Editing Rex

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{{disambig2|the protagonist of {{s|wikipedia|Xenoblade Chronicles 2}}|the mech from {{uv|Metal Gear}}|Metal Gear REX}}

|name         = Rex

|image       = [[File:Rex.png|250px]]

|caption     = [[File:XenobladeSymbol.svg|50px]]

Official artwork of Rex from<br>''{{s|wikipedia|Xenoblade Chronicles 2}}''.

|universe     = {{uv|Xenoblade Chronicles}}

|firstgame   = ''{{s|wikipedia|Xenoblade Chronicles 2}}'' (2017)

|games       = ''[[Ultimate]]''

|lastappearance= ''{{s|wikipedia|Xenoblade Chronicles 2: Torna – The Golden Country}}'' (2018, cameo)

|console     = Nintendo Switch

|species     = Leftherian

|gender       = Male

|homeworld   = Leftherian Archipelago

|creator     = {{s|wikipedia|Masatsugu Saitō}}

|englishactor = {{s|wikipedia|Al Weaver}}

|japanactor   = {{s|wikipedia|Hiro Shimono}}

'''Rex''' ({{ja|レックス|Rekkusu}}, ''Rex'') is the main protagonist of ''{{s|wikipedia|Xenoblade Chronicles 2}}''.

Rex was a 15-year-old salvager from Letheria who lived on a titan named [[Azurda]], which he refers to as "Gramps." One of the salvaging mission Rex agrees to do is joining a team alongside Jin, Malos, [[Nia]], and Dromarch and excavating the Ancient Ship, which Addam sunk underneath the Cloud Sea 500 years prior to protect [[Mythra]] from reawakening and losing control. During the mission, Rex accidentally touches the core crystal of the Aegis and is promptly stabbed through the heart by Jin, who reveals himself to be the antagonist of the game and leads an organization known as Torna. Just before dying, Rex's mind is transported to a memory of Elysium and meets [[Pyra]], who requests him to take her to the real Elysium in exchange for bringing him back to life. Rex agrees and becomes a Driver, which are warriors that can wield Blades like Pyra. With their life forces combined, Rex is resurrected to Jin's surprise. Rex and Malos, Torna's second-in-command as well as another Aegis, battle each other until Azurda rescues Rex and Pyra, as well as Nia and Dromarch, who defect to Rex's side.

The party narrowly escape Torna, but Azurda is severely injured and is forced to revert to his larval form, which is small enough to fit in the compartments of Rex's clothes. While on this brief down time, Rex promises to Pyra that he will protect her and the Aegis at all costs. After that, the party begins to travel around Alrest on their journey to reach Elysium. During these adventures, Rex makes makes new allies in the form of other Blades and Drivers that share the goals of the party.

One of these adventures is a battle with Malos and Akhos, who completely overwhelm and injure the party. In one final effort, Vandham impales himself on the scythes of his Blade, Roc, to fend off Malos, but dies in the process. Enraged, Rex recklessly charges the attackers to get revenge, which forcefully awakens Pyra's alter-ego Mythra in a desperate effort to protect him. This effort works, and Mythra fends of both Malos and Akhos, reverting their Blades Sever and Obrona into Core Crystals, then immediately scolds Rex for pulling that stunt just to awaken her. After this fight, Pyra and Mythra can now swap places during battles, allowing more combat potential for Rex.

The party eventually confronts Jin on a mission to save Pyra, who was previously separated from Rex. The party was entirely defeated and the Aegis sword was broken during the fight. Just before Jin takes Pyra away, he tells Rex that he is responsible for the pain Pyra and Mythra posses. After Rex is forced to retreat, he loses his confidence and contemplates giving up on his mission. However, he learns that a third Aegis sword exists, and Azurda informs the party that he knows the location. Once the third Aegis sword is found, the spirit of Addam appears and says that Rex is worthy of wielding the Aegis and must carry the burden of Pyra and Mythra's fear of their own power. While failing to acquire the third Aegis sword, Rex is able to locate Pyra at the Cliffs of Morytha anyway and the party goes to save her.

Rex appears as part of {{SSBU|Pyra}} and {{SSBU|Mythra}}'s [[Final Smash]]es, where he aids them with their respective moves for the duration of the Final Smash; uniquely among assist characters in such a role, Rex's eyes will also glow when Pyra and Mythra have their Final Smash charged, as well as while assisting them in the attack. Rex also appears in their up [[taunt]]s, [[on-screen appearance]], and two of each of their [[victory pose]]s.

According to Sakurai, the development team considered having Rex fighting alongside Pyra, but this was decided against due to the difficulty the team had with the {{SSBU|Ice Climbers}} in contexts such as [[8-Player Smash]]<ref>https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XeDBCgDSiB4</ref>. Sakurai specifically cited the far more complicated design of Pyra and Mythra compared to the relatively simple appearance of the Ice Climbers. Another issue was getting both character to move at the same time which the development found was impossible to do. This ultimately lead to [[Mythra]] being chosen to represent along with Pyra instead of Rex<ref>https://www.nintendoenthusiast.com/sakurai-considered-rex-and-pyra-as-a-duo-character-for-super-smash-bros-ultimate/</ref>.

Rex was considered for the initial roster alongside other prospective characters like a character from {{uv|ARMS}}, and {{uv|Pokémon}}'s {{pkmn|Decidueye}}; however, he could not be added due to ''Xenoblade Chronicles 2'' being announced after character planning finished in 2016. As an offered alternative, Rex appears as a costume for the {{SSBU|Mii Swordfighter}}. [[Azurda]] (otherwise known as Gramps) in his miniature companion form appears in the set's helmet. The costume comes as a free bonus with purchase of the [[Fighters Pass]] Vol. 1.

Rex is seen in Pyra and Mythra's reveal trailer, searching for a seemingly missing Pyra. When he finds her on {{SSBU|Final Destination}}, she reveals that she was chosen for ''Smash'' over him, much to his surprise.

Rex has a primary spirit in ''Ultimate''. Originally, the spirit had no additional effects. However, with the release of update version {{h2|List of updates (SSBU)|11.0.0}}, Rex's spirit can be enhanced at level 99, giving him his Master Driver form from later chapters of ''Xenoblade Chronicles 2''. This is the first time a spirit was given the ability to enhance, or had their ability changed in general, postlaunch.