Xiao. That name alone sends chills down the spines of Genshin players everywhere. If you’ve pulled him or even considered building him, you know exactly what I mean. This 5-star Anemo character isn’t just about his edgy look—he’s an absolute powerhouse in combat. I mean, you ever see someone drop into battle and start doing Anemo damage like it’s their day job? That’s Xiao for you.
Now, if you’ve spent any time on Xiao’s banner, you know how he works. But building him for maximum damage is a whole different beast. And don’t worry—I’ve got your back through all of this. No one should have to experience the disaster I did when I first built Xiao. (Spoiler alert: it wasn’t pretty.)
Let’s dive in. Here’s your complete guide to Xiao, including the best build, weapons, talents, and some hard-won tips for success. Ready? Here we go.
Who is Xiao, Really?
Xiao is known as the “Vigilant Yaksha” in Genshin Impact, and while that title sounds cool, it’s pretty ominous. This guy is ancient—like, “I’ve been around for so long that I’ve forgotten the taste of pizza” ancient. He’s one of the Adepti tasked with protecting Liyue, though he doesn’t exactly enjoy the whole “guardian” gig. Immortality? Yeah, it comes with baggage.
Personally, I don’t blame him for being a little grumpy. Can you imagine seeing the same faces for centuries? Plus, he’s always brooding in that little corner, looking all lonely, but trust me, he packs a punch in battle. Fast. Furious. Unstoppable. That’s Xiao for you.
Anyway, enough about his tragic past. Let’s talk about how you can make him even more epic in Genshin Impact.
Xiao Genshin Impact Build: Getting the Most Out of Him
Okay, first things first. If you want Xiao to reach his full potential, you’ve gotta focus on a few key things: damage, crits, and energy recharge. I learned the hard way that trying to focus on everything at once is a total rookie mistake. So, let’s break down what matters.
Main Stats: The Core of Your Build
Building Xiao isn’t like tossing random parts into a car engine and hoping for the best (don’t ask how I know this). Each artifact stat needs to serve a purpose.
- Sands of Eon: Go for Attack Percentage (ATK%). Xiao thrives on attack, and this stat will give you that extra oomph you need.
- Goblet of Eonothem: Ideally, you want Anemo Damage Bonus. Sure, you can roll for Attack Percentage, but I’d lean toward Anemo to really hit hard with those wind attacks.
- Circlet of Logos: Crit Rate or Crit Damage. Let me tell you—crit is everything with Xiao. But if you can manage a decent Crit Rate elsewhere, then go heavy on Crit Damage. Trust me, the payoff is worth it.
Sub-Stats: The Little Things
Now, let’s talk sub-stats. These little guys don’t always get the love they deserve, but for Xiao, they’re crucial. Think of them as the seasoning to the main dish. You’ll want:
- Crit Rate: If you don’t have a good Crit Rate from your circlet, stack this sub-stat. Crits are your bread and butter.
- Crit Damage: You need a good balance here. Too much Crit Rate? You might not hit hard enough. Too much Crit Damage? Well, you might miss out on those sweet, sweet crits.
- Attack Percentage: Xiao’s a glass cannon, so anything that boosts his attack is a win in my book.
- Elemental Mastery: Wait—do you need this for Xiao? Probably not. But if you have a bit extra, it can be handy for triggering Swirl reactions.
Artifact Sets: The 4-Piece Dream
Now, the artifact set. Ah, yes. There’s a lot of debate about this. Some players will tell you to go full Gladiator’s Finale (which increases your charged attack damage). Others swear by Shimenawa’s Reminiscence. But here’s my take:
- 4-piece Gladiator’s Finale: This set boosts Xiao’s overall attack by 18%, and it increases his charged attack damage by 35%. It’s a no-brainer, really. If you have it, use it.
- 2-piece Gladiator’s Finale + 2-piece Shimenawa’s Reminiscence: Don’t have the full 4-piece Gladiator set? This is a solid alternative. It still boosts your attack and elemental abilities.
The Best Weapons for Xiao
I’m not gonna lie—I messed this up at first. I gave Xiao a random polearm, hoping for the best. Spoiler alert: it didn’t go well. So, let me save you the trouble. If you want Xiao to go from “meh” to “oh hell yeah,” you need to equip him with the right weapon.
1. Primordial Jade Winged-Spear (5-Star)
Look, this weapon is the stuff of legends. If you pull it, keep it. This polearm boosts Crit Rate, which is key for Xiao, and it gives an ATK% bonus that stacks with every hit. The passive boosts his ATK even further, making this the top choice for any Xiao build.
2. Staff of Homa (5-Star)
Wait, what? Staff of Homa for Xiao? I thought that was for Hu Tao! Well, yes, but it works like a charm on Xiao too. It boosts Crit Damage and gives an ATK bonus based on max HP. Now, sure, Xiao’s HP isn’t his main focus, but the extra damage boost is undeniable. Plus, when his HP drops below 50%, it increases his attack. So yeah, not bad.
3. Deathmatch (4-Star)
This one’s a solid free-to-play option. If you don’t have any 5-star polearms, Deathmatch is your go-to. It increases both Crit Rate and ATK%, which are key for maximizing damage.
4. Blackcliff Pole (4-Star)
A good second choice if you want to focus on Crit Damage. The passive is solid: every time you defeat an enemy, you get an ATK boost. This works well with Xiao’s quick attack speed.
Xiao’s Talents: How to Level Them
Listen, Xiao’s talents are where the magic happens. If you’re not prioritizing the right ones, well… that’s how you end up with a character who does decent damage instead of insane, blow-the-roof-off damage. I learned that lesson the hard way.
1. Normal Attack: Whirlwind Thrust
This is Xiao’s bread and butter. He charges forward with a flurry of polearm strikes. It’s simple, but effective, especially in Swirl reactions. Level this talent up to increase overall damage, and you’ll be comboing enemies into oblivion.
2. Elemental Skill: Lemniscatic Wind Cycling
This is Xiao’s dash skill. Think of it like a quick getaway—except you’re still dealing Anemo damage while zipping around the battlefield. Level this up to reduce cooldowns and keep those dashes coming. Fast. Fluid. Fantastic.
3. Elemental Burst: Bane of All Evil
Here’s the kicker. Xiao’s Bane of All Evil transforms him into an absolute beast. His damage skyrockets, and his attack speed goes through the roof. It’s also the source of his biggest damage output. Keep in mind, though, that using it costs his HP, so make sure you’re not going in blind. Keep healing potions handy.
4. Passive Talents
These are the behind-the-scenes players. Annihilation reduces the cooldown on Xiao’s Elemental Skill, making him even faster. Eternal Subjugation boosts his Elemental Burst damage. Whirlwind Thrust reduces stamina consumption. These talents will take your Xiao from good to great.
Xiao’s Playstyle: Tips and Tricks
Alright, now that we’ve got all the building blocks in place, let’s talk strategy.
1. Use Elemental Burst Wisely
When it comes to Xiao, timing is key. Bane of All Evil is where most of your damage is going to come from. But here’s the thing—don’t just spam it whenever. You need to make sure your energy is ready, and that you’re not about to get wrecked in the process.
2. Chain Dashes
Xiao’s Elemental Skill lets him zip around the battlefield, and you can chain these dashes together. The more you chain, the more damage you deal. It’s almost like you’re dancing through your enemies, leaving a trail of destruction in your wake. (I’ll be honest: I’m still working on not running into walls every other dash, but hey, progress.)
3. Energy Recharge Is Your Friend
Xiao’s Elemental Burst is a game-changer, but you need to have enough energy for it. So, yeah, load up on Energy Recharge. You’ll thank me later.
4. Trigger Swirl Reactions
Use his Anemo abilities to trigger Swirl reactions with other characters’ elements. This can help boost Xiao’s damage even further. It’s a simple strategy, but it works wonders.
Final Thoughts
So, there you have it. Building Xiao in Genshin Impact isn’t rocket science, but it does take some attention to detail. If you’re smart about your weapons, artifacts, and talents, he can go from a cool character to an absolute monster in battle. And trust me, you’ll love the results.
I learned this all through trial and error (a lot of error). But now, Xiao is one of my go-to characters for big, explosive damage. If you’ve got him in your team, just remember—timing is key, and a little energy recharge goes a long way.
