Xianyun is a brand new Anemo 5-star character in Genshin Impact who launched alongside version update 4.4. Here is everything you need to know regarding her best artifacts, weapons, and more.
Xianyun is a unit who has made multiple appearances in the past within the game. However, until now, you have known her as Cloud Retainer and have seen her in the form of a crane. Players have had a glance over her human form only once during the 2023 Lantern Rite Festival.
However, HoYoverse presented the official drip marketing for Xianyun on December 18, 2023, where they revealed her real name.
Here is what you need to know about effectively building Xianyun in Genshin Impact.
Xianyun abilities in Genshin Impact
Normal Attack: Word of Wind and Flower
Normal AttackSummons swirling winds to perform up to 4 attacks, dealing Anemo DMG.
Charged AttackConsumes a certain amount of Stamina and launches a Breeze Bolt in a straight line that deals Anemo DMG to opponents along its path.
Plunging AttackGathers the power of Anemo and plunges towards the ground from mid-air, damaging all opponents in her path. Deals AoE Anemo DMGupon impact with the ground.
Elemental Skill: White Clouds at Dawn
Xianyun enters the Cloud Transmogrification state and uses Skyladder once. In this state, she can use Skyladder up to 2 more times, and she will not take any Fall Damage.
In this state, when Xianyun uses a Normal or Plunging Attack, she will use Driftcloud Wave instead, transforming into a Cloudbreeze Crane to perform a dive attack on nearby opponents, dealing AoE Anemo DMG and ending Cloud Transmogrification. DMG dealt this way is considered Plunging Attack DMG.
Skyladder
Xianyun will temporarily ascend forward and into the air, dealing Anemo DMG to targets in her path.Can be used while in mid-air. The leap distance increases when used from the ground.The same opponent can be damaged a maximum of once per Cloud Transmogrification state using a Skyladder.
The more times Skyladder is used during per Cloud Transmogrification state, the more DMG the resulting Driftcloud Wave will deal and the larger its AoE. After using 3 Skyladders (including the initial use from White Clouds at Dawn), she will use the mightiest Driftcloud Wave: Divine Awe.
White Clouds at Dawn itself can only be used while on the ground.If Skyladder is not used again within a short period, Cloud Transmogrification state will end and enter CD. If Driftcloud Wave was not used during a Cloud Transmogrification state, the CD of Cloud Transmogrification will be decreased by 3s.
Elemental Burst: Stars Gather At Dusk
Brings forth a sacred breeze that deals AoE Anemo DMG and heals all nearby characters based on Xianyun’s ATK. It will also summon a mechanism named Starwicker.
Starwicker
- ·Continuously follows the active character and periodically heals all nearby characters based on Xianyun’s ATK.
- Starts with 8 stacks of Adeptal Assistance. While Adeptal Assistance is active, nearby active characters will have their jump height increased.
- When the active character completes a Plunging Attack, Starwicker will consume 1 stack of Adeptal Assistance and deal AoE Anemo DMG. Only 1 Starwicker can exist simultaneously.
Xianyun Constellations in Genshin Impact
Lucky enough to get multiple copies of Xianyun? Here are what buffs you can expect from her Constellations:
Level 1- Purifying World: White Clouds at Dawn gains 1 additional charge.
Level 2- Aloof from the World: After using a Skyladder from White Clouds at Dawn, Xianyun’s ATK will be increased by 20% for 15s. Additionally, the effects of the Passive Talent “Consider, the Adeptus in Her Realm” will be enhanced: When the Starwicker created by Stars Gather at Dusk has Adeptal Assistance stacks, nearby active characters’ Plunging Attack shockwave DMG will be increased by 360% of Xianyun’s ATK. The maximum DMG increase that can be achieved this way is 18,000. Each Plunging Attack shockwave DMG instance can only apply this increased DMG effect to a single opponent. Each character can trigger this effect once every 0.4s
Level 3- Creations of Star and Moon: Increases the Level of Stars Gather at Dusk by 3. Maximum upgrade level is 15.
Level 4- Mystery Millet Gourmet: After using Skyladder 1/2/3 times during one White Clouds at Dawn Cloud Transmogrification state, when a Driftcloud Wave unleashed during that instance hits an opponent, it will heal all nearby party members for 50%/80%/150% of Xianyun’s ATK. This effect can be triggered once every 5s.
Level 5- Astride Rose Colored Cloud: Increases the Level of White Clouds at Dawn by 3. Maximum upgrade level is 15.
Level 6 – They Call Her Cloud Retainer: After Xianyun uses 1/2/3 Skyladders within one Cloud Transmogrification caused by White Clouds at Dawn, the CRIT DMG of a Driftcloud Wave created in this instance of Cloud Transmogrification will be increased by 15%/35%/70%. Within 16s after Xianyun has used Stars Gather at Dusk, White Clouds at Dawn will not enter CD. This effect will be canceled once she has used White Clouds at Dawn 8 times.
Best Xianyun Artifacts in Genshin Impact
If you’re planning on using Xianyun as a Plunging Attack support, we recommend placing the Viridescent Venerer set on her. This Artifact set would increase her Anemo DMG Bonus but also increase Swirl DMG by 60%. You could alternatively use the Song of Days Past set to give Xianyun a healing bonus.
If you want to transform Xianyun into a Burst Healer, you should use the 4-piece Noblesse Oblige Artifact set to increase her Elemental Burst DMG and the ATK of her teammates.
| Artifact | Set Bonuses |
| Viridescent Venerer | 2-piece: Anemo DMG Bonus +15%4-piece: Increases Swirl DMG by 60%. Decreases opponent’s Elemental RES to the element infused in the Swirl by 40% for 10s. |
| Song of Days Past | 2-piece: Healing Bonus +15%4-piece: When the equipping character heals a party member, the Yearning effect will be created for 6s, which records the total amount of healing provided (including overflow healing). When the duration expires, the Yearning effect will be transformed into the Waves of Days Past effect: When your active party member hits an opponent with a Normal Attack, Charged Attack, Plunging Attack, Elemental Skill, or Elemental Burst, the DMG dealt will be increased by 8% of the total healing amount recorded by the Yearning effect.
The Waves of Days Past effect is removed after it has taken effect 5 times or after 10s. A single instance of the Yearning effect can record up to 15,000 healing, and only a single instance can exist at once, but it can record the healing from multiple equipping characters. Equipping characters on standby can still trigger this effect. |
| Noblesse Oblige | 2-piece: Elemental Burst DMG +20%.4-piece: Using an Elemental Burst increases all party members’ ATK by 20% for 12s. This effect cannot stack. |
Xianyun Artifact stats
The stats you should be focusing for Xianyun in Genshin Impact are as follows:
| Main stats | Substats |
|---|---|
| Goblet: ATK% | ATK% |
| Sands: Energy Recharge | Energy Recharge |
| Circlet: ATK% | Flat ATK |
Best Xianyun weapon in Genshin Impact
Xianyun’s best in-slot weapon is her signature, Crane’s Echoing Call. This Catalyst is great for Xianyun because of the increased DMG for Plunging Attacks and the Energy Regeneration effect. If you’re not going all in for Xianyun, you could alternatively place the Skyward Atlas on her for an Elemental DMG Bonus.
If you’re looking for a 4-star option, we recommend the Oathsworn Eye for an improved Energy Recharge after using an Elemental Skill. However, the Catalyst was obtained from the Three Realms Gateway Offering event.
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| Weapon | Details |
| Crane’s Echoing Call | After the equipping character hits an opponent with a Plunging Attack, all nearby party members’ Plunging Attacks will deal 28% increased DMG for 20s. When nearby party members hit opponents with Plunging Attacks, they will restore 2.5 Energy to the equipping character. Energy can be restored this way every 0.7s, and can be triggered off-field. |
| Skyward Atlas | Increases Elemental DMG Bonus by 12%. Normal attack hits have a 50% chance to earn the favor of the clouds, which actively seeks out nearby enemies to attack for 15s. Dealing 160% ATK DMG. Can only occur once every 30s. |
| Oathsworn Eye | Increases Energy Recharge by 24% for 10s after using an Elemental Skill. |
Xianyun Talent Level-up and Ascension Materials
Ascension materials
| Ascension Level | Mora Cost | Materials | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 20000 | Vayuda Turquoise Silver x3 | Clearwater Jade x3 | Divining Scroll x3 | |
| 2 | 40000 | Vayuda Turquoise Fragment x 3 | Cloudseam Scale x2 | Clearwater Jade x10 | Divining Scroll x15 |
| 3 | 60000 | Vayuda Turquoise Fragment x6 | Cloudseam Scale x4 | Clearwater Jade x20 | Sealed Scroll x12 |
| 4 | 80000 | Vayuda Turquoise Chunk x3 | Cloudseam Scale x8 | Clearwater Jade x30 | Sealed Scroll x18 |
| 5 | 100000 | Vayuda Turquoise Chunk x6 | Cloudseam Scale x12 | Clearwater Jade x45 | Forbidden Curse Scroll x12 |
| 6 | 120000 | Vayuda Turquoise Gemstone x6 | Cloudseam Scale x20 | Clearwater Jade x60 | Forbidden Curse Scroll x24 |
Where to farm Xianyun ascension materials
Vayuda Turquoise Fragment and its upgrades
Vayuda Turquioise Fragment can be farmed from the Anemo Hypostasis in Genshin Impact. It can be found very close to the Stormbearer Mountains.
Cloudseam Scale
This is a boss material that is dropped by Solitary Suanni in Chenyu Vale. This boss does not have any unlock requirements and can be accessed right away.
Clearwater Jade
This is a local specialty of Chenyu Vale and can be found attached to Tortoises in that region. The areas where you can farm in abundance have been marked in red.
Divining Scroll and its upgrades
Diving Scroll is dropped by Samachurls in Genshin Impact. You can farm it by locating the enemy from the Adventurer’s Handbook and clicking on Navigate. The game will automatically point you to the designated locations.
Talent level-up materials
| Talent Level-up materials | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Talent level-up materials | Teachings of Gold x9 | Guide to Gold x63 | Philosophies of Gold x114 |
| Common materials | Divining Scroll x18 | Sealed Scroll x66 | Forbidden Curse Scroll x93 |
| Boss materials | Lightless Eye of the Maelstrom x18 |
Where to farm Xianyun Talent level-up materials in Genshin Impact
Teachings of Gold and its upgrades
Teachings of Gold and its upgrades can be farmed from Taishan Mansion in Liyue on Wednesday, Saturday, and Sunday. You can locate it near Jueyun Karst in the game.
Lightless Eye of the Maelstrom
This is a boss material that can be farmed from the All Devouring Narhwhal in Genshin Impact. This boss is unlocked as part of Fontaine’s Archon quest.
Xianyun pros and cons in Genshin Impact
The pros and cons of Xianyun are as follows:
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Brilliant Healer | Lacks crowd control |
| Introduces new playstyle | Damage buffs are single-target focused and bad against groups of enemies |
| Strong buffs | |
Should you pull for Xianyun?
Yes, Xianyun is a must-pull in Genshin Impact. She is a healer, but the plunging attack playstyle is one of the best in the game. You may think she only works with Xiao, but she makes characters like Hu Tao and Ayaka hit extremely hard as well.
The plunging attack buffs are exceptionally strong and almost any character can melt through bosses. Additionally, her healing is one of the best in the game and she can easily deal with Furina’s HP drain.
She is a meta-unit in Genshin Impact and will enhance the overall strength of your account significantly.
Xianyun Genshin Impact trailer
On January 24, 2024, Genshin Impact posted a character teaser of Xianyun ahead of her release date. You can watch the video below:
Best Xianyun team comp
The best team comp for Xianyun takes advantage of the Vaporize Elemental Reaction with teammates such as Gaming, Bennett, and Furina. You could replace Gaming with Diluc if you wish to do so because of the latter’s plunging attack scaling.
Another team comp option would be Xianyun, Xiao, Faruzan, and Furina. If you decide to go with this party, you’ll want to use the Songs of Days Past Artifact set because both Xiao and Xianyun’s kit revolves around Plunging Attacks.
At the same time, you’ll receive a damage boost from Faruzan, which will be super powerful if you have her sixth constellation.
That’s everything you need to know about our recommended build for Xianyun in Genshin Impact. If you found it informative, do not forget to check out some of our other guides at Dexerto.
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