What is the best way to use Xingqiu's Rain Swords in Genshin Impact?

Xingqiu's Rain Swords are one of the most versatile and powerful abilities in Genshin Impact, offering both offensive and defensive utility. To maximize their effectiveness, it is essential to understand the mechanics, strategies, and synergies involved. Here is a detailed guide on how to use Xingqiu's Rain Swords effectively.

First, let's break down the mechanics of Xingqiu's Rain Swords. His Elemental Skill, Guhua Sword: Fatal Rainscreen, creates Rain Swords that orbit around the active character. These swords provide damage reduction, interrupt resistance, and heal the active character when they expire or are shattered. His Elemental Burst, Guhua Sword: Raincutter, summons Rain Swords that attack alongside the active character's normal attacks, dealing Hydro damage. This ability is particularly powerful because it allows Xingqiu to apply Hydro consistently, enabling powerful elemental reactions like Vaporize and Electro-Charged.

To use Xingqiu's Rain Swords effectively, start by activating his Elemental Skill. This will create the Rain Swords that provide damage reduction and healing. The damage reduction scales with Xingqiu's Hydro damage bonus, so it is important to build him with artifacts that increase his Hydro damage. After using his Elemental Skill, switch to your main DPS character to take advantage of the damage reduction and healing. When his Elemental Burst is ready, activate it to summon the Rain Swords that attack alongside your normal attacks. This will allow you to trigger elemental reactions consistently, significantly increasing your overall damage output.

One important tip is to manage Xingqiu's energy recharge. His Elemental Burst has a high energy cost, so it is crucial to build him with energy recharge in mind. Equip him with a weapon like Sacrificial Sword, which has a chance to reset the cooldown of his Elemental Skill, allowing him to generate more energy particles. Additionally, artifacts with energy recharge substats or the Emblem of Severed Fate set can help ensure his Elemental Burst is available more frequently.

A common mistake to avoid is using Xingqiu's Elemental Skill and Burst at the wrong time. His Rain Swords have a limited duration, so it is important to time their activation to coincide with your main DPS character's attack window. For example, if you are using a Pyro DPS like Diluc or Hu Tao, activate Xingqiu's Elemental Burst just before switching to them to maximize the number of Vaporize reactions.

Advanced techniques include using Xingqiu's Rain Swords to set up elemental reactions for other characters. For example, you can use his Elemental Skill to apply Hydro to enemies, then switch to an Electro character like Fischl or Beidou to trigger Electro-Charged. This can be particularly effective in crowd control situations, as Electro-Charged deals damage over time and can stun multiple enemies.

Team composition is crucial for maximizing Xingqiu's potential. Pair him with characters that can trigger powerful elemental reactions. For example, a team with Diluc or Hu Tao as the main DPS, Xingqiu as the Hydro support, and Bennett as the healer and Pyro support can create a powerful Vaporize team. Alternatively, a team with Fischl or Beidou as the Electro support can create a strong Electro-Charged team.

Artifact and weapon recommendations for Xingqiu include the Emblem of Severed Fate set, which increases energy recharge and Elemental Burst damage. Alternatively, the Noblesse Oblige set can increase the damage of his Elemental Burst and provide a team-wide attack bonus. For weapons, Sacrificial Sword is the best choice due to its energy recharge and cooldown reset effect. If Sacrificial Sword is not available, Favonius Sword is a good alternative for its energy recharge capabilities.

In specific scenarios, such as the Spiral Abyss, Xingqiu's Rain Swords can be a game-changer. For example, in a floor with multiple enemies that are weak to Hydro, Xingqiu's consistent Hydro application can quickly clear the floor. Additionally, his damage reduction and healing can help sustain your team in longer battles.

In conclusion, Xingqiu's Rain Swords are a powerful tool in Genshin Impact that can significantly enhance your team's damage output and survivability. By understanding the mechanics, managing energy recharge, and pairing him with the right team and artifacts, you can maximize his potential and dominate the battlefield.