Genshin Impact Xiao Build Guide: Best Artifacts, Weapons, Teams, And Pull Value
Xiao is an Anemo plunge carry whose strength depends on commitment. He wants Burst uptime, plunging damage buffs, healing, interruption comfort, and teammates who support a long field window instead of quickswap damage.
Quick answer: Xiao is an Anemo plunge carry whose best build prioritizes Burst uptime, Anemo damage, CRIT, ATK, and supports that buff plunge damage or Anemo damage. Use 4-piece Vermillion Hereafter or strong mixed sets, pair him with Faruzan and healing, and build enough ER to Burst every rotation.
Xiao Character Profile
For element, weapon type, rarity, region, ascension stat, materials, talent icons, and constellation names, this guide references the HoYoLAB Wiki character entry for Xiao.
ElementAnemo
WeaponPolearmXiao Motion Reference
Xiao's motion clips give visual context for field presence, readability, and the kind of combat window the build is trying to support.
Animation reference for stance, timing, and character readability.
Idle Animation 1The stance reference fits his all-in identity: once the window starts, Xiao wants commitment.
Animation reference for stance, timing, and character readability.
Idle Animation 2The second motion clip helps explain why positioning before Burst matters for plunge rhythm.
Xiao Best Build Snapshot
Start here before farming artifacts. Xiao's snapshot is about making one Burst window matter. If Energy, healing, and plunge support are solved, his build becomes much easier to judge.
| Best role | Anemo plunge hypercarry |
| Artifact set | 4pc Vermillion Hereafter; Marechaussee Hunter with Furina; 2pc Anemo/ATK mixes as fallback |
| Main stats | ATK Sands / Anemo DMG Goblet / CRIT Circlet |
| Substats | CRIT, ER to Burst comfort, ATK% |
| Talent priority | Normal Attack first, Burst second, Skill third |
| Recommended baseline | Main DPS / 4pc Vermillion Hereafter / Primordial Jade Winged-Spear |
Xiao Plunge Window Checklist
No Burst means no real Xiao window, so Energy support and funneling are part of the build, not side concerns.
Healing is not optional in longer fights. A strong healer or support core keeps his plunge window stable.
Faruzan, Xianyun, Bennett, Furina, or Zhongli-style support can change his ceiling more than small artifact upgrades.
How Xiao's Kit Works
Xiao's Burst converts his field time into repeated Anemo plunge attacks. Because plunge damage is tied to Normal Attack talent scaling, Normal Attack is the first priority for most builds.
His Skill provides mobility, damage, and particles, but it should be woven around Energy needs rather than spammed without a plan. Xiao feels much worse if he cannot Burst on rotation.
Modern Xiao teams improved because Faruzan, Furina, Xianyun, and strong healers can support his Anemo/plunge identity instead of forcing him into generic ATK buffs only.
Xiao Talent Icons And Animation Notes
For Xiao, the talent visuals should be read beside the role checklist above because the important animation detail changes how you plan rotation, field time, or talent priority.
 |  Animation reference for the talent timing, range, and field-time requirement. | Whirlwind Thrust Whirlwind Thrust represents the attack track. For Xiao, compare this animation with the talent-priority line: Normal Attack first, Burst second, Skill third. If Xiao's repeated damage loop uses attacks, this is the talent that most directly changes output. |
 |  Animation reference for the talent timing, range, and field-time requirement. | Lemniscatic Wind Cycling Lemniscatic Wind Cycling is the setup or rotation button. For Xiao, watch this animation for cooldown timing, target position, and whether the character needs to stay on-field after pressing Skill. |
 |  Animation reference for the talent timing, range, and field-time requirement. | Bane of All Evil Bane of All Evil is the third combat reference for Xiao. Compare this animation with Xiao's talent-priority line before investing books, because this slot can represent a Burst, special movement, infusion setup, or another character-specific mechanic. |
Best Artifacts For Xiao
Xiao can use several artifact paths because his teams changed over time. Vermillion is dedicated, Marechaussee can work in HP-changing teams, and mixed sets remain acceptable with strong substats.
| 4pc Vermillion Hereafter | Best dedicated Xiao set for HP-drain Burst gameplay. |
| 4pc Marechaussee Hunter | Strong with Furina or reliable HP-change teams; watch CRIT Rate overcap. |
| 2pc Anemo / 2pc ATK mixes | Easy fallback while farming and often close if substats are excellent. |
Xiao Artifact Visual Reference
These artifact icons match the sets discussed above and explain why each set is used.
 | Vermillion Hereafter | Vermillion Hereafter is Xiao's dedicated damage set because it rewards HP drain during Burst plunging windows. |
 | Marechaussee Hunter | Marechaussee Hunter rewards HP changes with CRIT Rate, so it becomes strong when Furina or the character's own kit keeps HP moving. |
Xiao Main Stats And Substats
Default main stats: ATK Sands / Anemo DMG Goblet / CRIT Circlet. Substats: CRIT, ER to Burst comfort, ATK%. ATK, Anemo DMG, CRIT, and enough ER are the core. If Burst is late, the build is not finished even if the damage screenshot looks high.
Best Weapons For Xiao
Xiao weapons should support CRIT, ATK, and sustained field damage. A weapon that looks strong in one plunge can still lose value if the rotation lacks Energy or support uptime.
| Primordial Jade Winged-Spear | Signature-style premium weapon with CRIT Rate and stacking damage. |
| Staff of Homa | Strong CRIT DMG option, especially with HP manipulation. |
| Deathmatch | Reliable Battle Pass CRIT Rate weapon. |
| Blackcliff Pole | Shop option that can work when CRIT DMG is needed. |
| Favonius Lance | Team utility fallback, not a damage-first choice. |
Xiao Weapon Visual Reference
These weapon icons help identify the recommended weapons while the notes explain when each one is actually useful.
 | Primordial Jade Winged-Spear | Signature-style premium weapon with CRIT Rate and stacking damage. |
 | Staff of Homa | Strong CRIT DMG option, especially with HP manipulation. |
 | Blackcliff Pole | Shop option that can work when CRIT DMG is needed. |
 | Deathmatch | Reliable Battle Pass CRIT Rate weapon. |
 | Favonius Lance | Team utility fallback, not a damage-first choice. |
Xiao Talent Priority
Normal Attack first, Burst second, Skill third. For Xiao, talent books and weekly materials should go into the action that actually defines the rotation before you spend resources on secondary damage.
Xiao Ascension Material Checklist
Use these material icons as a farming checklist before spending resin or converting drops.
 | Mora | 420000 |
 | Vayuda Turquoise Sliver | 1 |
 | Qingxin | 168 |
 | Slime Condensate | 18 |
 | Vayuda Turquoise Fragment | 9 |
 | Juvenile Jade | 46 |
 | Slime Secretions | 30 |
 | Vayuda Turquoise Chunk | 9 |
 | Slime Concentrate | 36 |
 | Vayuda Turquoise Gemstone | 6 |
Xiao Talent Material Checklist
Use these talent material icons to plan books, enemy drops, weekly boss drops, Mora, and Crown usage.
 | Mora | 1652500 |
 | Teachings of Prosperity | 3 |
 | Slime Condensate | 6 |
 | Guide to Prosperity | 21 |
 | Slime Secretions | 22 |
 | Philosophies of Prosperity | 38 |
 | Slime Concentrate | 31 |
 | Shadow of the Warrior | 6 |
 | Crown of Insight | 1 |
Xiao Rotation And Gameplay Loop
Xiao wants supports ready before Burst. Set healing, buffs, resistance shred, and Energy first; then use his field window without wasting plunge time on late setup.
- Use battery and support skills before Xiao takes the field.
- Cast Faruzan, Bennett, Furina, Xianyun, or shield effects in the correct order.
- Use Xiao Skill for particles, then Burst and perform plunge attacks.
- Exit when Burst ends, rebuild Energy, and avoid starting another rotation without enough ER.
Best Xiao Teams
Xiao teams are about protecting a long commitment. The best teammates do not steal his field time; they make his Burst window safer and heavier.
| Premium plunge | Xiao + Faruzan + Xianyun + Furina. High ceiling with plunge support, Fanfare, and healing. |
| Classic Anemo carry | Xiao + Faruzan + Bennett + Zhongli. Strong buffs and shield comfort. |
| Double Anemo comfort | Xiao + Faruzan/Sucrose/Jean + healer + shielder. Prioritize Burst uptime and safety. |
| Budget Xiao | Xiao + Sucrose + Bennett + Diona/Layla. Use Sucrose as battery and keep shield/healing available. |
Is Xiao Worth Building Or Pulling?
Xiao is worth building if you enjoy plunge combat and can support him with Energy, healing, and Anemo/plunge buffs. C0 is playable, but he benefits enormously from dedicated teammates. If you do not own Faruzan or Xianyun-style support, he can still work but may feel more demanding than newer self-sufficient carries.
Pull planning note: If Xiao becomes your pull target and you choose to top up before a rerun, confirm your UID, server, product, and order details before payment.
Xiao Constellation Value
Constellations should be judged after the C0 team works. For Xiao, the advice below focuses on account value rather than collection pressure.
 | C1: Dissolution Eon: Destroyer of Worlds | C1 is a luxury upgrade; judge it by whether it improves Xiao's main role before spending Primogems. |
 | C2: Annihilation Eon: Blossom of Kaleidos | C2 is a luxury upgrade; judge it by whether it improves Xiao's main role before spending Primogems. |
 | C3: Conqueror of Evil: Wrath Deity | C3 is a luxury upgrade; judge it by whether it improves Xiao's main role before spending Primogems. |
 | C4: Transcension: Extinction of Suffering | C4 is a luxury upgrade; judge it by whether it improves Xiao's main role before spending Primogems. |
 | C5: Evolution Eon: Origin of Ignorance | C5 is a luxury upgrade; judge it by whether it improves Xiao's main role before spending Primogems. |
 | C6: Conqueror of Evil: Guardian Yaksha | C6 is a luxury upgrade; judge it by whether it improves Xiao's main role before spending Primogems. |
Common Xiao Build Mistakes
- Leveling Burst before Normal Attack and losing plunge scaling value.
- Running too little Energy Recharge or no battery.
- Ignoring healing while Xiao drains HP during Burst.
- Playing him without grouping or shield comfort against scattered enemies.
- Expecting generic Anemo support builds to fit a hypercarry Xiao team.
Xiao Account Planning Tips
Build Xiao when you are willing to invest in a dedicated Anemo carry shell. If your account needs flexible supports more, Faruzan, Xianyun, Furina, or Zhongli-style units may matter first.
Xiao Related ManaBuy Guides
Use these links when you want to compare Xiao with the broader roster or check older version-specific context without treating it as the evergreen main guide.
Xiao Build Guide FAQ
Does Xiao need Faruzan?
He can play without her, but Faruzan is one of his most important modern supports because she buffs Anemo damage and reduces Anemo resistance.
What talent should Xiao crown first?
Normal Attack first, because plunge damage scales there. Burst is next for the damage bonus.
Is Vermillion or Marechaussee better?
Vermillion is dedicated and reliable. Marechaussee is strong with Furina or HP-change teams but needs CRIT Rate management.
Does Xiao need a healer?
Yes. His Burst drains HP, and modern Furina teams especially require strong healing.
Is Xiao worth pulling now?
Yes if you like plunge hypercarry gameplay and can build his support core. Otherwise, more flexible supports may be higher account value.
Xiao Build Conclusion
Final take: Xiao succeeds when the entire team protects his plunge window. Solve Burst uptime, healing, and support buffs before judging his personal artifacts too harshly.
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