Xiao Lore: Just How Strong is This Yaksha, Really?
Let’s discuss Xiao. The Vigilant Yaksha, the Conqueror of Demons, the poster boy of angst and almond tofu. What makes him a powerhouse in Genshin Impact? Let’s dig into the lore. Just how strong is this masked adeptus? Let’s unpack two millennia of demon-slaying baggage.
Xiao’s General Strength: Adeptus Extraordinaire
First, let’s set Xiao’s baseline. We’re not talking about a newbie adventurer. Xiao is an Adeptus with over 2,000 years of fighting demons. That’s longer than many relationships last. He’s had eons to hone his skills; he hasn’t wasted time on bird eggs.
Rex Lapis, the Geo Archon, chose five Adepti to be Yakshas. These weren’t ordinary spirit hunters. They were an elite team. Fast forward to today and guess who remains? Xiao is the last Yaksha. The other four? Their tales ended in tragedy. Xiao surviving while the others fell? That speaks volumes about his power and will.
Xiao Versus the Genshin Roster: Power Rankings
Now, let’s have fun. Let’s pit Xiao against other heavy hitters in Genshin. Who wins in a lore-based showdown?
Xiao vs. Wanderer: Anemo Anarchy
Is Xiao tougher than Wanderer? In gameplay, they match closely. Damage output is similar. Choosing one over the other won’t ruin your abyss run. Yet in lore, Xiao has a slight edge.
Xiao manages crowds better without needing crowd control. His teams have fewer energy recharge issues. It’s a close call, but experience and Yaksha training may give Xiao an advantage over the mechanical windbag.
Xiao vs. Ganyu: Adeptus Apprentice vs. Master
Ganyu is a strong contender. She fought in the Archon War and can obliterate foes from a distance. But is she stronger than Xiao? Lore indicates no. Xiao teaches Ganyu. The brooding Yaksha mentors one of Liyue’s strongest protectors.
Ganyu may have age, but Xiao has Yaksha experience. She’s tough, but not in Xiao’s combat league.
Xiao vs. Diluc: Plunging Powerhouses
Diluc, the Darknight Hero, serves as Mondstadt’s brooding Batman. Why compare him to Xiao? With Xianyun’s buffing ability, plunge attacks gain hype, and Diluc can deliver damage. Yet does he rival Xiao?
In gameplay, maybe if buffed. But lore-wise, we’re talking about a Yaksha who has fought demons long before Diluc’s ancestors existed. Nice try, Diluc. You’re still minor league compared to Xiao.
Xiao vs. Shenhe: Cryo Support Showdown
Shenhe, the cryo exorcist, excels at buffing allies. But in direct combat, Xiao outshines her. She is great at support, amplifying teams, while Xiao takes the lead in damaging demons.
Xiao vs. The Rest: Mystery Box of Power
What about characters like Yae Miko and Albedo? Sure, they are strong too. Yae Miko is an electro kitsune with divine ties. Albedo is a synthetic human adept in creation alchemy. Yet, the full extent of their lore is still hidden. Currently, Xiao stays among Genshin’s top lore characters, with a rich history of demon-slaying.
Xiao’s Age, History, and Trauma: 2000 Years of Bad Vibes
Xiao’s age deserves a closer look. Over 2000 years old and canonically confirmed. That’s older than your grandma’s fruitcake recipe. What has he done for two millennia? Mostly fighting demons, though it wasn’t always by choice.
Before becoming our stoic guardian, Xiao faced enslavement by an evil god. This was no friendly gig; it was a nightmare. He was forced into violence against his will. Imagine the therapy bills for that trauma.
A Yaksha’s true name is a hidden weakness. This evil god exploited it entirely. Talk about a toxic work environment.
Zhongli, in his Rex Lapis form, eventually freed Xiao, granting him the name “Xiao” for protection. Xiao’s loyalty stems from this act of salvation. He is deeply committed to duty in Liyue, but carries scars from his past.
Xiao’s Abilities: Anemo Acrobatics and Plunge Power
What makes Xiao formidable? His abilities are a storm of Anemo chaos. He displays unmatched mobility and those iconic plunge attacks. He manipulates wind like a conductor orchestrating a symphony of destruction. His elemental burst, Bane of All Evil, is where he shines.
This burst boosts his attack and jump height while turning his polearm into a demon-slaying weapon. He sacrifices his health for power, which is classic Xiao. It’s risky, but facing corrupted spirits sometimes requires a full commitment.
Karmic Debt: The Yaksha Curse
Karmic debt hangs over the Yakshas like an ominous cloud. What is it? No one really knows. It’s a dark energy that consumes them as they take lives. It’s spiritual pollution from absorbed negativity—like spiritual indigestion with existential dread.
This karmic debt doesn’t just affect the Yaksha; it impacts those around them. That’s why Xiao is the ultimate loner, distancing himself from others. He’s not antisocial; he aims to protect people from his karmic fallout.
Xiao’s Weaknesses: Even Yakshas Have Off-Days
Despite all his power, Xiao has weaknesses. In gameplay terms, these include weapon selection, energy recharge needs, and changing abyss rotations. Lore-wise, his weaknesses hold deeper significance.
Weapon Selection: Xiao favors polearms. Yet some simply don’t synergize well with his kit. Lore-wise, this emphasizes needing the right tools for every task.
ER% Sands: Energy Recharge is critical for him to burst consistently. Using an ER% sands artifact sacrifices damage potential. Lore-wise, it shows the balance between power and resource sustainability.
Abyss Rotation: The Spiral Abyss shifts enemy setups regularly. Some rotations favor Xiao; others do not. This reflects the unpredictable nature of battles; sometimes the enemy composition proves unfavorable.
Burst Doesn’t Snapshot: Buffs applied before Xiao’s burst don’t last throughout it. Lore-wise, perhaps his raw power cannot play well with enhancements. He operates best solo, remember?
Damage Scaling: Xiao’s damage scales with various stats like ATK and Crit Rate. While standard, he needs balance to truly excel. Lore-wise, this illustrates that immense power still needs refinement and focus.
Xiao’s True
Name and Form: Bird is the Word
Xiao’s name is Jīnpéng (金鹏), which means “Alatus” in English. This name isn’t his original name from slavery. That name remains hidden away somewhere. He has a tattoo on his arm. This tattoo resembles an upside-down bird. It suggests his true avian nature.
Xiao or Hsiao (嚣) links to a creature that appears as both ape and bird. The “Golden-Winged Great Peng” is a guardian deity in Mahayana Buddhism. Xiao has earned the title ‘Golden-Winged King.’ It indicates a majestic avian form beneath his stoic human appearance.
Xiao’s Role and Status: Vigilant Guardian
Xiao is not a random anime character in Genshin. He is a Yaksha. He protects Liyue against demonic threats. He is the last of the five Yakshas sent by Morax. This makes him a living legend, though he is grumpy and reclusive.
His title, “Vigilant Yaksha,” describes him well. He is always watching and guarding. He remains vigilant against shadows. He protects Liyue quietly, working behind the scenes to keep the land safe from ancient evils.
Emotional and Psychological Aspects: The Burden of a Hero
Xiao’s power comes at a great emotional price. He battles not only demons but also his inner turmoil. This inner struggle stems from karmic debt and past trauma. Mortals rarely see his full might, partly because he avoids it. He fears becoming a monster like he once was.
He kills demonic manifestations, yet absorbs their hatred and pain. This negativity stains his soul, leading to ongoing suffering. This burden causes Xiao’s isolation and emotional guard. He is not just strong; he is resilient, carrying centuries of trauma and responsibility on his shoulders.
Xiao in the Grand Scheme: Archons and Anime Gods
In Genshin, Archons are the most powerful beings. They are gods. Xiao served an Archon as a Yaksha. He holds power but isn’t at the same level as Archons like Zhongli or Ei. He is a demigod, a guardian, an elite warrior, but not a true god.
When looking outside Genshin, comparing power levels in anime is amusing. Saitama from One-Punch Man? One punch. Goku from Dragon Ball? His power levels exceed 9000! Ryomen Sukuna from Jujutsu Kaisen? He uses Domain Expansion: Malevolent Shrine. These characters operate on levels that dwarf even Yaksha power.
Exploring Chinese mythology reveals a murky image of the “strongest god.” Shangdi is often seen as the top deity. However, the Jade Emperor, Erlang Shen, and Sun Wukong all possess great strength. Xiao draws inspiration from these figures. He is a powerful guardian but not the absolute strongest among cosmic beings.
So, is Xiao strong in lore? Yes, he’s over 2000 years old. A Yaksha who slays demons, he survives unimaginable horrors as Liyue’s protector. He may not match Saitama or Goku’s levels of power, but in Genshin Impact, Xiao is undeniably formidable. Perhaps offer him almond tofu and a quiet corner; he deserves to rest.
