Xiao Genshin Impact: Character Overview

Xiao is a 5-star Anemo Polearm user in Genshin Impact known for his swift mobility, devastating plunge attacks, and edgy loner persona. As the last surviving Yaksha, Xiao has long fought to protect Liyue from dark forces while bearing the heavy burden of karmic debt. Despite his stoic demeanor, he has become one of the most popular characters in the game thanks to his high DPS potential and unique combat mechanics.

Whether you're a new traveler looking to pull for Xiao or a veteran planning his optimal setup, this guide will cover everything you need: who he is, how to play him, his best weapons and artifacts, and how to build the strongest team around him. If you're aiming to master the Genshin Impact Xiao build, this is your complete starting point.

From lore to gear optimization, this article dives deep into what makes Xiao a standout choice for Anemo-based DPS builds in the game’s current meta. Let's take a closer look at the Vigilant Yaksha and unlock his full potential.

Who is Xiao Genshin Impact?

Genshin Impact Xiao, also known as the Vigilant Yaksha, is an Adeptus and one of the five mighty Yakshas dispatched by the Geo Archon Morax to subdue the demonic spirits plaguing Liyue. Over time, he became the only surviving member of this ancient order, burdened by the lingering karmic debt from his battles. Though he prefers solitude and rarely interacts with mortals, he remains a silent guardian of Liyue.

Xiao is a 5-star Anemo character who wields a polearm and excels at fast-paced aerial combat. His signature style revolves around high-damage plunge attacks, amplified by his Elemental Burst, which transforms his playstyle and movement. Unlike many other characters, Xiao focuses solely on offense with very little support capability, making him a pure main DPS unit in most team comps.

He was first introduced during the Lantern Rite Festival and quickly became a fan-favorite thanks to his tragic lore, powerful animations, and fast, fluid combat. If you're drawn to agile glass-cannon characters who deliver burst damage from the skies, Xiao is a perfect fit.

How Old Is Xiao Genshin Impact?

Xiao appears to be in his early twenties, visually estimated to be around 21–25 years old. However, his true age is far more ancient. As one of the Adepti of Liyue, Xiao is actually over 2000 years old, having fought countless battles to protect Liyue from evil and corruption over the centuries.

This age discrepancy highlights the ethereal and immortal nature of the Adepti, who are powerful beings bound by contracts and divine duty. Despite his youthful appearance, Xiao's soul is burdened by millennia of warfare and loss, making his story one of the more tragic and profound in Genshin Impact.

How to Unlock Genshin Impact Xiao

Xiao is a limited-time 5-star character in Genshin Impact, which means he is only available through character event banners. To unlock Xiao, you’ll need to wish on the banner where he is featured as the rate-up character. These banners appear periodically and are announced ahead of time via official Genshin Impact channels.

Since Xiao is not part of the standard banner, the only way to obtain him is by saving Primogems or Intertwined Fates and using them during his rerun. The last rerun occurred during major Liyue-focused updates or Lantern Rite events, which are often tied to his lore and popularity.

If you’re planning to get Xiao, make sure to keep an eye on the game’s patch previews, save enough currency in advance, and track pity and 50/50 mechanics to increase your chances.

Abilities and Talents

Xiao’s abilities in Genshin Impact make him one of the most unique and powerful Anemo DPS characters in the game. His talents revolve around high-speed plunging attacks, agile repositioning, and a burst mode that transforms his playstyle entirely. Mastering Xiao’s kit requires careful stamina and HP management, especially during his Elemental Burst. Below is an overview of his core combat talents, including their types and effects:

Passive Talents

• Conqueror of Evil: Tamer of Demons (Ascension 1): While under Bane of All Evil, Xiao’s damage increases by 5% initially and an additional 5% every 3 seconds, up to a maximum bonus of 25%.
• Dissolution Eon: Heaven Fall (Ascension 4): Increases the DMG of Lemniscatic Wind Cycling by 15% for 7s when used. Can stack up to 3 times, with each new use refreshing the duration.
• Transcension: Gravity Defier (Passive): Reduces climbing Stamina consumption for your own party members by 20%. Does not stack with other similar effects.

Xiao’s talents emphasize fast-paced aerial combat, and his playstyle requires mastery of timing, stamina management, and support synergy to sustain his HP during Burst mode.

Xiao Ascension Materials

Below is a full breakdown of the materials needed to ascend Xiao from level 20 to 90 in Genshin Impact. These materials include local specialties, boss drops, and common enemy drops you'll need to farm:

Genshin Impact Xiao Build Overview

Xiao's build is centered around maximizing his plunge attack damage while in Elemental Burst state. He performs best as a Main DPS with Anemo-focused sets and high ATK% scaling.

These builds optimize Xiao Genshin Impact gameplay for different weapon availability. Whether you have his signature spear or a solid 4-star alternative, Xiao excels as a plunge-focused Anemo DPS. With our trusted Genshin Impact Boosting Services, you can save hours of grinding and focus on enjoying the game while we handle the hard work.

Best Weapons for Xiao Genshin Impact

When it comes to maximizing Xiao’s damage in Genshin Impact, his best-in-slot weapons offer a combination of high base ATK and critical stats. Since his playstyle revolves around plunge attacks during Elemental Burst, choosing the right polearm can significantly boost his overall performance. Below is a breakdown of the top weapon options for Xiao Genshin Impact, along with their effects and optimal usage.

Weapon	Weapon Information
Primordial Jade Winged-Spear	Base ATK: 674 Bonus Stat: CRIT Rate 22.1% Skill Effect: On hit, increases ATK by 3.2% for 6s. Max 7 stacks. This effect can only occur once every 0.3s. While at maximum stacks, DMG dealt is increased by 12%.
Staff of Homa	Base ATK: 608 Bonus Stat: CRIT DMG 66.2% Skill Effect: Increases HP by 20% and grants ATK bonus based on 0.8% of Max HP. When HP is below 50%, this bonus increases to 1% of Max HP.
Deathmatch	Base ATK: 454 Bonus Stat: CRIT Rate 36.8% Skill Effect: If at least 2 enemies are nearby, ATK and DEF are increased by 16%. If fewer than 2 enemies are present, ATK is increased by 24%.

Tip: Primordial Jade Winged-Spear remains Xiao’s top-tier option thanks to its synergy with his plunge-heavy rotations, while Staff of Homa is ideal for aggressive builds that capitalize on his HP fluctuation during burst mode.

Xiao Best Artifacts

Choosing the right artifacts is key to maximizing Xiao's plunge-focused DPS potential in Genshin Impact. As a Main DPS character who thrives on his Elemental Burst and plunging attacks, Xiao benefits most from sets that boost Anemo DMG, ATK%, and plunging attack bonuses. Below is a table of the top artifact sets for Xiao Genshin Impact, with details on 2-piece and 4-piece effects.

Artifact	Artifact Bonuses
Long Night's Oath	2-PC: Plunging Attack DMG increased by 25%. 4-PC: After hitting an opponent with Plunging Attack, Charged Attack, or Elemental Skill, the user gains 1/2 stacks of “Radiance Everlasting.” Plunging Attacks deal 15% increased DMG for 6s, up to 5 stacks. Triggers once every 1s per stack.
Vermillion Hereafter	2-PC: ATK +18%. 4-PC: After using an Elemental Burst, the character gains Nascent Light for 16s. Increases ATK by 8%, and further increases ATK by 10% when HP decreases. Can trigger up to 4 times (max 40%). Great synergy with Xiao’s HP drain during burst.
Marechaussee Hunter	2-PC: Normal and Charged Attack DMG +15%. 4-PC: When HP increases or decreases, CRIT Rate increases by 12% for 5s. Max 3 stacks. This bonus is especially effective during Xiao's Elemental Burst, which causes continuous HP loss.

Note: For most players, Vermillion Hereafter or Long Night’s Oath are top-tier options, offering direct synergy with Xiao's burst-focused playstyle. Marechaussee Hunter can be a powerful alternative if CRIT Rate is needed and healing uptime is managed well. If you're struggling to optimize your character loadouts, our Genshin Impact Artifacts Builds Boost can help you get the perfect artifact sets with the right stats for maximum performance.

Xiao Constellations

Xiao’s constellations further enhance his Anemo damage capabilities, giving him more mobility, reduced cooldowns, and powerful synergy with his Elemental Burst. While he is already a strong Main DPS at C0, players who unlock additional constellations will find significant boosts in his overall efficiency and damage potential.

Constellation	Effect
C1: Dissolution Eon: Destroyer of Worlds	Increases Lemniscatic Wind Cycling's charges by 1.
C2: Annihilation Eon: Blossom of Kaleidos	While not on the field, Xiao’s Energy Recharge is increased by 25%.
C3: Conqueror of Evil: Wrath Deity	Increases the level of Lemniscatic Wind Cycling by 3 (maximum upgrade level is 15).
C4: Transcension: Extinction of Suffering	When Xiao’s HP falls below 50%, he gains a 100% DEF bonus.
C5: Evolution Eon: Origin of Ignorance	Increases the level of Bane of All Evil by 3 (maximum upgrade level is 15).
C6: Conqueror of Evil: Guardian Yaksha	While under the effects of Bane of All Evil, hitting at least 2 enemies with Xiao's Plunging Attack will immediately grant him 1 charge of Lemniscatic Wind Cycling and allow using it again within 1 second while ignoring its cooldown.

Conclusion

Xiao stands out in Genshin Impact as a fast-paced, high-damage Anemo DPS character who thrives on mobility and precision. His plunge-focused playstyle and Elemental Burst, Bane of All Evil, make him a thrilling choice for players who enjoy aggressive and dynamic combat. While his constant HP drain and lack of self-sustain require careful team planning—often involving strong healers like Jean or Bennett—his raw AoE power remains one of the best for clearing large groups of enemies and Spiral Abyss challenges.

Building Xiao correctly means prioritizing stats like Crit Rate, Crit DMG, and Anemo DMG Bonus, along with choosing weapons and artifacts that support his burst-heavy kit. Though his mechanics can feel risky or challenging for beginners, dedicated players will find that Xiao becomes a powerhouse with the right setup. If you're looking for a unique DPS that rewards skillful timing and delivers impressive numbers, Xiao is well worth investing in. Want to skip the early grind and dive straight into endgame content? Our Genshin Impact Leveling Boost will quickly raise your Adventure Rank or character levels efficiently and securely.

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Change Log

• 08.06.2025 - Xiao Genshin Impact: Character Overview published.