Who Pairs Best with Xiangling in Genshin Impact? A Comprehensive Guide
Xiangling, the head chef of the Wanmin Restaurant, is arguably one of the most potent and versatile characters in Genshin Impact. Her accessibility as a free-to-play character and her incredible off-field Pyro damage output make her a staple in countless team compositions. But who exactly pairs best with this fiery force of nature? The simple answer: it depends on what you need, but consistently, the best partners for Xiangling are characters that enable her to Vaporize, Melt, or otherwise amplify her already impressive damage. Generally, Xingqiu and Bennett are considered her best overall partners, unlocking her full potential as a sub-DPS powerhouse. Let’s dive deeper into specific synergies and team compositions.
Understanding Xiangling’s Strengths
Before exploring specific pairings, it’s crucial to understand what makes Xiangling so powerful. Her primary strength lies in her Elemental Burst, Pyronado. This ability deals consistent Pyro damage over a wide area, making her an excellent off-field damage dealer. However, Pyronado has a high Energy cost (80), making Energy Recharge a crucial stat for her. Additionally, because Pyronado snapshots any buffs it has at the moment of cast, providing her with ATK buffs and other boosts right before she uses her Burst greatly increases the Pyronado’s sustained damage.
Key Synergies: Vaporize and Melt
The most effective way to maximize Xiangling’s damage is by triggering Vaporize or Melt reactions. Vaporize occurs when Pyro hits Hydro, dealing 2x damage, while Melt occurs when Pyro hits Cryo, also dealing 2x damage. This means characters that can consistently apply Hydro or Cryo are essential for unleashing Xiangling’s potential.
Top Character Pairings for Xiangling
Here are some of the best characters to pair with Xiangling, broken down by their specific contributions:
1. Xingqiu: The Vaporize King
Xingqiu is arguably Xiangling’s best partner in many team compositions. His Elemental Skill and Burst apply consistent Hydro damage, allowing Xiangling to trigger Vaporize on almost every hit of her Pyronado. This synergy is so strong that it forms the core of many top-tier teams.
2. Bennett: The Energy and Attack Buffer
Bennett provides essential Energy Recharge for Xiangling, ensuring she can consistently use her Pyronado. He also buffs her attack significantly with his Elemental Burst, which Pyronado snapshots. This combination makes Bennett an almost indispensable part of any serious Xiangling team. His ability to heal is a bonus, as he ensures the team’s survivability. The National Team composition, consisting of Xiangling, Bennett, Xingqiu, and a flexible fourth slot, is a testament to this powerful duo.
3. Kaeya: Cryo Application for Melt
Kaeya’s Elemental Burst provides a steady stream of Cryo application, allowing Xiangling to trigger Melt reactions. While not as consistent as Vaporize with Xingqiu, a Melt-focused Xiangling team can still deal significant damage, especially against enemies weak to Cryo.
4. Chongyun: Amplifying Cryo Application
Chongyun’s Elemental Skill infuses Normal Attacks with Cryo, further enhancing the Cryo application provided by Kaeya. This can create a more consistent Melt reaction with Xiangling, although it can be tricky to execute properly.
5. Yelan: Hydro Sub-DPS and Damage Amplifier
Yelan serves a similar role to Xingqiu, providing off-field Hydro application. However, Yelan’s Burst also offers a damage bonus that increases over time, further boosting Xiangling’s Vaporize damage.
6. Kazuha: Pyro Swirls and Damage Buffs
Kazuha can absorb Pyro with his Elemental Skill and Burst, dealing additional Pyro damage and reducing enemy Pyro resistance. He also buffs Xiangling’s damage based on his Elemental Mastery, making him an excellent addition to Pyro-focused teams.
7. Sucrose: Elemental Mastery Buffs and Crowd Control
Sucrose can provide a significant Elemental Mastery buff to the team, further increasing the damage of Vaporize and Melt reactions. Her crowd control abilities also help group enemies together, maximizing the effectiveness of Xiangling’s Pyronado.
8. Albedo: Off-field Geo Damage
Albedo is a great support character, especially his Elemental Skill provides off-field Geo Damage, allowing Xiangling to have a consistent damage dealer. He can work well within the AoE that Xiangling puts up.
Other Notable Synergies
While the characters listed above represent some of the best pairings for Xiangling, many other characters can synergize well with her depending on the specific team composition and content you’re facing. Characters like Raiden Shogun and Fischl can provide additional off-field damage and help with Energy Recharge. The key is to understand Xiangling’s strengths and weaknesses and choose characters that complement her playstyle. Remember that the Games Learning Society explores the mechanics behind successful games like Genshin Impact, offering insights into game design and player strategies. Visit GamesLearningSociety.org to learn more.
Team Compositions
Here are a few example team compositions featuring Xiangling:
- National Team: Xiangling, Bennett, Xingqiu, Raiden Shogun/Chongyun
- Vaporize Team: Xiangling, Xingqiu, Bennett, Sucrose/Kazuha
- Melt Team: Xiangling, Kaeya, Bennett, Rosaria/Chongyun
- Overload Team: Xiangling, Fischl, Beidou, Bennett
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. Is Xiangling good as a main DPS?
While Xiangling can be played as a main DPS, she typically excels as a sub-DPS due to the nature of her Elemental Burst. Characters with stronger on-field presence, like Diluc or Hu Tao, are generally better suited for the main DPS role. However, if you enjoy her playstyle, she is still able to be played as the team’s Main DPS, as long as the team is built around supporting her damage.
2. What artifacts are best for Xiangling?
The Emblem of Severed Fate artifact set is generally considered the best for Xiangling, as it provides Energy Recharge and increases Elemental Burst damage based on Energy Recharge. Alternatively, a combination of Crimson Witch of Flames (2-piece) and Noblesse Oblige (2-piece) can also be effective, especially in teams where Xiangling is the primary Pyro damage dealer.
3. What weapon is best for Xiangling?
The best weapon for Xiangling depends on your team composition and artifact stats. Generally, weapons with Energy Recharge or Crit Rate/Crit Damage are preferred. Some of the best options include:
- Engulfing Lightning: (5-star, Energy Recharge)
- Staff of Homa: (5-star, Crit Damage)
- The Catch: (4-star, Energy Recharge, obtained through fishing)
- Deathmatch: (4-star, Crit Rate, obtained through Battle Pass)
- Favonius Lance: (4-star, Energy Recharge)
4. How much Energy Recharge does Xiangling need?
The amount of Energy Recharge Xiangling needs depends on the team composition and her role within the team. Generally, aim for around 180-220% Energy Recharge to consistently use her Burst.
5. Is Xiangling good with Hu Tao?
Yes, Xiangling can work well with Hu Tao, providing off-field Pyro application for reverse Vaporize. However, it’s important to ensure that Hu Tao is the one triggering Vaporize, as her damage is significantly higher.
6. Can Xiangling trigger Vaporize with Childe?
Yes, Xiangling can trigger Vaporize with Childe’s Hydro application. Childe’s high Hydro application can allow her to consistently trigger Vaporize with her Pyronado.
7. Is Xiangling good with Raiden Shogun?
Yes, Raiden Shogun can help Xiangling with Energy Recharge and provide additional off-field damage. Raiden’s Elemental Skill provides Electro damage and increases Elemental Burst damage, which benefits Xiangling.
8. Is Xiangling good with Yoimiya?
Xiangling can be used to trigger Vaporize with Yoimiya’s attacks. While Yoimiya is primarily a single-target DPS, Xiangling can provide AoE damage and help with Vaporize reactions.
9. Is Xiangling good with Ganyu?
Yes, Xiangling is a great fit as Pyro applicator for Melt Ganyu. Xiangling is, by far, the most effective pyro applicator for Ganyu at the moment.
10. Is Xiangling good with Ningguang?
Yes, Xiangling is a great, free four-star character that you can acquire early in the game by completing a mission. On a team with Ningguang, she makes for a great Sub-DPS who can keep the heat on enemies while spreading Pyro for reactions.
11. Is Xiangling good with Keqing?
Yes, Xiangling’s Elemental Burst provides huge amount of DMG and continuous Pyro element attachment for Keqing and Beidou to trigger Overload.
12. Is Xiangling good with Albedo?
Yes, Xiangling can works well within the AoE that Albedo puts up.
13. Is Xiangling good with Kokomi?
Yes, Xiangling can be used to trigger Vaporize with Kokomi’s Hydro application. For Vaporize Kokomi, players should place Xiangling on the team.
14. Is Xiangling good with Kuki Shinobu?
Kuki Shinobu + Xiangling + Xingqiu + Bennett. Even though Kuki is built to deal Elemental reaction damage in this team composition, she still can help Bennett heal everyone while they’re letting out surges of damage through their rotations.
15. Is Xiangling better than Diluc?
While both Xiangling and Diluc are Pyro DPS characters, they excel in different areas. Diluc is generally considered a stronger main DPS, while Xiangling is a more versatile sub-DPS. The choice between the two depends on your team composition and playstyle preferences.