Xiao is an immensely popular character in Genshin Impact, celebrated for his captivating character design, rich in-game lore, engaging story quest, and formidable attack skills. He stands out as one of the most potent damage dealers in the game, provided that you equip him with the right weapons and artifacts.
In the game’s lore, the Vigilant Yaksha is one of the divine creations of Rex Lapis, the Geo lord who governs the nation of Liyue. Alongside Xiao, Rex Lapis fashioned four other Yakshas, each endowed with a unique elemental power, to address the lingering aftermath of the Archon War. Unfortunately, these mighty beings met their tragic end, entangled in a phenomenon known as “Karmic Debt,” leading them to a shared destiny. Venti, another prominent character, rescued Xiao from descending into madness through the power of the Dihua Flute.
Whether you are considering summoning Xiao in the future or already have him in your party, this guide will provide you with the best builds, recommended weapons, and essential ascension materials to optimize Xiao’s performance in Genshin Impact.
Xiao’s Talents and Passives in Genshin Impact
Talents and passives take precedence as the most crucial aspects to consider when developing Xiao or any character. Let’s take a closer look at all of his talents.
Xiao Talents
Xiao’s first talent, “Whirlwind Thrust,” involves a sequence of six physical damage attacks in his normal attack. What sets him apart from other characters is his plunging attack; instead of inflicting fall damage from high plunges, Xiao’s charged attack, similar to Jean’s, propels characters upward.
His elemental skill, “Lemniscatic Wind Cycling,” grants two forward lunges that deal Anemo damage. This not only enhances Xiao’s damage output but also aids in evading enemy attacks and facilitating exploration.
The focal point of his abilities is his Elemental Burst, “Bane of All Evil.” When activated, Xiao dons a Yaksha Mask, enhancing his strength, Anemo damage, attack speed, and AoE. Additionally, he gains the ability to leap to great heights and execute plunging attacks for additional damage. It’s worth noting that his elemental burst cannot be overwritten by another elemental infusion.
However, one drawback of the burst is its slow HP depletion, which costs 70 energy, has a 15-second duration, and an 18-second cooldown.
Xiao Passives
Xiao’s first passive, “Conqueror of Evil: Tamer of Demons,” enhances his damage by 5% while in the “Bane of All Evil” (elemental burst) state. This damage boost increases by 5% every three seconds, maxing out at 25%.
His second passive, “Dissolution Eon: Heaven Fall,” elevates the damage of subsequent “Lemniscatic Wind Cycling” by 15%. It can accumulate up to three stacks, with each stack lasting for 7 seconds. Whenever a new stack is obtained, the timer resets, and the damage increases, provided it’s the third stack or lower.
His final passive reduces the climbing stamina consumption of all party members by 20%. This effect is not cumulative with similar passives from other characters.
Talent Level-Up and Ascension Materials for Xiao
Xiao’s ascension and talent level-up materials are sourced from Liyue, his place of origin. Some of the materials required for his ascension include Juvenile Jade, which can be acquired by defeating Primo Geovishap, and Qingxin, typically found on the high mountains of Liyue. When it comes to his talent level-up materials, you’ll need “Shadow of the Warrior,” obtainable by defeating Childe in his trounce domain.
Ascension Materials for Xiao in Genshin Impact
Materials Required to Level Up Xiao’s Talents
When it comes to prioritizing Xiao’s talent level-up, you should focus on his Elemental Burst first, followed by his Normal attack, and finally his Elemental Skill. The reason for giving priority to the Normal attack is that, during the Bane of All Evil state, players can still utilize their normal attacks, which become Anemo-infused and deal increased damage in a larger area. So, the recommended order is Bane of All Evil > Whirlwind Thrust > Lemniscatic Wind.
Optimal Builds for Xiao in Genshin Impact
When building Xiao in Genshin Impact, the recommended build involves using the 4-piece Vermillion Hereafter artifact set and one of his signature weapons, the Primordial Jade Winged-Spear. However, if you lack good Vermillion Hereafter artifacts, the combination of a 2-piece Viridescent Venerer set and a 2-piece Gladiator’s Finale set can also yield similar damage numbers. Ensure that the sub-stats on your artifacts are favorable for Crit output.
Your primary focus when building Xiao should be on Crit Rate and Crit Damage. Pay attention to the sub-stats on the Flower and Feather artifacts, aim for Anemo Damage bonus on the Goblet, Attack Percentage on the Sands, and Crit Damage on the Circlet. To balance overall Crit output, you can also consider balancing Crit stats from your weapon choice.
Ideally, your Xiao should have a minimum of 60% Crit Rate and preferably over 200% Crit Damage to maximize the potential of his Elemental Burst skill.
The 2-piece Vermillion Hereafter set increases attack by 18%, and the 4-piece set increases attack by an additional 8% for 16 seconds while also providing an extra 10% attack bonus each time the character’s HP decreases (up to a maximum of four times). The 2-piece Viridescent Venerer and 2-piece Gladiator’s Finale sets offer a 15% Anemo Damage bonus and an 18% Attack bonus, respectively.
Another artifact set to consider is the Desert Pavilion Chronicle from Sumeru, with its 2-piece set bonus increasing Anemo Damage by 15% and the 4-piece bonus enhancing movement speed by 10% and increasing the damage from Normal, Charged, and Plunging Attacks by 40% for 15 seconds after a charged attack hits opponents. Ultimately, there are several artifact options available for Anemo DPS characters like Xiao.
Top Weapons for Xiao in Genshin Impact
As previously discussed, Genshin Impact offers a variety of polearms to choose from, as many characters use polearms. Here are some of the best weapons for Xiao in the game.
1. Primordial Jade Winged-Spear – Top Choice for Xiao
Xiao’s signature weapon is unsurprisingly one of the best choices for him. It boasts a higher base attack compared to other polearms in the game and provides Crit Rate as a sub-stat, alleviating concerns about Crit Rate. It also features passives that align well with Xiao’s abilities. For example, hitting an enemy increases Attack by 3.2% for 6 seconds (up to 7 stacks, totaling 22.4% attack). When all stacks are collected, the damage is further increased by 12%, emphasizing Attack and making it one of the best weapons for Xiao in Genshin Impact.
2. Staff of Homa
The Staff of Homa proves to be an exceptional weapon not only for Hu Tao but also for Xiao. With its Crit Damage sub-stat providing 66.2%, it assists in maintaining a balanced Crit Ratio. Additionally, it increases Xiao’s attack based on his max HP, making it one of the best weapons for Xiao in Genshin Impact.
3. Deathmatch
The Battle Pass weapon has established itself as one of the best polearms for numerous characters in the game, and Xiao is certainly no exception. It effectively addresses your Crit Damage concerns due to its sub-stat. Additionally, its passives come into play – when there are at least 2 enemies nearby, Attack and Defense increase by 16%, and when there are fewer than 2 enemies, Attack increases by 24%. While it may not have the most outstanding passives, Deathmatch serves as a solid alternative if you don’t have the previously mentioned weapons.
Honorable Mentions:
- Vortex Vanquisher
- Blackcliff Pole
- Lithic Spear
- Dragon’s Bane
Xiao Best Team Compositions in Genshin Impact
Considering that Xiao excels as an on-field DPS, the optimal way to utilize him is by forming a party with other characters that can support him effectively. Here are some of the best team compositions for Xiao in Genshin Impact.
Team 1:
- Xiao (DPS)
- Zhongli (Substitutes: Noelle, Layla, Diona) (Shielder)
- Bennett (Attack Buff)
- Kazuha (Support, Crowd Control)
Team 2:
- Xiao (DPS)
- Faruzan (Anemo Buff)
- Raiden Shogun (Battery + Sub-DPS)
- Bennett (Attack Buff)
Team 3:
- Xiao (DPS)
- Jean (Healer)
- Faruzan (Anemo Buff)
- Venti (Support, Crowd Control)
Are Xiao’s Constellations a Worth?
Constellations can significantly enhance a character’s damage output. While most five-star characters like Xiao can perform well at Constellation 0 (C0), if you genuinely enjoy the character and their synergy with your team, you might consider investing in their constellations.
It’s important to note that Xiao is one of the few characters in the game who can be highly effective without unlocking any of his constellations. Therefore, investing in him to reach C6 may not be necessary unless you have a strong desire to do so.
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