Unlock Xiao's Full Potential: Genshin Impact Showcase Guide

Hey there, fellow Travelers! Ever wondered how to truly unleash the full power of Xiao, the Vigilant Yaksha, and transform him into the ultimate Anemo damage dealer in Genshin Impact? You've come to the right place, guys! Xiao is not just any character; he's a force of nature, a high-flying, plunge-attacking machine that can decimate entire groups of enemies with his iconic polearm strikes. This comprehensive guide is designed to help both new and veteran players master Xiao's unique playstyle, optimize his builds, and truly showcase why he's one of the most exhilarating characters in the game. We're going to dive deep into everything from his core abilities and the best weapons for Xiao, to his ideal artifact sets and synergistic team compositions. We'll even cover advanced combat tips to ensure you're getting the most out out of every single plunge. So, buckle up, because by the end of this article, you'll be well-equipped to make your Xiao a truly unstoppable Anemo hypercarry. Get ready to send enemies flying and watch those big damage numbers pop up! This isn't just a build guide; it's your ultimate roadmap to mastering the Adeptus, bringing peace (and huge damage) to Teyvat one plunge at a time. We'll make sure you understand the nuances of his kit, how to manage his HP drain, and perfectly time your abilities to maximize his damage output. By focusing on these core elements, you'll be able to confidently tackle Spiral Abyss, boss fights, and any challenge Teyvat throws your way with your powerful Xiao. It's all about making him shine, isn't it? Let's get started on making your Xiao the legend he's meant to be.

Who is Xiao and Why He's a Must-Have Anemo DPS?

Alright, guys, let's talk about the man, the myth, the legend himself – Xiao. The Vigilant Yaksha, Alatus, the Conqueror of Demons; whatever you call him, Xiao is one of the most enigmatic and powerful Anemo DPS characters in Genshin Impact. For those unfamiliar with his lore, Xiao is one of the few remaining Yakshas, ancient guardians tasked by Rex Lapis (Zhongli) to protect Liyue from demonic entities. This heavy burden has led him to live a solitary, often melancholic existence, constantly battling karmic debt. But don't let his brooding demeanor fool you; in combat, he transforms into an unstoppable whirlwind of destruction. He's not just a character; he's a statement on the battlefield, defining a unique playstyle centered around high-flying, relentless plunge attacks. Seriously, watching him leap into the air and slam down, dealing massive Anemo damage, is one of the most satisfying experiences in the game. He's often categorized as a hypercarry, meaning he's designed to be the primary source of damage in your team, soaking up field time and resources to maximize his personal output. This makes him a fantastic choice for players who love seeing big, consistent damage numbers and enjoy a highly active, skill-based combat style. His ability to perform multiple consecutive plunge attacks during his Elemental Burst, Bane of All Evil, makes him incredibly effective against both single targets and large groups of enemies, providing excellent Area of Effect (AoE) damage. Furthermore, his elemental skill, Lemniscatic Wind Cycling, offers incredible mobility, allowing him to quickly traverse the battlefield or even explore the open world with ease. Many players find his unique kit incredibly engaging, as it requires careful resource management (especially his HP drain during burst) and precise execution to truly master. If you're looking for a character who rewards skillful play with monumental damage, and has a rich, compelling backstory, then Xiao is absolutely a must-have Anemo DPS. His sheer damage potential, combined with his distinct and exhilarating playstyle, makes him a valuable addition to any roster. He offers a fresh take on combat compared to other main DPS characters, relying less on Elemental Reactions and more on raw, unadulterated Anemo damage amplification. So, if you're ready to embrace the life of a demon-slaying Adeptus and dominate the battlefield with style, then investing in Xiao is a decision you won't regret. He truly stands out as a unique and rewarding character in the vast world of Teyvat, waiting for you to unlock his incredible potential.

Xiao's Core Kit: Mastering the Vigilant Yaksha's Plunge Attacks

To truly master Xiao, guys, you need to understand the ins and outs of his unique kit, which revolves heavily around his signature plunge attacks during his Elemental Burst. Let's break down each ability and see how they synergize to create the ultimate Anemo damage machine. First up, his Normal Attack: Whirlwind Strike. While he's a polearm user with a cool-looking attack sequence, his normal attacks aren't his primary source of damage. They're typically used for setting up combos or when his Elemental Burst is on cooldown, but most of your damage will come from other sources. Next, we have his Elemental Skill, Lemniscatic Wind Cycling. This is a fantastic ability that allows Xiao to dash forward, dealing Anemo damage to enemies in his path. What makes it even better is that it has two charges and generates a good amount of Anemo energy particles. This energy generation is absolutely crucial for maintaining his Elemental Burst uptime, which we'll get to in a moment. You can use this skill mid-air, which is super helpful for both combat and exploration, allowing him to traverse gaps or reach high places with ease. Using both charges before casting his Burst is a common strategy to ensure he has enough energy to activate his ultimate. Now, for the real star of the show: his Elemental Burst, Bane of All Evil. When Xiao activates this, he dons his Yaksha mask, gaining a massive boost to his jumping ability, significantly increasing his attack range, and converting all of his attack damage into Anemo damage that cannot be overridden. This means every single hit, especially his iconic plunge attacks, will deal Anemo damage. During this state, his attack damage is also significantly increased. The catch, and this is important, is that he constantly drains his own HP while the Burst is active. This HP drain is a core mechanic and requires careful management with healers or shielders in your team to keep him alive. The duration of this Burst is 15 seconds, and it has an Energy Cost of 70, making efficient energy regeneration absolutely vital. The entire game plan for Xiao revolves around entering his Elemental Burst state and then spamming charged plunge attacks to deal continuous, high-intensity AoE Anemo damage. The increased jump height allows him to perform these plunges rapidly, creating a devastating cycle of aerial assaults. Mastering the rhythm of his plunges, perhaps even incorporating animation cancels to maximize the number of plunges within his Burst window, is key to truly unlocking his potential. Every aspect of his kit, from his energy-generating skill to the raw power of his Burst, is designed to facilitate this specific, high-damage plunge playstyle. Understanding how his HP drains, how to manage energy, and how to execute his plunges efficiently are fundamental to making your Xiao a demon-slaying powerhouse in Genshin Impact. It's a high-risk, high-reward playstyle, but man, the rewards are glorious!

Best Weapons for Xiao: Unleashing His True Power

Alright, let's get down to business with one of the most critical aspects of optimizing your Xiao: choosing the best weapons to unleash his true potential. Xiao, as a hypercarry, demands a polearm that can provide him with crucial stats like Crit Rate, Crit Damage, and Attack%. Getting the right weapon can seriously elevate his damage output, turning him from a strong DPS into an absolute monster. When we talk about 5-star polearms, the cream of the crop, a few immediately come to mind. First up is the Primordial Jade Winged-Spear. This, guys, is often considered Xiao's signature weapon and for good reason. It provides a significant amount of Crit Rate as its secondary stat, which is incredibly valuable for reaching optimal Crit ratios. Its passive also grants an ATK% increase with each hit, stacking up to 7 times, and at max stacks, it gives an additional damage bonus. This perfectly complements Xiao's rapid plunge attacks, allowing him to quickly build up and maintain these powerful buffs. Next, we have the Staff of Homa. While it's Hu Tao's signature weapon, it's also exceptionally strong on Xiao. It provides a massive amount of Crit Damage as its secondary stat, which is fantastic for big numbers. Its passive increases HP by a percentage, and then grants an ATK bonus based on a percentage of his Max HP. This ATK bonus is even further increased when his HP is below 50%, which, ironically, synergizes well with Xiao's HP-draining Elemental Burst. However, you'll need to be mindful of keeping him in that lower HP threshold to fully utilize this passive, which can be tricky but rewarding. Lastly among the top-tier 5-stars, we have Calamity Queller. This polearm boasts an incredibly high Base ATK and provides a substantial ATK% as its secondary stat. Its passive increases Elemental DMG Bonus and then grants an even larger ATK% bonus for a short duration after using an Elemental Skill. Since Xiao uses his skill frequently before his burst, and sometimes mid-rotation, he can make good use of this weapon's high raw stats, though its passive isn't as perfectly tailored as PJWS or Homa. Moving on to 4-star polearms, there are some excellent and more accessible options that can still make your Xiao incredibly powerful. The Deathmatch, obtainable through the Battle Pass, is a fantastic choice. It provides a hefty amount of Crit Rate as its secondary stat, making it easier to balance your Crit ratio. Its passive grants an ATK% bonus based on the number of enemies nearby, which is usually active during Xiao's AoE plunge attacks. Another solid option is the Blackcliff Pole, which you can get from the Starglitter Exchange. It offers Crit Damage as its secondary stat, which is great for pushing those damage numbers. Its passive increases ATK% after defeating an enemy, stacking up to three times. While conditional, in multi-enemy scenarios, it can provide a significant boost. For specific team compositions, the Lithic Spear can be surprisingly potent. It provides ATK% as its secondary stat, and its passive increases ATK% and Crit Rate for each Liyue character in your party. If you're running Xiao with characters like Zhongli, Xiangling, or Xingqiu, this weapon can become incredibly competitive. Finally, for F2P players, the Favonius Lance can be a good utility option if your Xiao is really struggling with Energy Recharge, as it helps generate energy particles for the whole team. However, it won't contribute much to his personal damage. In summary, guys, when picking a weapon for Xiao, prioritize Crit Rate/Damage and ATK%. While the 5-star options offer peak performance, don't underestimate the power of well-chosen 4-star polearms to make your Xiao a force to be reckoned with!

Artifacts: Optimizing Xiao's Damage Output

Now that we've got Xiao's weapons sorted, let's talk about the next crucial step in making him an absolute powerhouse: Artifacts. Choosing the right artifact sets and optimizing their stats is absolutely critical for maximizing his Anemo damage output and ensuring he hits like a truck with every plunge. This is where a lot of his true potential is locked away, so pay close attention, guys! When it comes to primary artifact sets, Xiao has a few standout options, but one, in particular, has emerged as his undisputed best-in-slot. First and foremost, we have the 4-piece Vermillion Hereafter. This set, specifically designed for characters like Xiao who constantly lose HP and gain buffs from their Elemental Burst, is phenomenal. Its 2-piece effect grants a standard 18% ATK bonus, which is always welcome. The 4-piece effect is where it truly shines: after using an Elemental Burst, the character gains a 8% ATK increase for 16 seconds. When the character's HP decreases, their ATK will further increase by 10% for 10 seconds, and this effect can stack up to 4 times. Since Xiao's Burst constantly drains his HP, he can easily maintain and maximize these stacks, resulting in a staggering total of 66% ATK bonus (18% from 2pc + 8% from 4pc activation + 40% from 4 stacks of 10% ATK). This massive ATK boost directly translates into significantly higher plunge damage, making it the prime target for farming if you want your Xiao to reach his peak. Another strong contender, especially a newer one, is the 4-piece Desert Pavilion Chronicle. Its 2-piece grants a 15% Anemo DMG Bonus, and the 4-piece effect states that after a Charged Attack hits an opponent, the character's Normal Attack SPD will increase by 10% and Normal, Charged, and Plunging Attack DMG will increase by 40% for 15 seconds. While the Normal Attack SPD isn't highly beneficial for Xiao, the 40% Plunging Attack DMG bonus is incredibly potent and can make this set compete very closely with Vermillion Hereafter, especially if you have stronger sub-stats on it. It’s a fantastic alternative and sometimes easier to farm if you're also looking for other sets from that domain. Before these specialized sets, a popular and still very viable option was a 2-piece Viridescent Venerer combined with a 2-piece ATK% set (like Gladiator's Finale, Shimenawa's Reminiscence, or Echoes of an Offering). This combination grants a 15% Anemo DMG Bonus from Viridescent Venerer and an 18% ATK bonus from any ATK% set. This is a very consistent and easier-to-farm option since you can mix and match pieces you might already have with good sub-stats. While it might not reach the absolute peak damage of a perfectly farmed 4-piece Vermillion Hereafter, it's an excellent stepping stone or a solid choice if RNG isn't being kind with the Vermillion domain. Now, let's talk about main stats – these are non-negotiable for Xiao. For the Sands of Eon, you absolutely want ATK%. For the Goblet of Eonothem, it's Anemo DMG Bonus all the way; this provides a massive multiplicative boost to all his Anemo damage. And for the Circlet of Logos, you'll want either Crit Rate or Crit Damage, depending on what your Xiao needs to balance his Crit ratio (aim for at least a 1:2 ratio, e.g., 70% Crit Rate and 140% Crit Damage, or even higher). Finally, sub-stats priority is crucial: you'll be looking for Crit Rate / Crit Damage first and foremost. After that, ATK% is highly desirable. A bit of Energy Recharge can also be beneficial, especially if you're struggling to get his Burst up consistently, but don't overprioritize it at the expense of Crit or ATK%. Remember, farming artifacts can be a long grind, but investing time here will yield huge damage returns for your Xiao! Get ready to spend some Resin, because a well-built Xiao is worth every single piece of effort.

Team Compositions for Xiao: Supporting the Anemo King

Alright, guys, let's move on to another absolutely critical aspect of making your Xiao shine: building the perfect team compositions to support him. Xiao is a hypercarry, meaning he does most of the heavy lifting when it comes to damage, but he can't do it alone. He has specific needs, particularly concerning energy generation (he needs his Burst up constantly!), healing/shielding (due to his HP drain), and damage amplification. A well-constructed team around Xiao transforms him from a formidable fighter into an unstoppable Anemo king on the battlefield. Let's break down the essential support roles he needs and then look at some killer team examples. First, every Xiao team needs an Anemo Battery. Since Xiao's Elemental Burst has a high energy cost (70) and is the core of his damage, consistent energy regeneration is paramount. Sucrose is a fantastic F2P-friendly option, especially when equipped with the Thrilling Tales of Dragon Slayers (TTDS) catalyst, which provides an ATK% buff to Xiao when she swaps out. She generates a ton of Anemo particles and can group enemies. Jean is another excellent choice, providing both healing and energy (especially if she's C2 or C4), and her A4 passive can slightly reduce Xiao's Anemo resistance. But arguably the best Anemo support for Xiao currently is Faruzan, especially at C6. She provides massive Anemo DMG Bonus, Anemo RES shred, and incredible Anemo energy generation, skyrocketing Xiao's damage to new heights. If you have Faruzan, prioritize her! Second, Xiao needs reliable Shielders or Healers to manage his constant HP drain during his Elemental Burst. The undisputed champion here is Zhongli. His shield is the strongest in the game, providing near-invulnerability, and his Elemental Skill also shreds all elemental and physical resistances of nearby enemies by 20%, which is a huge damage boost for Xiao. Other strong shielders include Layla or Diona, who can also provide some healing or minor utility. For pure healing and a massive ATK buff, Bennett is a phenomenal choice. His Elemental Burst creates an AoE field that heals allies and provides a substantial ATK bonus, turning Xiao into an even bigger damage machine. However, the catch with Bennett is keeping Xiao within his relatively small Burst circle while plunging, which requires careful positioning. Finally, you'll want Off-field DPS or Buffers to further amplify Xiao's damage. Albedo is an amazing option for Geo resonance (if paired with Zhongli) and his Elemental Skill provides consistent off-field Geo damage and can generate Crystallize shields for minor protection. His A4 passive also gives an Elemental Mastery boost, which, while not directly benefiting Xiao's raw Anemo damage, can be useful for other team members. Fischl can provide consistent off-field Electro damage with Oz, and Xiangling with her Pyronado can also add significant off-field Pyro damage if you can manage her energy. Now, let's look at some exemplary Xiao team compositions:

1. The Premium Xiao Comp (Peak Damage): Xiao, Faruzan, Bennett, Zhongli. This is, hands down, the optimal team for Xiao if you have all the pieces. Faruzan provides massive Anemo buffs and energy, Bennett provides colossal ATK buffs and healing, and Zhongli provides the strongest shield and universal resistance shred. This team pushes Xiao's personal damage to its absolute limit, allowing him to plunge for insane numbers without fear of being interrupted or dying.

2. The Classic Xiao Comp (Strong & Comfortable): Xiao, Jean/Sucrose, Albedo, Zhongli. This team offers a very comfortable playstyle. Jean or Sucrose act as the Anemo battery. Zhongli provides the unshakeable shield and resistance shred. Albedo provides consistent off-field damage and activates Geo Resonance with Zhongli, giving an additional 15% damage bonus when shielded. This team is incredibly robust and makes Xiao feel very safe and powerful.

3. F2P-Friendly/Alternative: Xiao, Sucrose, Diona, Xiangling/Fischl. If you don't have access to some of the 5-star supports, this team still works great. Sucrose is your Anemo battery and provides TTDS buff. Diona provides a shield, healing, and some energy. Xiangling or Fischl provide strong off-field damage. The key here is good energy management for both Xiao and your off-field DPS. Remember, guys, the goal is to keep Xiao's Burst up, keep him alive, and maximize his damage. Experiment with different characters based on your roster, but always keep those core needs in mind, and you'll have an unstoppable Xiao ready to conquer anything Teyvat throws at him. Building the right team is about synergy, and for Xiao, that means enabling his plunge-spamming, demon-slaying rampage! So go forth and compose your ultimate team to truly support your Anemo King!

Playstyle & Combat Tips: Dominating the Battlefield with Xiao

Alright, Travelers, you've got your Xiao built, you've got his team ready, now it's time to talk about the most exciting part: how to actually play him and dominate the battlefield! Xiao's playstyle is incredibly unique and satisfying, but it also requires a bit of finesse and understanding of his mechanics to truly maximize his potential. It's not just about mashing buttons, guys; it's about strategy and rhythm. The core of his gameplay revolves around his Elemental Burst, Bane of All Evil, and the relentless plunge attack spam that follows. When you activate his Burst, you'll immediately notice the increased jump height. Your goal is to leap up and perform high plunge attacks as quickly and consistently as possible within the Burst's 15-second window. A common technique is to do a high jump followed by a plunge, then a normal attack or two (to slightly reposition or animation cancel the landing lag, although the benefits of N1/N2 cancels are debated and often negligible compared to simply focusing on rapid plunges) before another high jump and plunge. The key is to maximize the number of plunge attacks you can get off during that window, as each one is a significant source of damage. Animation canceling can be a bit advanced, but typically, a simple short jump immediately after landing a high plunge, followed by another high jump, is often the most efficient way to maintain a high plunge rate. Don't forget that energy management is absolutely crucial for Xiao. His 70-cost Burst needs consistent feeding. Before activating his Burst, make sure to use his Elemental Skill (Lemniscatic Wind Cycling) at least once, ideally twice, to generate Anemo particles. Once you activate his Burst, try to swap to your Anemo battery (like Sucrose or Faruzan) and use their skills to generate even more particles, then quickly swap back to Xiao to absorb those particles. This process, often called