Highlights
- Xiao's unique play style makes him a fan favorite in Genshin Impact, but players need to understand the game mechanic that consistently drains his HP and build a team that can support and keep him alive.
- Leveling up Xiao's normal attack talent is crucial to maximize his burst that amplifies his plunging attacks. Focus on crit stats and attack for his builds, but also prioritize enjoyment and trying out new strategies.
- Balancing Xiao as a unit requires players to be mindful of his health, as one wrong move can result in his defeat. Mastering dodging, team rotations, and forming the perfect team are key to Xiao's success and the player's success overall.
Genshin Impact's Xiao is a fan favorite among players. Being the ever-trendy "edgy/loner" type of character surely did him a favor, but his unique play style is what sold him as a unit. By creating a character whose health players need to watch, Genshin Impact created something special when throwing him into the ring. But special or not, all new things must be understood.
After all, a game mechanic that drains part of his HP consistently means that Xiao's team comps are going to need to be able to not only support him but keep him alive. The always-useful Bennett could be a good option, but many teams already use him. Players could consider spicing things up by replacing the Pyro user with a shielder or experimenting with other healers and seeing how Xiao synergizes with them. Considering that the game is now in Version 4.1 and Xiao has been out since 1.3, there are plenty of teammates to try Xiao with. It's easy for players to find the perfect combo.
Genshin Impact's Xiao's Kit
Considering that Xiao's burst amplifies his plunging attacks, players should level up his normal attack talent. Selfish DPS characters like Xiao want all talents leveled so that they can get the most out of their kit. For comparison, characters like Razor, Wanderer, and Lyney work the same way—one should level up all three talents. This can make them resource-expensive, but Xiao isn't so bad.
Xiao's ascension materials, the Qingxin flowers, are easy to get to when following the right paths and his builds are straightforward. Like any other of Genshin Impact's DPS builds, focus on crit stats and attack. Players will want to be able to boost his damage across the boards no matter which of his three talents they're using. However, it is important to reiterate that even though there are objectively good builds, enjoying Genshin Impact should come first. If his most popular build bores a player, they are encouraged to try something new out.
His elemental skill allows him to dash through opponents and gain elemental particles (unless he is in his burst mode). It's a quick instance of damage usually only used in team rotations for the sole purpose of gaining more energy for his burst. His burst, "Bane of All Evil", is where Xiao will constantly drain his own HP to hurt enemies. He attacks faster in his burst state, allowing him to get in roughly 10 plunges before his burst is over. This is the moment where most of Xiao's damage comes in, as though he is a selfish DPS, he could also be considered a burst DPS.
Whether players consider him a selfish DPS or a burst DPS though, the main issue comes in understanding how to balance Xiao as a unit. While his builds are straightforward and his teams could be fine if they just smack a shielder or healer in, it remains a problem that players need to keep an eye on his health. After all, one wrong move and Xiao is done for.
It would be even worse if this were to happen to players whilst in the Spiral Abyss segment of Genshin Impact, since then Xiao would be unable to revive. Unless, of course, his teammates are either a C6 Qiqi or a C6 Barbara. Knowing how to dodge, utilize team rotations, and form the perfect team is key to Xiao's success as a unit and the player's success overall.
Genshin Impact is available now on Mobile, PC, PS4 and PS5.