For those who have not completed games in the Xenoblade Chronicles series, this page contains spoilers regarding the plot. Discretion is advised. |
- "We may die if we take a stand here. But staying gives us the chance to change our destinies."
- — Dunban
Dunban (Japanese: ダンバン, Danban; English dub: /ˈdʌnbæn/) is a Homs, and is one of the seven playable characters in Xenoblade Chronicles. Dunban serves as the voice of reason for the group, willing to kill a Homs in order to bring peace. Dunban owns a house in Colony 9 where he lives with his sister Fiora. Riki calls him "Dundun".
Personality
Dunban is a soldier and a hero with a true heart. He is always willing to put his own life on the line to save everyone else. He is easily one of the most mature members of Shulk's party, if not the most mature, frequently reminding the others not to get cocky or careless and stay focused. He does at times let his boldness get to his head, but he tries to avoid being a coward and motivate his fellow comrades to do the same. As second-in-command and mentor/advisor of the team, Dunban is the voice of reason and speaks for everyone in some of the most dire times.
Dunban is also unshakably determined, even more so than the rest of the party, continuing to wield the Monado even after it started to degrade his body and paralysed his right arm, though he was ultimately relieved when Shulk took it off his hands. In a Heart-to-Heart, Sharla expresses sympathy that Dunban losing the use of his right arm is his reward for stopping the Mechon assault on Bionis the year before. Dunban, however, states that he has no regrets, as he did what had to be done and they would never have repelled the Mechon without the Monado.
Dunban almost never forgets that family and friends are important even in the battlefield. He serves as a mentor to Shulk and Reyn; but even though he has patience, he knows better than to be their babysitter and expects them to depend on their own strength.
Like Shulk, he is very protective of his younger sister Fiora. As her older brother as well as the only biological family member she has close to him, her safety and well-being are his biggest concern. When he thought he lost her, he tried to stay strong and not let his emotions get the best of him; but he loses his temper after he finds out who "murdered" her. Fiora also says that Dunban is a big softy and cries when nobody is around but that he hates anyone knowing about it.
Gameplay
Dunban has a variety of moves that allow him to deal a great amount of damage towards an enemy. In addition, many of his attacks combo together (and with status effects that a single party member usually cannot achieve), making his moves very effective. He also possesses many moves that draw aggro to him or increase his speed/evasion. His downside is his poor HP. Wearing heavy armour to increase Physical Defence does not fix this problem, as Dunban is more oriented toward evading attacks than taking damage.
One of Dunban's greatest strengths is his ability to fight up-level; he has many options suited toward this. High Agility (which Serene Heart can boost further) allows him to deal consistent damage against opponents that non-ether fighters have almost no chance of hitting. With sufficient talent levels, this accuracy allows him to maintain debuffs from moves such as Worldly Slash against Unique Monsters with very little downtime. He will usually hold aggro from damage alone in these scenarios, making it important to emphasize evasion and healing from another party member.
Story
A high-ranking soldier of Colony 9, Dunban was originally thought to be the only one capable of wielding the legendary Monado. He used the Monado to repel the invading Mechon forces at the Battle of Sword Valley, one year prior to the game's main story. During the battle, the Monado took a considerable toll on Dunban's health, causing his right arm to become almost completely paralysed and preventing him from wielding the Monado, as any further exposure to the weapon could kill him. Despite the damage, Dunban is still able to effectively wield a katana, albeit with his left hand. He joins the party permanently after Xord is defeated.
General stats
Max Level | Max HP | Max Strength | Max Ether | Max Agility |
---|---|---|---|---|
99 | 5,530 | 541 | 350 | 148 |
※ These stats are raw and do not include the bonuses from the skill lines.
- each Auto Attack hit adds 5% to his talent gauge
- high agility and accuracy which can be boosted with Serene Heart
- high damage per second with correspondingly high aggro gain; can fill in as aggro absorber by dodging attacks
- can combo status effects very quickly with the use of Gale Slash
- can single-handedly Break and Topple enemies
- one of two characters with a reliable Topple art, along with Reyn
- can forcibly Daze or topple multiple enemies with Thunder and Demon Slayer
- multiple Auras for drawing/removing aggro or curing debuffs
Arts
- Blossom Dance [Talent Art] (4-hit combo if B is pressed at the correct time)
- Gale Slash (inflicts Bleed)
- Electric Gutbuster (causes Break if used after Gale Slash)
- Peerless [Aura] (cures party of confusion, draws aggro and increases strength)
- Worldly Slash (2-hit combo lowering phys. def., also lowers strength when used after Gale Slash)
- Battle Eye [Aura] (causes Lock-On, increases double attack rate, evasion fills talent gauge)
- Steel Strike (Topples an enemy suffering from Break)
- Spirit Breath [Aura] (removes debuffs, grants Haste)
- Blinding Blossom (transfers aggro from a team member to Dunban)
- Serene Heart [Aura] (increases accuracy and evasion, higher bonus with lower health)
- Tempest Kick (long range ether attack, removes enemy buffs when used after Gale Slash)
- Heat Haze [Aura] (completely removes aggro, guarantees critical hits)
- Thunder (hits enemies behind Dunban with an ether blast, forces Daze when used while an Aura is active)
- Soaring Tempest (multiple hits to enemies in range, hits fill Talent Gauge)
- Jaws of Death [Aura] (increases physical arts damage, revives when incapacitated, fills Talent Gauge when incapacitated)
- Final Flicker (fills Talent Gauge in exchange for HP)
- Demon Slayer (all enemies suffer forced Topple when used to kill an enemy)
Monado Arts
During the Battle of Sword Valley and the second round of the story battle event at Central Plaza when the Mechon attack Colony 9, Dunban wields the Monado and can perform three arts:
- Activate Monado [Talent Art] [Aura].
- Buster - Damages enemies in a straight line. Mechon suffer double damage.
- Enchant - Allows allies to damage Mechon for a time and boosts attack power.
Skill trees
Dunban has the following Skill Trees:
Bravery is one of Dunban's initial three skill trees, and the first skill is unlocked at the start of the game.
Prioritizing Bravery improves Dunban's counter-attack rate based on the number of skills that have been unlocked in this tree:
Skills Unlocked | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Counter-Attack Rate Increase | 4% | 6% | 8% | 10% | 15% |
Skills
Frame | Skill | Effect | SP Cost | Link Cost |
---|---|---|---|---|
Medium Equipment | Allows Medium Armour to be equipped | -- | 10 | |
Invincible Hero | Increases Strength by 10% when HP is full | 700 | 6 | |
Warrior's Ambition | Increases tension by 25% with Battle Start Affinity | 1000 | 8 | |
Overwhelming | Increases aggro drawn when dealing damage by 10% | 2000 | 2 | |
Hero's Valour | 75% chance of increasing max HP by 20% for 40 seconds at the start of a battle | 3500 | 3 |
Wisdom is one of Dunban's initial three skill trees.
Prioritizing Wisdom improves Dunban's Agility based on the number of skills that have been unlocked in this tree:
Skills Unlocked | 0 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Agility Increase | 2 | 5 | 8 | 10 | 12 | 15 |
Skills
Frame | Skill | Effect | SP Cost | Link Cost |
---|---|---|---|---|
Spiritual Awakening | Increases aggro gained by 25% when no armour is equipped | 300 | 2 | |
Reckless Abandon | Increases Agility by 15% when HP is at 50% or less | 700 | 8 | |
Twin Swords | Increases chance of performing a double attack by 5% | 1000 | 18 | |
Natural-Born Warrior | Reduces the combined weight of armour by 5 | 2000 | 5 | |
Inner Peace | Increases Agility by 30% when no armour is equipped | 3500 | 18 |
Prudence is one of Dunban's initial three skill trees.
Prioritizing Prudence improves Dunban's block rate based on the number of skills that have been unlocked in this tree:
Skills Unlocked | 0 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Block Rate Increase | 2% | 4% | 6% | 8% | 10% | 15% |
Skills
Frame | Skill | Effect | SP Cost | Link Cost |
---|---|---|---|---|
Sustained Spirit | Increases the duration of Auras by 10 seconds | 300 | 28 | |
Steel Protection | Reduces Spike damage taken by 20% | 700 | 30 | |
Mind of the Warrior | Reduces depletion rate of the Party Gauge outside of battle | 1000 | 2 | |
Lightweight Expert | Improves Physical Defence and Ether Defence of Light Armour by 15% | 2000 | 28 | |
Critical Drain | Restores 2% of max HP when dealing a critical hit. Affected by Recovery Up gems. | 3500 | 50 |
Obstinance is Dunban's fourth skill tree. It can be unlocked by completing The Balance of Power.
Prioritizing Obstinance improves Dunban's Physical Defence based on the number of skills that have been unlocked in this tree:
Skills Unlocked | 0 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Physical Defence Increase | 5 | 10 | 20 | 30 | 40 | 50 |
Skills
Frame | Skill | Effect | SP Cost | Link Cost |
---|---|---|---|---|
Equipment Expert | Greatly reduces weight of equipment | 200 | 10 | |
Gentleman's Valour | Grants HP Up buff at start of battle. | 500 | 12 | |
Heavy Equipment | Allows heavy weight armour to be equipped. | 800 | 15 | |
Body of Steel | Reduces physical damage taken by 15%. | 1000 | 49 | |
Solid Foundation | Grants immunity to Blow-Down. | 1500 | 45 |
Enthusiasm is Dunban's fifth Skill Tree. It is obtained by completing Stunted Growth, which require 4☆ affinity with Fallen Arm.
Prioritizing Enthusiasm improves Dunban's Strength based on the number of skills that have been unlocked in this tree:
Skills Unlocked | 0 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Strength Increase | 10 | 30 | 40 | 50 | 70 | 100 |
Skills
Frame | Skill | Effect | SP Cost | Link Cost |
---|---|---|---|---|
Charge Acceleration | Grants Haste buff at start of battle. | 200 | 8 | |
Counter Rage | Increases chance of a counter-attack by 10%. | 500 | 6 | |
Ardent Strike | Increases tension gained after a critical hit. | 800 | 7 | |
Deadly Determination | Increases tension gained when using Arts by 10. | 1000 | 58 | |
Blazing Aura | Fills Party Gauge by 20 when activating an Aura. | 1500 | 43 |
Legend
Gem Crafting
Dunban owns unique Shooter and Engineer abilities for Gem Crafting, they are:
Shooter
- Combo Master: Qualities grow stronger when flame is constant.
Engineer
- Strong Flame: Good
- Medium Flame: Poor
- Gentle Flame: Average
Presents
4 hearts
- Love Source (Strange, Other)
2 hearts
- Prairie Dragonfly (Bug ; Colony 9 - Trade: Erik in Colony 9, 1* affinity)
- Rubber Mantis (Bug ; Ether Mine)
- Water Log (Nature ; Satorl Marsh)
- Gypsum Branch (Nature ; Valak Mountain)
- Poisonous Coral (Nature ; Fallen Arm)
- Blue Gear Shard (Parts ; Satorl Marsh)
- Gold Condenser (Parts ; Sword Valley)
- Plate Snow (Strange ; Colony 9 - Trade: Jolele in Colony 9, 1*)
- Death Bangle (Strange ; Bionis' Leg)
- Lemonade Sky (Strange ; Makna Forest)
- Blue Glow (Strange ; Prison Island)
In Super Smash Bros.
Dunban is shown performing a Chain Attack with Shulk and Riki as Shulk's Final Smash. He also appears as a Trophy in both versions of the game.
A Dunban costume is also available for Mii Fighters as downloadable content.
Quotes
Arts
- "Born in a world of strife!
Against the odds,
we choose to fight!
Blossom Dance!" - "Gale Slash!"
- "Electric Gutbuster!"
- "Steel Strike!"
- "Worldly Slash!"
- "Tempest Kick!"
- [While performing 'Blinding Blossom' art] "Dance with me!"
- [While performing 'Heat Haze' art] "Heat Haze!"or "Die!"
- [While performing 'Battle Eye' art] "Face me if you dare!"
- [While performing 'Spirit Breath' art] "Dodge this!"
- [While performing 'Jaws of Death' art] "I fear not the Jaws of Death!"
- [While performing 'Thunder' art] "Ugh... Thunder!"
- [While performing 'Soaring Tempest' art] "Soaring Tempest!" or "I'll cut you all to shreds!"
- [While performing 'Demon Slayer' art] "Demon Slayer!" or "Taste true strength unleashed!"
- [While performing 'Serene Heart' art] "Stay calm. Stay focused."
Battle
- "For a bunch of soulless machines, they seem to know a thing or two. But we'll see."
- "Follow my lead!"
- "There is no escape!"
- "Amateurish."
- "Leave this to me!"
- "Not bad. Not bad at all."
- "Your days are numbered!"
- [When controlling Dunban and initiating a chain attack] "On my mark!"
- [When controlling Dunban and initiating a chain attack] "Prepare for a fury!"
- "There are things at play here we can't hope to understand."
- "Ah... Just like old times!"
- "At last, we move at the same pace!"
- "You'll be gone before you know what hit you."
- [After a chain attack] "Timing is everything, remember that!"
- [After a chain attack] "Unity is vital for a superior team!"
- [When engaging a higher level enemy] "Was this the wrong tactical decision?"
- [When engaging a higher level enemy] "At least we'll fight!"
- [When controlling Dunban and engaging a higher level enemy] "If we do not fight, we cannot proceed!"
- [When engaging a weak enemy] "I don't have time for small fry!"
- [When controlling Dunban and engaging a weak enemy] "No mercy!"
- [When all other characters are down] "I am Dunban! Attack me if you dare!"
- [When delivering a critical hit] "Felt that, huh?"
- "It's only a matter of time before we lose!"
- "But we mustn't be careless!"
- "I can see this isn't pushing you at all!"
- "Feel the flow of battle!"
Character yells
Shulk
- "SHULK! NOOO!" [When Shulk dies to an enemy] (unused)
- "The real fight begins now, Shulk." [When reviving Shulk]
- "Don't get careless, Shulk!" [When Shulk enters high tension]
- "Push on, Shulk!" [When Shulk enters very high tension]
- "Focus on this moment, Shulk!" [When Shulk gets up one segment of the party gauge]
- "Good call, Shulk!" [When Shulk gets two segments up on the party gauge]
- "Ahhh... THIS is how we used to fight!"
- "Shulk, GO!" [When Shulk is next in a chain attack]
- "Shulk! Superb!" [When Shulk kills an enemy]
- "This is just the beginning, Shulk!" [When encouraging Shulk]
Reyn
- "Reyn! I told you not to lose focus..." [When Reyn dies to an enemy]
- "We aren't here to lose, Reyn." [When reviving Reyn]
- "Reyn! Don't lose your cool!" [When Reyn enters high tension]
- "I praise your fighting spirit, Reyn!" [When Reyn enters very high tension]
- "Reyn! Keep up that momentum!" [When Reyn gets up one segment of the party gauge]
- "Good! Just don't run off by yourself, Reyn!" [When Reyn gets two segments up on the party gauge]
- "And let's keep it that way, Reyn!"
- "Reyn! NOW!" [When Reyn is next in a chain attack]
- "Reyn! There!"
- "Reyn, that's good!" [When Reyn kills an enemy]
- "Reyn! Snap out of it!" [When encouraging Reyn]
Sharla
- "No! Sharla!"
- "Sharla, take my hand."
- "That's the spirit, Sharla!"
- "Fire at will, Sharla!"
- "THIS is the power of unity, Sharla!"
- "Let's aim higher, Sharla!"
- "Focus that energy, and let us finish this, Sharla!"
- "Sharla, FULL FORCE!"
- "Sharla, I'm counting on you!"
- "Sharla! Great shot!"
- "Sharla! Pull yourself together!"
Fiora
- "It... can't be..... Fiora!"
- "Stand, my sister."
- "You have become a formidable fighter, Fiora!"
- "Beautiful movement, Fiora!"
- "Unity is vital to a superior team, Fiora!"
- "As I with you, sister!"
- "We're not done here yet, Fiora!"
- "Fiora, your turn!"
- "Fiora! It's down to you!"
- "Fiora, good!"
- "Face your enemy, Fiora!"
Riki
- "Riki!"
- "We need your strength, Riki."
- "Keep it up, Riki!"
- "Go wild, Riki!"
- "Huh... such overexuberance. Watch yourself, Riki."
- "Heh... you may be right, Riki."
- "We shall follow your lead, Riki!"
- "Riki! Don't mess up!"
- "Riki! Attack!"
- "Riki strikes!"
- "The real fight starts now, Riki!"
Melia
- "Melia! I'm sorry....."
- "Melia! Time to fight."
- "Melia! This is unexpected!"
- "Give no quarter, Melia!"
- "Melia, You think as I do."
- "Exactly, Melia! That's the source of our strength!"
- "Melia... your kind words spur me on!"
- "Melia! Get ready!"
- "Melia! Over there!"
- "Melia! Impressive!"
- "We need you, Melia!"
Vision Warnings
- "Reyn! Got some trouble."
- "Sharla, what should we do?"
- "Riki! Time to prove your mettle as a hero!"
- "Melia, let's go!"
- "Fiora. You can do it, right?"
- [Warning Shulk] "You saw a vision, yes?"
Post-battle dialogues
Party Members | Dialogue |
---|---|
Shulk, Reyn, Dunban | Reyn - Dunban, with you around, there ain't no stopping us! Shulk - Totally! Dunban - Don't get cocky! Stay focused, stay sharp! Shulk & Reyn - Yes sir!
|
Shulk, Sharla, Dunban | Shulk - Sharla, could you teach me how to use a rifle sometime? Dunban - So that's how it is. Giving up the sword already? Shulk - No, no! That's not it at all! Sharla - Oh let him have a go, Dunban.
|
Shulk, Dunban, Melia | Shulk - Melia, it'd be great if you taught me how to use ether! Dunban - So that's how it is. Giving up the sword already? Shulk - No, no! That's not it at all! Melia - I'm speechless.
|
Shulk, Dunban, Riki | Dunban - Riki, mighty Heropon, I can see that you're in pain. Riki - Hmph, nothing can beat Riki. Shulk - Dunban, you're embarrassing Riki!.
|
Shulk, Dunban, Fiora | Dunban - Fiora, how are you doing? Fiora - I'm fine, Dunban. But thanks for asking. Shulk - I wish I had a brother or sister. You guys look like a real family. Fiora - Well... you're basically like our baby brother. Shulk - What!? Baby brother!? Fiora - *Laugh* Be careful what you wish for.
|
Reyn, Sharla, Dunban | Reyn - How would you rate me in that battle? Dunban - Amateurish! Sharla - Yes, amateurish. Reyn - Aw, man. After all my training
|
Reyn, Dunban, Melia | Reyn - You can't have a rainbow without Reyn, baby! Melia - Dunban, I think you need to have a talk with Reyn. Dunban - No. Let's pretend it didn't happen.
|
Reyn, Dunban, Riki | Reyn - Ha! When the going gets going, the tough get tough. Riki - *Laughs* Even Riki know that not right. Dunban - Reyn, what are you babbling on about?
|
Reyn, Dunban, Fiora | Dunban - Fiora, are you okay? Fiora - Yeah, I'm doing okay. Reyn - I'm doing good 'n' all, Dunban. Dunban - I don't remember asking about you. Reyn - Oh wait. I got a sudden pain in the neck Fiora - Okay. Enough messing around. Let's move on.
|
Sharla, Dunban, Melia | Sharla - Isn't it quiet without Reyn or Riki around? Dunban - Agreed. Let's continue with this team. Melia - *Laughs* Hero of the Homs, you have a mean streak.
|
Sharla, Dunban, Riki | Dunban - And as one, we will always be victorious! Riki - Justice to you all, Riki and Dundun is here! Sharla have no scary! Dunban - Ha! That's right, Riki! Sharla - Good to have you with us, Dunban. Riki - W-what about Riki?
|
Sharla, Dunban, Fiora | Dunban - Fiora, don't push yourself too hard. Fiora - Thanks, Dunban. You too. Sharla - Family is so important. I wonder how Juju's doing.
|
Dunban, Melia, Riki | Melia - He's so cuddly, I could almost cuddle him to death! Dunban - Riki may well be the softest of all Nopon. Riki - Riki suddenly feel afraid!
|
Dunban, Melia, Fiora | Melia - Fighting besides Homs and Mechon. I never imagined this day would come. Dunban - And as one, we will always be victorious! Fiora - I fight with pride and all my strength.
|
Dunban, Riki, Fiora | Riki - Do friends think Riki is good Heropon? Dunban - You're doing a magnificent job as Hero. Riki - Really?! Oh, Riki so happy! Fiora - *Laugh* Good for you, Riki.
|
Gallery
Characters in Xenoblade Chronicles | |
---|---|
Playable Characters | Shulk · Reyn · Fiora · Sharla · Dunban · Melia · Riki |
(FC) | Melia · Shulk · Kino · Nene |
Homs | Alvis · Dickson · Gadolt · Juju · Mumkhar · Otharon · Vangarre |
Nopon | Chief Dunga · Oka |
Ponspectors (FC) | Dekadeka · Drydry · Evelen · Faifa · Fofora · Hekasa Nonona · Setset · Tei-Tei · Tentoo · Tutu · Wunwun |
High Entia | Kallian · Lorithia · Sorean · Tyrea · Yumea |
(FC) | Gael'gar · Helmaline · Maxis · Teelan · Tyrea |
Machina | Egil · Linada · Miqol · Vanea |
(FC) | Radzam |
Gods | Meyneth · Zanza |