Vermillion Hereafter vs. Viridescent Venerer: Which Artifact Set Reigns Supreme for Xiao?
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The age-old question plaguing every Xiao main: Vermillion Hereafter or Viridescent Venerer? The short answer: Vermillion Hereafter is generally the superior choice for maximizing Xiao’s personal damage. It synergizes perfectly with his burst mechanics, providing a substantial attack boost that directly translates to higher plunge damage. However, the “best” choice isn’t always so black and white. Let’s delve deeper into the nuances of each set to determine which one truly suits your Xiao and your team composition.
Deconstructing Vermillion Hereafter
Vermillion Hereafter is an artifact set tailor-made for Xiao. Its effects are as follows:
- 2-Piece Bonus: Increases ATK by 18%.
- 4-Piece Bonus: After using an Elemental Burst, a character will gain an 8% ATK increase for 16s. When the character’s HP decreases, their ATK will further increase by 10%. This effect can stack up to 4 times, and can be triggered once every 0.8s. This effect is removed when the character leaves the field.
This set capitalizes on Xiao’s burst, Bane of All Evil, which continuously drains his HP in exchange for significantly increased damage. The 4-piece bonus provides a massive ATK boost that scales with his HP drain, making it the ideal choice for maximizing his damage output. Xiao’s kit is designed to plunge repeatedly during his burst, meaning the atk boost provided by this set is constantly in use.
Analyzing Viridescent Venerer
The Viridescent Venerer set is a staple in almost every Anemo character’s arsenal, known for its versatility and team-wide utility. Its effects are:
- 2-Piece Bonus: Increases Anemo DMG Bonus by 15%.
- 4-Piece Bonus: Increases Swirl DMG by 60%. Decreases opponent’s Elemental RES to the element infused in the Swirl by 40% for 10s.
While the 2-piece bonus provides a helpful boost to Xiao’s Anemo damage, the 4-piece bonus is where the set shines… or, rather, doesn’t shine for Xiao. The RES shred is invaluable, but only when actively Swirling elements other than Anemo. Xiao’s primary damage source is Anemo, and the RES shred from Viridescent Venerer only applies to other elements. This is where the niche aspect of the set comes in.
Why Vermillion Generally Outperforms Viridescent for Xiao’s Personal Damage
The primary reason Vermillion Hereafter is preferred for Xiao is its straightforward damage amplification. The ATK boost directly enhances his plunge attacks, the core of his damage. Viridescent Venerer’s RES shred is useless without applying an element for Xiao to swirl, which leads to needing other characters to apply elements for reactions to boost the damage. While Viridescent Venerer is still useful and a viable option for Xiao, it requires a team specifically built around it.
Here’s a breakdown of the key differences:
- Damage Type: Vermillion Hereafter boosts raw ATK, directly impacting all of Xiao’s attacks during his burst. Viridescent Venerer focuses on Swirl damage and Elemental RES reduction, which benefits the entire team but doesn’t directly increase Xiao’s Anemo damage.
- Synergy: Vermillion Hereafter’s effects are perfectly synchronized with Xiao’s HP-draining burst. Viridescent Venerer’s RES shred requires external elemental application, adding a layer of complexity and dependence on other characters.
- Team Composition: Vermillion Hereafter excels in selfish DPS compositions where Xiao is the main damage dealer and doesn’t rely heavily on elemental reactions. Viridescent Venerer is more suited for teams that heavily rely on elemental reactions and benefit from the RES shred.
- Ease of Use: Vermillion Hereafter is a “set-and-forget” option. Once Xiao uses his burst, the ATK boosts automatically kick in. Viridescent Venerer requires careful elemental application and rotation management to maximize its effectiveness.
Situations Where Viridescent Venerer Might Be Viable
While Vermillion Hereafter is generally superior, there are specific scenarios where Viridescent Venerer could be considered:
- No Vermillion Hereafter Pieces: If you haven’t farmed the Vermillion Hereafter domain or have terrible luck with drops, a well-rolled Viridescent Venerer set might be a temporary solution.
- Team Synergy: If your team composition heavily relies on elemental reactions and you lack a dedicated Viridescent Venerer user, putting it on Xiao can provide team-wide utility. However, this usually comes at the cost of his personal damage.
- Sub-DPS Xiao: If you’re using Xiao primarily for Anemo application and not as the main damage dealer, Viridescent Venerer might be a better choice. This is a highly unusual and suboptimal build.
- Co-op: In co-op situations where other players are already focusing on damage, the RES shred provided by Viridescent Venerer can benefit the entire team.
However, even in these situations, it’s generally recommended to prioritize farming Vermillion Hereafter to unlock Xiao’s full potential.
A Note on Substats and Team Compositions
No matter which set you choose, substats are crucial. Prioritize Crit Rate, Crit DMG, ATK%, and Energy Recharge. The ideal ratio for Crit Rate:Crit DMG is 1:2. Energy Recharge is essential for ensuring Xiao can consistently use his burst.
Team composition plays a significant role in maximizing Xiao’s damage output. He typically benefits from characters who can provide:
- Energy Generation: Characters like Raiden Shogun, Fischl, or Sucrose help alleviate Xiao’s energy needs.
- Buffs: Characters like Bennett, Faruzan, or Yunjin can provide significant ATK and DMG buffs.
- Shielding/Healing: Characters like Zhongli, Jean, or Kokomi can provide survivability, allowing Xiao to stay on the field longer.
Final Verdict
Vermillion Hereafter is the best artifact set for Xiao in most situations. It directly boosts his personal damage, synergizes perfectly with his burst mechanics, and requires less reliance on external factors. While Viridescent Venerer can be a viable alternative in specific scenarios, it generally falls short in terms of maximizing Xiao’s damage potential.
Invest your resin wisely, prioritize Vermillion Hereafter, and watch your Xiao soar to new heights! Remember, game design and balance are complex, and constant iteration and learning are part of the fun. The Games Learning Society fosters this type of exploration and understanding in the context of games and learning. Visit GamesLearningSociety.org to learn more.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. Can I mix and match 2-piece sets for Xiao?
Yes! A popular alternative is to combine 2-piece Vermillion Hereafter (ATK +18%) or 2-piece Gladiator’s Finale (ATK +18%) with a 2-piece Viridescent Venerer (Anemo DMG Bonus +15%) or 2-Piece Shimenawa’s Reminiscence (ATK +18%). This provides a balanced approach, boosting both ATK and Anemo damage.
2. What are the best substats for Xiao’s artifacts?
Prioritize:
- Crit Rate/Crit DMG: Aim for a 1:2 ratio.
- ATK%: Significantly boosts his damage.
- Energy Recharge: Crucial for consistent burst uptime.
- Elemental Mastery: Only relevant if you’re building a reaction-based team, which is generally not recommended for Xiao.
3. Which weapon is best for Xiao?
Primordial Jade Winged-Spear is considered his best-in-slot weapon due to its high base ATK and Crit Rate substat, as well as its passive that increases ATK upon hitting enemies. Other good options include:
- Staff of Homa: Provides a massive Crit DMG boost and HP bonus.
- Calamity Queller: Offers high ATK and DMG bonus.
- Blackcliff Pole: A good F2P option obtainable from the Paimon’s Bargains shop.
- Deathmatch: Obtainable through the Battle Pass.
4. How much Crit Rate and Crit DMG does Xiao need?
Aim for at least 70% Crit Rate and 140% Crit DMG. Ideally, you want to push these stats higher, but maintaining a good balance is key.
5. How much Energy Recharge does Xiao need?
Typically, around 110-130% Energy Recharge is sufficient with a battery like Raiden Shogun or Sucrose. If you don’t have a dedicated battery, you might need closer to 140-150%.
6. Is C1 Xiao worth it?
Xiao’s Constellation 1, Dissolution Eon: Destroyer of Evil, which increases his Elemental Skill uses by 1 is generally not worth it, because it only provides minor improvements. His other constellations are of minimal importance before C6.
7. What is the best team composition for Xiao?
A popular team composition includes:
- Xiao (Main DPS)
- Faruzan (Anemo Support) – especially C6
- Bennett (ATK Buffer/Healer)
- Flex Slot: Raiden Shogun (Energy Battery), Zhongli (Shielder), or Albedo (Off-field DMG)
8. How do I maximize Xiao’s damage?
- Optimize your artifacts and weapon.
- Level up his talents, especially his Normal Attack and Elemental Burst.
- Use a supportive team composition to buff his ATK and provide energy.
- Practice your plunge attack timing.
- Ensure you have enough Energy Recharge to consistently use his burst.
9. Is Xiao F2P friendly?
Yes! While having his signature weapon can boost his damage, Xiao is perfectly viable with F2P-friendly options like the Blackcliff Pole or Deathmatch.
10. Does Xiao need a dedicated healer?
Yes, because Xiao drains his HP during his burst, a healer is essential to keep him alive. Bennett, Jean, or Kokomi are good choices.
11. Is Xiao better than Wanderer?
Xiao and Wanderer are both Anemo DPS characters, but they have different playstyles. Xiao focuses on plunge attacks, while Wanderer relies on charged attacks. The “better” character depends on your personal preference and playstyle.
12. Can Xiao be used as a sub-DPS?
While it’s possible, Xiao is best suited as a main DPS due to his high damage output during his burst. Using him as a sub-DPS is generally not recommended.
13. Does Viridescent Venerer work if Xiao swirls Anemo?
No. The 4-piece effect of Viridescent Venerer only reduces the Elemental RES of the element that is swirled, not Anemo RES.
14. Is Xiao’s Elemental Skill important?
Yes, Xiao’s Elemental Skill, Lemniscatic Wind Cycling, is important for generating energy particles and can deal decent damage, especially at higher talent levels.
15. Where can I farm Vermillion Hereafter?
You can farm the Vermillion Hereafter set in the The Lost Valley domain located in the Liyue region.