Guessing which characters might join Super Smash Bros. can be fun and all, but there’s one trend it clings to that’s really limited what is and isn’t realistic: if you’re the first rep to come from a given game, you’d better be the protagonist. Otherwise, you’ve got next to no chance. This rigidity’s often for the best—it definitely would’ve felt wrong if we got Sheik before Link—but it also limits what the crossover’s capable of. For one, we’d have a wider variety of weapon types and personalities, along with a larger pool of hopefuls to consider. As much as I’m rooting for, say, Alear of Fire Emblem Engage fame, it’d be neat if supporting favorites like Yunaka or Ivy were also in the running. That being said, there was one recent case where a game got its reps, yet they weren’t the star.
In retrospect, it’s pretty surprising that Xenoblade Chronicles 2’s Smash fighters are technically NPCs in their original game. Sure, Mythra’s fully playable in its DLC campaign, and she and Pyra are among the most renowned characters to debut on the Switch, but still. I’d say this was a good move, as Byleth’s formulaic unveiling was still fresh in people’s minds, and Sakurai notes that he had trouble making the Aegis pair’s Driver work. In the future, I hope Smash breaks from its usual rule more often, both for the sake of fun reveals and a richer lineup of combatants. Though, a lot’s changed since then, and I’m about to go against all that talk of downplaying leads by making a case for said Driver!
Salvager, Master Driver, Liberator, and so much more, Rex’s story is one that spans the Switch’s entire lifespan. Xenoblade 2 follows him and his companions as they scour the world of Alrest in search of Elysium. Supposedly, it’s Pyra and Mythra’s birthplace, as well as the perfect home for humanity in place of the dwindling Titans they colonize. A similar group of misfits stand in the party’s way, however, looking to reach this paradise for less benevolent reasons. Rex takes it upon himself to protect the Aegis from these dangers and fulfill the promise he made to them, growing along the way from an optimistic child to a hero worthy of saving all these dejected souls. In Xenoblade Chronicles 3: Future Redeemed, we see how that hero’s grown since his original quest, carrying the wills of his lost friends and teaming up with Shulk on a new mission to free their conjoined worlds.
Of Xenoblade’s massive cast, Rex might just be its most controversial character. His naivety, initial costume, and the photo are criticized to this day, but his selflessness and outstanding arc receive just as much praise. I see Rex as the protagonist Monolith Soft took the most risks with, and while he didn’t resonate with everyone, I’d say their effort paid off. Moreover, Future Redeemed did a phenomenal job putting his most admirable traits on full display, pairing them with one of the coolest designs this series has ever seen. Overall, the climb wasn’t an easy one, but Rex has definitely earned his place as one of his universe’s most beloved and iconic faces.
Importance to Nintendo & Series
Although Xenoblade’s consistent acclaim and relevance are well deserved, it’s hard to not attribute some of that success to Smash. Shulk joining the platform fighter’s what introduced so many fans to the growing series, an opportunity it took full advantage of come XC2. The sequel made such a splash that, when Smash Ultimate finally got around to repping it with a combatant or two, Pyra and Mythra were already plenty well known. But this is all common knowledge, and it’s why people are hoping to see an XC3 rep in the crossover’s next entry. Even so, here I am pitching a moveset for another resident of Alrest, long after his game’s time passed and it got its content. Besides, Rex cameos in his Blades’ animations and Final Smashes, on top of having secured an upgradable Spirit and exclusive Mii costume. Of all the Xenoblade characters not playable in Smash, he and (funnily enough) Riki are given the best treatment, so is this really necessary?
Despite all that, I’d still call Rex an interesting talking point for a few reasons: his appearance in Future Redeemed reimagined him in a way that makes me think he could reasonably stand alongside the Aegis duo as his own contender. Not only does his new fighting style set him apart, but his sabers also sport original looks that don’t overlap with the Aegis Swords they’re based on. This portrayal would also mean he’s not strictly an XC2 rep, letting him introduce more XC3-themed content to the crossover. Furthermore, Rex is exceptional in that he broke new ground in the realm of scrapped characters. He says it himself in Pyra and Mythra’s reveal trailer, exclaiming, “I thought I was gonna be in Smash!” He was such an obvious choice, so much so that Sakurai personally explained this surprising omission, that I’d argue it’s worth seeing what his “Stoutheart” depiction could bring to the table.
Colors & Design
I wasn’t exaggerating when I said Future Redeemed’s Rex is among Xenoblade’s coolest designs ever. XC3’s four returning heroes, of which he’s one of them, take after their absent companions and look the best they ever have. In our Driver of interest’s case, his bulk and missing eye bring Zeke to mind, but I feel there are also hints of Mòrag, Vandham, and even Addam in how he fights and carries himself. On a side note, the way Rex draws inspiration from so many role models, each from a different nation, is so satisfying, as well as a perfect example of a core Xenoblade theme. His attire’s a great blend of memorability and practicality, his Firelight Swords give him a unique dual-wielding niche, and his newfound height sells his immense strength. Speaking of those swords, I should probably mention that they can fuse into a larger, Pneuma-esque one, and it’ll come into play a few times throughout this moveset. Anyway, like I said, it’s this version of Rex that I think could make a compelling case for Smash, letting his younger self (if need be) remain a part of his wives’ kits.
Moving on to Rex’s colors, although I’m usually all for model swaps, we can’t give him something he doesn’t already have. Future Redeemed never messes with his appearance or gives him something new to wear, aside from how he looks before losing his eye or after taking off his vest, so neither will we. Instead, he’ll be receiving as rich a lineup of recolors as we can manage, mostly based on characters and elements from his two canon outings. After his black-and-blue default outfit, we’ve got green and blue (based on Vandham), gray and orange (based on Matthew), white and red (based on Glimmer), gold and white (based on Addam), black and purple (based on Malos), blue and brown (based on his classic salvaging suit), and white and emerald (based on his Master Driver suit). By the way, despite @SilentSecondary’s Vandham and Matthew colors featuring altered swords, there won’t be any changes to the weapons throughout our costume lineup.
Future Redeemed stripped Rex of all his previous adventure’s Core Crystals and complicated mechanics, so he’ll be joining Smash as a relatively simple contender. The vibes I’m aiming for are along the lines of Ike: a swordsman whose powerful attacks and sheer charisma attract all sorts of casual players. That’s not to say he’d fight just like the Radiant Hero, as the extra weapon already gives the Liberator plenty of new material. For one, a decent portion of his moves have second parts, resembling Link’s forward smash in that they’re activated with an additional input. This would support a playstyle that’s beyond aggressive, charging at foes until either Rex or his target ends up dead. His survivability’s as bad as you’d expect from this do-or-die attitude, with a tall frame and exploitable recovery doing him no favors. To make matters worse, when he finally gets close enough to engage the enemy, his shockingly narrow hitboxes might miss them altogether.
Those might be some glaring weaknesses, but I meant it when I called Rex’s attacks powerful. True to his absurd damage output in Future Redeemed, he swings in the ballpark of juggernauts like Ganondorf and (fittingly) Pyra, ending stocks unreasonably early when old Klaus wills it. Excessive? Probably, but since he’s especially prone to being gimped, he’ll need ways to even the odds. Lethality aside, another thing Rex has an affinity for is zone breaking. Most of his specials are designed to help him approach his terrified foes, including a sluggish projectile and disjointed hit grab. Overall, Stoutheart Rex joins Smash as an accessible glass cannon with solid zone-breaking tools. He hits outrageously hard and sports the long reach typical of a sword user, but suffers from middling frame data, overly precise moves, and a shoddy recovery. While not the most complicated or innovative addition, his rewarding kit and boisterous personality are sure to entice laid-back and hardcore fans alike.
Rex, Pneuma sword in hand, descends from offscreen and lands with a slash from his Blade. Then, he splits it in two, gets ready for a fight, and confidently says, “Shouldn’t take too long!”
Stance
Rex stands tall and wields a Firelight Sword in each hand. Specifically, the Mythra one’s in his left, and the Pyra one’s in his right.
Idle #1
Rex stretches his arms a bit, causing his sabers to extend outward.
Idle #2
Rex briefly disengages his red Blade and uses his newly freed hand to tinker with the anchor on his other arm.
Walk
With his swords still facing forward, Rex marches at an above-average pace.
Dash & Run
Rex holds his Blades in a reverse grip and charges ahead, moving surprisingly fast for his size.
Crouch
Rex takes a knee and rests the tips of his weapons on the floor, not making much of an effort to duck under incoming attacks.
Jump
Rex leaps off the floor with his swords to his back, going impressively high. For his second jump, he simply flips forward or backward.
Damage
Rex gives a pained expression as his sabers fade in and out of view.
Shield
Rex guards his body with the Pyra Blade, then smirks confidently upon perfect shielding.
Dodge
Rex’s dodges aren’t anything special, with him simply sidestepping when grounded and spinning horizontally when airborne.
Floor & Edge Attacks
Rex gets back on his feet by stabbing his swords into the ground at his back and front, then pulling them out to repel nearby opposition. When climbing from a ledge, he swings to his front using whichever armament’s still in his hand (after all, grabbing the stage forces him to temporarily despawn one of them).
Neutral Attack:
Guard Burn
Rex thrusts the cross guard of one of his Blades ahead, which emits a blast of its respective element to flinch foes. A second input sees Rex using his other Firelight Sword to perform a diagonal slash in front of himself, launching anyone trapped by the initial burst. The move’s reach and power are solid, but it’s somewhat slow. Now, here’s what makes this attack weird: the sword Rex uses to stun enemies depends on the direction he’s facing, with the fiery Pyra one being used when facing right, and the light-based Mythra one when facing left. Aside from visuals, the only difference is that a jab from the former detonates explosives.
Forward Tilt:
Azure Combo
Rex cleaves in front of himself with one sword, covering a decent radius and (if spaced correctly) safely poking shields. With an additional input, he follows the cleave up with another one to launch opponents caught by the original, but it’s riskier against guarding foes.
Up Tilt:
Saber Split
Rex slices a Blade in an upward arc, hitting the air to his front, and can do the same with his other Blade (via an extra input) to reach even farther. The technique’s slower than his forward tilt, but sports a wider radius and a higher launch angle.
Down Tilt:
Sword Bash
Rex thrusts both weapons toward the ground in front of himself to disrupt fighters, and can swing the swords in opposite directions (after another input) to launch victims at a horizontal angle. Notably, both parts of this maneuver can hit ledge hangers.
Dash Attack:
Big Impact
Rex finishes his jog by hopping, lifting his Blades overhead, and dramatically slashing them downward as he lands. This sort of dash attack’s familiar, somewhat echoing Link’s, but it hits harder and features a higher jump.
Forward Smash:
Infinity Clap
After a relatively long startup period, Rex forcefully collides the Firelight Swords with each other to trigger a cyan explosion in front of himself. This multi-hitting blast deals considerable damage, but doesn’t launch especially far. That’s because, with an extra input, Rex combines his Blades to form the Pneuma one as the explosion pans out, then separates it again by slashing the original two outward and knocking foes away. This attack’s clearly devastating, but with or without its second part, it’s sluggish and unsafe on shields (though, it’s also great at breaking damaged ones).
Up Smash:
Dual Blast
Rex prepares his sabers, then uses them to perform a deadly uppercut. Uniquely, this technique sends its user a bit skyward (more than, say, Sora’s down smash does), making it something of a Shoryuken-esque attack. This means its strength is incredible at the start, but quickly peters out. Altogether, it’s faster than the forward smash, but harder to land perfectly.
Down Smash:
Holy Flame
Rex aims the tips of his Blades downward, then plunges them into the ground. As he does so, a pillar of light erupts to his front, and one of flames to his back. The former’s a single hit that launches foes vertically, while the latter’s a barrage of hits that launch them horizontally. Regardless, both pillars rise a good distance upward, but don’t extend far beyond Rex’s sides.
Neutral Aerial:
Backward Spinning Edge
Rex holds his swords in a reverse grip and spins horizontally, hitting anyone too close to him. Spinning neutral aerials are commonplace, but this one’s among Rex’s most important moves for approaching from the air or keeping combos going. That being said, its range and cooldown are somewhat poor, so whiff at your own risk.
Forward Aerial:
Feral Blade
Rex readies the Pneuma Blade, winds it up, then performs a powerful horizontal slash to his front. This forward aerial’s heft is a lot like Cloud’s, but its launch angle and smaller hitbox are more reminiscent of Greninja’s.
Back Aerial:
Reverse Anchor
Rex dismisses the Mythra sword and aims his left arm backward, then fires his signature anchor at a slightly upward angle. The hook goes about as far as Simon’s back aerial does, but is significantly weaker. However, it also echoes Simon’s aerials in that Rex can use it to grab ledges, offsetting his mediocre recovery.
Up Aerial:
Vortex Edge
Rex points one saber skyward and spins it in a multi-hitting circle, then withdraws it and stabs the other directly upward. As a two-part maneuver that traps foes, it’s a useful tool for juggling.
Down Aerial:
Artifice Smasher
Rex faces the camera, prepares the Pneuma sword, then decisively swings it downward to spike enemies. Although this sort of slow, satisfying aerial isn’t new to Smash (or even Rex’s moveset), this one stands out in that Rex bounces upward upon hitting anything underneath himself, including projectiles.
Grab:
Muscle Grip
Rex extends his left arm in an attempt to grab someone, despawning his Mythra Blade as he does so. As expected of a sword fighter, his grappling isn’t all that special, but it has its uses. By the way, when holding smaller items, Rex keeps hold of his white sword instead of the red one.
Pummel:
Hilt Strike
Rex jabs his prisoner with the hilt of his Pyra saber, finishing about as slowly as you’d expect from such a clumsy move.
Forward Throw:
Heat Rush
Rex grasps his remaining sword in both hands, winds it back (like a baseball bat), and swings it directly into his victim to knock them away. While not the strongest kill throw, it could get the job done near the ledge.
Back Throw:
Strong Shot
Rex disengages the red Blade, launches his anchor onto the opponent, turns around, then tugs on its line to lift the foe overhead and slam them into the ground. Despite the throw’s apparent power, it’s more for starting combos than ending stocks.
Up Throw:
Burning Geyser
Rex slashes skyward with his fiery weapon, launching his captive as a flaming pillar appears from the ground and launches them even farther. This throw’s the best at dealing raw damage, as well as hitting multiple combatants in a free-for-all.
Down Throw:
Mighty Beat
Rex trips his prisoner and re-equips his second sword, then hops a bit into the air to bring the Blades down on the enemy and knock them directly upward. Afterwards, Rex can follow up with his up tilt, neutral aerial, up special, or what have you.
Neutral Special:
Anchor Shot
As his white sword disappears, Rex gets ready to release his anchor. From here, players can hold the input to adjust the angle at which this disjoint fires, with its maximum range being about 45° above or below a straight shot. Upon the move’s release, the hook travels the length of two Battlefield platforms in almost an instant, grabbing any foe it hits (provided they’re not shielding) and knocking them toward Rex. Finally, he swings both Blades at the opponent as they reach him, launching them an impressive distance. When used off the ground, this special’s hit grab is replaced by a standard hitbox, stronger than the back aerial and good for tethering Rex to ledges.
Side Special:
Double Spinning Edge
Rex extends both sabers as far to his sides as they’ll go, then swiftly rotates in place (like with Link’s Spin Attack). The speed at which this move comes out, as well as its range and multi-hits, make it Rex’s best out-of-shield tool. However, he’s locked in until it’s over, and it’s not that hard for airborne foes to retaliate. Speaking of which, when used in the air, Rex’s spin ends quicker and rockets him ahead. We’re not talking Fox Illusion levels of distance or anything, but it’s still helpful.
Up Special:
Rolling Smash
Rex leaps forward and slightly upward, spins vertically to build momentum, then rapidly plummets straight downward with his Blades extended. Think Aether, spike and unstoppable fall included, but with only a bit more vertical reach than Spinning Kong. Needless to say, this doesn’t make for an ideal recovery, but when it’s paired with Anchor Shot, Double Spinning Edge, air dodging, and wall jumping, Rex isn’t completely helpless offstage. Besides, this up special’s really strong, sending him at the perfect angle for vaulting over projectiles and killing battered zoners.
Down Special:
Cross Blaze
After some buildup, Rex slashes his swords ahead to summon a massive cross of fire. As an exceptionally slow projectile, it can neutralize other long-range attacks or help the Driver approach pressured opponents. When it does collide with someone, they’ll find that it’s very powerful, dealing exceptional damage and launching them directly upward. From there, it’s not that difficult for Rex to finish them off with a forward aerial. However, that strength’s why it’s so slow and doesn’t travel especially far, meaning it’s definitely not good enough to make its user a pseudo-zoner.
Final Smash:
Catalyst Maelstrom
Rex continues the Xenoblade reps’ tradition of getting help from a companion (or three) for their Final Smashes. I could give the honor to Matthew, Glimmer, or even Godcleaver Shulk, but I’m gonna break from canon a bit and bring XC3’s incarnation of Nia into the fray. As Rex begins the super move, she appears in front of him (proclaiming, “I’ll show you what a Queen can do!”) and pounces forward, using her Catalyst Scimitar to slice through anyone in her way. Afterwards, the Agnian monarch turns around, slashes at caught victims with both her saber and the watery Aegis Sword replicas that float near her back, then says, “Over to you, Rex!” He responds by ending the deluge with the Pneuma Blade and a powered-up Rolling Smash, prompting his partner to heal him a bit and warp out of sight.
Up Taunt:
Salvager’s Code
Rex disengages both sabers, crosses his arms, and states one of four rules of the legendary Salvager’s Code:
“Swim like a fish, drink like one too!”
“Always help others that help you!”
“First have a punch-out, then drink to forget!”
“Never leave a debt unpaid!”
Side Taunt:
Just Getting Started
Rex spins the red Blade, rests it on his shoulder, then says, “I’m just getting started!” Simple, but easily the most realistic taunt of these three.
Down Taunt:
Full of Beans
Maintaining another tradition among Xenoblade fighters (that of repeating other characters’ phrases), Rex dismisses his Pyra sword, puts a fist to his chest, and echoes Matthew by proclaiming, “I’m feeling full of beans!”
Victory Pose #1
The camera closes up on Rex as he holds the Pneuma sword to his face, then lingers near the saber’s cross guard as he slashes it to his side. Throughout this flourish, the weapon emits its usual cyan particles.
Victory Pose #2
Rex and Nia stand back to back and perform a few mock sword swings, the former holding his wife’s Catalyst Scimitar and the latter her Aegis Sword lookalikes. All the while, the Gormotti exclaims, “Phew, I’m knackered!” It’s not uncommon for Final Smash helpers to appear in victory poses, hence Nia’s encore.
Victory Pose #3
Rex, back toward the camera, plunges the red sword’s tip into the ground and holds the white one to his shoulder. He then stares into the distance and states, “I won’t let the world burn a second time!”
Victory Fanfare
Although I’d never turn down a new Xenoblade fanfare, since XC2’s “Battle!!” is already associated with Stoutheart Rex, and a remix of it backs Pyra and Mythra’s wins, I think it’s only right that they share the track with their Driver.
Closing Thoughts
To tell you the truth, having played as Rex for the first time in Future Redeemed, it didn’t dawn on me how tastefully the game revived and evolved him. At the time, I assumed they were pushing his old self under the rug and replacing him with the rawest substitute imaginable. I mean, no way could that kid with the goofy diving suit have really matured into this stoic veteran, right? But after finally getting around to playing Xenoblade 2, I found out for myself that Rex was fantastic from the start. In reality, his Stoutheart version’s physique, aura, and comically large family are the natural endpoint for a man with as much valor and wisdom as he has. His original journey could only portray that growth through a temporary Master Driver suit, so it’s a good thing Xenoblade 3 laid his success out for all to see! Whether or not it’s enough to earn him another chance at Sakurai’s wild ride, I’m more than satisfied with what this character and his series have become. As we approach the end of the Switch era, Xenoblade leaves it with a brighter future than ever, and I can’t wait to see what it does next. Until then, I hope to keep using Smash concepts and whatever other means I can think of to spread the good word!
