Selecting the right character in Genshin Impact can be a challenging task, especially for those looking for the most optimal DPS or support option. Players need to take into account various factors like element, weapon type, constellation level, and artifacts, which can affect a character's performance significantly. Moreover, different characters excel in different scenarios, making it difficult to determine which one is the best fit for a player's team. Therefore, players should compare the strengths and weaknesses of each character, such as their damage output, crowd control abilities, and elemental reactions, to make an informed decision about which characters to include in their roster. Additionally, players can also consider each character's unique features, such as their exploration skills or passive abilities, to find a character that fits their playstyle and preferences.
Anemo characters in Genshin Impact are often considered support characters due to their ability to provide utility, crowd control, and elemental reactions to benefit their teammates. While Venti, Kazuha, and Sucrose are popular choices for their supportive abilities, Xiao was long considered the only viable Anemo DPS character. However, with the release of Heizou during Inazuma arc and Wanderer in the Sumeru arc, players now have a variety of Anemo options to choose from, each with their own distinct playstyle. These new Anemo characters bring a breath of fresh air to the game, giving players more choices to fit their playstyle preferences. Whether players want a dedicated Anemo DPS character or a supportive one, there are now more options than ever before.
Xiao's Strengths And Weaknesses
Despite multiple updates to Genshin Impact since his initial release, Xiao remains a top-performing character in end-game content such as the Spiral Abyss and other challenging events. This is due to the strengths and advantages of his unique kit and abilities, making him a relevant and valuable addition to players' rosters even today.
Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
|
|
Xiao's plunging stance is undoubtedly the highlight of his kit, especially during his Elemental Burst, which benefits from high modifiers. In addition, his Elemental Burst converts his damage to Anemo, allowing him to consistently benefit from Swirl DMG. Due to the wide range of his plunging DMG, Xiao is also an excellent choice against multiple enemies in AoE combat and can hold his own against bosses and other large units. However, against single targets, especially weaker ones, Xiao's plunging ability is not significantly strong.
One of the advantages of using Xiao is that he is free-to-play friendly and does not require high constellations to perform well. Moreover, his team compositions are also not as restrictive as some other characters. However, the main downside is that he requires a 5-star polearm to maximize his potential, as most of the options perform better than the 4-star Deathmatch.
Furthermore, players must pay attention to Energy Recharge when using Xiao, especially in team compositions that do not feature a battery character. If not built properly, Xiao can suffer from a lack of Energy Recharge, which is crucial to maintaining his constant Elemental State. Overall, Xiao is a powerful character with a simple playstyle that can be customized to fit different artifact options and preferences, but requires careful consideration when building a team around him.
Wanderer's Strengths And Weaknesses
Players eagerly anticipated the arrival of Wanderer as a playable character in Genshin Impact, particularly since he was introduced as Scaramouche in the early days of the game. Although some were surprised that he was released as an Anemo character instead of Electro, it is still exciting to see him as a viable alternative to Xiao. With his unique skill set and playstyle, Wanderer offers a fresh take on Anemo DPS and adds diversity to the roster of characters available to players.
Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
|
|
In many ways, Wanderer's playstyle is the opposite of Xiao's. While Xiao focuses on plunging and his Elemental Burst, Wanderer is unable to plunge while hovering during his Elemental Skill, which is his unique gameplay ability. However, his normal and charged attacks are quite strong, and he is permanently able to do swirls as a catalyst user, making him a great driver for elemental reactions. Additionally, he excels against a variety of different enemies and gains different buffs based on the elements of his team compositions, making him a highly versatile character.
Wanderer is also generally F2P friendly, as he doesn't require many constellations and has access to great 4-star weapons like the Widsith. However, some players may find his kit confusing, as he utilizes a bar called Kuugoryoku Points when hovering during his Elemental Skill, which can be difficult to manage. Additionally, if a shielder is not utilized and he is interrupted, Wanderer can die quite quickly due to his low defense stat and limited dodge abilities. Lastly, while not a direct combat benefit, his hover ability is great during exploration as instead of climbing players can simply hover most of the height.
Verdict: Xiao Or Wanderer
In the end, the decision to choose between Xiao and Wanderer boils down to personal preference, specifically whether players prefer plunging or charged attacks. Both characters can be built in a similar manner and benefit from Faruzan's Anemo support, especially if players have her sixth constellation. Their damage outputs are comparable, so players won't miss out on a significant amount of damage potential by selecting one over the other. However, Wanderer may be considered more versatile than Xiao in terms of team compositions and exploration, which may be valuable to some players.
How Does Heizou Compare To Xiao Or Wanderer
Heizou, another Anemo Catalyst character, is designed to fulfill the role of a driver and DPS, and some players may prefer to build him over Xiao or Wanderer. As a 4-star character, Heizou's higher constellations are easier to obtain, making C6 Heizou comparable to C0 Wanderer or C0 Xiao.
In terms of damage potential, assuming similar builds, C6 Heizou is comparable in damage output to both Wanderer and Xiao. However, compared to Wanderer, Heizou's attacks might result in bigger numbers per hit, although he is designed more as a quick swap character with longer cooldowns. In contrast, Wanderer is on the field most of the time with quicker hits that amount to the same numbers. Therefore, if players already have C6 Heizou and enjoy his play style, they do not necessarily need Xiao or Wanderer when it comes to combat proficiency.
Genshin Impact is now available on Mobile, PC, PS4, and PS5. A Switch version is in development.