Genshin Impact 2026: The Ultimate Xianyun Build & Team Guide

Ever since her grand entrance into the world of Teyvat, Xianyun has remained a cornerstone of the meta, proving that some characters truly stand the test of time. As a five-star Anemo Catalyst wielder, she offers a unique blend of healing, crowd control, and a revolutionary Plunge Attack buffing mechanic. But what makes her so special even years after her release? It's her unparalleled ability to transform almost any character into a devastating plunge attacker, opening up entirely new team compositions and playstyles that keep the game fresh. Whether you're a Xiao main looking for the perfect partner or someone wanting to unleash plunge attacks with your favorite DPS, Xianyun is the key.

✨ The Best Xianyun Builds for 2026

Her kit is deceptively simple yet incredibly powerful. Her Elemental Skill, White Clouds at Dawn, can be used up to three times, with the final plunge attack damage scaling based on the number of uses. More importantly, it grants a state where you take zero fall damage! But the true star is her Elemental Burst, Stars Gather at Dusk. This ability provides constant party-wide healing and grants the team up to eight enhanced Plunge Attacks with a significant damage bonus. So, how do you build this legendary adeptus?

🌪️ The Go-To Support Build (For 99% of Players)

This is her most effective and popular role. The goal? Maximize her support capabilities.

• Artifact Set: Viridescent Venerer (4-Piece). This set is timeless for a reason. It shreds enemy elemental resistance by 40% for any element you Swirl, making your main DPS hit MUCH harder. With Xianyun's consistent AoE Anemo application, it's a perfect match.

• Weapon Choices:

Weapon	Best For...	Key Benefit
Crane's Echoing Call (Signature)	Ultimate Performance	Gives ATK%, Energy, and a party-wide Plunge ATK DMG boost. The complete package.
Favonius Codex	Energy & Team Support	Solves her energy needs and generates particles for the whole team. A classic and reliable choice.
Oathsworn Eye (Event Weapon)	Balanced Option	Provides a nice ATK boost and temporary Energy Recharge after using her Skill.
Memory of Dust	High ATK Scenarios	Excellent for stacking massive ATK, especially if paired with a strong shielder like Zhongli.

⚔️ The Niche DPS Build (A Constellation 6 Showcase)

This build is primarily for those who have unlocked Xianyun's full potential at Constellation 6, which transforms her own plunge attacks. For most players, the support build is far more valuable.

• Artifact Sets: Golden Troupe (4-Piece) or Desert Pavilion Chronicle (4-Piece).

• Weapons: Kagura's Verity, Lost Prayer to the Sacred Winds, or other Crit/ATK catalysts.

• Team Idea: Pair her with off-field elemental applicators (like Furina, Xiangling, or Raiden Shogun) and use her own Burst to buff her plunge attacks while swirling elements constantly.

📊 Artifact Stat Priority: What to Look For

Building her artifacts is straightforward for support, but requires more precision for DPS.

For the Support Build:

You are chasing two primary stats: ATK% and Energy Recharge (ER). Her healing and plunge attack damage bonus scale directly from her ATK, and her 80-energy Burst needs good ER to use consistently.

• Sands: Energy Recharge (until you meet requirements, then ATK%)

• Goblet: ATK%

• Circlet: ATK%

• Substats: ER > ATK% >>> Everything else. Aim for around 180-220% ER depending on your team and weapon.

For the DPS Build (C6 Focused):

Now you need the classic DPS trifecta.

• Sands: ATK%

• Goblet: Anemo DMG Bonus

• Circlet: Crit Rate / Crit DMG (aim for a 1:2 ratio)

• Substats: Crit Stats > ATK% > ER

🔝 Xianyun Talent Priority

Resources are precious, so focus your talent books wisely!

1. Elemental Burst (Q) - MAX PRIORITY ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

   • Why? This talent directly determines the strength of her team-wide healing and the Plunge Attack DMG Bonus she provides. Leveling this up is the single biggest boost to her support value.

2. Elemental Skill (E) - Secondary Priority ⭐⭐⭐⭐

   • Why? Increases the damage of her skill's final plunge and improves her personal particle generation. Good for quality of life and a bit of extra damage.

3. Normal Attack - Low Priority (Ignore for Support) ⭐

   • Why? You will almost never use her normal attacks in a support role. Only level this if you are committed to her Constellation 6 DPS playstyle.

💡 Final Tips & Team Synergies in 2026

Xianyun's versatility is her greatest strength. Here are some powerhouse team ideas that are still dominating in 2026:

• The Classic: Xiao / Xianyun / Faruzan / Furina

  • The ultimate Xiao hypercarry team. Xianyun heals, buffs plunges, and enables Furina's Fanfare stacks.

• The Enabler: Diluc or Hu Tao / Xianyun / Furina / Yelan or Xingqiu

  • Transform your classic Pyro DPS into a plunge-attacking monster. The Vaporize damage is insane.

• The Flex Slot: Gaming / Xianyun / Bennett / Furina

  • A team built around another plunge-attack specialist, showing how Xianyun can enable new meta characters.

• The Surprise: Any DPS / Xianyun / Anemo Battery / Flex

  • The beauty of Xianyun? Try plunge attacks with characters like Keqing, Navia, or even Wriothesley. You might be surprised!

Remember, her core value lies in her universal Plunge Attack buff and healing. Don't get too caught up in perfect artifacts; focus on getting her Burst up on cooldown and stacking that ATK. With the right build, the Cloud Retainer doesn't just watch over Liyue—she elevates your entire account to new heights. 🏔️

Data referenced from HowLongToBeat can help contextualize why evergreen supports like Xianyun remain valuable over long play horizons: when players spend dozens (or hundreds) of hours across story, exploration, and endgame rotations, flexible enablers that unlock multiple playstyles—such as her universal Plunge Attack boosting and steady healing—tend to outperform narrow, niche picks by keeping team building adaptable as your roster grows.