Xiao Quick TL;DR DPS Build Guide

UPDATED FOR 1.5 😁!

PSA #1: DPS are the main protagonists. Absolutely dog at everything other than getting hurt and doing a lot of damage

PSA #2: Both Xiao’s abilities scale off ATK and OH BOY does he scale well. No wonder he’s always in agony, boy is literally falling headfirst into the concrete repeatedly

Xiao has horrible energy recharge to begin with, as his E generates very few particles. Highly recommended to run another Anemo character (even Anemo MC works) to battery for Xiao. Only ONE charge comes back at the end of the 10s CD

E does not provide i-frames — you will still get absolutely slapped if you try to dodge with it

PSA #3: Unfortunately for C0 Xiao, you can’t really maximize the stacks. Most you’ll get is 2 stacks (30% DMG buff), which is still extremely strong – C1 can hit 3 stacks and maintain it easily though

IMPORTANT TIP: Unless you have C6, don’t bother using E or normal/charged attacking when Q is up. Just spam that plunging attack as much as you can. You can animation cancel when you land by doing a quick normal attack, AND you can use plunging attack at any point of the jump (a.k.a. don’t wait until you’re at the peak of your jump)

Using E when in Q won’t generate Anemo particles for Xiao, making it even harder to have another Q prepped. This is not an issue if you’re killing enemies (since they drop energy orbs), but can be remedied by simply running another Anemo character to be a battery

Talent Leveling Order: Normal > Q > E (your E already has crazy multipliers early on)

WEAPON #1 (Recommended for best DPS): Primordial Jade-Winged Spear

How do I get it D: ? – It’s time to roll boys (gacha)

If you’re running Jade Winged-Spear, then you can 100% run CRIT DMG for circlet piece, as Xiao’s 4th hidden stat is CRIT% (easily getting you to that 50% CRIT% range)

WEAPON #2 (Recommended for good DPS): Blackcliff Pole

How do I get it D: ? – Starglitter shop (24 Starglitter)

Xiao has insane multipliers/scaling, which makes it not too difficult to maintain Blackcliff buff. If you don’t have enough Starglitter (or just prefer to save), then Deathmatch is also a great alternative

There is a decent F2P choice: Prototype Starglitter (still think that name is really dumb). While you don’t really utilize the weapon skill too much when Q is up, the additional energy recharge feels amazing

ARTIFACT #1 (Recommended for DPS): Viridescent Venerer + Gladiator’s Finale

How do I get it D: ? – Viridescent at Valley of Remembrance Domain (AR 30 locked, 20 Resin per run). Gladiator at any World Boss (40 Resin per run)

4-set Viridescent is not that strong, as Swirl damage proc’s are pretty useless for Xiao

ARTIFACT #2 (Recommended for early DPS): Berserker + Sojourner

How do I get it D: ? – Berserker at any World Boss (40 Resin per run) or chests. Sojourner at Midsummer Courtyard Domain (AR 22 locked, 20 Resin per run)

Alternatively, you can also run 2-set Exile + 2-set Sojourner early if you’re struggling with ER. Stacking 2-set Brave Heart + 2-set Sojourner in transition to farming Glad + Viridescent also works due to Xiao’s ridiculous multipliers

Main stats:

Sands	Goblet	Circlet
ATK%	Anemo DMG%	CRIT% or CRIT DMG

Substats: CRIT DMG > ATK% > ER% > ATK or CRIT%

If you want other characters let me know. Hope this helped. Bye.