Tales of Xillia utilizes the DR-LMBS, or Dual Raid Linear Motion Battle System. Characters can freely chain regular attacks and TP-consuming Artes together through the use of Assault Counter (AC) points. Furthermore, a new Link feature allows for two party members to attack together and utilize powerful dual-character Link Artes.
Overlimit, a returning feature from games such as Tales of Vesperia and Tales of the Abyss, enables the use of Mystic Artes.
In a first for the mothership titles in the series, players will experience the game through a behind-the-back viewpoint, rather than the standard over-head viewpoint. Buildings and structures in towns are actual size, as compared to the character, as a part of the game's more lifelike experience.
The game features two main characters, one male and one female, from different character designers. Both characters live in the world of Liese Maxia, where humans, spirits and demons are able to reside together in harmony. The game marks the first time both character designers have worked together on a single game. Both designers have previously designed characters separately for different Tales games, with Fujishima working with Team Symphonia and Inomata working with Team Destiny.
Jude Mathis
Age: 15; Height: 163cm
Voiced by: Tsubasa Yonaga (Japanese)
A male who attends a medical school in the royal city who excels and gets things done. Of his own volition, he left his hometown and is now training in a hospital at the metropolis Il Fan. He is usually a calm and composed boy, but may tend to be suddenly impulsive at times. He usually finds himself in little disputes due to his somewhat meddlesome behavior. One day, a number of people are sent to the hospital due to a backfiring of a Spirit Arts. Upon doing an investigation on what may have caused the failure at a military laboratory, he meets Milla. He feels great adoration for Milla, who seems to have some sort of special mission, so he believes he can be of use to her. He is designed by series veteran Kōsuke Fujishima, who had previously designed characters for Tales of Phantasia, Tales of Symphonia, Tales of the Abyss and Tales of Vesperia.[6] He uses his fists as his choice of weapon, similar to Senel Coolidge from Tales of Legendia.
Milla Maxwell
Age: 20; Height: 168cm
Voiced by: Miyuki Sawashiro (Japanese)
She is able to summon all four spirits of earth, water, wind and fire, and actually claims to be the Maxwell. She claims to have been enshrined in the mountains, but has come to the military lab upon sensing the annihilation of large numbers of spirits. When it comes to fulfilling her duty of watching over the world, she shows no hesitation and is disgusted by those with no sense of responsibility. Though being someone of the spirits' intellect, she has no idea how to live as a human, making her quite interested in matters about humans and its civilization. In fact, she feels no hunger because Mana is basically her energy source. Normally though, she is an honest person and a natural airhead. She is designed by series veteran Mutsumi Inomata, who had previously designed characters for Tales of Destiny, Tales of Eternia and, most recently, Tales of Graces, among other Tales games.
Alvin
Age: 26; Height: 182cm
Voiced by: Tomokazu Sugita (Japanese)
A competent mercenary that has been wandering many places around the world. He is quite sociable with everyone and constantly displays such a mature composure. He can deliver what is needed of him, though he doesn't talk much about himself and can easily hide his feelings effectively. Though it seems that he only acts for himself at times, he can be in fact pretty calculating. He is designed by Kōsuke
Fujishima.
Leia Rolando
Age: 15; Height: 158cm
Voiced by: Saori Hayami (Japanese)
A bright and energetic girl who's a childhood friend of Jude's. While she serves as a "poster girl" for the inn run by her family, she was also working as an apprentice nurse at the clinic run by Jude's parents. She feels sympathetic with her companions, but takes it upon herself to raise their spirits and get rid of their worries. She's passionate about competitions in things like martial arts and sports, but thinks effort is more important than winning. After Jude and Milla return to his hometown of Lu Rondo, they meet Leia. Leia joins them to search for a valuable ore that is needed to heal Milla's legs, which were severely injured in the fight with Nachtigal. After healing Milla, Leia decides to join the party, without telling her family, having found a rival in Milla for Jude's affection, and wanting to change herself to become a stronger person. She is designed by Mutsumi Inomata.
Elise Lutus
Age: 12; Height: 145cm
Voiced by: Yuki Horinaka (Japanese)
A master of spirit summoning artes despite her young age. She was apparently raised in a strange and unique environment, so she becomes very shy whenever she engages in conversations. Though she has a dislike for other people, she dearly adores Jude, whom she considers her very first friend. She is designed by Kōsuke Fujishima.
Tipo
Age: N/A; Height: N/A
Voiced by: Haruna Ikezawa (Japanese)
Elise's stuffed doll that she carries around. It is animate and can apparently speak. Since Elise is poor at conversations, Tipo is usually the one who follows up on what to say. It is designed by Daigo Okumura, who previously worked in Tales of Symphonia: Dawn of the New World.
Rowen J. Ilbert
Age: 62; Height: 175cm
Voiced by: Mugihito (Japanese)
An elderly man who is the butler of a wealthy noble family. Though he usually has a gentle expression on his face, he can occasionally give off a sharp, intense feeling through the glint of his eyes. He is very knowledgeable about everything and is very good at making rational judgments depending on the state of affairs. He is by appearance the oldest playable character ever made in Tales' history. He is designed by Mutsumi Inomata.
