Xingqiu, the Guhua Geek: A Comprehensive Guide to the Enigmatic Swordsman of Genshin Impact

Introduction

Xingqiu is a fascinating and versatile character in the world of Genshin Impact. Known for his exceptional swordsmanship, profound knowledge of literature, and witty persona, he has captured the hearts of many players. This comprehensive guide delves into the intricacies of Xingqiu's character, gameplay mechanics, and strategic applications, unraveling the secrets behind his enigmatic allure.

Character Overview

Xingqiu is a 4-star Hydro character who wields a one-handed sword with precision and grace. Hailing from the prestigious Guhua Clan, he has mastered the art of wielding two swords simultaneously, allowing him to unleash devastating attacks while maintaining a strong defensive stance. Beyond his combat prowess, Xingqiu possesses an unquenchable thirst for knowledge and an unwavering dedication to his literary pursuits. He often carries a book with him, immersing himself in the wisdom of ancient texts whenever he finds a moment of respite.

Gameplay Mechanics

Normal Attack: Guhua Sword Technique

Xingqiu's Normal Attack consists of up to six consecutive sword strikes. His Charged Attack consumes a certain amount of Stamina to unleash an AoE Hydro attack. When used during his Elemental Skill, his Charged Attack becomes faster.

Elemental Skill: Guhua Sword - Fatal Rainscreen

Xingqiu summons a series of Rain Swords that orbit around him, providing the following effects:

• Each sword deals Hydro damage to enemies when they attack Xingqiu.
• Xingqiu gains Damage Reduction based on the number of Rain Swords active.
• The Rain Swords shatter after a certain duration, dealing AoE Hydro damage.

This skill enhances Xingqiu's survivability and enables him to deal consistent AoE Hydro damage.

Elemental Burst: Guhua Sword - Raincutter

Xingqiu summons four Water Swords that surround him. These swords have the following properties:

• They deal continuous Hydro damage to nearby enemies.
• When Xingqiu uses a Normal Attack, the Water Swords will automatically target nearby enemies and strike them.
• The Water Swords have a limited duration but can be refreshed by using Xingqiu's Elemental Skill.

This Burst unleashes devastating Hydro damage on enemies, making Xingqiu an excellent choice for elemental reactions.

Strategic Applications

Sub DPS and Support

Xingqiu excels as a Sub DPS and support character. His Elemental Skill and Burst provide sustained Hydro damage and support while he is off-field. By combining Xingqiu with Pyro, Cryo, or Electro characters, players can trigger powerful elemental reactions such as Vaporize, Freeze, or Electro-Charged.

Burst Support

Xingqiu's Elemental Burst can provide significant burst damage, especially when combined with other elemental reactions. By coordinating his Burst with other characters' Bursts, players can maximize elemental damage and achieve devastating results.

Cooldown Reduction

Xingqiu possesses a passive talent called "Hydropathic" that reduces the cooldown of his Elemental Skill by 18% with each Normal Attack that hits an enemy. This enables him to maintain a high uptime on his Rain Swords, further increasing his damage output and survivability.

Team Compositions

Xingqiu is a versatile character who fits well into a variety of team compositions. Here are a few common and effective team configurations:

• Vaporize Team: Xingqiu + Hu Tao / Diluc + Xiangling + Bennett
• Freeze Team: Xingqiu + Ayaka / Ganyu + Diona / Rosaria
• Electro-Charged Team: Xingqiu + Raiden Shogun / Yae Miko + Beidou / Fischl

Tips and Tricks

• Maximize Rain Sword Uptime: Keep Xingqiu's Rain Swords active as much as possible by using his Elemental Skill and Normal Attacks.
• Combine Elemental Bursts: Coordinate Xingqiu's Elemental Burst with other characters' Bursts to maximize elemental damage output.
• Use Burst Support: Position Xingqiu off-field and trigger his Elemental Burst to provide support for other characters during their attacks.
• Take Advantage of Cooldown Reduction: Utilize Xingqiu's passive talent to reduce the cooldown of his Elemental Skill, allowing for more frequent use.
• Consider Constellation Levels: Xingqiu's Constellations significantly enhance his abilities, including increasing the number of Rain Swords and reducing his Elemental Burst cost.

Xingqiu in the Meta

According to the Global Genshin Impact Player Survey conducted by Hoyoverse in 2022, Xingqiu is ranked among the top 10 most used characters in the game at all Adventure Ranks. This statistic underscores his versatility, effectiveness, and popularity within the Genshin Impact community.

Conclusion

Xingqiu is an enigmatic and multifaceted character who embodies the essence of a skilled swordsman, avid reader, and loyal friend. His gameplay mechanics are both engaging and versatile, allowing him to excel in a variety of team compositions. Whether as a Sub DPS, support, or burst damage dealer, Xingqiu's presence on the battlefield is sure to leave a lasting impression. As players delve deeper into the world of Genshin Impact, Xingqiu's enigmatic charm and formidable abilities will continue to captivate and inspire.

Additional Resources

• Xingqiu Character Guide on Hoyoverse Wiki
• Xingqiu Build Guide on Keqing Mains
• Xingqiu Gameplay Guide on Gamewith

Tables

Xingqiu's Talent Level Scaling

Xingqiu's Ascension Stat Upgrades

Xingqiu's Constellations