Xianyun Genshin Impact Guide ⇒ Best Build, Weapons & Tips

Xianyun, also known as “Cloud Retainer,” is a 5-Star Anemo character in Genshin Impact. As one of the Mighty and Illuminated Adepti of Jueyun, she offers a versatile kit centered around support, healing, and buffing, particularly enhancing plunging attacks. Equipped with a catalyst as her weapon, Xianyun blends adeptal wisdom with mechanical expertise, a fusion that makes her a valuable asset in various team compositions. Whether you’re looking to maximize aerial combat potential or provide sustainable healing in battles, Xianyun is an exceptional choice. This guide explores her abilities, best weapons, artifacts, and team compositions to help you master her playstyle.

Source : Genshin Impact

Character Overview – Xianyun, Cloud Retainer

Xianyun is a highly anticipated character in Genshin Impact, embodying centuries of adeptal knowledge. While she once distanced herself from mortal affairs, she now plays an active role in protecting Liyue. As an Anemo support unit, she enhances plunging attacks and provides healing for sustained fights. Her ability to manipulate wind-based mechanics allows her to offer unique vertical mobility, making her an unconventional yet powerful option in specific team compositions.

Elemental Abilities – Mastering Xianyun’s Kit

Normal Attack – Word of Wind and Flower

Performs up to four swift Anemo-infused attacks.
Charged attacks consume stamina and launch a Breeze Bolt, dealing Anemo damage along its path.
Plunging attacks deal AoE Anemo damage upon impact.

Elemental Skill – White Clouds at Dawn

Enters the Cloud Transmogrification state, negating fall damage.
Uses Skyladder up to three times for rapid movement and Anemo damage.
Each Skyladder usage increases the power of her next Driftcloud Wave, a plunging attack.
If Skyladder is not used again quickly, Cloud Transmogrification ends early.
If Driftcloud Wave is not used, Skill cooldown is reduced by three seconds.

Elemental Burst – Stars Gather at Dusk

Creates a powerful wind burst, dealing AoE Anemo damage.
Heals all nearby party members based on her Attack stat.
Summons Starwicker, a floating mechanism that:
- Heals active characters periodically.
- Increases their jump height.
- Holds 8 stacks of Adeptal Assistance, consumed with each plunging attack, dealing extra AoE Anemo damage.

Passive Talents – Enhancing Plunge Attacks

Galefeather Pursuit

Each enemy hit by Driftcloud Wave provides a stack of Storm Pinion (up to four stacks). This boosts plunging attack Crit Rate by 4/6/8/20%, making plunging-based gameplay more consistent.

Consider, the Adeptus in Her Realm

When Starwicker has Adeptal Assistance stacks, active characters gain an attack boost for their plunging shockwaves, scaling up to 200% of Xianyun’s attack (max bonus: 9,000 damage). Each character can trigger this effect once every 0.4 seconds.

Traversal Bonus – Crane Form

Increases gliding speed by 15%. This effect does not stack if similar passive abilities are also in effect.

Constellations – Unlocking Xianyun’s Full Potential

Purifying Wind (C1)

White Clouds at Dawn gains an additional charge, enabling higher mobility and extended plunging attack setups.

Aloof From the World (C2)

Using Skyladder boosts Xianyun’s attack by 20% for 15 seconds and increases the plunging attack shockwave bonus to 400% of Xianyun’s attack.

Creations of Star and Moon (C3)

Increases her Elemental Burst level by 3, significantly improving its healing and damage output.

Mystery Millet Gourmet (C4)

Using Skyladder heals nearby allies:
- 1 Time: 50% of Xianyun’s Attack.
- 2 Times: 80% of Xianyun’s Attack.
- 3 Times: 150% of Xianyun’s Attack.

Astride Rose-Colored Clouds (C5)

Increases the level of White Clouds at Dawn by 3, making her Elemental Skill even stronger.

The Call Her Cloud Retainer (C6)

Driftcloud Wave gains Crit Damage bonuses, and White Clouds at Dawn can be cast up to 8 times within 16 seconds after using her Burst.

Best Builds – Maximizing Xianyun’s Potential

Best Weapons

Crane’s Echoing Call (Best in Slot): Enhances plunging attack damage and restores Energy.
Skyward Atlas / Memory of Dust: High ATK stat sticks.
Oathsworn Eye (4-Star): Enhances Energy Recharge.
Favonius Codex (4-Star): Generates Energy on Crit.

Best Teams

Plunge-Attack Teams: Works well with Xiao, Hu Tao, and Diluc.
Reaction Teams: Pair with Venti, Sucrose, or Kazuha for Anemo Swirls and extended control.
Support Role: Great synergy with Fischl, Xingqiu, and Yelan.
Hybrid Role: Can flex between damage and support in mixed playstyles.

How to Play – Mastering Xianyun’s Techniques

Start battles by casting her Burst for teamwide healing and buffs.
Use her Skill to enter Cloud Transmogrification, maximizing plunge setups.
Perform multiple Skyladder jumps for increased Driftcloud Wave damage.
Switch to a plunging-attack-focused DPS (Xiao, Hu Tao) to utilize buffs.
Reactivate skills as needed while ensuring adequate energy regeneration.