Genshin Impact Xiao Build: Best Artifacts, Weapons, and Teams

Xiao is one of the strongest characters in Genshin Impact, a formidable Adepti that guards the land of Liyue in the game. He is an Anemo character that many people love and know as a DPS character that can defeat multiple characters with his amazing Elemental Burst. To make sure that he’s one of the strongest Genshin Impact characters possible, you need the right build to make him powerful. In this article, you’ll learn the best Xiao build to make sure that you’re hitting the highest damage possible.

Also read: Genshin Impact Multiplayer: How It Works (A Guide)

Who Is Xiao in Genshin Impact?

Xiao, also known as the “Conqueror of Demons,” is an Adepti who serves under Morax and up to the present-day Teyvat, continues to serve the Geo God. Xiao lives as a character often haunted by his past as he is the last of his group to survive.

He typically avoids humans in his path, but he finds solace in Wangshu Inn where he has a good relationship with the humans who run it. Despite his nature as a recluse, Xiao still comes to the aid of humans when needed. This is shown when he came to the aid of the Traveler during the attack on Osial.

To date, he is still a reliable ally that the Traveler can call upon whenever he needs help.

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How to Get Xiao in Genshin Impact?

Xiao is a limited 5-star character in Genshin Impact. You can only obtain Xiao during a limited character banner. As of late, Xiao has only made an appearance on one banner. He is the only Yaksha available in the game.

You can’t obtain him on a Standard Banner and on any other Character Banner. Keep in mind that you can only obtain his constellations during his character banner. However, you don’t necessarily need to obtain constellations to make him strong. Learning which artifacts and weapons to use for a Xiao build is still better than having constellations. A good build makes for a stronger character and you don’t need multiple constellations to make him strong.

How to Use Xiao in Genshin Impact?

When fixing your Xiao build, you also need to take into consideration his talents. As far as Combat Talents go, the priority that you need to follow is Normal Attack > Elemental Burst > Elemental Skill.

Unlike other DPS characters where you usually prioritize either the Elemental Burst or Skill first, the bulk of Xiao’s damage comes from his Elemental Burst. However, since you can’t always use his Burst, you will have to rely on his Normal Attack. His Elemental Skill can come after you have maxed out the other two.

Remember that Xiao is a big damage dealer, so you will have to know which talents you should prioritize first. As such, you will have to get to know his talents to make sure that you’re leveling up the right one.

Combat Talents

As mentioned, you will need to prioritize Xiao’s Normal Attack as your damage will still rely on them. His Elemental Burst deals a lot of damage, but you cannot use this consecutively so you will rely on the Normal Attack. As for his Elemental Skill, it doesn’t really help much in combat unless you’re looking for a way to create quick damage.

Passive Talents

With Passive Talents, you don’t have to worry about gathering materials. All you have to do is to ascend the characters and you’ll be able to unlock them.

What Are Xiao’s Constellations?

To activate Xiao’s Constellations, you will need his Stella Fortuna which you can only obtain by getting extra copies of him through wishes. Note that you don’t necessarily need his constellations to make him stronger. You just need a capable Xiao build and you can still deal high amounts of damage.

• Dissolution Eon: Destroyer of Worlds – Increases the charges of  Lemniscatic Wind Cycling by 1.
• Annihilation Eon: Blossom of Kaleidos – Xiao’s Energy Recharge increases by 25% if he is not on the field but present in your party.
• Conqueror of Evil: Wrath Deity – Increases the maximum level of Lemniscatic Wind Cycling. The maximum level is now 15.
• Transcension: Extinction of Suffering – Xiao gains a 100% DEF Bonus when his HP is below 50%.
• Evolution Eon: Origin of Ignorance – Increases the maximum level of Bane of All Evil. The maximum level is now 15.
• Conqueror of Evil: Guardian Yaksha – When Bane of All Evil is in play, you can get 1 charge of Lemniscatic Wind Cycling when you hit two enemies with his Plunging Attack.

Best Xiao Build to Use in Genshin Impact

Unfortunately, when Xiao is involved, you don’t have a lot of options for his build. Since he is primarily a DPS, you cannot use him for Support because his skill set does not allow for it. The biggest adjustment that you can make for him is to use him as a Sub-DPS but he is still one of your major damage dealers.

That said, here are a couple of Xiao builds that you might want to consider using:

Also Read: Genshin Impact Artifacts Guide: Best Picks for Each Element

Recommended Xiao Build

Since Xiao is an Anemo character, the best artifact set to give him is the Viridescent Venerer. A full set of Viridescent Venerer gives him an additional 15% Anemo DMG Bonus and an increase in Swirl DMG by 60%. Xiao doesn’t necessarily need the increase in Swirl DMG so you can usually do with just a 2-piece set combined with a 2-piece Gladiator’s Finale set. This boosts his ATK by 18% so you get a boost in both Anemo DMG and ATK.

Ideally, you want to equip him with the Primordial Jade Winged-Spear as this is a weapon that was made for him. This weapon increases his CRIT Rate which is essential if you want him to have high amounts of Crit DMG. The Deathmatch is also a good alternative because it also boosts the CRIT Rate.

DPS Xiao Build

Contrary to the Recommended Build, Xiao’s DPS build can have a couple of variations. You can use a complete set of Gladiator’s Finale on him. These will give them a boost in ATK and Normal ATK DMG. However, you can also opt to equip Xiao with a two-piece Gladiator’s Finale and a two-piece Shimenawa’s Reminiscence which both increase ATK.

The ideal weapon for him regardless of the artifacts is still the Primordial Jade Winged-Spear. However, you can switch it out with the Vortex Vanquisher which grants a boost in ATK, or the Staff of Homa which boosts Crit DMG.

What Is the Best Team Composition for Xiao?

Xiao is good at dealing damage quickly, but he is a squishy character. That’s why you will have to build a team that will best complement his skills. You will need great support characters so that Xiao can last longer on the field. You will need a healer and you will need a character that can give him additional buffs.  Take note that the bulk of Xiao’s damage comes from his Normal Attack and Elemental Burst so you will need characters that can work around this whenever Xiao isn’t on the field.

Here are some team compositions that you can consider if you want to have Xiao in your team.

Recommended Team Composition

• Main DPS: Xiao
• Healer: Bennett
• Battery: Sucrose
• Support: Zhongli

For this composition, Xiao will serve as your main DPS and attacker. Sucrose will help provide him with Anemo Energy so that you can spam Xiao’s Elemental Burst consecutively. Bennett will provide you with additional boosts and he will also serve as the healer. Lastly, Zhongli can help to prevent damage from enemies with his shield. Sucrose and Zhongli are also great crowd control characters so you can easily use Xiao’s Elemental Burst on multiple opponents.

F2P-Friendly Team Composition

• Main DPS: Xiao
• Healer: Barbara
• Battery: Traveler (Anemo)
• Support: Noelle

The F2P-Friendly Team has an identical composition as the Recommended Build but these use characters that you don’t have to wish for as you can easily get the other characters for free. Barbara will serve as your main healer and the Anemo Traveler will serve as your battery which gives Xiao the ability to use his Burst faster. Lastly, Noelle provides shield support and also heals whenever Barbara is unable to do so.

How to Ascend Xiao?

Gathering Xiao’s Ascension Materials can be a bit of a struggle. First, Qingxin, the local specialty required for his ascension can only be found in select parts of Liyue which means that you will have to wait two to three days for them to respawn so you can collect them again. You will also need the Primordial Jade which you can only obtain from the Primo Geovishap, a strong world boss.

Nonetheless, you will get better results when you ascend Xiao so you might want to prioritize his ascension over other characters that might share the same materials as him.

That said, here’s a quick rundown of Xiao’s Ascension Materials for your reference:

Xiao: The Strongest Anemo DPS

Xiao is undoubtedly the strongest Anemo DPS character in Genshin Impact. He is a joy to have because he can deal huge amounts of damage with his Elemental Burst. He’s also a valuable character when you go through the Spiral Abyss. Having Xiao on your team will make your life easier as a player because you can get things done faster and easier. Just remember to dedicate time to creating your Xiao build so you can get the best results out of it.