Honestly, the Xenoblade X Trade Agreement mission is the ultimate "where the heck do I go" moment in gaming history. If you've played Xenoblade Chronicles X, you know the struggle. Most missions in this game give you a nice little yellow navigation ball to follow. Not this one.
Warawa, a Nopon in New Los Angeles, basically hands you a garbage card and tells you to go trade up for a legendary Gold Nopopotamus. Then, she just stares at you. No waypoints. No map markers. It’s like the developers decided to test your sanity by making you talk to every single NPC in a city the size of a small country.
The Most Frustrating Quest in NLA?
It's definitely up there. What makes it so tricky is that it’s not just one path. There are actually multiple ways to get that gold card, but the game doesn't explain that. You've got to find specific people hidden in the weirdest corners of the Commercial, Industrial, and Residential Districts.
If you’re stuck right now, don’t worry. You aren’t bad at the game; the game is just being mean.
Prerequisites: You Can't Just Jump In
You can't even start this quest until you’ve put in some serious work. Seriously. You need to have finished Chapter 7 of the main story. On top of that, there's a laundry list of side quests that act as gates.
You need to have completed:
- BFFs
- Circle of Life
- Dead Men Tell No Tales
- Prone Sweet Prone
Only after all that will Warawa show up on East Melville Street in the Commercial District to give you the quest. She starts you off with a Bronze Blatta Card. It’s basically the "paperclip" in that old "trade a paperclip for a house" story.
The Fastest Path to the Gold Nopopotamus
While there are a few branching paths—like trading with a guy named Zurranik on the Ma-non ship—most people want the path of least resistance. Let's look at the most direct route.
Step 1: The First Trade
Take that Bronze Blatta Card and find Liviana. She’s in the Commercial District, usually standing near Sarah's Market on North Founders Street. She’ll trade you a Bronze Cinicula Card. Easy enough.
Step 2: The Nopon in the Dumpster
Next, you need to find Pirapira. She’s hiding in a back alley behind the Rosemoss Restaurant (near West Melville Street). She’s literally by some dumpsters.
This is where it gets annoying. She won’t just trade; she wants "processing materials."
You’ll need:
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- 5 Coaletris (Found in Primordia)
- 2 Meteo Eaters (Also Primordia, specifically North Janpath Plain or Silent Mire)
Give those to her along with your card, and she’ll give you a Silver Mortifole Card.
Step 3: Pizza and Ma-non
Head over to the Ma-non Ship. Go to the Starboard area and look for Capsica. She’s usually sitting at a table with other Ma-non, probably eating pizza. Trade your Mortifole card for a Ma-non Hunting Kit.
Step 4: The Poolside Chat
Now, go to the Residential District. Find Wilbur. He’s hanging out by a swimming pool in the Ishmael Hills area (east of the sports complex). Give him the hunting kit, and he’ll hand over the Silver Xiphias Card.
Step 5: The Tennis Court Finish
Almost there. Walk over to the Sports Complex in the Residential District. Find the Orphean named Ton'barac on the tennis courts. Trade the Xiphias card for the legendary Gold Nopopotamus Card.
The "Secret" Character You Might Miss
There is one detail about the Xenoblade X Trade Agreement that completionists absolutely need to know. There’s an NPC named Lonlon (a Nopon) who only appears during this mission.
He’s in the Industrial District near the Integrated Production Plant. If you want to complete your Affinity Chart, you have to talk to him before you finish the quest. If you turn in the Gold Nopopotamus to Warawa without talking to Lonlon, he disappears forever.
Seriously. Gone. If you're a 100% completionist, this is your one warning.
Why This Mission Still Matters
Honestly, the Trade Agreement is a perfect example of why people still love (and hate) Xenoblade Chronicles X years later. It forces you to actually live in NLA. You have to learn the streets, notice where the Ma-non hang out, and pay attention to the different alien species living together.
It’s frustrating, sure. But it’s also one of the few quests that feels like a real scavenger hunt rather than just "go here and kill five things."
Actionable Insights for Players
If you're jumping back into the game—maybe on the original Wii U or the Definitive Edition—keep these tips in mind:
- Check your Collectopedia: Before starting, check if you already have the Coaletris and Meteo Eaters. It saves a trip back to Primordia.
- Talk to Lonlon first: Seriously, do not forget him in the Industrial District.
- Use the Map: Even though there are no waypoints, use the district names to narrow down your search areas.
- Ignore the "Disagree" Option: When Warawa first asks you to help, just agree. Disagreeing just wastes time and doesn't change the outcome.
Once you have that gold card, head back to Warawa on East Melville Street. She’ll go on a weird ramble about her fantasies once you hand it over. You can choose to stop her or let her talk, but the rewards are the same. Mission complete. Finally.
Next Step: Check your Affinity Chart for any gaps in the Residential District NPCs, as completing this quest often opens up new dialogue branches with the neighbors of the people you just traded with.