Dickson

The future doesn't belong to you! For those who have not completed games in the Xenoblade Chronicles series, this page contains spoilers regarding the plot. Discretion is advised.

Dickson
Species	Homs Giant
Gender	Male
Age	"44"
Height	1.81 m
Hair colour	Blonde
Eye colour	Brown (Homs form) White (Giant form)
Affiliation	The Disciple Trinity
Voice actor (JP)	Tsuyoshi Koyama
Voice actor (EN)	Anthony May
Main appearances	Xenoblade Chronicles Xenoblade Chronicles 3: Future Redeemed (flashback)

"Let's do this. I'm going with you! You'll need someone to drag your corpse home."

— Dickson

Dickson (Japanese: ディクソン, Dikuson, Dikson; English dub: /ˈdɪksən/) is a veteran of the Battle of Sword Valley a year before the events of Xenoblade Chronicles and a comrade of Dunban and Mumkhar. He is a resident of Colony 9 and looks over Shulk, Reyn and the other residents. He claims to have found Shulk on Valak Mountain with the Monado, and his parents (alongside their entire research group) dead. Dickson raised Shulk as his own.

Appearance

Dickson appears to be forty-four years of age. He wears a pink bandanna and has long blond hair tied in a braid. He wears a black and white patterned waistcoat over a dark blue shirt, which he wears unbuttoned to reveal a chunky amulet with a blue centre. He has a brown belt over white jeans, and white knee-high boots. In combat, he wields a blade that is longer than his arm, and can also double as a gun. This weapon is named a Sabre.

In his Giant form, Dickson is massive, with puce tattooed skin and a large mass of spiked protrusions on his back. These winglike parts of his body are not normal Giant anatomy; they come from the power bestowed by Zanza. He retains his hair, moustache and necklace, and aside from that wears only a dark purple kilt. Instead of his dual purpose gun/sword, he now wields a purple sword which can switch form to become a cannon and in one case, a hammer. His eyes have no pupils or irises.

Story

Xenoblade Chronicles

Discovering Shulk

Before the events of the game, Dickson discovers the Monado in an icy region of Bionis, which is later revealed to be the Ose Tower on Valak Mountain. He finds the only person alive there is a very young Shulk, curled up sleeping below the Monado. Taking both the boy and the sword, he heads out.

Battle of Sword Valley

Dickson with Mumkhar and Dunban at the Battle of Sword Valley

Dickson fights alongside Mumkhar and Dunban at the Battle at Sword Valley, using his rifle/sword to fight. At first he tries to get Dunban to retreat, considering orders to pull back to Colony 6. Dunban refuses, however, and they continue to fight. Dunban later collapses under the Monado's influence, while Dickson jumps to his aid and takes a hit, taking down a Mechon as well. He and Dunban charge at a group of Mechon and survive, while Mumkhar tries fleeing to return for the Monado later on, but appears to be killed by a group of hidden Mechon instead.

Colony 9

Dickson is shown now to be a wanderer who has traveled all over Bionis, not being present in Colony 9 often. He is first seen in the Weapons development lab, reading up on Shulk's research notes on the Monado, asking what the "Hidden functions" Shulk mentions in his notes are. After their conversation, he tells Shulk to get out of the lab more and walks off. He is later seen at Dunban's house, telling Fiora where Shulk would probably have gone, but is not present when the Mechon attack.

Colony 6

After the party is ambushed by Metal Face and his minions outside Colony 6, Dickson and Dunban arrive to aid them. Dickson joins the party temporarily for this fight. However, Metal Face proves too strong even for them, and is only driven off when a Telethia attacks. Dunban joins the party as a playable character after this, with Dickson as a guest leading the way to Satorl Marsh.

When he leaves the party at the end of the marsh, Dickson mutters, unheard, about not feeling good about deceiving "those kids". However, he returns to Colony 9 and aids them in defending against the Mechon.

Sword Valley

Dickson is present at the discussion of an allied battle force being created, the joining of the three sentient races of Bionis against the Mechon. He convinces Kallian of the necessity of war, and goes off to meet the party before they launch their attack on Galahad Fortress. He supplies them with Anti-Mechon Weapons that he built, then leaves immediately with Alvis to return to Alcamoth. Later on, Kallian is informed of the party's disappearance after wrecking the fortress. Dickson calms Kallian by telling him he knows where the party is, before going to meet the party at the Hidden Machina Village on the Fallen Arm before they leave for Mechonis Field.

During the battle of the Allied Front, Dickson is seen piloting a Havres and attacking Faced Mechon. After Mechonis begins to move, Dickson curses Shulk and leaves the battlefield to find the party. He finds them and is in the party until they reach the Mechonis Core, where he stays behind with Alvis as the party goes to confront Egil.

Betrayal

Dickson with his Telethia

Dickson is revealed as one of the primary antagonists during the events at the Mechonis Core, just after the battle against Yaldabaoth and before Mechonis is destroyed. He shoots Shulk in the back as he is making a truce with Egil, incapacitating^※1 him and allowing Zanza to exit Shulk's body.

He then reveals himself as Zanza's Disciple, Dickson of the Trinity, who Egil recognises from much further back - a flashback shows Dickson as a Giant, standing behind Zanza when he first attacked Mechonis.

When the party flees Mechonis on Junks, Dickson is outside waiting for them with an army of Telethia. He attacks the party with his own Telethia. The party is no match for a full group of Telethia, but Kallian appears with the Havres squadron and defends them. Dickson warns Kallian that he should be keeping an eye on his own people rather than the Telethia, and reveals Lorithia to also be a traitor. She begins releasing large quantities of ether, which causes the High Entia in their Havres to transform into Telethia. However, Kallian retains some control over his Telethia form, and attacks Dickson and Lorithia, who are unable to stop him. He flies into them causing an explosion, suggesting that he sacrificed himself in order to destroy the Disciples. Nevertheless, Dickson survives and appears again at the gates of Colony 6 with many more Telethia. The party is once again surrounded and outmatched, but Shulk appears at the last moment, destroying most of the Telethia. Dickson expresses surprise and annoyance that Shulk is somehow still alive, then sends his own Telethia to fight him.

After Shulk defeats it, he commands Alvis to shoulder some of the "hard work", revealing Alvis to be the third member of the aforementioned Trinity. After Alvis' Telethia is defeated, the pair escape on some Licorne Telethia. Alvis says that they will be waiting for the party, and Dickson adds that they will be on their "best behaviour", to which Shulk replies, "And we'll be the best guests you ever had." Dickson acknowledges the good comeback, and once out of sight of the party he starts to shake, showing that he is scared. He laughs at himself, noting that this is the first time he has felt fear.

※1 Although Zanza and Dickson imply that Shulk is dead after he is shot, their assessment is premature: when the party flees to Junks the Story Memo reads "Shulk has managed to hold on to his life but now the party has to find a way out of the Mechonis! They need to escape through the Central Factory to the Ventilation Conduit."

Defeat

Dickson on Prison Island

When Prison Island is revisited, Dickson mocks the party, letting them chase him up through the whole tower after they defeat his "warm-up act". After the party reaches the top of the tower, he tells them that they must fight him and tries to anger Shulk by repeating that he only raised him so Zanza would have a host. However Shulk replies, "I know. And I must thank you for granting me such power. It's all down to you that I'm standing here ready for you now."

Dickson ends the conversation by reverting to his Giant form, and attacks them. Despite Dickson clearly being much stronger than the group they do not give up, and to his surprise Fiora manages to block one of his attacks. He takes this to mean she has inherited Meyneth's power, however she disagrees and claims it to be Meyneth's memories instead. Everyone begins supporting Shulk and Fiora verbally, and they manage to release Zanza and Meyneth's power, presumably left over from when the gods were inhabiting them. Dickson is momentarily stunned by this, pausing to murmur acknowledge the power before attacking again.

The two Homs work together to defeat him, Fiora releasing a huge wave of energy and Shulk leaping forward and slashing him deep across his chest. Dickson reverts to his Homs form, telling them that he is finished, and is going home. He also tells them that he "just wanted the power of a god," and that he would not be a martyr to stop them. The party turns away from him, Dunban lingering slightly, and leave to challenge Zanza. Dickson sits and takes a last cigar, saying, "Damn. How'd that kid get so strong? I ain't gonna let you see me die. I won't give you the satisfaction of victory." His voice begins to rasp, and he remembers the first time he saw Shulk in Ose Tower before finishing with, "Looks like the student finally surpassed the teacher." He smiles slightly before slumping forward, dead. Just before they enter the teleporter to leave, Fiora turns to Shulk and says quietly, "Shulk, his wounds..." Shulk does not answer, but begins to cry. Zanza soon learned of Dickson's passing and was deeply surprised.

Xenoblade Chronicles 3: Future Redeemed

Dickson appears in scenes from Xenoblade Chronicles during the credits of Xenoblade Chronicles 3: Future Redeemed.

Art List

Ether

• Thunder Flash - Deals ether damage.

Status

• Heal Bolt - Restores HP to one party member.

Equipment

None of Dickson's equipment can be unequipped or changed, for the short while he joins Shulk's party when fighting alongside him in Colony 6.

Dickson's weapon is the Sabre, which is a unique rifle with two gems - one of them is Unbeatable VI, and the other is Topple Resist VI; both gems have a value of 100%.

In the first cutscene, Dickson is seen wearing the Middle armor set.

The rest of Dickson's equipment is the Lagoon set: Lagoon Gear, Lagoon Armour, Lagoon Gauntlets, Lagoon Leggings, and Lagoon Boots. Like all of Dickson's equipment, none can be moved or changed.

Battles

Disciple Dickson (Japanese: 使徒ディクソン, Shito Dikuson) is a Boss fought twice in Prison Island's Terrace at level 80.

First Battle

Disciple Dickson
Type	Giant
Movement	Ground
Details
Location	Prison Island (Prison Terrace)
Category	Boss
Level	80
Detection	Sight, 360° at 25 M
Time	Story event
Respawns	No
Rewards
EXP	22,472
AP	648

HP	300,000
Attack	1,680
Ether	1,350
Phys Defence	0%
Ether Defence	0%
Defence Side	-
Agility	130
Double Attack	10%
Critical Rate	25%

The first battle ends when Dickson's HP falls below 50% and he uses Chaos Punish.

Second Battle

Disciple Dickson
Type	Giant
Movement	Ground
Details
Location	Prison Island (Prison Terrace)
Category	Boss
Level	80
Detection	Sight, 360° at 25 M
Time	Story event
Respawns	No
Rewards
EXP	33,708
AP	972

HP	450,000
Attack	1,680
Ether	1,350
Phys Defence	0%
Ether Defence	0%
Defence Side	-
Agility	130
Double Attack	10%
Critical Rate	25%

Both Battles

Arts

Art	Attribute	Multiplier	Hits	Range	Effect	Knockback	Blowdown/Daze
Chaos Combo	Physical	0.9 - 1.1	3	Single	Damage triples when the target is Toppled	Yes	-
Chaos Dash	Physical	2.25 - 2.50	1	Frontal Line	Topple	-	-
Chaos Punish ※2	Physical	3.25 - 3.50	1	Circle around caster	-	-	Yes/Yes
Silent Chaos	Ether	1.25 - 1.50	2	Single	Arts Seal, absorb target's talent gauge	-	Yes/No
Chaos Bullet VI	Talent (Ether)	2.50 - 2.75	1	Frontal Line	Pierce	-	-
Dark Power	Status	-	-	Self	Remove debuffs, debuff immunity, HP recovery (5,000)	-	-
Righteous Anger ※3	Status	-	-	Self	Craze	-	-
Treacherous Anger	Status	-	-	Self	Haste	-	-

※2 First battle ends when Dickson's health falls below 50% and he uses this art
※3 Second battle only; Dickson will continually activate his craze aura when his health is less than 50% of his total HP
※4 Dickson's topple duration is cut by half (1.5 seconds)

Spike

Spike Type	Counter
Range	8
Effect	Paralysis (25)

Resistances

Break	100% ‡	Lock-On	0%	Physical Def. ▼	70%	Agility ▼	100%
Topple	100% ※	Bind	70%	Ether Def. ▼	70%	Aura Seal	100%
Daze	100% ※	Paralysis	100%	Strength ▼	100%	Arts Seal	100%
Sleep	100%	Slow	100%	Ether ▼	70%	Death	100%

※ Except under certain conditions
‡ No resistance during a chain attack

Quotes

Boss

• "Got some fight in you then?"
• "Like that, eh?"
• "Pathetic!"
• "Go on, have some fun!"
• "Time to heal, I think."
• "Playtime is OVER, kids!"
• "FINALLY! A bit of action."
• "Is that all you got?"
• "Maybe I underestimated you lot."
• "That's gonna cost you!"
• "I underestimated you." [Upon defeat]
• "TAKE THIS!"
• "I'm gonna crush you."
• "See how you like this!"
• "I ain't holding back anymore!"
• "You need putting in your place!"
• "You ready for this, small fry?"
• "I won't give you the chance to use that power!"
• "More, MORE! There's plenty of fight left in me!"
• "Heh! Your time's nearly up!"
• "HAH! Best fight I've had in years."

Battle

• "You had another vision? You just leave it to this old fossil."
• "Ok, let's turn the tables on em."
• "How'd you like that?"
• "Hah! That all you got?"
• "Dunban!"
• "Mumkhar!"
• "Shulk! Pick up your sword and fight!"
• "Nap on your own time, Reyn."
• "Is that all you got, Beast boy?"
• "You've gotta support us till the end!"
• "Shulk!"
• "Reyn!"
• "Dunban!"
• "Sharla!"
• "Riki!"
• "Melia!"
• "Tch... I'm past my prime, all right."
• "Time to show em what Homs can really do!"
• "Ah, what a pain."
• "All right, let's do it."
• "Ey, this might be tricky."
• "My bad luck..... ends here and all."
• "You've got a nerve!"
• "What a pain in the-"
• "Bah! Mechon hocus pocus!"
• "STAND STILL!"
• "Forget about it!"
• "There's always a next time!"
• "That ain't like you!"
• "Dare to dodge me?!"
• "Like that, eh?"
• "Pathetic!"
• "Not bad."
• "And another one!"
• "You ain't leaving me behind!"
• "Nice attack!"
• "You even trying?!"
• "Stupid piece of junk!"
• "Hahaha! Well played!"
• "You got the moves!"
• "You're on fire!"
• "Nice dodge!"
• "Teh... pesky rascal..."
• "OK! Let's scrap em!"
• "Save your whining, and fight!"
• "This is gonna be tough."
• "OK, let's finish this job."
• "Ah, cheers."
• "Yeah!"
• "Let's wrap this fight up."
• "Shulk! Good!"
• "Let's see what you got, Reyn!"
• "Getting back into the swing of it, Dunban?"
• "Just keep supporting us, eh?
• "This is a royal pain!"
• "Show this weakling a thing or two!"
• "Let's bury em!"
• "Tch... a whole swarm of em!"
• "Damn! Reinforcments!"
• "All right! Last one!"
• "Get a grip!"
• "You ok?"
• "Man... I'm not what I used to be."
• "You're up next, Shulk!"
• "Boy! You're next!"
• "Charge, beastie!"
• "Sharla! Aim well!"
• "I know!"
• "Ey, we're not done with you yet!"
• "Ok! Well played!"
• "You managing, Dunban?"
• "Mumkhar! Good job!"
• "Gah... there's no end to this."
• "Small fry!"
• "Right! Who else wants some?"
• "Annoying runts!"
• "Are you even trying?"
• "That all you got?"
• "Come on, chin up!"
• "You're in my sights!"
• "Eat this! Thunder bolt!"
• "Hold it! Heal bolt!"
• "There aint no end to this!"
• "You'll have to try harder!"

Trivia

• Dickson's design and character arc shares many strong similarities to Khan Wong, a character from the 1998 game Xenogears, one of the earliest games associated with the Monolith Soft team before they founded their company. Xenoblade Chronicles is usually considered to be a "spiritual successor" of Xenogears; Dickson's similarity to Khan Wong is one of many elements of similarity between these two works.
• Dickson has hidden voice clips in the game's files where he speaks to Mumkhar, Riki and Melia, as well as unused animations (see below), possibly hinting he was going to be playable sometime in development.
  • It should be noted, however, that the voice clips of him speaking to Riki and Melia are not present in the Japanese version of the game, and it is unknown as to why these new lines were recorded for the international releases.
• He may also have been intended to drop Dickson's Amulet, but this was cut from the game.

Gallery

Xenoblade Chronicles

Official art

Concept art of Dickson

Dickson returns to the party

Dickson in the second Battle of Sword Valley

Dickson as a Giant while serving Zanza as Arglas

Unused Assets

Xenoblade Chronicles: Definitive Edition

Official art of Dickson in Definitive Edition

Close-up of Dickson's giant form in the Definitive Edition

Dickson's giant form in the Definitive Edition