Genshin Impact Xingqiu Build Guide: Maximizing Your Hydro Swordsman (2025)

If you're diving into the world of Genshin Impact and looking to make the most of Xingqiu, you're in the right place. Xingqiu is a versatile Hydro swordsman who can be a fantastic addition to any team, especially if you're looking to amp up your elemental reactions. In this guide, we'll cover everything you need to know to build Xingqiu effectively, from his best weapons and artifacts to his ideal team compositions and strategies. Let's dive in!

Understanding Xingqiu's Role

First things first, let's understand Xingqiu's role in your team. Xingqiu is primarily a sub-DPS and support character. His kit revolves around dealing consistent Hydro damage and enabling powerful elemental reactions, particularly Vaporize and Electro-Charged. He's not typically built as a main DPS, but his abilities can significantly boost your team's overall damage output.

Xingqiu's Elemental Skill, Guanhua, is a crucial part of his kit. It allows him to deal continuous Hydro damage and apply the Wet status to enemies. His Elemental Burst, Hai Tian, is where he really shines. It creates a field of flying swords that deal Hydro damage and reduce the damage your active character takes. This makes Xingqiu an excellent support for characters who deal heavy normal attacks, like Keqing or Diluc.

Best Weapons for Xingqiu

When it comes to weapons, Xingqiu uses one-handed swords. There are several great options depending on what you want to prioritize.

5-Star Options

• Mistsplitter Reforged: This sword is arguably the best for Xingqiu if you're lucky enough to have it. It boosts Elemental Damage Bonus and provides a stacking buff that increases with each elemental damage hit.
• Haran Geppaku Futsu: Another excellent 5-star option, this sword boosts Xingqiu's Elemental Skill damage and provides a significant increase in Crit Rate.

4-Star Options

• Sacrificial Sword: This is one of the best 4-star weapons for Xingqiu. It has a chance to reset the cooldown of his Elemental Skill, allowing for more frequent use of Guanhua.
• Xiphos' Moonlight: This sword boosts Elemental Damage Bonus and provides a stacking buff that increases with each elemental damage hit, similar to Mistsplitter but with slightly lower stats.

3-Star Options

• Skyrider Sword: If you're on a budget, this 3-star sword is a decent option. It boosts Energy Recharge, helping Xingqiu use his Elemental Burst more frequently.

Best Artifacts for Xingqiu

Artifacts play a crucial role in maximizing Xingqiu's potential. Here are some of the best sets to consider:

Nobless Oblige

• 2-Piece Bonus: Elemental Burst Damage +20%
• 4-Piece Bonus: Using an Elemental Burst increases all party members' Attack by 20% for 12s. This effect cannot stack.

Nobless Oblige is a fantastic set for Xingqiu, especially if you're focusing on his support capabilities. The 4-piece bonus boosts your entire team's damage output, making it a great choice for most content.

Emblem of Severed Fate

• 2-Piece Bonus: Energy Recharge +20%
• 4-Piece Bonus: Increases Elemental Burst Damage by 25% of Energy Recharge. A maximum of 75% bonus damage can be obtained in this way.

Emblem of Severed Fate is another excellent set, particularly if you're looking to maximize Xingqiu's personal damage output. The 4-piece bonus can significantly boost his Elemental Burst damage.

Heart of Depth

• 2-Piece Bonus: Hydro Damage Bonus +15%
• 4-Piece Bonus: After using Elemental Skill, increases Normal and Charged Attack Damage by 30% for 15s.

Heart of Depth is a great set if you're focusing on Xingqiu's Hydro damage. The 4-piece bonus is particularly useful if your Xingqiu is dealing significant normal attack damage.

Talent Priority

When it comes to leveling Xingqiu's talents, you should prioritize his Elemental Burst, followed by his Elemental Skill, and finally his Normal Attack. Here's why:

• Elemental Burst (Hai Tian): This is Xingqiu's most powerful ability. It deals significant Hydro damage, reduces damage taken, and applies a powerful damage bonus to your active character. Maximizing this talent should be your top priority.
• Elemental Skill (Guanhua): This ability is also crucial as it applies the Wet status to enemies, enabling elemental reactions. It also deals consistent Hydro damage and generates Energy.
• Normal Attack: While Xingqiu's normal attacks can deal respectable damage, they're not the primary source of his damage output. You should focus on leveling his other talents first.

Team Compositions

Xingqiu can fit into a variety of team compositions, but he truly shines in Vaporize and Electro-Charged teams. Here are a few examples:

Vaporize Team

• Diluc (Main DPS)
• Xingqiu (Sub-DPS/Support)
• Bennett (Support/Healer)
• Kazuha (Support/Crowd Control)

In this team, Xingqiu's Hydro application combines with Diluc's Pyro damage to trigger Vaporize, significantly boosting damage output. Bennett provides healing and an Attack boost, while Kazuha provides crowd control and damage buffs.

Electro-Charged Team

• Keqing (Main DPS)
• Xingqiu (Sub-DPS/Support)
• Fischl (Sub-DPS/Support)
• Diona (Support/Healer)

In this team, Xingqiu's Hydro application combines with Keqing's and Fischl's Electro damage to trigger Electro-Charged, dealing significant damage over time. Diona provides healing and shielding, helping to keep the team alive.

Playstyle and Rotations

Playing Xingqiu effectively is all about timing and maximizing his elemental reactions. Here are some tips:

• Always use Xingqiu's Elemental Skill before switching to your main DPS. This ensures that the Wet status is applied to enemies, enabling elemental reactions.
• Use Xingqiu's Elemental Burst strategically. It has a long cooldown, so make sure to use it when it will have the most impact.
• In a Vaporize team, use Xingqiu's Elemental Burst right before your main DPS unleashes their burst. This will maximize the damage bonus and reduce incoming damage.
• In an Electro-Charged team, use Xingqiu's Elemental Burst after your Electro characters have applied their damage. This will trigger Electro-Charged and deal significant damage over time.

Constellations

Xingqiu's constellations can significantly boost his power, but they're not necessarily a priority. If you're looking to maximize his potential, here are the constellations you should aim for:

• C1 - The Scent Remained: Increases the number of rain swords created by Hai Tian to 4.
• C2 - The Rainbow Amidst The Flowers Stands: Extends the duration of Guanhua by 3s.
• C4 - The end Of The Beastly Dream: Resets the cooldown of Guanhua when Xingqiu's Normal Attacks hit opponents affected by Hai Tian.
• C6 - Therefore, Thus Spoke The Boatman: Enemies hit by Xingqiu's rain swords have their Hydro RES decreased by 20% for 4s.

Farming Talent Materials

Farming for Xingqiu's talent materials can be a bit of a grind, but it's worth it to maximize his potential. Here's what you'll need:

• Talent Level-Up Materials: Teachings of Gold, Guide to Gold, Philosophies of Gold (Dropped by the Masked Mercenary in Taishan Mansion)
• Weekly Boss Materials: Spirit Locket of Boreas (Dropped by the Andrius weekly boss)
• Common Ascension Materials: Silver Raven Insignia, Silver Raven Medal, Silver Raven Badge (Dropped by the Treasure Hoarders)

Conclusion

Xingqiu is a versatile and powerful Hydro swordsman who can significantly boost your team's damage output. By understanding his role, equipping the right weapons and artifacts, and building the right team compositions, you can maximize his potential. Don't forget, farming for his talent materials is a worthwhile investment to make him even stronger.

So, what are you waiting for? Get out there and start building your Xingqiu today!

FAQ

What is the best weapon for Xingqiu?

The best weapon for Xingqiu is typically the Mistsplitter Reforged or the Haran Geppaku Futsu. However, the Sacrificial Sword is a excellent 4-star alternative.

What is the best artifact set for Xingqiu?

The best artifact set for Xingqiu is usually the Nobless Oblige or the Emblem of Severed Fate set, depending on whether you want to prioritize his support capabilities or personal damage output.

What are the best team compositions for Xingqiu?

Xingqiu shines in Vaporize and Electro-Charged teams. Some examples include pairing him with Diluc, Bennett, and Kazuha for a Vaporize team, or Keqing, Fischl, and Diona for an Electro-Charged team.

What constellations should I aim for with Xingqiu?

Xingqiu's constellations can significantly boost his power. Aim for C1, C2, C4, and C6 to maximize his potential.