Do Core Chip bonus effects count towards Merc Group strength requirements?

[Demir]

Some Merc Group missions have requirements that can only be met by blades with a minimum level of strength. Does this strength requirement include bonus effects from Core Chips?

For example, the https://xenoblade.fandom.com/wiki/Magnet_Chip#Special_Effects_ says it will increase Strength by 50 if it's used on a blade that uses Whipswords or Dual Scythes as a weapon. Would that bonus strength count for Merc Mission requirements?

[Marcee]

This is a case of XC2's unfriendly terminology biting you.

A Core Chip's bonus strength does not apply to Merc Mission strength requirements because the two uses of the word "strength" here are referring to two distinct and entirely unrelated things.

• When Core Chips modify "Strength", they're modifying the Driver's Strength stat, thus increasing the amount of physical damage dealt when that Blade is active.
• When a Merc Mission is asking for a Blade's "Strength", they're checking the Blade's Strength stat, which is the number of unlocked nodes in their Affinity Chart.