arms Company develop weapons for Dolls and soldiers.

Companion: They play the role of mediators, and their job to help fix any problem between citizens of New Los Angeles. This includes everything from stopping quarrels to looking for lost cats. They’re practically a jack-of-all-trades.

Xenoblade Chronicles X is slated for release in Japan on April 29, 2015 for Wii U, and will launch in North America and Europe later this year.