Nia

Nia (, Niyah) is the tritagonist of .

Origin
Nia is introduced to the protagonist Rex as a low-ranking member of a group of people searching for a legendary treasure. While she initially balks at having to work with such a young salvager, she finds him easier to hang around with than the stoic and the smarmy. As a, Nia is bonded to a loyal named , who follows her commands and provides powerful water-based attacks and weaponry. The group successfully finds an and hauls up the "treasure" inside: a legendary Blade called the. Rex foolishly touches the red sword, which prompts Jin to immediately kill him, greatly upsetting Nia. When Jin and Malos then order her to kill the rest of the salvagers to cover their tracks, she rebels, and instead joins Rex's side, who has been revived by the Aegis named Pyra. After escaping the scene, Nia joins Rex and Pyra's journey to find, the legendary paradise at the top of the where humanity can take shelter from the sinking continents of the Cloud Sea of Alrest.

Nia is a brash and unfiltered personality. Quick to anger and easily offended, she lashes out at the slightest provocation, with violence when she can get away with it and crass insults otherwise. This is mostly due to her feeling threatened and alone, an outcast from anywhere who knows her origins, with no one but Dromarch to steady her. Should she ever find someone who truly accepts her, she does possess a more caring side and a willingness to fight for someone rather than just against others.

As a Driver, Nia's gameplay is based on whichever Blades she has bonded with. Dromarch cannot be unequipped, so she will always be at least partly in a healing role, even if her other Blades are attackers or tanks. She is one of the better healers due to her high ether stat, but her fighting techniques and animations tend to be subpar compared to other Drivers, and Dromarch is not a particularly powerful Blade. Nia does later unlock a unique mechanic that significantly increases both her offensive and defensive potential, at the expense of being able to use her Blades in checks.

As a costume
Nia appears as a costume for the. Additionally, one of 's s is based on Nia's color scheme.

As a background character
Nia makes an appearance as a background character alongside her Blade Dromarch on Cloud Sea of Alrest.

Spirit
Nia also appears as an Ace-class primary spirit.

Nia uses a Mii Brawler puppet fighter wearing a Nia Wig and Outfit and is fought on the Gaur Plain stage. She is fought along an puppet fighter representing her Blade, Dromarch. During the battle, the puppet fighters heal over time, referencing Dromarch's role as a healing Blade.