What is the best artifact set for a sub-DPS Xingqiu in the Spiral Abyss in Genshin Impact?

For a sub-DPS Xingqiu in the Spiral Abyss, the best artifact set is the Emblem of Severed Fate. This set is highly effective because it boosts Xingqiu's Elemental Burst damage, which is his primary source of damage as a sub-DPS. The 2-piece set bonus increases Energy Recharge by 20%, while the 4-piece set bonus increases Elemental Burst damage by 25% of Energy Recharge, up to a maximum of 75% bonus damage. This synergizes perfectly with Xingqiu's kit, as his Elemental Burst, Guhua Sword: Raincutter, is a powerful ability that deals consistent Hydro damage and applies Hydro to enemies, enabling strong elemental reactions.

To maximize Xingqiu's effectiveness, you should aim for the following stats on his artifacts: Energy Recharge, Hydro Damage Bonus, and Critical Rate or Critical Damage. Energy Recharge is crucial because it ensures that Xingqiu can use his Elemental Burst frequently, which is essential for maintaining consistent damage output and enabling elemental reactions. A good target for Energy Recharge is around 200%, though this can vary depending on your team composition and weapon choice. Hydro Damage Bonus on the Goblet artifact will further increase the damage of his Elemental Burst and Skill. Critical Rate and Critical Damage are important for increasing the overall damage output, with a recommended ratio of 1:2 (Critical Rate to Critical Damage).

For weapons, the best options for Xingqiu are those that provide Energy Recharge or increase his Elemental Burst damage. The Sacrificial Sword is an excellent choice because it has a high Energy Recharge substat and a chance to reset the cooldown of his Elemental Skill, allowing him to generate more energy particles. Another strong option is the Favonius Sword, which also provides Energy Recharge and generates additional energy particles when landing critical hits. If you have a 5-star weapon, the Primordial Jade Cutter is a great choice for its high Critical Rate substat and HP bonus, which synergizes well with Xingqiu's passive talent that increases his Hydro Damage based on his maximum HP.

In terms of team composition, Xingqiu works exceptionally well in teams that rely on elemental reactions, particularly Vaporize and Electro-Charged. A popular team composition is pairing Xingqiu with a Pyro DPS like Hu Tao or Diluc to trigger Vaporize reactions, which significantly increase damage output. Another effective team is using Xingqiu with an Electro DPS like Raiden Shogun or Keqing to trigger Electro-Charged reactions, which deal consistent AoE damage over time. Additionally, Xingqiu can be paired with a Cryo character like Ayaka or Ganyu to enable Freeze reactions, which can be useful for crowd control in the Spiral Abyss.

When using Xingqiu in the Spiral Abyss, it's important to manage his energy effectively. Since his Elemental Burst is his primary source of damage, you should prioritize using his Elemental Skill to generate energy particles and ensure that his Burst is ready as often as possible. One common mistake is not using his Elemental Skill enough, which can lead to energy shortages and reduced damage output. To avoid this, make sure to use his Skill whenever it's off cooldown, especially if you're using the Sacrificial Sword, as it can reset the cooldown and allow you to use the Skill twice in quick succession.

Advanced techniques for optimizing Xingqiu's performance include timing his Elemental Burst to coincide with your main DPS's damage windows. For example, if you're using Hu Tao, you should activate Xingqiu's Burst just before switching to Hu Tao to maximize the number of Vaporize reactions. Additionally, you can use Xingqiu's Elemental Skill to apply Hydro to multiple enemies at once, which can be useful for setting up reactions or breaking elemental shields.

In specific scenarios, such as facing enemies with high Hydro resistance, you may need to adjust your strategy. In these cases, it's important to rely more on your main DPS and use Xingqiu primarily for his Hydro application and support abilities rather than his damage. For example, against Hydro Slimes or Hydro Abyss Mages, you might want to focus on using a Pyro or Cryo character to deal damage while Xingqiu provides consistent Hydro application for reactions.

Overall, building Xingqiu as a sub-DPS with the Emblem of Severed Fate set, focusing on Energy Recharge, Hydro Damage Bonus, and Critical stats, and pairing him with characters that can trigger strong elemental reactions will make him a valuable asset in the Spiral Abyss. By managing his energy effectively, timing his abilities correctly, and adapting to different enemy types, you can maximize his potential and achieve higher scores in the challenging floors of the Spiral Abyss.