Nintendo May Have Spoiled a Particular Xenoblade Chronicles 3 Hero Party Member

If you’ve clicked on this page, then that means you’re alright with likely being spoiled about a potential character in the upcoming Xenoblade Chronicles 3. With that being said, this is the last precaution for those wanting to go in as blind as possible.

On the official Nintendo website for Xenoblade Chronicles 3, one can view specific details about the game, such as the combat system, environments, and more. However, on the tab that states “Strike an unlikely alliance,” where one can scroll through each of the game’s primary party members, there is also a dedicated spot for the Hero Party members.

For those unaware, these are seventh party members who can participate in battle and even offer their own Classes for the main characters to use. The latest Xenoblade Chronicles 3 Direct showcased several of them, though there was one shot where a character was blurred out, viewable below:

Of course, it’s evident that the team wants to veil this blurred character and potentially others for the element of surprise. Unexpectedly though, if one views the graphic used for the Hero Party members on the official Nintendo website, you’ll see the following:

The character on the far left, Ethel, has not only never been confirmed as a Hero Party member but has also been painted as an antagonist to the main characters. She was officially introduced earlier this year for attacking the party for unknown reasons, and no elaboration for her motivations has been provided since.

It’s difficult to tell if the same blurred character in the game UI above is Ethel, but this definitely seems like an oopsie on Nintendo’s part. Regardless, assuming this isn’t somehow an image error, I’m still curious to learn the intricacies of Ethel’s characterization.

Thanks to Twitter user @ActualAero for bringing attention to this information.