In Xenoblade Chronicles 2, the journey through Alrest is filled with mystical places, powerful enemies, and hidden secrets that reward exploration and mastery of the game’s mechanics. One such place that captures the imagination of many players is the elusive Airborne Throne. Known for its beauty, challenge, and significance within the game’s lore and world design, the Airborne Throne isn’t just another location it’s a destination that rewards those who pay close attention to their environment and understand how to reach hard-to-access areas. Whether you’re a new player or a seasoned veteran hunting for secrets, understanding how to find and make the most of the Airborne Throne can be a highlight in your Xenoblade Chronicles 2 adventure.
What Is the Airborne Throne?
A Mysterious Platform in the Sky
The Airborne Throne is a special, high-up location within the Kingdom of Tantal, a late-game area known for its frozen landscapes and treacherous terrain. This throne sits atop the sky, seemingly unreachable without the right set of conditions. It’s not just a visual spectacle reaching the Airborne Throne involves understanding traversal mechanics, unlocking field skills, and solving movement puzzles.
Why Players Seek It Out
Players are often drawn to the Airborne Throne not just because of its aesthetics, but because of the rewards and challenge it offers. Whether you’re chasing treasure chests, completing Collection Points, unlocking a Secret Area for your Affinity Chart bonuses, or simply exploring every inch of Alrest, the Airborne Throne is a worthy destination.
How to Reach the Airborne Throne
Location: Kingdom of Tantal
You’ll want to start from the Genbu Drifts area, which becomes available after significant progress in the main story. Tantal itself is a floating titan, and it’s full of cliffs, winding paths, and areas that aren’t always obvious on your first visit.
Essential Requirements
- Field Skills Needed: To access the Airborne Throne, your party must have specific Blade Field Skills:
- Wind Mastery
- Leaping
- Superstrength (depending on the route you take)
- Party Composition: Make sure you have Blades like Roc or Adenine equipped, or other Rare Blades who possess the required skills at Level 2 or 3. You can also stack duplicate skills from multiple Blades across your party to meet the requirement.
Steps to Get There
The general route involves navigating your way through Genbu Drifts, climbing through the Great Pillar Passage, and locating the jump pads or high gust areas that launch your character into the air. These gusts are powered by wind Field Skills, and activating them opens a path to soar upward toward the throne. Make sure to search carefully for environmental triggers some may be disguised or unmarked.
Rewards at the Airborne Throne
Treasure and Collection Points
Once you reach the Airborne Throne, you’ll be rewarded with several treasure chests, including high-rank Core Crystals, rare Aux Cores, Gold Cylinders, and more. These are useful for strengthening your team or selling for Gold.
Secret Area Bonus
Discovering the Airborne Throne unlocks it as a Secret Area, which grants Affinity Chart bonuses to all party members. This often includes permanent stat increases such as Strength, Dexterity, or Agility, depending on the Blade and character. These bonuses are crucial for tougher endgame content and superboss encounters.
Unique Scenery and Exploration Completion
In addition to gameplay rewards, simply discovering the Airborne Throne contributes to your area exploration percentage, helping completionists and boosting Trust levels between Drivers and Blades. The throne also offers one of the most breathtaking panoramic views in the entire game perfect for taking screenshots or pausing to appreciate the game’s artistry.
Tips and Tricks for Success
Bring the Right Blades
Make sure your party includes Blades with:
- Wind Mastery Level 2+Critical for using wind currents
- Leaping Level 2+Needed to reach elevated points
- Superstrength (if you find movable blocks)
You can use the Blade Management menu to equip the most suitable Blades based on their Field Skills.
Use Skip Travel Efficiently
Skip Travel allows you to fast-travel to the nearest landmark if you fall or take the wrong path. Save before attempting tricky jumps or before activating gust pads. If you fall, you can reload or warp back instead of retracing the entire route.
Scout the Route Beforehand
Sometimes it helps to explore the surrounding area first and locate landmarks or ladders that lead up to the route. Some of the activation points for jump pads only appear when the right skills are active, so always double-check your Field Skill totals before assuming a path is blocked.
Be Patient With Platforming
The vertical design of Tantal can make navigation a bit frustrating. Don’t rush through platforming segments some ledges are narrow and falling means starting over. Use the camera carefully and time your jumps with precision.
How the Airborne Throne Ties into Lore
Tantal’s Royal History
The Airborne Throne isn’t just a random high point it is believed to be symbolically tied to Tantal’s royal legacy. Though not officially named in cutscenes, many fans interpret its position and design as a metaphor for the seclusion and elevation of the Tantalese royalty, particularly Zeke and his family.
Architectural Detail
The throne itself is ornately designed and is placed in a way that suggests intentional grandeur. It reflects the game’s overall emphasis on themes like isolation, ascension, and hidden power. The quiet majesty of the area contrasts with the turmoil below, making it an unforgettable part of the journey.
Finding the Airborne Throne in Xenoblade Chronicles 2 is not only a satisfying puzzle but also a key part of experiencing the depth the game offers in both mechanics and worldbuilding. From the required Field Skills and traversal strategies to the lore implications and hidden bonuses, it rewards curiosity and preparation. For those dedicated to uncovering all of Alrest’s mysteries, the Airborne Throne is a shining example of what makes the game so memorable offering challenge, beauty, and meaning in equal measure. Whether you’re aiming to max out your party, capture stunning vistas, or just complete the region 100%, the Airborne Throne is a must-visit destination for any serious Xenoblade player.