Xenoblade Chronicles 2 How to Increase Trust: Fastest Farming Methods
Discover how to increase trust in Xenoblade Chronicles 2 on Nintendo Switch. Learn how to spam pouch items, use Merc Missions, and optimize combat.
Quick answer
- Spam pouch items in a Driver's pouch, overwriting them immediately to gain instant trust bonuses.
- Purchase Noponcho in Fonsett (+21 trust) or Leftherian food (+18 trust) for the fastest trust gains.
- Send Blades on Merc Missions starting in Chapter 3 for passive trust progression.
- Reach gold affinity links in combat for a steady +10 trust boost per encounter.
How to Increase Trust in Xenoblade Chronicles 2
In Xenoblade Chronicles 2 on the Nintendo Switch, managing your Blade's trust level is crucial for unlocking their full potential. To increase trust is a requirement to progress a Blade's affinity chart, unlock specific battle abilities, and access exclusive Blade quests.
While you will naturally build trust as you play, maximizing a Blade's affinity chart requires thousands of trust points. Fortunately, you can use highly efficient farming methods to reach maximum trust quickly.
The Fastest Trust Farming Method: Pouch Item Spamming
The absolute fastest way to resolve how to increase trust in Xenoblade Chronicles 2 is by repeatedly putting items into a Driver's pouch.
When you place any item into a Driver's pouch, all currently equipped Blades on that Driver instantly receive a flat trust bonus. The key to this method is that you do not need to wait for the pouch item's timer to expire. You can immediately place another item into the pouch, overwriting the active one, to instantly gain the trust benefit again. By purchasing items in bulk and mashing the selection button, you can accumulate thousands of trust points in minutes.
Note that while using a Blade's favorite item or favorite item category increases the item's standard in-battle stat effects, it does not grant any additional trust. For trust grinding, you should ignore favorite items and focus purely on items that offer the highest trust value per purchase.
Step-by-Step Pouch Spamming Guide
To execute this method efficiently, follow these steps:
Once in the pouch menu, simply mash the A button to continuously overwrite the active item. Each button press will instantly apply the item's trust value to all equipped Blades.
Best Pouch Items for Farming Trust
Different pouch items yield different amounts of trust. For the most efficient grind, you should target specific shops in Fonsett (accessible starting in Chapter 5) or opt for cheaper early-game alternatives.
| Pouch Item | Trust Gained | Location | Cost / Unlock Requirement |
|---|---|---|---|
| Noponcho | +21 trust | Fonsett | Standard shop item (Chapter 5) |
| Fragrant Samod Stralu | +18 trust | Fonsett | ~300–324G; requires "Nopon Cooking" Merc Mission |
| Veg and Oyster Aspic | +18 trust | Fonsett | ~300–324G; requires "Nopon Cooking" Merc Mission |
| Pipestraw Smoothie | +18 trust | Fonsett | ~300–324G; requires "Merchant Ship" Merc Mission |
| Uraya Meat Items | +12 to +15 trust | Uraya | ~90G (at maximum Development Level) |
| Torigoth Items | +10 to +12 trust | Torigoth | Cheap early-game starter items |
For late-game farming, Noponcho is highly recommended as it provides the highest trust value (+21) per click. If you are on a budget or farming in the mid-game, buying cheap meat items in Uraya for 90G is an incredibly cost-effective alternative.
Alternative Ways to Raise Trust
If you want to break up the monotony of pouch spamming, you can also increase trust through standard gameplay activities.
Combat and Affinity Links
Engaging in battle increases trust in two ways:
- Encounter Completion: You receive a small, passive trust boost for every battle encounter you win.
- Gold Affinity Links: During battle, a colored line connects your Driver and Blade. When this affinity link turns gold and solid (indicating maximum battle affinity), you are awarded an extra +10 trust instantly.
Merc Missions
Unlocked in Chapter 3, Merc Missions are an excellent passive method to increase trust. Sending a squad of Blades on a Merc Mission will award a small trust boost to all participating Blades upon completion. Most standard Merc Missions take about 10 to 15 minutes of real-world time, making this a great way to passively level your backup Blades while you explore.