Xiao Guide and Best Builds

Xiao Guide & Best Builds

Welcome to our Xiao build guide for Genshin Impact. Xiao is a 5-Star Anemo Main DPS Character who is focused around plunge DMG. In our guide, we will cover everything you need to know to get the most out of your Xiao, from building the best Artifacts and Weapons to important stat priorities and rotations.

Best Weapons for Xiao

Listed below are Xiao's best weapons. While weapons are listed in a priority order, what is best to build on your Xiao can vary depending on the team composition and level of investment you want to put into Xiao.

Primordial Jade Winged-Spear

Eagle Spear of Justice

Base ATK: 674

CRIT Rate: 22.1%

On hit, increases ATK by 3.2% / 3.9% / 4.6% / 5.3% / 6% for 6s. Max 7 stacks. This effect can only occur once every 0.3s. While in possession of the maximum possible stacks, DMG dealt is increased by 12% / 15% / 18% / 21% / 24%.

Staff of Homa

Reckless Cinnabar

Base ATK: 608

CRIT DMG: 66.2%

HP increased by 20% / 25% / 30% / 35% / 40%. Additionally, provides an ATK Bonus based on 0.8% / 1% / 1.2% / 1.4% / 1.6% of the wielder's Max HP. When the wielder's HP is less than 50%, this ATK Bonus is increased by an additional 1% / 1.2% / 1.4% / 1.6% / 1.8% of Max HP.

Lumidouce Elegy

Bright Dawn Overture

Base ATK: 608

CRIT Rate: 33.1%

ATK increased by 15% / 19% / 23% / 27% / 31%. After the equipping character triggers Burning on an opponent or deals Dendro DMG to Burning opponents, the DMG dealt is increased by 18% / 23% / 28% / 33% / 38%. This effect lasts for 8s, max 2 stacks. When 2 stacks are reached or when the duration is refreshed at 2 stacks, restore 12 / 13 / 14 / 15 / 16 Energy. Energy can be restored this way once every 12s. The 2 aforementioned effects can be triggered even when the character is off-field.

Other 5-Star Polearms Options

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Deathmatch

Gladiator

Base ATK: 454

CRIT Rate: 36.8%

If there are at least 2 opponents nearby, ATK is increased by 16% / 20% / 24% / 28% / 32% and DEF is increased by 16% / 20% / 24% / 28% / 32%. If there are fewer than 2 opponents nearby, ATK is increased by 24% / 30% / 36% / 42% / 48%.

Lithic Spear

Lithic Axiom: Unity

Base ATK: 565

ATK: 27.6%

For every character in the party who hails from Liyue, the character who equips this weapon gains a 7% / 8% / 9% / 10% / 11% ATK increase and a 3% / 4% / 5% / 6% / 7% CRIT Rate increase. This effect stacks up to 4 times.

Other Polearms Options

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Best Artifacts for Xiao

Long Night's Oath

Long Night's Oath

2-Piece Set: Plunging Attack DMG increased by 25%.

4-Piece Set: After the equipping character's Plunging Attack/Charged Attack/Elemental Skill hits an opponent, they will gain 1/2/2 stack(s) of "Radiance Everlasting." Plunging Attacks, Charged Attacks, or Elemental Skills can each trigger this effect once every 1s. Radiance Everlasting: Plunging Attacks deal 15% increased DMG for 6s. Max 5 stacks. Each stack's duration is counted independently.

Vermillion Hereafter

Vermillion Hereafter

2-Piece Set: ATK +18%.

4-Piece Set: After using an Elemental Burst, this character will gain the Nascent Light effect, increasing their ATK by 8% for 16s. When the character's HP decreases, their ATK will further increase by 10%. This further increase can occur this way a maximum of 4 times. This effect can be triggered once every 0.8s. Nascent Light will be dispelled when the character leaves the field. If an Elemental Burst is used again during the duration of Nascent Light, the original Nascent Light will be dispelled.

Marechaussee Hunter

Marechaussee Hunter

2-Piece Set: Normal and Charged Attack DMG +15%

4-Piece Set: When current HP increases or decreases, CRIT Rate will be increased by 12% for 5s. Max 3 stacks.

Xiao's Stat Priority

: ATK %

: Anemo DMG > ATK %

: CRIT DMG / CRIT Rate

Substats: Energy Recharge > CRIT Rate = CRIT DMG > ATK %

Xiao's build should focus on CRIT Rate and DMG and he does needs around 130% Energy Recharge depending on your team composition. Xiao's teams often have an Anemo battery, meaning you do not need to build too much Energy Recharge.

Anemo Goblets tend to perform better than ATK % Goblets, so unless you have an ATK Goblet with perfect CRIT sub-stats, prioritize an Anemo Goblet for your Xiao.

Recommended Stats for Xiao

Build recommendations assume a "decently built" level of artifact rolls alongside Xiao's best weapon. Using other weapons may increase or decrease certain stats relative to these recommendations.

Xiao's Talent Priority

Xiao's most important talents to level are his Normal Attack and then his Elemental Burst and Skill. His Skill and Burst should be raised up to level 8.

How to Play Xiao

Xiao's gameplay revolves around using Bane of All Evil to apply his Yaksha's Mask and increase his jump height, Plunge damage and turn his attacks into Anemo Damage. To play Xiao optimally however, start by using both of his Elemental Skills, Lemniscatic Wind Cycling before his Burst. This is because Lemniscatic Wind Cycling will not generate Energy while under the effects of Bane of All Evil.

Afterwards, you can begin your plunge attacking, You also want to throw in the occasional normal/charged attack to animation cancel between plunges which varies depending on if you are fighting 1 enemy or multiple enemies.

• Single Target — Plunge > Normal Attack > Charged Attack > Repeat
• AoE — Plunge > Normal Attack > Plunge

Using Xiao for Exploration

Xiao has several benefits and techniques you can use to help your exploration of the open world.

• Transcension: Gravity Defier reduces stamina consumption while climbing.
• Lemniscatic Wind Cycling can be used in the air helping you cover a lot of distance without losing any height.
• Using Lemniscatic Wind Cycling will also result in restoring a small amount of stamina which can be useful while gliding and especially climbing helping you get further.

Xiao's Best Constellations

Xiao's best constellations are his C1, Dissolution Eon: Destroyer of Worlds, and C6, Conqueror of Evil: Guardian Yaksha. Unfortunately, the remaining constellations are less important with Transcension: Extinction of Suffering being very weak for a C4. His Dissolution Eon: Destroyer of Worlds provides an additional charge of your Elemental Skill, making it much easier to generate energy.

Conqueror of Evil: Guardian Yaksha on the other hand drastically changes your gameplay. Using a Plunging Attack while under the effects of your Elemental Burst lets you spam your Elemental Skill. It deals an incredible amount of damage and is honestly really fun.

Xiao's Best Team Compositions

To learn all about Xiao's synergies and best team compositions, check our dedicated Xiao team page below:

Changelog