Unlocking Xingqiu’s Full Potential: A Deep Dive into Builds, Weapons, and More
You have Xingqiu in Genshin Impact. Great choice! This bookworm may seem ordinary. He is a power player in Hydro application and sub-DPS. Are you confused about his build? Don’t worry; we have the details. Let’s explore how to make Xingqiu the best support.
Arming Your Literary Swordsman: Best Weapon Choices for Xingqiu
The right weapon is essential for unleashing Xingqiu’s support and damage. Here’s a rundown of the best choices, from top-tier to solid free-to-play options.
The Apex Arsenal: 5-Star Swords for Xingqiu
Want to enhance Xingqiu’s potential? Check your 5-star swords. Here is one standout.
Skyward Blade: The All-Rounder Champion.
The Skyward Blade is a solid choice for Xingqiu. It has 46 base attack. This boosts his attack stat, which can be lackluster. The effects support gameplay without being overpowered. It’s reliable for consistent performance.
Primordial Jade Cutter: Crit Rate King.
Need more Crit Rate? Primordial Jade Cutter boosts that. It enhances both HP and Attack. This sword helps damage output and survivability. It’s an excellent choice for a high-damage build.
4-Star Steel: Sacrificial Sword and Beyond
No 5-star sword? No problem. Xingqiu can thrive with 4-star options, especially one exemplar.
Sacrificial Sword: The Cooldown Crusher.
Xingqiu’s cooldown can feel long. The Sacrificial Sword is his best 4-star weapon. It can reset skill cooldowns. This allows for quick skill use. With a 40% chance to skip cooldowns at rank 1, this sword accelerates energy generation and Hydro application.
F2P Friendly Firepower
Short on funds? Genshin Impact offers 4-star weapons. Xingqiu benefits from these easily available options.
For F2P, aim for weapons with Energy Recharge or supports like the Favonius Sword. These can boost team energy generation until you obtain a Sacrificial Sword.
Weapon Recommendations: It’s Constellation Dependent!
If you have Xingqiu at Constellation 6, the strategy shifts. C6 enhances his energy regeneration, allowing fewer Energy Recharge weapons. If you rely on an ER weapon, stack other stats for balance.
Energy Recharge: Fueling Xingqiu’s Hydro Barrage
Energy Recharge (ER) fuels Xingqiu. His Elemental Burst, Raincutter, is where his support shines. Ensure he can perform this consistently. Think of ER as his coffee – too little makes him sluggish; just enough ensures he is effective.
General ER Guidelines: Aiming for the Sweet Spot.
Aim for an ER range of 180-260% for Xingqiu. This may vary based on constellation level, weapon, and team makeup. You want enough ER, but not so much that you compromise other important stats.
Constellation and ER: The C0-C6 Spectrum.
- C0 to C5 Xingqiu: The ER Hustle. For a C0 to C5 Xingqiu, aim for 190%-260% ER to keep his Burst ready.
- C6 Xingqiu: Energy Abundance. At C6, he regenerates energy better. Around 180% ER can suffice, allowing flexibility with other stats.
Weapon Choice and ER: Sacrificial Sword Advantage.
- Sacrificial Sword Users: Lower ER Threshold. If using this sword, aim lower—150-200% ER may be sufficient. It resets his Elemental Skill, providing extra energy particles.
- Non-Sacrificial Sword Users: ER Priority. If not using Sacrificial Sword, invest heavily in Energy Recharge. You’ll need closer to 235% ER for consistent Burst uptime.
Team Composition and ER: Hydro Harmony & Raiden Synergy.
- Hydro-Heavy Teams: ER Relief. In Hydro teams, expect lower ER needs. Hydro Resonance helps with energy particles.
- Raiden National Team: ER Efficiency. In Raiden National teams, C6 Xingqiu’s ER needs might be lower, around 145-160% ER, due to the Raiden Shogun’s energy regeneration.
ER First, Stats Later: Prioritization Principle.
Prioritize Energy Recharge first. Make sure Xingqiu has enough ER before focusing on Crit Rate or Attack. Once ER needs are met, then optimize with offensive stats.
Building Xingqiu: Artifacts, Talents, and Stats
Now let’s discuss artifacts, talents, and stat priorities for Xingqiu’s build. We aim for a sub-DPS Xingqiu that supports your main damage dealer.
Artifact Sets: Emblem of Severed Fate – The Top Choice
The 4-piece Emblem of Severed Fate set works best for a Burst-focused sub-DPS Xingqiu. It’s tailor-made:
- 2-piece bonus: +20% Energy Recharge. This addresses his primary need.
- 4-piece bonus: Increases Elemental Burst DMG by 25% of Energy Recharge, up to 75% max. This boosts damage significantly based on ER.
If relying on his Burst for damage and Hydro application, EoSF is the optimal choice. It maximizes his potential.
Talent Priority: Burst > Skill > Normal Attack (Ignore Normal Attack!)
Leveling up talents correctly enhances his performance. Follow this priority:
- Elemental Burst (Guhua Sword: Raincutter): Max Priority. Level up his Burst first. It offers consistent Hydro application and significant damage.
- Elemental Skill (Guhua Sword: Fatal Rainscreen): Secondary Priority. Level this next for Hydro application, damage reduction, and healing.
- Normal Attack (Guhua Style): Leave it at Level 1 (Mostly). Ignore his Normal Attacks. He won’t be on-field attacking often. Save resources for other talents.
Stat Focus: Crit Ratio and Attack – DPS Mindset for Support
Xingqiu acts as support, but his damage relies on DPS stats. Focus on:
- Crit Rate and Crit Damage: Aim for a Balanced Ratio. A 1:2 Crit Rate to Crit Damage ratio is ideal. Aim for 50-60% Crit Rate and 100-150% Crit Damage for consistent support damage.
- Attack (ATK): Important for
- Burst Scaling. Xingqiu’s Burst damage relies on Attack. Don’t ignore this. While ER is crucial, keep a solid amount of ATK to boost his damage.
- Hydro DMG Bonus: Always a Plus. Hydro DMG Bonus on your Goblet artifact maximizes his Hydro damage output.
- Energy Recharge (ER): We’ve Covered This! You need enough ER for reliable Burst activation, as mentioned earlier.
Leveling Xingqiu: 80/90 is the Sweet Spot
Leveling to 90 is often discussed intensely. For Xingqiu, level 80 works fine. The damage growth from 80 to 90 is small for most characters, including him. Save your resources unless you are focused on maximizing every bit of damage.
Constellation Considerations: Are Xingqiu’s Constellations Worth It?
Short answer: Yes, for sure. Xingqiu’s constellations greatly enhance his damage and Hydro application. He shifts from a solid support to an even better one with constellations, particularly C1 and C6.
- C1 (The Scent Remained): More Rain Swords, More Defense. C1 grants an additional Rain Sword to his Elemental Skill. This increases his damage absorption and improves his healing a bit. A useful, subtle boost.
- C2 (Rainbow Upon the Azure Sky): Extended Burst Duration and Hydro RES Shred. C2 is excellent. It adds 3 seconds to his Elemental Burst duration, raising his Hydro application uptime. It also lowers Hydro Resistance of enemies from sword rain attacks by 15% for 4 seconds. This Hydro RES decrease helps Hydro-centric teams.
- C6 (The Weaver of Verses): Constellation Jackpot. C6 elevates Xingqiu to top-tier support. His sword rain attack pattern changes from 2-3 to 2-3-5. Instead of 45 hits during his Burst, he delivers 60! This increases Hydro hits and damage, ensuring consistent Hydro application. C6 Xingqiu is a Hydro application powerhouse.
If you plan to use Xingqiu, consider pulling for constellations, especially C2 and C6. They improve him significantly.
Xingqiu vs. The Hydro Roster: Standing Out in the Crowd
Genshin Impact features many Hydro characters. How does Xingqiu compare to other popular options?
- Xingqiu vs. Yelan: Consistent Application vs. Ramp-Up Damage. Yelan compares to Xingqiu often, yet they have important differences. Xingqiu ensures reliable Hydro application with his Elemental Skill’s sword barrier, applying Hydro even without his Burst. Yelan offers ramp-up damage and boosts on-field DPS. Xingqiu is better for consistent Hydro application for reactions like Vaporize and Electro-Charged, while Yelan excels where maximizing on-field DPS is critical.
- Xingqiu vs. Kaeya: Support Hydro vs. Cryo DPS (Surprise!). Comparing Xingqiu to Kaeya seems strange. Yet, Kaeya has better Normal Attack scalings. This can mislead. Kaeya is a Cryo character and works as Cryo DPS or burst support. Xingqiu’s Hydro application for Vaporize or Electro-Charged reactions is key, not Normal Attack damage. Kaeya shines in team setups focused on Cryo reactions like Melt or Freeze.
- Xingqiu vs. Mona: Hydro Application King vs. Burst Nuke/Enabler. Both are Hydro supports but play different roles. Mona hits hard with her Elemental Burst and boosts damage. Xingqiu is known as the best consistent Hydro applicator. His Raincutter repeatedly triggers reactions, making him perfect for teams needing consistent elemental reactions. Mona focuses on burst damage; Xingqiu ensures sustained Hydro support.
Bonus Intel: Xingqiu – Beyond the Battlefield
Let’s end with fun facts about our favorite Hydro support.
- Pronunciation: It’s “xingqi-u”. For those mispronouncing him, it’s now “xingqi-u”. Discuss your Xingqiu builds confidently with correct pronunciation.
- Wealthy Bookworm: Feiyun Commerce Guild Heir. Xingqiu is quite wealthy. As the second son of the Feiyun Commerce Guild, he is influential in Liyue. That’s likely how he buys those fancy books and swords.
- He’s a Boy. Just in Case You Were Wondering. Yes, Xingqiu is male. His elegant look may confuse you, but he loves books and swords.
- Team Compositions: Fast Attackers and Elemental Reactions are His Best Friends. Xingqiu excels with fast attack-speed main DPS characters that trigger elemental reactions. Characters like Keqing, Fischl, Klee, Diluc, Razor, and Beidou work well. They use Xingqiu’s Hydro application to activate Vaporize, Electro-Charged, or Bloom reactions, maximizing damage.
- Xingyun Ship: Friendship Goals or Something More? The bond between Xingqiu and Chongyun sparks interest in the Genshin fandom. The game doesn’t confirm dating, but they share a strong friendship. This leads to the “Xingyun” ship among fans, imagining them as more than friends. Their dynamic is definitely fascinating!
And that’s the guide to building and knowing Xingqiu. Equip your bookish swordsman with the right gear and let him unleash Hydro support against your foes!
