Drivers are the human (or equivalent) party members who equip Blades and enter the field. The base game eventually gives you a full team of Drivers with distinct weapon affinities, story arcs, and AI tendencies. Building around those tendencies is more important than forcing every rare Blade onto Rex.
This page summarizes the main Drivers players use through a standard campaign and what to consider when assigning Blades or Overdrive Protocols.
This page stays focused on drivers with concrete menu and combat vocabulary so you can apply it on your next session without reopening a general overview.
01
Rex
Rex is the primary protagonist and default player character for much of the game. His partnership with Pyra and Mythra makes him the easiest Driver to keep as a damage anchor. He is flexible with many weapon types, which is why players often park top-tier rare Blades on him—but spreading strong utility Blades to other Drivers usually improves overall party DPS and survivability.
If you control Rex, invest in Art layouts that start Driver Combos and feed Specials quickly. His kit should create openings the rest of the party can continue.
Many players keep Rex as the controlled character through mid-game because Aegis Specials are readable and powerful. Still park utility Blades on other Drivers so AI partners contribute Breaks, heals, and secondary elements instead of standing still.
02
Nia and Tora
Nia is the early-game healing pillar. Even after more Drivers join, keeping a dedicated healing Blade identity on Nia prevents a huge number of restarts. Her story path also matters mechanically later, so do not treat her as a temporary companion.
Tora cannot resonate with normal Core Crystals the same way other Drivers do. Instead he uses Poppi, an artificial Blade upgraded through ether crystals, Tiger! Tiger!, and related crafting systems. Investing in Poppi is mandatory for a strong Tora and optional for nobody who wants easier late-game content—her customization range is enormous.
Invest in Nia’s healing affinity nodes even if her damage looks lower on paper; wipes cost more time than slower kill speeds. For Tora, schedule Tiger! Tiger! sessions between story beats so Poppi upgrades do not become a post-game guilt project.
03
Mòrag and Zeke
Mòrag joins as a disciplined combatant with strong tanking and control potential depending on Blade assignment. She often thrives with weapons and Arts that keep enemy attention stable while Rex commits to damage routes.
Zeke arrives later with high damage ceiling and flashy Special identity. He is a common home for offensive rare Blades once Overdrive Protocols allow rearranging the roster. Treat both Drivers as full party members, not bench warmers—AI Drivers still execute combos and Chain Attack steps.
When Mòrag and Zeke join, rebalance Overdrive ambitions: put tank or control kits where AI can hold aggro, and park pure DPS rares on the Driver you control most. A flashy Zeke Special means little if the rest of the team is dead.
FAQ
Questions players ask first
Can I rearrange Blades freely between Drivers?+
Not freely. Overdrive Protocols transfer a Blade to another Driver and stay limited for much of a first playthrough. Move Blades only when weapon mastery or role structure clearly benefits.
Who should I control?+
Rex is the default learning character, but controlling a healer or tank can make awkward bosses easier because human timing beats AI item decisions. Swap control when a fight stalls for more than a few attempts.