Genshin Impact

Xiao Best Builds and Artifacts

Genshin Impact - Xiao Rating and Best Builds

Xiao is a 5-Star Anemo Polearm character in Genshin Impact. Learn about Xiao's build, ascension materials, best weapons, best artifacts, talent priority, skills, teams, and our rating of the character in this build guide!

Xiao
Story Quest
Xiao's Character Guides
Genshin - Xiao Builds and RatingBuild Guide Genshin - Xiao Story and ProfileCharacter Lore “Sweet Dream” ImageSpecialty Dish
Alatus Chapter
Genshin - Act 1Butterfly's Dream Genshin - Act 2Act 2 Genshin - Act 3Act 3

Xiao Rating and Info

Character Information

Xiao
Rating
A Rank Icon
Rarity
★★★★★
Element
Weapon
Voice Actors EN Voice Actor: Laila Berzins
JP Voice Actor: Matsuoka Yoshitsugu

Tier List Rankings

Main DPS Sub-DPS Support Exploration
A N/A N/A SS

Character Tier List | Best Characters

Xiao's Stats

HP Attack Defense Ascension Stat
Lvl 20 2,572 71 161 CRIT Rate 5%
Lvl 80 11,840 325 743 CRIT Rate 24.2%

Xiao's Strengths and Weaknesses

Strengths
• Elemental Burst allows him to take advantage of his high multipliers on his Plunging Attacks.
• Great AoE coverage, often being one of the best picks against a large wave of enemies.
• Elemental Skill and passive talent makes it easier to explore mountainous regions like Liyue.
Weaknesses
• Reliant on his Elemental Burst to be used every rotation, but he has a relatively high energy cost. While under his Elemental Burst, it also disables the energy particle generation on his Skill. He will need more Energy Recharge than usual unless you have triple Anemo team comps or an abundance of Energy Recharge weapons on your support.
• His fragile playstyle may be a turn-off for some players who wants a safer pick, as he has no way to sustain himself and is susceptible to interruptions.
• Plunges can push back lighter enemies, which may spread enemies farther away from your position.

Xiao Best Builds

Xiao Main DPS Builds

Vermillion Hereafter DPS

Best Weapon
Replacement Weapons
Best Artifacts
Artifact Main Stats
Genshin - HourglassSands: ATK% or Energy Recharge
Genshin - GobletGoblet: Anemo DMG Bonus%
Genshin - CircletCirclet: CRIT Rate or CRIT DMG
Artifact Sub Stats Energy Recharge, CRIT Rate, CRIT DMG, ATK%

As his Elemental Burst lets him decrease his own HP, Xiao best builds the Vermillion Hereafter set to maximize its 4-piece effect. Like most Main DPS, he needs as much CRIT stats while also having enough Energy Recharge especially if you don't have a battery.

Depending on your team comp, as he already gets an abundance of ATK from the Vermillion Hereafter set, Xiao can also equip an Energy Recharge sands should you need more of it to fund his burst cost.

Alternative Builds for Xiao DPS

Best Weapon
Replacement Weapons
Best Artifacts
Artifact Main Stats
Genshin - HourglassSands: ATK% or Energy Recharge
Genshin - GobletGoblet: Anemo DMG Bonus%
Genshin - CircletCirclet: CRIT Rate or CRIT DMG
Artifact Sub Stats Energy Recharge, CRIT Rate, CRIT DMG, ATK%

All of Xiao's best artifacts are simple stat increases, so you may use a mix of any 2-piece ATK and Anemo DMG Bonus artifact set combos, or the Marechaussee Hunter artifact set for easier CRIT stat balancing.

If you already have amazing substats on these artifacts, you may opt on skipping farming for Vermillion Hereafter unless you want to min-max his damage output.

Xiao's Talent Priority

Main DPS
1st Normal Attack
2nd Elemental Burst
3rd Elemental Skill

As Xiao's normal and special Plunging Attacks scale from his Normal Attack and Elemental Burst talent, these should be your first primary priorities when levelling up Xiao. As a Main DPS, his Elemental Skill should be levelled up as well as it's part of his overall damage.

Xiao Best Artifacts

Xiao Artifacts Rankings

Artifact Artifact Bonuses
1st Genshin - Vermillion Hereafter Image Vermillion Hereafter 2-PC: ATK +18%.
4-PC: 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.
2nd Genshin - Marechaussee Hunter Image Marechaussee Hunter 2-PC: Normal and Charged Attack DMG +15%
4-PC: When current HP increases or decreases, CRIT Rate will be increased by 12% for 5s. Max 3 stacks.
3rd Genshin - Gladiator Gladiator's Finale 2-PC: ATK +18%
Genshin - Viridescent Venerer Image Viridescent Venerer 2-PC: Anemo DMG Bonus +15%

Best 4-Star Artifact for Xiao

Artifact Artifact Bonuses
Genshin - Berserker Image Berserker 2-PC: CRIT Rate +12%
4-PC: When HP is below 70%, CRIT Rate increases by an additional 24%.

List of Artifacts and Set Bonuses

Xiao Best Weapons

Xiao Weapon Rankings

Weapon Weapon Information
1st Genshin Impact - Primordial Jade Winged-Spear Image Primordial Jade Winged-Spear Base ATK: 674
Bonus Stat: CRIT Rate 22.1%
Skill Effect: On hit, increases ATK by 3.2% 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%.
2nd Genshin Impact - Staff of Homa Image Staff of Homa Base ATK: 608
Bonus Stat: CRIT DMG 66.2%
Skill Effect: HP increased by 20%. Additionally, provides an ATK Bonus based on 0.8% of the wielder’s Max HP. When the wielder's HP is less than 50%, this ATK Bonus is increased by an additional 1% of Max HP.
3rd Genshin Impact - Deathmatch Image Deathmatch Base ATK: 454
Bonus Stat: CRIT Rate 36.8%
Skill Effect: If there are at least 2 enemies nearby, ATK and DEF is increased by 16%. If there are less than 2 enemies nearby, ATK is increased by 24%.

Best Free-to-Play Weapon for Xiao

Weapon Weapon Information
Genshin Impact - White Tassel Image White Tassel Base ATK: 401
Bonus Stat: CRIT Rate 23.4%
Skill Effect: Increases Normal Attack DMG by 24%.

All Recommended Weapons for Xiao

Recommended Weapons How to Get
Gacha
Gacha
Gacha
Gacha
Starglitter Exchange
Battle Pass
Gacha
Gacha
Chests
Crafted
Chests
Starglitter Exchange

List of Polearms

Xiao Best Team Comp

Plunging Team with Faruzan and Xianyun

Main DPS Sub-DPS Support Support
Genshin - Xiao Xiao Genshin - Furina Furina Genshin - Faruzan Faruzan Genshin - Xianyun Xianyun

Faruzan is a welcome addition to Xiao's party thanks to her Anemo DMG buffs. If Faruzan is below C6, you may need another Anemo character like Jean or Sucrose to fill up Xiao's energy easily.

Furina and Xianyun can further boost Xiao's damage for plunging playstyles, as well as provide off-field damage, but if you don't have Xianyun or Furina, you may use Zhongli, Jean, or Bennett as well.

Double Anemo & Double Geo Team

Main DPS Sub-DPS Support Support
Genshin - Xiao Xiao Genshin - Albedo Albedo Genshin - Jean Jean Genshin - Zhongli Zhongli

This team comp synergizes well with keeping Xiao safe as he deals damage with his Elemental Burst. Jean will provide particle generation for Xiao's Elemental burst and can also increase his DPS if she has her 4th Constellation unlocked.

Xiao Free-to-Play Team Comp

Main DPS Sub-DPS Support Support
Genshin - Xiao Xiao Genshin - Faruzan Faruzan Genshin - Sucrose Sucrose Genshin - Bennett Bennett

As his best teams are rather expensive, you can use 4-star characters like Bennett and Sucrose as alternatives. Sucrose's Elemental Mastery buffs won't really work for Xiao, but she does provide a lot of energy especially with a Favonius Codex and constellations.

Xiao Best Constellations

Alatus Nemeseos

Constellation and Effects

Xiao's Constellations
Genshin - Xiao C1 C1 Dissolution Eon: Destroyer of Worlds
Increases Lemniscatic Wind Cycling's charges by 1.
Genshin - Xiao C2 C2 Annihilation Eon: Blossom of Kaleidos
When in the party and not on the field, Xiao's Energy Recharge is increased by 25%
Genshin - Xiao C3 C3 Conqueror of Evil: Wrath Deity
Increases the Level of Lemniscatic Wind Cycling by 3. Maximum upgrade level is 15.
Genshin - Xiao C4 C4 Transcension: Extinction of Suffering
When Xiao's HP falls below 50%, he gains a 100% DEF Bonus.
Genshin - Xiao C5 C5 Evolution Eon: Origin of Ignorance
Increases the Level of Bane of All Evil by 3. Maximum upgrade level is 15.
Genshin - Xiao C6 C6 Conqueror of Evil: Guardian Yaksha
While under the effects of Bane of All Evil, hitting at least 2 opponents with Xiao's Plunging Attack will immediately grant him 1 charge of Lemniscatic Wind Cycling, and for the next 1s, he may use Lemniscatic Wind Cycling while ignoring its CD.

Best Constellations Rating and Explanation

Rating Constellation Effect / Merits
C1 ★★☆ • Increases Elemental Skill's charges by 1.
• Lower ER requirement for Xiao to use his Elemental Burst.
C6 ★★★ • Hitting at least 2 opponents with Xiao's Plunging Attack while under the effects of his Elemental Burst immediately grants him 1 charge of his Elemental Skill, and for the next 1s, he can spam his Elemental Skill.

C1 Grants More Energy

Xiao's C1 primarily gives you an additional charge on your Elemental Skill, but it also helps with your Energy regeneration as Xiao's burst cost is high. Make sure to use Xiao's Skill outside of Burst because it won't generate any energy otherwise!

C6 Changes Xiao Playstyle

Xiao's playstyle will be upgraded into a much stronger Plunge Attack + Elemental Skill combo.

Xiao Talents (Skills)

Normal Attack: Whirlwind Thrust

Talent Description
Performs up to 6 rapid strikes.
Charge Attack
Consumes Stamina to perform an upward thrust.
Plunge Attack:
Plunges from mid-air to strike the ground below, damaging opponents along the path and ealing AoE DMG upon impact. Xiao does not take DMG from performing Plunging Attacks.

Attribute Effect (Lvl 1)
1-Hit DMG 27.5% + 27.5%
2-Hit DMG 56.9%
3-Hit DMG 68.6%
4-Hit DMG 37.7% + 37.7%
5-Hit DMG 71.5%
6-Hit DMG 95.8%
Charged Attack DMG 121%
Charged Attack Stamina Cost 25.0
Plunge DMG 82%
Low/High Plunge DMG 164%/204%

Lemniscatic Wind Cycling

Talent Description
Xiao lunges forward, dealing Anemo DMG to opponents in his path. Can be used in midair. Starts with 2 charges.

Attribute Effect (Lvl 1)
Skill DMG 253%
CD 10.0s

Bane of All Evil

Talent Description
Xiao dons the Yaksha Mask that set gods and demons trembling millennia ago.
Yaksha's Mask:
• Greatly increases Xiao's jumping ability.
• Increases Xiao's attack AoE and DMG.
• Xiao's attack DMG is converted to Anemo DMG, which cannot be overridden by any other elemental infusion.
In this state, Xiao will continuously lose HP. The effects of this skill end when Xiao leaves the field.

Attribute Effect (Lvl 1)
Normal ATK/Charge ATK/Plunge ATK DMG Bonus 58.5%
Life Drain 3.0% Current HP Per Second
Duration 15s
CD 18s
Energy Cost 70

Conqueror of Evil: Tamer of Demons

Talent Description
While under the effects of Bane of All Evil, all DMG increases by a further 5% for every 3s the ability persists. The maximum DMG Bonus is 25%.

Dissolution Eon: Heaven Fall

Talent Description
Using Lemniscatic Wind Cycling increases the DMG of subsequent uses of Lemniscatic Wind Cycling by 15%. This effect lasts for 7s, and has a maximum of 3 stacks. Gaining a new stack refreshes the effect's duration.

Transcension: Gravity Defier

Talent Description
Decreases climbing Stamina consumption for your own party members by 20%. Not stackable with Passive Talents that provide the exact same effects.

How to Use Xiao

Close Gaps, Extend Combos and Air Dash

Xiao - Lemniscatic Wind Cycling
Elemental Skill: Lemniscatic Wind Cycling

Xiao's Elemental Skill, Lemniscatic Wind Cycling, is his high mobility dash that deals Anemo damage in a straight line up to 2 times. This can also be used in midair as an air dash and can set up a Plunge Attack.

Use this skill to extend Normal Attack combos, gap close on distant enemies, dash through attacks to dodge, or as an air dash outside of combat.

Use a Plunge Combo

Genshin - Xiao Combo

By jumping and using his Elemental Skill, then immediately tapping the attack button, you can plunge towards your enemy. Use this combo to close the distance!

Useful in Exploration

Genshin - Xiao during Gliding Exploration
Elemental Skill while Gliding

Since Lemniscatic Wind Cycling can be used in midair, this makes it useful in exploration. While gliding, you can cover a lot of distance towards your destination with this!

Can Slightly Save Stamina

Xiao Burst Stamina Restore.gif

You can also use his skill to restore a small amount of stamina while climbing, making it even handier during exploration.

Elemental Burst Boosts Damage and Mobility

Xiao - Bane of All Evil
Elemental Burst: Bane of All Evil

Xiao's Elemental Burst, Bane of All Evil, greatly boosts his Attack damage, imbues his Normal Attacks with Anemo, and drastically increases his jump height about four times allowing for easily repeatable Plunge Attacks at the cost of HP over time.

Leveling up Burst Talent Reduces HP Drain

Genshin - Xiao Burst Level 1 and 9 Comparison
Elemental Burst at Level 9 and Level 1 Comparison

Leveling up Xiao's Elemental Burst talent reduces the HP Drain!

Animation Cancel for Plunge Spam

Genshin - Xiao Plunge Attack

Using a double jump as soon as Xiao lands from his plunge attack will cancel his landing animation and immediately launch him back into the air. Use this animation cancel to maximize the number of plunge attacks during Bane of All Evil!

Passive Talent Reduces Stamina

Genshin - Xiao Passive Talent Transcension-Gravity Defier
Transcension: Gravity Defier

Xiao's Passive Talent, the Transcension: Gravity Defier, decreases the Stamina consumption of the entire party when climbing. This makes climbing mountains less daunting!

Xiao Ascension and Talent Materials

Xiao Ascension Materials

Lv.20→Lv.40
Qingxin ImageQingxin ×3
Lv.40→Lv.50
Qingxin ImageQingxin ×10
Lv.50→Lv.60
Qingxin ImageQingxin ×20
Lv.60→Lv.70
Qingxin ImageQingxin ×30
Lv.70→Lv.80
Qingxin ImageQingxin ×45
Lv.80→Lv.90
Qingxin ImageQingxin ×60

Xiao Talent Level-Up Materials

Daily Domain Drops Enemy Drops Weekly Boss Drops
Mon/Thu/Sun
Genshin Impact - Teachings of Prosperity Image Teachings of Prosperity
Slimes
Genshin Impact - Slime Condensate Image Slime Condensate

Genshin Impact - Shadow of the Warrior Image Shadow of the Warrior
Genshin Impact - Guide to Prosperity Image Guide to Prosperity Genshin Impact - Slime Secretions Image Slime Secretions
Genshin Impact - Philosophies of Prosperity Image Philosophies of Prosperity Genshin Impact - Slime Concentrate Image Slime Concentrate

Talent Materials per Level

How to Get Xiao

Pull from Xiao's Banner in Version 4.4 Phase 2

Genshin Impact - Invitation to Mundane Life Gacha and Wish Guide
Banner Status Inactive

Xiao's banner, Invitation to Mundane Life was available in Phase 2 of Version 4.4 from February 20, 2024 until March 12, 2024. His banner was available alongside Yae Miko's rerun banner, Everbloom Violet.

Version 4.4 Release Date, Banners, and Skins

Related Wish Banner Guides

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Genshin - How to Get Xiao IconBanner Info Genshin - Wishing Sim IconWish Sim Genshin - Best Wish to Pull Icon 2All Wishes

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