Gems are an important part of your toolkit in Xenoblade Chronicles 3. They can help you make the perfect class, fill out a new build or help you through the toughest battles. 

Defenders are the party tanks. These fighters take the heavy hits and draw aggro so that the Attackers and Healers can go about their business as usual. Defender Gems can increase the amount of aggro you draw from attacking, increase your block rate or even allow you to deal damage when attacked.

If you want to get the most bang for your buck from the Gems, you will want to get your Gems to level 10. You may need to put in a bit of work if you want this to be a reality, however.

Here’s how to unlock all of the level 10 Defender Gems in Xenoblade Chronicles 3.

Want more Xenoblade Chronicles content and guides? You can find more here on KeenGamer:

Just in case you’ve forgotten, let’s quickly go over what Gems are and how they are categorised.

Riku crafts these Gems at several Rest Spots throughout Aionios. These Gems require a variable amount of monster parts, collectables and Ether Cylinders to create. 

There are 4 categories of Gems in Xenoblade Chronicles 3, with 5 Gems in each category for a total of 20. The categories are:

The Gems from each category are most suited to enhance the capabilities of the role that gives the category its namesake (i.e Defender Gems will help Defenders primarily). However, any character can slot any type of Gem, no matter the type.

If you want to see guides on how to get level 10 for Attacker Gems, you can find guides for that here on KeenGamer.

Each Gem has a level. The lowest is 1 and the highest is 10. 

The higher the level of Gem, the higher the bonus or benefit it gives. It also requires more materials which are usually much harder to find and acquire.

You don’t have to create a lower-tier Gem if you have the resources for a higher-tier one, either. If you have the resources for a level 10 Gem but not level 9, you don’t have to make the level 9. You can craft the level 10 Gem immediately. 

Gold Nopon Coins are also an option to purchase Gems. The higher the level, the higher the cost, bottoming out at 99 Gold Nopon Coins (the maximum you can hold) for a level 10 Gem. While not always feasible, it is an option if you have the cash.

There are 5 Defender-type Gems in Xenoblade Chronicles 3. These are:

The Defender Gems are best used on Defender classes such as Heavy Guard or Zephyr. Some will benefit some classes more than others and you’ll need to pick and choose what suits your team best.

So now that we know what Defender Gems there are, how do you get them to level 10?

You’ll need an assortment of monster parts to craft higher rarity Gems but there are 2 common materials in every Gem. 

The first is Ultra Pure Gemstone. This material drops from Unique Monsters and chests. You will likely have accumulated a vast quantity of these by the time you hit the end game. However, it is worth noting. Each Gem needs 5.

Secondly, every Gem needs 3 Ether Cylinders to finish the creation. These aren’t too hard to come across, but make sure you know a nearby Ether Channel in case you run low.

Tailwind X increases Agility by 35 points. To unlock this Defender Gem in Xenoblade Chronicles 3, you need:

Shining Ellook Antlers drop from the elk-esque Ellook enemies. There are a few different variations of these enemies around Aionios but there is one easy spot to find them. Scape Ellook and the Unique Monster Timbercorn Cthinos both will be found near the entrance to the Cloudkeep in Upper Aetia. 

Golden Brog Oil drops from the toad-like Brogs. A large group of Goliath Brogs can be found inside Nocclia Mire in Upper Aetia. The Unique Monster variant, Indiscreet Gombaba, can be found near the entrance to Fornis in Full Aetia, with a few other Brogs in the surrounding area.

Pale Skeeter Wings drop from the small Skeeter bugs. The easiest area to find these is back at the start of the game, by Riccalo Pond near the Everblight Plains. You will find some Light Skeeters here. The Unique Monster, Altruistic Maribel, is near the Eastern cliffs in Millick Meadows. 

Antol Leg Chitin drops from the insectoid Antol enemies. These are not to be confused with the Arachno enemies, as both look somewhat similar. A good group of Antol can be found in the Antol Pit area of Erythia Sea, Corne Island. Assassin Antol can be found here, as well as surrounding Flyswatter Kamado on the upper side of Daedal Isle. 

Fine Ageshu Wings are the other drop from the Ageshu enemies. You will find Etrekt Ageshu in Lower Maktha Wildwood, stomping around the poisonous water in large groups. Spartan Fennick is the Unique Monster version of the Ageshu and drops the Wings.

Steel Protection X increases Block Rate by 30 percentage points. To unlock this Defender Gem in Xenoblade Chronicles 3, you need:

Flak Scrap Iron drops from the Flak-type enemies found within Origin. Flak are spidery robotic creatures, much like the other denizens of Origin, and can be found on the upper floors of the Hangar, as well as a few other areas. The unique Flak, Creeping Hameel, is located a little earlier in Origin Amplifier 2. 

Armoured Plambus Wings drop from the large bug-like Plambus enemies. You can find these easily on Daedal Isle on the Erythia Sea in Cadensia, right after you teleport from the First Pillar Remnant. Demonic Krenolour, the Unique Monster, drops the Armoured Plambus Wings and can similarly be found near the First Pillar Remnant.

Krabble Shield Pincers drop from Krabbles, hermit-crab-like enemies. The easiest place to take out two birds with one stone is in Aetia. Go to the hidden cave nearby the Forward Post Camp and inside you find Househunter Carly and a group of Materia Krabble, all of which drop the Pincers.

Metal Vokooku Shards also come from Origin. The Vokooku are flying monsters and the Eruno Vokooku can be found in the skies around the North and South Shell Passages. The Unique Monster Vokooku, Desired Oruria, is on the lower level of the Hangar on a path leading outside.

Auxilia Exo-Armour only comes from one place. The enemy you need is the Auxilia Levnis enemies from Keves. You can find these easily at the rear entrance to Keves Castle, surrounded by other soldiers and Levnis models.

Ultimate Counter X deals 280% of Attack damage when you take damage. To unlock this Defender Gem in Xenoblade Chronicles 3, you need:

Ageshu Needleclaws come from the bird-like Ageshu enemies in Lower Maktha Wildwood. The Etrekt Ageshu lurk about the poison pools and looks quite creepy, too. You’ll also find the Unique monster variant here, Spartan Fennick, who can drop the Needleclaws.

Steel Urchon Scales drop from the Urchon. These spikey little creatures can be found in one of 2 locations: Spike Urchons can be found on Daedal Isle while Mees Urchons can be found in the Lace Subterranean in Fornis. Dapper Sepiar is the Unique Urchon and they can also be found in the Subterranean cave.

Armoured Scorpox Pincers drop from the, aptly named, Scorpox enemies. These scorpion-esque beasts roam the Dannagh Desert, usually on the Northern side by the cliffs. You can also find Stoneclipper Gorse here, too, up on a ledge and it also drops the Pincers.

Antol Jaws are another material dropped by the Antol enemies. Once again, Assassin Antols can be found either at the Antol Pit on Corne Island or one of the high levels at the centre of Daedal Isle. The Unique Antol, Flywatter Kamado, is also lurking on Daedal Isle.

Flak Scrap Iron drops from Flaks within Origin. Migia Flaks are a monster found within the upper levels of the Hangar within Origin, which can drop the Scrap Iron. Additionally, the Unique Flak is called Creeping Hameel, which you can find at the 2nd Amplifier. 

Brimming Spirit X boosts aggro generated when using Arts by 45%. To unlock this Defender Gem in Xenoblade Chronicles 3, you need:

Geometric Myoot Gear drops from the bat-like Myoots inside of Origin. You can find these in the Ferronis Assemblybays that dot the innards of the facility, including the Eruno Myoot. Defiled Ishtar is the Unique Monster variant of the Myoot and can drop the Gears you require.

Rainbow Crustip Shells drop from the Crustip crustacean creatures. A few of these roam near the beginning of the game, but if you go to the Svinne Cavity in Aetia, you will find a large group of Andaris Crustips. Further in the cave, overlooking the water, you will find Well-Plated Zelinka, the Unique Monster version of the Crustip. All of these drops the Shells.

Sweet Kapiba Lard drops from the cute little Kapiba enemies. On Hovering Reef 3 of the Syra Hovering Reefs, you will find a number of these Kapiba. There are a lot of Meroko Kapiba palling around, as well as the Craven Piggard Unique Monster. Any of these enemies will drop you the Lard.

Merigna Amulets drop from the various aquatic Merigna enemies in the Erythia Sea. Usually, these Merigna are all clustered in large groups of various types. This includes Bard Merigna, Sword Merigna, Javelin Merigna and more. You can find a group of these, as well as a multi-enemy group of Unique Merigna called the Whirlpool Triumvirate.

Arachno Queen Eggs only drop from the Queen Arachno-type enemies. Compared to the normal Arachno, these can be a bit elusive. You will find one or two Queens in the web-covered tunnels of the Ether Mines. If you want a more direct route, the Abysmal Rakshmi is a Unique Queen Arachno found on the Levi Sandbar, underneath the Ferronis Hulk. 

Perilous Presence X starts each battle with aggro. To unlock this Defender Gem in Xenoblade Chronicles 3, you need:

Elegant Ravoon Horns come from the Ravoon sea monsters. You can find the Ugend Ravoon monsters all across the Erythia Sea, but one is close to the left side after you exit into the Sea from the City docks. If you want to fight the Unique Monster version, your only bet is the Levialord Empireo. This is a Super Boss and one of Aionios’ Strongest so be prepared. You can find our Guide on the Super Bosses of Xenoblade Chronicles 3 here.

Rich-Smelling Anlood Bone comes from the goat-like Anlood. While there are a few around Aionios, the easiest to find are in Upper Aetia. Next to the Ladras Camp, you will find the Scape Anloods roaming around. In Fornis, on the other hand, you can find Joyful Nimroog on a mountain path near the Rae-Bel Tableland. Either will drop the Bones.

Ottil’s Treasured Bivalve drop from the cuter otter-esque Ottil. These creatures often dwell around the Great Cotte Falls. Down the falls from the Cascade Ferronis Hulk (to the North-West), you will find the Seymo Ottil playing in the water. Next to them is Frolicking Parker, a larger Unique Ottil and either of these enemies will drop the Bivalve.

Explosive Plambus Powder once again drops from the Plambus enemies. You will find these on Daedal Isle in the Cadensia Region, buzzing around the shore near the First Pillar Remnant. One of the larger creatures will be the Unique Monster variation known as Demonic Krenolour, who also drops the Powder.

Shoox Earplate is the final piece you need. They drop from the Shoox aquatic enemies in the Erythia Sea. Tiiko Shoox roams all over every part of the sea. In the North part of the Sea, to the East, you will find a small island and a Unique Shoox called Seatiger Tridence will spawn at night time.

That is how to craft all the level 10 versions of the Defender Gems in Xenoblade Chronicles 3.

I’m a Creative Writing English graduate with a passion for writing about games. I play a lot of, and write a lot about, Destiny but I’m especially keen on RPGs, looters and action games. KeenGamer is the third publication I have written for.

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