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Tinkering with the X-Reader is an optional standard quest in Xenoblade Chronicles 3: Future Redeemed. It allows you to upgrade Matthew’s X-Reader, a device that introduces new upgrades for exploration and combat. It won’t strengthen your characters like Affinity Points will, but it’s still a worthwhile upgrade. Finding the necessary upgrades will require consulting your Enemypaedia to narrow down the item locations. Fully upgrading the X-Reader will require more exploration and grinding as you search for the materials. Fortunately, completing the quest only requires one upgrade, and there’s a good chance you already have the materials necessary.
Starting the Tinkering With the X-Reader Quest in Xenoblade Chronicles 3: Future Redeemed
(Updated on August 26, 2024 – updated links and format)
You must have access to the Aurora Shelf area, which is accessible just after completing the Elevator Repairs quest and finding six Warning Lamps. After going up the elevator, you can find the nearby Elevator Landing Camp, where Jilljill is. To the west of the campfire is Tiny Timtim standing next to a tree. He’s the quest giver, and you get the Tinkering with the X-Reader quest after talking with him. Your goal is to upgrade the X-Reader in one of five categories, then return to Timtim and show him the upgrade. Head to a Camp and select the Upgrade X-Reader option while resting to get started.
Working on the X-Reader Upgrades
Timtim wants you to upgrade the X-Reader with a single upgrade to show him what you can do. The upgrades, required materials, and amounts are:
Treasure Sensor
- Flake Crystal x3 (Common)
- Twin Generators x1 (Rare)
- Shining Ellook Antler x2 (Common)
Sense Analysis
- Flake Crystal x3 (Common)
- Twin Generators x1 (Rare)
- Shining Ellook Antler x3 (Common)
- Ether Cylinder x1
Weakness Sensor
- Fluid Cranker (Rare) x3
- Nebula Fossil (Legendary) x1
- Painted Totem Board (Common) x1
- Ether Cylinder x1
Arts Analysis
- Fluid Cranker (Rare) x3
- Nebula Fossil (Legendary) x1
- Painted Totem Board (Common) x2
- Ether Cylinder x2
Key Item Sensor
- Rabbit Diode x2 (Rare)
- Rainbow Zirconia x1 (Legendary)
- Shoox Flower Whisker x4 (Rare)
The Treasure Sensor is the easiest to complete since the materials are easy to get. Flake Crystal and Twin Generators can be found in the Vermillion Woods, around the Springside Camp in the south part of the map. A Shining Ellook Antler can be found from Olkort Ellook enemies, who are approximately Level 5 and are close to the Springside Camp. Flake Crystals look like rocks when searching for collectibles, while Twin Generators look like screws or gears.
After getting any upgrade (it doesn’t have to be the Treasure Sensor), return to Timtim, and the quest will be complete. You are still free to upgrade the X-Reader as you wish, but there’s nothing more you need to do. There are no additional quest rewards for fully upgrading the X-Reader either.
