Should You Ascend Xingqiu to 90 in Genshin Impact? A Comprehensive Guide
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The burning question on every Genshin Impact player’s mind when optimizing their teams: Should I ascend Xingqiu to level 90? The short answer is generally no, but like most things in Genshin, it’s more nuanced than a simple yes or no. While Xingqiu is undeniably one of the best sub-DPS units in the game, the investment required to take him from level 80/80 or 80/90 to 90/90 offers minimal returns for most players. Let’s dive into why.
Understanding the Costs and Benefits
Ascending a character to level 90 requires a significant investment of resources: Mora, experience books, ascension materials (gems, boss drops, and local specialties), and time. Before committing, it’s crucial to weigh the benefits against these costs.
Minimal Stat Gains
The primary reason against leveling Xingqiu to 90 is the limited stat increase you receive. Leveling from 80 to 90 primarily boosts base attack. While base attack is a factor in damage calculation, Xingqiu’s damage output predominantly comes from his Elemental Burst, which scales primarily with ATK%, Hydro DMG Bonus, CRIT Rate, and CRIT DMG, not directly from base attack. The increase in base attack from 80 to 90 is marginal and doesn’t translate to a significant damage boost compared to focusing on optimizing his artifacts and talents.
Talent Priority
A far more efficient way to increase Xingqiu’s damage is to focus on leveling his Elemental Burst (Guhua Sword: Raincutter). This is the core of his kit and the source of his consistent Hydro application and off-field damage. Prioritize leveling this talent to level 9 or even 10 if you have the resources. Next in priority would be his Elemental Skill (Guhua Sword: Fatal Rainscreen), which deals a good amount of damage and also provides some resistance to interruption.
The Bennett Exception
The article you provided correctly points out Bennett. Bennett is a special case because his attack buff scales directly off his base attack. This makes leveling him to 90 significantly more valuable since it directly increases the strength of his buff. However, this scaling is unique to Bennett and doesn’t apply to Xingqiu’s kit.
The 80/90 Sweet Spot
Ascending to 80/90, on the other hand, is generally recommended. This ascension unlocks the final innate substat bonus for Xingqiu, and allows you to level his talents up to level 9. These improvements outweigh the resource cost and are a worthwhile investment.
Resource Optimization
Genshin Impact is a game of resource management. The resources required to level a character to 90 could be better spent elsewhere. For instance, you could use them to:
- Level up another character’s essential talents.
- Upgrade your artifacts to improve CRIT Rate, CRIT DMG, ATK%, and Energy Recharge.
- Level up weapons.
When Might You Consider Leveling Xingqiu to 90?
While not generally recommended, there are a few niche scenarios where leveling Xingqiu to 90 might be beneficial:
- Completionism: If you’re a completionist and want to max out every character, then go for it. However, be aware that it’s purely for personal satisfaction and not for significant performance gains.
- Marginal Gains in Specific Team Comps: If you’ve already optimized everything else and are min-maxing to the extreme, the very slight increase in base stats might contribute to a minor damage increase in specific team compositions.
- Flexing: Sometimes, it is fun to showcase your dedication to a character.
Summary
In conclusion, while Xingqiu is an incredible character and deserving of investment, leveling him to 90 is generally not the most efficient use of your resources. Focus on leveling his talents, optimizing his artifacts, and ascending him to 80/90 to unlock his final substat bonus. Your resources will be better spent strengthening other characters or aspects of your account.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. Is Xingqiu worth building?
Absolutely! Xingqiu is one of the best 4-star characters in Genshin Impact and an invaluable asset to almost any team. His consistent Hydro application and off-field damage make him a top-tier sub-DPS unit. He pairs exceptionally well with Pyro DPS characters like Hu Tao, Diluc, and Yoimiya, enabling consistent Vaporize reactions.
2. What is Xingqiu’s best weapon?
Sacrificial Sword is generally considered Xingqiu’s best weapon. Its secondary stat (Energy Recharge) and passive ability (chance to reset Elemental Skill cooldown) help him consistently generate energy for his Elemental Burst, which is crucial for his performance. Other good options include Favonius Sword (for team energy) and Skyward Blade (for Energy Recharge and CRIT Rate).
3. What artifacts should I use on Xingqiu?
The Emblem of Severed Fate artifact set is almost universally considered Xingqiu’s best in slot. The 2-piece bonus grants +20% Energy Recharge, and the 4-piece bonus increases Elemental Burst DMG by 25% of Energy Recharge, up to a maximum of 75% bonus DMG. Aim for Energy Recharge sands, Hydro DMG Bonus goblet, and CRIT Rate or CRIT DMG circlet. Prioritize Energy Recharge, CRIT Rate/CRIT DMG, and ATK% substats.
4. What stats should I prioritize on Xingqiu?
Prioritize these stats in the following order:
- Energy Recharge: Aim for around 180-220% to ensure consistent Burst uptime.
- CRIT Rate/CRIT DMG: Aim for a 1:2 ratio (e.g., 60% CRIT Rate and 120% CRIT DMG).
- ATK%: Increases the damage of his Burst and Skill.
- Hydro DMG Bonus: Directly increases the damage of his Hydro attacks.
5. What talents should I level on Xingqiu?
Prioritize leveling Xingqiu’s Elemental Burst (Guhua Sword: Raincutter) first. This is the core of his kit and the source of his consistent Hydro application and off-field damage. After that, level his Elemental Skill (Guhua Sword: Fatal Rainscreen).
6. Does Xingqiu heal? How does it scale?
Yes, Xingqiu does have a minor healing component. His healing scales off of his HP. When a Rain Sword shatters, the active character is healed based on Xingqiu’s Max HP. However, his healing is relatively weak and shouldn’t be relied upon as a primary source of healing.
7. What does Xingqiu’s C2 do?
Xingqiu’s Constellation 2 (C2), “Rainbow Upon the Azure Sky,” extends the duration of his Elemental Burst by 3 seconds and decreases Hydro RES of enemies hit by his Rain Swords by 15% for 4 seconds. This is a significant constellation that increases his Hydro application duration and damage output.
8. Is Xingqiu better than Mona?
This depends on your team composition and what you need. Mona’s damage amplification through her Illusory Bubble is incredibly powerful, offering a significant damage boost for a short duration. Xingqiu provides consistent Hydro application, making him excellent for Vaporize reactions. Xingqiu is generally more versatile and easier to fit into various teams, while Mona requires more specific team setups to maximize her potential.
9. Who does Xingqiu work best with?
Xingqiu excels with Pyro DPS characters like Hu Tao, Diluc, Yoimiya, and Klee. His consistent Hydro application allows them to trigger Vaporize reactions frequently, significantly increasing their damage output. He also works well with characters that trigger Freeze reactions, such as Ganyu, Ayaka, and Chongyun.
10. Is Xingqiu a good support?
Yes, Xingqiu is an excellent support character, specifically a sub-DPS. He provides consistent Hydro application, off-field damage, and minor healing, making him a valuable asset to almost any team composition.
11. Is Xingqiu the best Hydro character?
While there are strong Hydro characters like Yelan, Xingqiu remains one of the best due to his accessibility and ease of use. His consistent Hydro application is unmatched, making him a top-tier choice for Vaporize teams. The value of Yelan versus Xingqiu is that they can often be played on the same team and have excellent synergy together.
12. Is it bad to lower the world level in Genshin?
Lowering your World Level in Genshin Impact makes enemies weaker, but also reduces the quality and quantity of rewards you receive. It’s generally not recommended unless you’re struggling to progress or complete daily commissions. You can only change your World Level once every 24 hours.
13. How many primogems is 90 wishes?
90 wishes require 14,400 Primogems (90 wishes * 160 Primogems/wish).
14. What happens when you reach 100% exploration in Genshin Impact?
Reaching 100% exploration in an area means you’ve found most of the chests, completed world quests, and interacted with the environment. While it doesn’t unlock specific achievements, it provides a sense of completion and ensures you haven’t missed valuable resources.
15. Where can I learn more about game design and the science behind games?
You can explore resources related to Games Learning Society at GamesLearningSociety.org, which delves into game design and the scientific principles behind how games engage and educate players.