Learn how to put together the best possible Xingqiu build
Want to learn how to create the best Xingqiu build in Genshin Impact?Meek and nerdy on the outside and mischievous on the inside, Xingqiu is an incredibly unlikely pick for one of Genshin’s best characters, but somehow, he’s near the top of our list. I guess all of Xingqiu’s reading about heroes must have paid off — despite his 4-star rarity, this Hydro Sword user will absolutely dominate in battle as a sub-DPS character when built well.
Worried about that last part? Don’t worry, we’ve got your back. This guide will show you how to create the best Xingqiu build inGenshin Impact. Below we’ll cover everything you need to know about Xingqiu, including wishing, weapons, artifacts, ascension materials, talents, abilities, and constellations.
Best Genshin Impact Xingqiu build for sub DPS
Alternatives:Festering Desire, Skyward Blade
You’ll be relying on Xingqiu’s Elemental Skill a lot, which makesSacrificial Swordhis perfect weapon, as it comes with a 40% chance of ending your Skill’s cooldown.Festering Desireis also a great option, increasing Energy Recharge and boosting your Skill’s DMG and CRIT Rate. At 4-star rarity, these two swords are perfectly obtainable options for Xingqiu, though if you’re looking to go the extra mile with an extra spiffy sword,Skyward Bladewill also work wonders by increasing CRIT Rate and providing buffs upon using your Burst.
Alternative:2 pieces from Noblesse Oblige and 2 pieces from Heart of Depth
Like many of Genshin’s sub-DPS fighters, Xingqiu’s best artifacts depend on what abilities you’re using the most. If you’re going to rely on his Elemental Burst, using a 4-pieceEmblem of Severed Fateset will increase your Energy Recharge by 20% and increase your Elemental Burst DMG by 25% of your Energy Recharge. Otherwise, if you’re prioritizing Xingqiu’s Elemental Skill (or using his abilities equally), you’ll want to stick with a 2-pieceNoblesse Obligeand 2-pieceHeart of Depthset — when combined, these two nifty sets will leave your Xingqiu with a 20% Elemental Burst DMG and a 15% Hydro DMG Bonus.
For Xingqiu’s artifacts, you’re going to want to prioritize the Energy Recharge, ATK%, and Hydro DMG Bonus stats and substats. Having a nice balance of CRIT Rate and CRIT DMG can help, too, though your priority should be Energy Recharge. Here’s an example of the balance you’ll want to strike:
Secondary:Guhua Sword: Fatal Rainscreen (Elemental Skill)
When selecting which talents to level, prioritize Xingqiu’sElemental Burstfirst and then hisElemental Skill. Xingqiu’s Skill can also lend impressive buffs that allow you to one-shot bosses, so if you’re looking to show off, think about prioritizing his Skill over his Burst. Regardless, you’re going to want to hold off on leveling hisNormal Attack, as this has weak base DMG and won’t be very useful. Here’s everything Xingqiu has in store:
5* alternative:Hu Tao replacing Bennett as main DPS
Xingqiu is among the best sub DPS characters Genshin Impact has to offer, and he’ll perform extremely well in a huge variety of team compositions. What we’ve given here is just one example of a strong set-up for him. You’ll likely be using Xingqiu’s Hydro powers frequently, giving you the opportunity to stir up some trouble with Elemental Reactions.
Xingqiu is great alongside anyPyro character, all of whom will provide theVaporize Elemental Reaction, which increases the damage deal to affected enemies, by mixing their Pyro attacks with Xingqiu’s Hydro attacks. Pair Xingqiu up with your best Pyro main DPS — such asBennettor 5-starHu Tao.
PlaceSucrosein a supporting role, using her Swirl reaction to perform crowd control and spread Vaporize across a wider area. Sucrose can also buff the team to increase the damage dealt when Vaporize is active.
Almost any of the game’s 4-star healing specialists can be used to round out the team. I’ve suggestedBarbarabecause, as a fellow Hydro character, she’ll resonante with Xingqiu for the Soothing Waters effect, which increases team healing by 30% (and, as a bonus, reduces the duration of incoming Pyro damage by 40%).
Alternatively, because Cryo and Hydro create the Frozen reaction, which is one of Genshin’s best, Xingqiu is great on a team with aCryo characteras DPS — such as his buddyChongyunor 5-starEula. Just be wary of the fact that Xingqiu’s Rain Swords grant him the Wet status, meaning he’ll be susceptible to the Frozen reaction as well.
To fully ascend Xingqiu, you’ll need:
Varunada Lazurite and Cleansing Hearts can be picked up by defeating the Oceanid (other bosses like the Hydro Hypostasis also drop Varunada Lazurite, though they won’t drop Cleansing Hearts, which are exclusive to the Oceanid). Silk Flowers can be picked around Liyue, especially within nooks and crannies of Liyue Harbor. Finally, ascending Xingqiu will require fighting lots of Hilichurls around Teyvat, as these guys will drop Masks.
To fully level one of Xingqiu’s talents, you’ll need:
If you want to crown all three of Xingqiu’s talents, you’ll need to collect all of this three times over, for a grand total of 9 Teachings of Gold, 63 Guides to Gold, 114 Philosophies of Gold, 18 Damaged Masks, 66 Stained Masks, 93 Ominous Masks, 18 Tails of Boreas, and 3 Crowns of Insight.
You’ll need to kill even more Hilichurls for Xingqiu’s talents, though the rest of his talent materials differ from his ascension materials. To get Gold books, head to the Taishan Mansion domain on Mondays, Thursdays, and Sundays. Tails of Boreas can be obtained by defeating Andrius in the Wolf of the North Challenge. Finally, Crowns of Insight can be obtained through limited-time events or by making offerings to the Frostbearing Tree and the Sacred Sakura.
If you’re using Xingqiu mainly for Elemental Reactions, he’ll be fine atConstellation 0, as he’s only there to apply the Hydro element. However, if you’re expecting him to do damage as your team’s sub DPS, we’d recommend getting him to at leastConstellation 2, which massively buffs his Elemental Burst. Here’s everything Xingqiu’s Constellations have in store:
Xingqiu is a 4-star character, meaning he’s available at any time. He can be earned by wishing on anyGenshin Impact banner, including Beginner’s Wish, Wanderlust Invocation (standard), and all Weapon and Character Event Wish banners. He’s also sometimes feature on a 5-starCharacter Event Wish bannerwith a boosted drop rate.
As a 4-star character who’s been available since launch, Xingqiu is part of the rotating Paimon’s Bargains lineup, allowing him to be purchased with Starglitter. The Paimon’s Bargains lineup changes monthly, so make sure to check in at the start of each new month if you’re on a hunt for Xingqiu!
If you’re planning on wishing for Xingqiu, check out our guide ongetting charactersto learn the best ways to prep, or ourcodes listto get some freePrimogems!
That’s all the info we’ve got on Xingqiu! Why not check out ourcharacter tier listto see which other characters are good to wish for?
