The best builds for Xiao in Genshin Impact

Genshin Impact Xiao build guide: decimate foes with this demon-hunter.

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Looking for a goodGenshin Impact Xiao buildfor his rerun? Few would have predicted that we’d get so many reruns in Genshin Impact 2.4, and that alongside Ganyu and Zhongli, we’d also get the demon slayer, Xiao. You can currently wish for him alongside the new characters, Shenhe and Yun Jin. Even though we now have Kazuha, too, no one does a plunging attack quite like Xiao.

Genshin Impact Shenhe build:Icy exorcistGenshin Impact Yun Jin build:Prestigious performerGenshin Impact Itto build:The one and OniGenshin Impact Gorou build:Canine commanderGenshin Impact Eula build:Spindrift knight

Seriously, his burst increases his jump distance and AoE damage, meaning he can spam plunging attacks into groups of enemies, or repeatedly activate the Swirl reaction, as he drops into another character’s AoE burst. When you throw in his Lemniscatic Wind Cycling skill that lets him dash through enemies or even mid-air, you have a character with even more mobility thanKeqing.

Xiao is a reliable damage-dealer and along with characters likeAyaka,Beidou, or Kazuha, has one of the most enjoyable playstyles in the game. In this Genshin Impact Xiao build guide, I’ll go through the five-star’s abilities, constellations, how you get him, as well as a build to make the most out of him.

Builds

The best Genshin Impact Xiao build

The best Genshin Impact Xiao build

Xiao is best built as a DPS fighter, and since his abilities infuse his regular attacks with Anemo damage, any build should be focused on raising either his Anemo or attack damage.

DPS

On a hit, this five-star polearm gets a 3.2% attack boost for six seconds, which stacks up to seven times, and can occur once every 0.3 seconds. If you manage to get all those stacks, damage is boosted by a further 12%. This makes the weapon well-suited to Xiao’s speedy fighting style, as he racks up those stacks for that maximum bonus.

The Primordial Jade Winged Spear is available on 2.4’s epitome invocation banner, but if you have some Starglitter saved up, you can purchase the Blackcliff Pole through Paimon’s Bargains. This four-star polearm boosts crit damage as a sub stat, and increases attack by 12% up to three times whenever you defeat an opponent.

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This set is a good pick for Xiao since two pieces of Gladiator’s Finale boosts attack by 18%, while two pieces of Viridescent Venerer boosts Anemo damage by 15%. This creates a good balance for Xiao in terms of both dealing physical damage, and Anemo-infused damage.

In terms of alternate artifacts, you could also replace Gladiator’s Finale with Shiminenawa’s Reminiscence, or add two pieces of Berskerker for that 12% crit rate increase, which would synergise well with Blackcliff Pole for pushing Xiao towards crits.

Abilities

Xiao’s abilities

Here are Xiao’s abilities, passives, and Constellations:

Ascension materials

Xiao Ascension materials

Character

In order to ascend and level Xiao you’ll need the usual Vayuda Turquoise for Anemo characters, as well as Juvenile Jade, which you can get from the Primo Geovishap boss fight. You’ll also need two world materials:

Qingxin are white flowers that are found in the mountainous stone forest of Liyue, but especially at Jueyun Karst and the Guyun Stone Forest. Slime Condensate-series items, on the other hand, are dropped by slimes of different world levels.

Talent

Here are Xiao’s talent ascension materials:

Teachings of Prosperity can be earned at the Taishin Mansion domain on Mondays, Thursdays, and Sundays. As mentioned, Slime Condensate-series items come from all different slimes of varying world levels. Shadow of the Warrior is a reward for fighting level 70+ Childe in the Trounce Domain.

Lastly, the Crown of Insight comes from seasonal events, but also upgrading either the Sacred Sakura in Inazuma, or the Frostbearing Tree in Dragonspine.

Genshin Impact guide:Beginner tipsGenshin Impact characters:Full tier listGenshin Impact code:Redeem for free rewardsGenshin Impact build:Best of the bunch

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