Xiao is a 5-star Anemo Polearm unit in Genshin Impact. Despite being released a long time ago, Xiao is still very viable as a main DPS in the current meta!
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Besides his high DMG potential, Xiao has a very unique playstyle that will bring a lot of fun in combat gameplay and world exploration. Here's our Xiao build guide covering his best weapons, artifacts, and team compositions to get the most out of his DPS.
Who is Xiao?
Xiao's banner, 'Invitation to Mundane Life', made its initial debut in the 1.3 Update. Following that, he received his first rerun banner in Version 2.4, a second rerun in Version 2.7, and a third rerun in Version 3.4.
Xiao is an Adeptus tasked by Zhongli, the Geo Archon, to eradicate the demons that remained from the times of the Archon War. He's the only remaining Yaksha and currently stays in the Wangshu Inn to avoid social interactions and people as much as possible.
Strengths:
- Xiao is a 5-star Anemo Polearm User, one of the most potent main DPS in the game.
- The only natural main DPS from the Anemo Element.
- The Adeptus has a unique playstyle based on High Mobility and his Elemental Burst.
- Xiao's Elemental Burst allows him to strike from the air and come crashing down on foes.
Weaknesses:
- Elemental Burst ends when switching to another character.
- He generates very few energy particles and loses HP to boost his DMG.
- There are no dedicated artifacts set or good Craftable Weapon for Xiao.
Best Weapons for Xiao
Rarity | Name | Stat | Ability |
|---|---|---|---|
5-Star | Primordial Jade Winged-Spear | Crit. Rate | On hit, increases ATK by 6.0% 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 24%. |
5-Star | Staff of Homa | Crit. DMG | HP increased by 20%. Additionally, it provides ATK Bonus based on 0.8% of the Max HP. When the wielder's HP is less than 50%, this ATK Bonus is increased by an additional 1% of Max HP. |
Primordial Jade Winged-Spear
- Like most 5-star characters, they have a tailor-made weapon. This is the case of this polearm for Xiao.
- Anemo doesn't rely on Elemental reaction stats. Instead, ATK%, Crit rate, and Crit DMG are better options for Xiao.
- The passive to the Jade-Spear will increase the DMG of Xiao elemental burst gradually.
Staff of Homa
- The HP bonus and buff of ATK will provide higher DMG. However is not consistent, the reason why the Jade-Spear is a better option.
- The staff of Homa buff required Xiao to be under 50% HP, which is risky considering he lost DMG while his abilities.
Blackcliff Pole
- The best 4-star option is this weapon that will buff the ATK% after eliminating an enemy.
- Players can obtain the
READ MORE: Genshin Impact 2.4: Xiao Farming Guide
Best Artifacts for Xiao
Build | Set 1 | Set 2 | Artifact Bonuses | Stats Needed |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Best in Slot | Vermillion Hereafter | 2-Piece: ATK +18%.
4-Piece: 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. | Sands: ATK% - Goblet: Anemo DMG Bonus or ATK% - Circlet: Crit. DMG or Crit Rate | |
Substitute | Viridescent Venerer | Gladiator Finale | Gladiator's Finale:
2-Piece: ATK +18%.
4-Piece: If the wielder of this artifact set uses a Sword, Claymore or Polearm, increases their Normal Attack DMG by 35%.
Viridescent Venerer
2-Piece: Anemo DMG Bonus +15%
4-Piece: Increases Swirl DMG by 60%. Decreases opponent's Elemental RES to the element infused in the Swirl by 40% for 10s.
| Sands: ATK% - Goblet: Anemo DMG Bonus or ATK% - Circlet: Crit. DMG or Crit Rate |
Vermillion Hereafter
- This artifact is tailor-made for characters like Xiao whose Elemental Burst can deplete HP and boost his Normal ATK DMG
- he's the only character who can lose HP during his Elemental Burst duration.
Viridescent Venerer
- The Anemo Bonus DMG of two Viridescent Venerer will increase Xiao DMG.
- Four pieces of this set will not offer any significant buff to Xiao's abilities.
Gladiator Finale and Shimewana's Reminiscence
- These artifact sets share the same passive for two pieces, extra 18 ATK%
- Xiao artifact needs to focus on ATK with a good ratio of Crit. Rate and Crit. DMG, so these are suitable sets.
Berserker
- This very accessible Artifact set is helpful for the extra Crit. Rate as long the player received good stats.
Team Composition
Role | Character | Element |
|---|---|---|
Main DPS | Xiao | Aemo |
Sub DPS | Sucrose | Anemo |
Elemental Reaction | Zhong-Li | Geo |
Support | Bennet | Pyro |
Xiao, unfortunately in high-level gameplay, is dependent on Bennet. There is no replacement for the buff and heal that Bennet provides.
Another character that will help in obtaining the best potential of Xiao is Zhongli. Rex Lapis' shield lasts long enough to be active during all Xiao Elemental Burst.
Other Geo characters are suitable for Xiao as their shields will protect Xiao from being interrupted while casting his abilities.
Xiao is pretty selfish, required to stay in the field for a long time. Therefore, in the case of Sub-DPS, the best are those which abilities can be active outfield.
Xiao damage is strong enough to create a team composition with no Sub-DPS but three supports. In that case, Venti and Sucrose are the best as Anemo Battery.
That is all for Xiao's build! Need help farming for Xiao's ascension and talent materials? Check out our guide here: Xiao's Farming Guide: All Ascension & Talent Materials
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