The Definitive Guide to Xiao’s Most Important Stat

When building the enigmatic Vigilant Yaksha, Xiao, the question of which stat reigns supreme is a constant debate among Genshin Impact players. While he benefits from a variety of stats, Crit Rate stands out as the most crucial for maximizing his damage output. It’s the foundation upon which all other offensive stats build, making it the priority when equipping artifacts and choosing substats.

Understanding Why Crit Rate is King for Xiao

Xiao’s primary damage source comes from his plunging attacks during his Elemental Burst, Bane of All Evil. These attacks are powerful, but their effectiveness is drastically increased by critical hits. Without a sufficient Crit Rate, a significant portion of your potential damage will be lost due to inconsistent output. Think of it this way: Crit Rate ensures that a higher percentage of your attacks will deal critical damage, which in turn multiplies your damage by your Crit Damage stat. A 100% crit damage multiplier is useless if you are never critically striking! Therefore, the goal should be to hit a reasonable Crit Rate target first before aggressively pursuing other stats.

The article cited recommends a minimum of 70% Crit Rate. This high target is not arbitrary; it ensures that almost every plunge attack will land a critical hit when your damage potential is at its highest. This consistency, in turn, makes him a much more reliable main DPS. Once you’ve reached a solid Crit Rate, usually at least 70% and ideally closer to 80%, you can then focus more on balancing your Crit Damage, aiming for a 1:2 ratio as recommended by the community.

Balancing Act: Crit Rate vs. Crit Damage

While Crit Rate is paramount for consistent damage, Crit Damage determines the magnitude of that damage. It’s essential to understand that these two stats work together, each amplifying the other. After securing a sufficient Crit Rate, you need to build up your Crit Damage. A common benchmark is to aim for a 1:2 ratio between Crit Rate and Crit Damage. This balance ensures that your critical hits hit both frequently and hard. For example, if you have 70% Crit Rate, strive for approximately 140% Crit Damage.

Why Other Stats Fall Secondary

While Crit Rate and Crit Damage are Xiao’s damage amplifiers, other stats contribute to his kit as well. These include:

• ATK%: Increases the base damage of his attacks. It is crucial but less impactful than Crit Rate and Crit Damage at higher levels of investment.

• Anemo Damage Bonus: Amplifies his overall Anemo damage. This is crucial on his Goblet artifact.

• Energy Recharge: Allows him to use his Elemental Burst more frequently. While not directly impacting his damage, it increases his damage uptime, and therefore, his overall damage output. Aim for around 20-40% from substats, if possible.

Although all these stats are helpful, they are secondary to Crit Rate. Without a good Crit Rate, your character will simply be swinging hard but infrequently, whereas with enough crit rate you swing hard AND frequently, making it a higher priority.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) About Xiao’s Stats

1. What are the ideal main stats for Xiao’s Artifacts?

The ideal main stats for Xiao are:

• Sands: ATK%
• Goblet: Anemo DMG Bonus
• Circlet: CRIT Rate or CRIT DMG (Prioritize based on what you need more, aiming for a 1:2 ratio with the other stat).

2. What substats should I prioritize on Xiao’s artifacts?

Prioritize substats in this order: CRIT Rate / CRIT DMG > ATK% > Energy Recharge.

3. How much Crit Rate does Xiao need?

Aim for a minimum of 70% Crit Rate, with 80%+ being ideal.

4. How much Crit Damage should I aim for on Xiao?

Aim for a Crit Damage value that is roughly twice your Crit Rate, ideally a 1:2 ratio.

5. How much Energy Recharge does Xiao need?

About 20-40% Energy Recharge from substats should be sufficient for consistent Burst uptime.

6. Is ATK% or Anemo DMG Bonus Goblet better for Xiao?

Anemo DMG Bonus on the Goblet is generally better for Xiao, and this is especially the case since his burst functions as a multiplier similar to a damage bonus.

7. What artifact sets are best for Xiao?

The best artifact sets for Xiao are:

• 2pc Viridescent Venerer (VV) + 2pc ATK (Gladiator’s Finale or Shimenawa’s Reminiscence).
• If lacking ATK%, 2 pc ATK + 2pc ATK sets are viable.

8. What is a good ATK stat for Xiao?

This depends on your weapon and artifact substats. Aim for a minimum of 1800 ATK if possible.

9. Is Xiao a good DPS character?

Yes, Xiao is one of the best Anemo main DPS characters in Genshin Impact, known for his high plunging attack damage during his Elemental Burst.

10. What is the best F2P weapon for Xiao?

The Blackcliff Pole is often considered his best F2P option.

11. Does Xiao benefit from his Constellations?

Xiao is a strong character even at C0. His constellations, especially C1 to C5, do not offer significant damage improvements but his C6 is game changing against grouped enemies.

12. Does Xiao need a healer in his team?

Yes, because he loses HP during his Burst, it’s crucial to have a healer who can follow his movement, such as Barbara or Qiqi.

13. Is it worth leveling Xiao to 90?

Yes, leveling any main DPS to 90 is worth it to maximize their potential. It’s best to prioritize this step as part of your damage progression once you have good artifacts and a solid weapon.

14. Is Xiao the strongest Anemo character?

Xiao is definitely among the top Anemo DPS characters and is extremely consistent but there are other high performing Anemo characters.

15. How does double Geo help Xiao?

A Double Geo team composition usually includes Zhongli. Geo Resonance provides a shield and 15% DMG Bonus to the party and is helpful for Xiao’s overall damage output.

Conclusion: Prioritizing Crit Rate for Xiao’s Potential

In conclusion, while several stats contribute to Xiao’s overall performance, Crit Rate is undeniably the most important stat for this character. It ensures that his high-damage plunging attacks hit their critical maximum, while Crit Damage amplifies the strength of those critical hits. Building a balanced Xiao means carefully prioritizing your Crit Rate, aiming for at least 70% and a near 1:2 ratio with Crit Damage. This will set the foundation for unleashing the full potential of this powerful Anemo DPS character. So focus on building that Crit Rate first and your Xiao will deal much more consistent damage!