Xiao's Artifact Sets: Best Builds & Comparison Guide

by Jhon Lennon 53 views

Hey guys! If you're here, you're probably as hyped about Xiao as I am. This Anemo powerhouse has been a staple in many of our teams, and with new artifact sets constantly dropping, it's time for a deep dive. We're going to break down the best artifact sets for Xiao, compare them, and help you decide which ones will make your Xiao absolutely shred enemies. So, grab your Jade Spears, and let's get started!

Understanding Xiao's Playstyle and Stats

Before we jump into the artifact sets, let's quickly recap what makes Xiao tick. Understanding his core mechanics is crucial for building him effectively. Xiao is primarily a plunge attack damage dealer. This means he dishes out most of his damage while in his Elemental Burst, the "Yaksha's Mask". When activated, this burst significantly boosts his jump height and attack damage, enabling him to deal massive AoE damage with his plunges. He's all about sustained damage over time, unlike some other characters who rely on one-shot burst damage.

Now, let's talk about the key stats you'll want to focus on: Attack Percentage (ATK%), Anemo Damage Bonus, Crit Rate, and Crit Damage. ATK% is vital because it directly boosts his damage output. Anemo DMG Bonus significantly increases the damage of his Anemo attacks, and this is where a lot of his damage comes from. Crit Rate and Crit DMG are essential for maximizing damage potential; you want a good balance between both, aiming for a crit rate of around 70% and a crit damage of around 140% or higher. Energy Recharge is also important to ensure you can consistently use his burst. The ideal amount depends on your team composition, but around 120-140% is generally a good target.

His ideal weapon will have high crit rate or damage to complement the artifact stats.

The OG: Gladiator's Finale and Viridescent Venerer Combo

Let's start with the classic: the Gladiator's Finale and Viridescent Venerer combo. This was the go-to build for Xiao for a long time. It’s still a viable option, especially if you're early in the game or haven't quite gotten lucky with the newer sets. This build offers a balanced approach, focusing on consistent damage and overall performance. But, as with everything, the game has evolved. This is how it works:

  • 2-Piece Gladiator's Finale: Provides a flat +18% Attack. This is a solid boost, increasing his overall damage output and is very accessible to farm. The effect is simple but effective, ensuring his attacks hit harder.
  • 2-Piece Viridescent Venerer: Increases Anemo Damage by 15%. This is super important because it directly boosts the damage of his Anemo plunges, which is where his damage comes from while in his burst. This is the main part of the set that enhances Xiao's elemental damage. This is a very common set in the game, so it's not hard to find.

This combination offers a good balance of attack and elemental damage, making Xiao hit hard and consistently. It's especially useful for players who are still in the early to mid-game stages, as it's relatively easy to farm. However, if you're looking to min-max Xiao's damage, you can do better with some of the newer sets we'll get into.

The main benefit of the Gladiator/Viridescent combo is its accessibility and ease of use. The downside is that it doesn't provide the same damage ceiling as some of the newer sets, but it's still good if you're unable to access the other artifact domains.

The Powerhouse: Vermillion Hereafter

Alright, now for the set that was practically made for Xiao: Vermillion Hereafter. This set is a game-changer for Xiao, designed to amplify his plunge attack damage to the max. This set is specifically designed to work perfectly with his gameplay style, boosting his damage as his burst duration goes on. Here's a look at the set bonus:

  • 2-Piece Bonus: +18% Attack. Just like Gladiator's Finale, this is a solid base, increasing Xiao's damage output from the jump.
  • 4-Piece Bonus: After using an Elemental Burst, the character gains the Nascent Light effect, increasing their Attack by 8% for 14 seconds. After each loss of HP, the character's Attack is further increased by 10%. This effect can trigger a maximum of 3 times. This set is perfectly designed for Xiao's gameplay. It boosts attack by a decent amount when his burst is activated and then further boosts his attack when he takes damage, which is pretty much the entire time that he is plunging and taking AoE damage. The attack bonus is increased even further, stacking up to three times. This is the set that truly unlocks Xiao's full potential, allowing him to deal absolutely insane damage. It also adds a layer of depth to your gameplay, encouraging you to time your bursts and attacks strategically. The Vermillion Hereafter set allows Xiao to hit really hard, and I mean really hard.

This is generally considered his best-in-slot artifact set. It’s a very good set for a Xiao main, and if you are using him as your main DPS, then this is the best artifact set for Xiao.

The main benefit of this set is the massive damage increase it provides, especially when Xiao is in his burst. The downside is that it's domain specific, and like all artifact domains, you are at the mercy of RNG.

The New Contender: Echoes of an Offering

Now, let's talk about the Echoes of an Offering set. This set is a bit more conditional and less straightforward than the others. It's a solid choice, but it requires a specific playstyle to shine. This set has its own unique strengths, and in the right hands, it can be really effective. The set bonuses are:

  • 2-Piece Bonus: +18% Attack, the same as the others.
  • 4-Piece Bonus: When Normal Attacks hit opponents, there is a 36% chance to trigger Valley Rite, which will increase Normal Attack DMG by 70% of ATK. This effect will be triggered if the Normal Attacks hit the opponent for the first time in an interval of 0.05 seconds. The effect will be cleared after 0.2 seconds after the Normal Attacks hit the opponent, or after being triggered 3 times. Normal Attacks are a core part of Xiao's combat, but this set has a more complex mechanic. This is where things get interesting. Xiao’s plunges are counted as normal attacks which helps this set, but the effectiveness is hard to master.

The main benefit is its potential for high damage output. If you can consistently trigger the Valley Rite effect, the damage output is pretty high. The downside is that the trigger condition can be inconsistent, making it less reliable than other sets, especially in high-pressure situations.

Artifact Set Comparison and Recommendations

So, which set should you choose? Let's break it down:

  • Vermillion Hereafter: The current king. If you want maximum damage and can get a good set, this is the way to go. It's designed for Xiao's playstyle and offers a huge damage boost. If you're looking to optimize Xiao's damage output, this is the set to aim for.
  • Gladiator's Finale/Viridescent Venerer: A solid and accessible option, especially if you're starting out or don't have good pieces from the other sets. It provides a good balance of damage and is easy to farm. A good choice if you're not ready to farm the other domains.
  • Echoes of an Offering: A viable option if you're comfortable with its playstyle and can consistently trigger the Valley Rite effect. It requires you to be comfortable with Xiao’s combat and is less reliable than Vermillion Hereafter.

Ultimately, the best set depends on your team composition, playstyle, and what artifacts you have available. Vermillion Hereafter is the top choice if you want to min-max. If you are starting, then Gladiator's Finale/Viridescent Venerer is fine. Echoes of an Offering is less popular and is more situational, but could be good on the right team.

Optimizing Your Xiao Build

Once you've chosen your artifact set, it's time to focus on substats. Here's what you should look for:

  • Crit Rate and Crit DMG: Aim for a good balance to maximize your damage output.
  • ATK%: Essential for boosting Xiao's damage.
  • Energy Recharge: Ensure you can consistently use your burst. 120-140% is a good starting point.

Don't forget to level up your talents! Your normal attack, plunge attack, and elemental burst are the most important ones to prioritize.

Conclusion: Which Artifact Set is Best for Xiao?

So, there you have it, guys! We've covered the best artifact sets for Xiao, their strengths, and weaknesses. Ultimately, Vermillion Hereafter is the best set for maximizing Xiao's damage. The classic Gladiator's Finale/Viridescent Venerer combo is still a solid choice, especially for newer players, but the ceiling isn’t as high. Echoes of an Offering can also work, but its performance depends on playstyle and the team composition. Remember to focus on those key stats and have fun building your Xiao! May the RNG gods be ever in your favor when farming those artifacts!