Xenoblade Chronicles: How to Get & Use Ether Gems

Released for the Wii back in 2010, Monolith Soft is bringing the original Xenoblade Chronicles back with the launch of the Definitive Edition on the Nintendo Switch. This game can get pretty complex, and is filled with a number of interesting gameplay systems that you’ll need to familiarize yourself with if you want to excel. Here’s how to get and use Ether Gems in Xenoblade Chronicles.

How to Get Ether Gems in Xenoblade Chronicles

Ether Gems are valuable items that can help to enhance your characters’ equipment in battle, and it’s definitely worth seeking them out throughout the course of your playthrough. Towards the end of chapter 1, right before you set off on your journey proper, you’ll receive a quest from the Gem Man in Colony 9, which teaches you the basics of how to use the furnace.

Go up to the furnace and press the A button, and two party members will operate it to craft an Ether Gem. Do note that the higher the Affinity level between your two characters, the higher the chances of you getting a better quality Gem from the process.

In addition to that, once your party starts to fill out, other party members not operating the furnace can also provide Affinity boosts. At the start of the game, coming back to Colony 9 is the only way to craft Gems, but you’ll unlock the Mobile Furnace by completing the side quest from the Gem Man.

Gems can be crafted with Ether Crystals, which can be mined from ore deposits you find in the open world. You’ll also need Cylinders, which are commonly dropped from killing enemies. With these items in hand, you can start crafting with the furnace.

How to Use Them

Ether Gems are only useful if you have weapons and armor with slots in them. From the equipment menu, use the d-pad to go to the slots section and press the A button, then equip a Gem from there.

Gems have all sorts of effects, and allow you to do things like increasing HP, defense, and attack stats. Some can also provide buffs or debuff resistance, and it’s definitely worth slotting them in your gear whenever you can.

That’s all you need to know about how to get and use Ether Gems in Xenoblade Chronicles. Be sure to search for Twinfinite for more tips and information on the game.