Herald

Herald (Japanese: テンイ, Ten'i) is a Rare Blade in Xenoblade Chronicles 2. She can grant tremendous power to her Drivers, Rex, Nia, Zeke or Mòrag, and their allies. Herald uses the electric element, wields an Ether Cannon, and acts as an Attacker in battle. She controls a kind of dragon-like mecha. She was sealed inside the Altar of Sealing in the Kingdom of Tantal after losing control of her power and destroying the Theospiti Temple many years ago.

Herald was designed by Hideo Minaba, CEO of CyDesignation Co., Ltd. and one of the art directors for Final Fantasy VI.

Acquisition[]

Herald's Sealed Core Crystal can be obtained by offering a total of 100 of any of the following items at the Altar of Sealing, found behind a cracked wall in the Theospiti Temple Ruins in Theosoir.

Personality[]

Herald wants to do good, but her inability to fully control her powers hinders her efforts. While appearing calm and focused, she harbors guilt for what she has done in her previous life and is scared of what may happen if she loses control again, and resents the increases in her strength that come from gaining Trust for her Driver. When she does eventually lose control she attempts to flee and then convince the party to destroy her for the sake of the world. However, she learns to accept her party's help and to trust them to keep her from going out of control.

Appearance[]

Herald is a young woman fused into a large, dragon-like mech. She has pale skin with pastel purple hair and eyes, and wears a black bodysuit; her mech covers her arms and legs. The mech is black with a static dragon's head, a second pair of arms, sharp wings, pointed feet, a large Ether Cannon, a demon's headed crotch and twin tails ending in effigies of two bound women. Her core crystal is an asymmetric pentagon. Due to her mech, Herald is far larger than the average Blade.

Heart-to-heart and Blade Quest[]

Herald bq2 — Herald during her Blade Quest

Herald's Heart-to-heart, "Atonement", takes place in the Theospiti Temple Ruins in Theosoir between Herald, her Driver, and King Eulogimenos. Eulogimenos explains the history of the temple; how it was destroyed by Herald when she lost control of her powers with her previous Driver, and would have destroyed the entire city had her Driver not taken their own life, hence her being sealed away. Herald understands this and asks that she be punished by any means, including her core crystal being destroyed, but the king insists that her current Driver is better than her previous one and that she will be a great asset to the kingdom.

Herald's Blade Quest, The Calm and the Storm, occurs after the heart-to-heart; King Eulogimenos summons Herald to do a favour for the Kingdom; to cull the dangerous Herridot Laias that are amassing in the Kingdom of Tantal. Herald dispatches them easily, and is sent to help Queen Raqura as more have appeared in the Kingdom of Uraya. This done, she is sent to Temperantia, where the Laias are thought to be spawning; the party finds a King Laia which is too strong to defeat until Herald unleashes her sealed power and obliterates it. Unfortunately she loses control of herself in doing so, and begs the party to flee from her - they do not, and she fires an ether barrage at them, unable to stop herself. This done she flees to Spirit Crucible Elpys, where the party find her still berserk. She begs them to destroy her lest her power cause ruin, but after the party fight and subdue her she concedes that they are strong enough to keep her in check.

Abilities[]

Blade Specials[]

Lv. 1 - Empyrean Salvo - Launch homing missiles from your weapon and tail.
Lv. 2 - The Heavens Open - Release maximum electric ether and cause a huge explosion.
Lv. 3 - Final Retribution - Remove limiter and charge the enemy, exterminating them.
Lv. 4 - Heaven on Earth - Fire a super-strong laser to annihilate the enemy.

Blade Arts[]

Arts Plus - Boosts power of next art.
Critical Up - Increase critical hit rate.

Battle Skills[]

Dissolve Seal - Deal 120% to 200% more damage and take 20% to 30% more damage when at max Affinity.
Taboo - Increases aggro reduction by 10% to 30%.
Unlimited Output - Restores 5% to 12% HP of damage dealt after a successful auto-attack.

Field Skills[]

Electric Mastery - Lv. 3
Superstrength - Lv. 3
Rampage - Lv. 5 (Skill unique to Herald)

Favorite Items[]

Pouch item types: Drinks, Board Games
Pouch items: Lunana Smoothie (Drinks), Jeweled Billiard Balls (Board Games)

Affinity Chart[]

Type	Name	Skill Level	Affinity Level	Effect	Prerequisite	Count	Flavor Text
Key Affinity Reward		1	1	Affinity Chart level 1 unlocked
		2	2	Unlocks level 2 of the Affinity Chart	In Theospiti Temple Ruins, Tantal, view the Heart-to-Heart "Atonement"		"Fighting together, as a team... Yes...perhaps I can..."
		3	3	Unlocks level 3 of the Affinity Chart	Use a Special	11	"My power must not be awakened... under any circumstance..."
		4	4	Unlocks level 4 of the Affinity Chart	Use a Special	12	"My power mustn't be unleashed! The seal, it's..."
		5	5	Unlocks level 5 of the Affinity Chart. Affinity bond will be easier to sustain.	Use a Special	20	"My seal is... nearly broken..."
Blade Special	Empyrean Salvo	1	1	Increases critical damage by 25%
		2	2	Increases critical damage by 40%	Use Empyrean Salvo	10	"I've grown stronger... But that means..."
		3	3	Increases critical damage by 55%	Use Empyrean Salvo	11	"At this rate, it's only a matter of time..."
		4	4	Increases critical damage by 70%	Use Empyrean Salvo	12	"I can't contain it much longer..."
		5	5	Increases critical damage by 85%	Go to the Royal Audience Hall in Tantal and complete the quest The Calm and the Storm.		"I want to use my power to protect..."
	The Heavens Open	1	1	Adds a 60% chance of dealing a guard-annulling attack
		2	2	Adds a 70% chance of dealing a guard-annulling attack	Use The Heavens Open	7	"Even now, when I am stronger..."
		3	3	Adds a 80% chance of dealing a guard-annulling attack	Use The Heavens Open	8	"I have grown in strength... But still..."
		4	4	Adds a 90% chance of dealing a guard-annulling attack	Use The Heavens Open	9	"I never wanted this..."
		5	5	Adds a 100% chance of dealing a guard-annulling attack	Go to the Royal Audience Hall in Tantal and complete the quest The Calm and the Storm		"I want to protect this world, not destroy it..."
	Final Retribution	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	Use Final Retribution	5	"Are you sure? If we go on, there's no telling what might happen..."
		3	3	Increases damage dealt by 120% when HP is 30% or less	Use Final Retribution	6	"My power... It's overflowing..."
		4	4	Increases damage dealt by 130% when HP is 30% or less	Use Final Retribution	7	"Power comes at a price..."
		5	5	Increases damage dealt by 150% when HP is 30% or less	Go to the Royal Audience Hall in Tantal and complete the quest The Calm and the Storm		"I understand now. From this day, I live to protect you all!"
Battle Skill	Dissolve Seal	1	1	Deal 120% more and take 20% more damage when at max Affinity
		2	2	Deal 140% more and take 22% more damage when at max Affinity	Deal a certain amount of total damage	8,000	"I will fight. I have sworn to..."
		3	3	Deal 160% more and take 25% more damage when at max Affinity	Deal a certain amount of total damage	16,000	"Just as I thought... I'm too dangerous..."
		4	4	Deal 180% more and take 27% more damage when at max Affinity	Deal a certain amount of total damage	32,000	"I will defeat them."
		5	5	Deal 200% more and take 30% more damage when at max Affinity	Deal a certain amount of total damage	48,000	"I want to use my strength to do the right thing."
	Taboo	1	1	Increases aggro reduction by 10%	Finish an enemy	5	"My power keeps growing..."
		2	2	Increases aggro reduction by 15%	Finish an enemy	10	"If you tell me to fight, then I have no choice."
		3	3	Increases aggro reduction by 20%	Finish an enemy	20	"I should not be doing this..."
		4	4	Increases aggro reduction by 25%	Finish an enemy	30	"This is purpose I serve."
		5	5	Increases aggro reduction by 30%	Finish an enemy	40	"I will support you."
	Unlimited Output	1	1	Restores 5% HP of damage dealt after a successful auto-attack	Evade an attack	3	"My power, it..."
		2	2	Restores 7% HP of damage dealt after a successful auto-attack	Evade an attack	5	"I am not meant only for war..."
		3	3	Restores 9% HP of damage dealt after a successful auto-attack	Evade an attack	7	"Let me help you."
		4	4	Restores 10% HP of damage dealt after a successful auto-attack	Evade an attack	9	"My power..."
		5	5	Restores 12% HP of damage dealt after a successful auto-attack	Evade an attack	10	"It's going to be fine. I am here for you."
Field Skill	Electric Mastery	1	1	The Power of an Electric Blade.
		2	3		Increase Trust	1,300	"Maybe it will be enough..."
		3	5		Defeat a Familion Sovereign or Sting Runner at the World Tree. (Excludes unique monsters)	4	"There is much more I wish to learn."
	Superstrength	1	1	Extraordinary physical strength. Used to break things, lift them up, etc.
		2	3		Use Herald's favorite pouch items (Drinks category)	4	"I do not dislike this. Thank you."
		3	5		Increase Trust	9,800	"This will come in useful."
	Rampage	1	1	A power so great, it had to be sealed. Releasing it causes Herald to rampage.
		2	2		Use a Special	10	"This must not go on any longer..."
		3	3		Use a Special	11	"This is my limit... I must stop..."
		4	4		Use a Special	12	"The seal... It's breaking..."
		5	5		Go to the Royal Audience Hall in Tantal and complete the quest The Calm and the Storm		"I'll do my best to live up to my Driver's expectations."

Battle[]

Herald Unbound (Japanese: 暴走のテンイ, Bōsō no Ten'i) is fought as a Quest Exclusive Boss during the quest The Calm and the Storm.

Details[]

This enemy can guard attacks from any side.

Resistances[]

Break	60%	Smash	0%
Topple	0%	Blowdown	60%
Launch	0%	Knockback	60%

Enraged[]

Trigger	HP have been reduced below 50%.
Effects	Ether increased by 30%. Counters attacks with 10% Ether damage. Ether damage received is reduced by 50%.
Element	-

Arts[]

Art	Type	Element	Hits	Range	Damage Ratio	Reaction	Effect
Auto-Attack	Ether	-	1	All Enemies	100	-	-
Empyrean Salvo	Ether	-	16	Random Target (Ahead)	200	-	-
The Heavens Open	Ether	-	1	All Enemies	300	Blowdown	Herald Unbound will only begin using this Art when she is below 80% HP.
Final Retribution	Physical	-	3	Ahead	400	Blowdown (x3)	Herald Unbound will only begin using this Art when she is below 50% HP.

Drops[]

Name	Type	Rate
Endurance IV	Aux Core	8.4%
Damage Heal IV	Aux Core	8.4%
Affinity MAX Acc IV	Aux Core	8.4%
Ester Shoes	Accessory	12.0%
Fiber Hat	Accessory	7.2%
Fiber Hat	Accessory	4.8%
Common Core Crystal	Core Crystal	12.5%

Trivia[]

Herald shares her English voice actor, Laila Pyne, with Agate and Patroka.
Herald's Japanese voice actress, Aya Endō, also voices Lila.

Quotes[]

Post-Battle Dialogue[]

Herald	"Battle concluded. Battle preparations to resume after short rest."
Tora	"Meh, Tora has never taken short rest in his life."

Poppi α	"Poppi really respect Herald's prowess."
Herald	"I am not deserving of respect. I wield a terrible power."

Chapter 4 spoilers:

Herald	"Battle is a fruitless effort - all conflict must be resolved."
Mòrag	"It seems we share a common goal, you and I."

Chapter 5 spoilers:

Zeke	"Herald, you were my great-great-great-great grandfather's Blade, right? What was he like?"
Herald	"Unclear, but I ask that you not awaken my powers this time."

Azami	"Herald, what do you think of Drivers? Let us speak freely."
Herald	"I do not think anything in particular."

Boreas	"Let's have an eating contest, Herald! I want to know who has the bigger appetite!"
Herald	"I will make do with a slice of bread."
Boreas	"We sure burn some calories."

Dagas	"Herald, would you lend me that power of yours?"
Herald	"(chuckles)"
Dagas	"Heh, you're too stupid to know a good thing when you see it."

Floren	"Herald, would you mind holding back a bit next time? You're hurting the plants."
Herald	"I fully understand."

Gorg	"Herald, why so sad? We just won! How about a little dessert?"
Herald	"I do not like sweet things."

Herald	"Why do you fight, KOS-MOS?"
KOS-MOS	"Is it not the nature of Blades to do so? However, it does also seem that I possess a desire to protect."
Herald	"So it is allies that are to be treasured."

Newt	"Herald, if we fight side-by-side, we can easily take on a whole army!"
Herald	"You are mistaken. It would be quicker to dispatch them myself."

Nim	"Herald, about that last battle..."
Herald	"I understand. I will cause as little destruction as possible."
Nim	"Thank you, hehe! That makes me really happy."

Praxis	"I'm glad you're here, Herald. Without you, we might've been toast."
Herald	"I simply carried out my mission."

Sheba	"If you were to join our entourage, Herald, we would ask that you cast off your burdensome armour."
Herald	"I could cast this off and leave the battlefield? I had not considered that."
Sheba	"Cease! We did not ask you to remove it now! We require your assistance in battle!"

Herald	"Victory upon victory, yet there is no end in sight. Will we ever have peace?"
Wulfric	"You will find the answer one day, Herald. We will find it."

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."

Characters in Xenoblade Chronicles 2
Playable Characters	Rex · Nia · Tora · Vandham · Mòrag · Zeke
Legendary Blades	Pyra · Mythra · Pneuma · Dromarch · Poppi α, QT, QTπ · Roc · Brighid · Pandoria · Aegaeon
Supporting Characters	Addam · Amalthus · Architect · Azurda · Bana · Cole · Corinne · Eulogimenos · Fan la Norne · Lila · Niall · Niranira · Raqura · Tatazo · Turters
Torna	Jin · Malos · Sever · Akhos · Obrona · Mikhail · Cressidus · Patroka · Perdido
	Dagas · Newt · Crossette
	Gorg · Praxis · Sheba
	Godfrey · Theory · Ursula · Perun · Dahlia
	Adenine · Boreas · Finch · Zenobia · Fiora
	Wulfric · Agate · Floren · Nim
	Electra · Kora · Herald · Vess
	KOS-MOS · Poppibuster · Corvin · Shulk
	Azami · Vale · Perceval · Kasandra · T-elos · Elma