Table of Contents
Xiao is a highly mobile burst damage dealer. He can sacrifice HP to obtain increased DMG and jumping power for a short time.
This guide is based on the Community Character Builds by the Genshin Helper Team.
Skills Overview
Normal Attack: Whirlwind Thrust
Normal Attack
Performs up to 6 consecutive spear strikes.
Charged Attack
Consumes a certain amount of Stamina to perform an upward thrust.
Plunging Attack
Plunges from mid-air to strike the ground below, damaging opponents along the path and dealing AoE DMG upon impact.
Xiao does not take DMG from performing Plunging Attacks.
Elemental Skill: Lemniscatic Wind Cycling
Xiao lunges forward, dealing Anemo DMG to opponents in his path.
Can be used in mid-air.
Starts with 2 charges.
Elemental Burst: Bane of All Evil
Xiao dons the Yaksha Mask that set gods and demons trembling millennia ago.
Yaksha's Mask
Greatly increases Xiao's jumping ability.
Increases his attack AoE and attack DMG.
Converts attack DMG into 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.
Ascension 1: Conqueror of Evil: Tamer of Demons
While under the effects of Bane of All Evil, all DMG dealt by Xiao increases by 5%. DMG increases by a further 5% for every 3s the ability persists. The maximum DMG Bonus is 25%.
Ascension 4: Dissolution Eon: Heaven Fall
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.
Passive Talent: Transcension: Gravity Defier
Decreases climbing Stamina consumption for your own party members by 20%.
Not stackable with Passive Talents that provide the exact same effects.
Talent Priorities
Normal ATK > Burst > Skill
Regarding Xiao's Optimal Skill Rotation:
Skill -> Skill -> Burst -> Plunge Combo
Regarding Xiao's Plunge Combo:
Best combo for Xiao when fighting a single target:
1) Normal Attack -> Charged Attack -> High Plunge (no collision possible)
2) Normal Attack -> Charged Attack -> Low Plunge (collision only possible on Low Plunge)
3) High Plunge spam (collision possible on High Plunge)
Best combo for Xiao when fighting multiple enemies:
High Plunge spam
Constellations
Best Constellations: C1 & C6
C1: Dissolution Eon: Destroyer of Worlds
Increases Lemniscatic Wind Cycling's charges by 1.
C2: Annihilation Eon: Blossom of Kaleidos
When in the party and not on the field, Xiao's Energy Recharge is increased by 25%.
C3: Conqueror of Evil: Wrath Deity
Increases the Level of Lemniscatic Wind Cycling by 3.
Maximum upgrade level is 15.
C4: Transcension: Extinction of Suffering
When Xiao's HP falls below 50%, he gains a 100% DEF Bonus.
C5: Evolution Eon: Origin of Ignorance
Increases the Level of Bane of All Evil by 3.
Maximum upgrade level is 15.
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.
Recommended Weapons
- Primordial Jade Winged-Spear (5✩)
- Staff of Homa (5✩)
- Vortex Vanquisher (5✩)*
~= Calamity Queller (5✩)*
~= Staff of the Scarlet Sands (5✩) - Deathmatch (4✩)*
~= Lithic Spear (2 stacks) (4✩)* - Skyward Spine (5✩)*
~= Engulfing Lightning (5✩)*
~= Missive Windspear (passive on) R5
~= Blackcliff Pole (0 stacks) (4✩)* - Wavebreaker's Fin (4✩)
- Favonius Lance (4✩)*
- White Tassel (3✩)
IMPORTANT NOTE: Weapon rankings do not assume an Energy Recharge minimum. This means that weapons such as Skyward Spine, Engulfing Lightning, and Favonius Lance may be stronger than reflected in this ranking. Xiao's Energy Recharge requirements will fluctuate significantly depending on your team and clear times. Please use the Energy Recharge Calculator for your own team.
1) Primordial Jade Winged-Spear (ATK: 674 • CRIT Rate: 22.1%)
On hit, increases ATK by 3.2/3.9/4.6/5.3/6.0% 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 12/15/18/21/24%.
2) Staff of Homa (ATK: 608 • Crit Damage: 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.
3) Vortex Vanquisher (ATK: 608 • ATK: 49.6%)
Increases Shield Strength by 20/25/30/35/40%. Scoring hits on opponents increases ATK by 4/5/6/7/8% for 8s. Max 5 stacks. Can only occur once every 0.3s. While protected by a shield, this ATK increase effect is increased by 100%.
Note: In teams with fewer ATK Buffs such as from Bennett / TTDS this weapon will perform slightly better than Calamity Queller, or when using Marechaussee Hunter (4) while shielded and fully stacked it can even perform slightly better than Staff of Homa in teams with Bennett and Faruzan.
4) Deathmatch (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 less than 2 opponents nearby, ATK is increased by 24/30/36/42/48%.
Note: At [R5] this weapon performs similarly to Staff of the Scarlet Sands.
5) Skyward Spine (ATK: 674 • Energy Recharge: 36.8%)
Increases CRIT Rate by 8/10/12/14/16% and increases Normal ATK SPD by 12%. Additionally, Normal and Charged Attacks hits on opponents have a 50% chance to trigger a vaccuum blade that deals 40/55/70/85/100% of ATK as DMG in a small AoE. This effect can occur no more than once every 2s.
6) Wavebreaker's Fin (ATK: 620 • ATK: 13.8%)
For every point of the entire party's combined maximum energy capacity, the Elemental Burst DMG of the character equipping this weapon is increased by 0.12/0.15/0.18/0.21/0.24%. A maximum of 40/50/60/70/80% increased Elemental Burst DMG can be achieved this way.
7) Favonius Lance (ATK: 565 • Energy Recharge: 30.6%)
CRIT Hits have a 60/70/80/90/100% chance to generate a small amount of Elemental Particles, which will regenerate 6 Energy for the character. Can only occur once every 12/10.5/9/7.5/6s.
Note: In teams with higher Energy Recharge Requirements, this weapon is slighty worse than Deathmatch.
8) White Tassel (ATK: 401 • Crit Rate: 23.4%)
Increased Normal Attack DMG by 24/30/36/42/48%.
Recommended Artifacts
- Vermillion Hereafter (4)
- Marechaussee Hunter (4)*
~= Desert Pavilion Chronicle (4)* - +15% Anemo DMG set (2) / +18% ATK set (2) / Emblem of Severed Fate (2) [Choose Two]*
1) Vermillion Hereafter (4)
2-Piece Bonus: ATK +18%.
4-Piece Bonus: 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 increase can occur this way 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.
2) Marechaussee Hunter
2-Piece Bonus: Normal and Charged Attack DMG +15%.
4-Piece Bonus: When current HP increases or decreases, CRIT Rate will be increased by 12% for 5s. Max 3 stacks.
Note: This set is generally worse than Vermillion Hereafter (4). However, it gains significant value with ATK% and Flat DMG buffs such as Bennett, TTDS, and Xianyun. MH provides a significant amount of Crit Rate. Do keep in mind that due to Xiao's ascension stat being Crit Rate, it may be difficult to optimize around this set if using Crit Rate weapons.
3) +15% Anemo DMG set (2) / +18% ATK set (2) / Emblem of Severed Fate (2) [Choose Two]*
Note: Prioritize +15% Anemo DMG set (2) over the other +18% ATK set (2) sets if there are external ATK% buff sources on your team. Emblem of Severed Fate (2) can be used if you lack Energy Recharge substats while using a non-Energy Recharge weapon.
| Artifact Main Stats | Artifact Sub Stats |
|---|---|
| Sands - ATK% Goblet - Anemo DMG / ATK%* Circlet - Crit Rate / DMG *Anemo DMG% goblets are recommended for Xiao. ATK% goblets serve as a good alternative for him. If using Desert Pavilion Chronicle (4) ATK% Goblet may be preferred in teams without Bennett. | Energy Recharge (until requirement is met) Crit Rate/DMG ATK% Elemental Mastery ~= Flat ATK |
Team Compositions
Xiao has issues with energy generation because he cannot generate any particles with his Elemental Skill while his Burst is active, so it is not suggested to use his Elemental Skill during Elemental Burst.
Before swapping to Xiao, often you would cast the Skill of your Anemo battery (e.g Sucrose) and then cast his Skill twice followed by Burst. You will want to be halfway through your Burst animation before the particles reach you, so this way you can start off your burst with a portion of the energy gauge already filled.
You'll want to pair Xiao with a battery, which would often be another Anemo character (e.g C6 Faruzan, Sucrose, Jean) to help with energy generation. Xiao's Elemental Burst ends when you swap to another character. Although he has two charges of his Elemental Skill, only ONE charge comes back per cooldown.
The Best Xiao Team
Xiao: Main DPS
Furina: Sub-DPS + Buffer
Xianyun: Buffer + Healer
Faruzan: Buffer
Hypercarry Team
Xiao: Main DPS
Faruzan: Buffer
Bennett: Buffer + Healer
Zhongli: Shielder + Elemental RES Shred
Xiao + Furina Core Team
Xiao: Main DPS
Furina: Sub-DPS + Buffer
Xianyun / Jean / Bennett: Healer
Faruzan / Zhongli / Yelan: Flex
Xiao + Faruzan Core Team
Xiao: Main DPS
Faruzan: Buffer
Xianyun / Jean / Kazuha / Sucrose / Venti: Anemo Character
Zhongli / Bennett / Yelan: Flex
