There are many important characters in Genshin Impact that are revealed early but not made available for a long time. Examples include Scaramouche and Baizhu. The latest addition to this list of releases is none other than Xianyun, who you might already know as Cloud Retainer. Let's check everything you need to know about Xianyun, aka Cloud Retainer.
Set to release in Genshin Impact 4.4, Xianyun is a legendary Adeptus from Liyue whom we met several years ago during the events in the region. Cloud Retainer has helped us several times in the past, and we've always wondered when she'd be playable. Now that we have all the details, we can give you a breakdown of Xianyun's abilities, best artifacts, best weapons, teams and more.
While you're here, be sure to check all we know about Genshin Impact 4.4 and the patch notes for Genshin Impact 4.3.
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+ 3Xianyun abilities
While Xianyun's abilities have not been officially confirmed yet, we've managed to get a glimpse at them through some fairly reliable leaks. However, this means that the final skills and abilities are subject to change depending on what Hoyoverse decide.
Basic Attacks
Xianyun uses a Catalyst as her primary weapon, and her element is Anemo. This means she can make use of ranged Anemo attacks similar to Sucrose. She can perform four normal attacks or a Charged Attack Breeze Bolt in a straight line.
Elemental Skill
- Cooldown: 12s
Xianyun enters a Crane Cloud state where she leaps into the air like Xiao and performs powerful plunging AoE attacks. She can do this two more times, each time dealing more damage and on the plunging attack, she will generate five Energy Particles. During this skill, she takes on the appearance of a Crane.
Elemental Burst
- Energy Cost: 70
Xianyun deals Anemo damage in a large AoE around her and heals your party members based on her ATK. Furthermore, she grants your active character the Bamboo Star buff, which deals damage up to eight times when you perform a plunging attack. This Star also increases their jump height, plunging attack damage and heals them over time. It's a perfect skill to pair with a character like Xiao.
click to enlarge + 3Xianyun best artifacts
We might get to see a new Artifact set released for Xianyun in Genshin Impact Version 4.4. However, her actual artefact stats are fairly straightforward. All of her abilities scale with ATK, so you should prioritize +ATK and ATK% stats on your Artifacts. Due to her high energy cost, you'll also want a lot of Energy Recharge.
As is the case with most Anemo units, Viridescent Venerer might end up being her best Artifact Set. However, if you plan on using her as a support using her Elemental Burst, then the Noblesse Oblige set might make more sense.
Xianyun best weapon
Xianyun isn't really looking to deal a lot of damage as her primary role is that of an Anemo support. Therefore, with your weapon, you can try to balance out her Energy Recharge requirements or improve her ATK stat. Her high energy requirements mean you'll probably be using an Energy Recharge Catalyst. Some suggestions include:
- Oathsworn Eye
- Favonius Codex
- Fruit of Fulfillment
However, her best weapon will definitely be her signature weapon which will provide her with 741 base ATK and a 16% ATK bonus. Furthermore, it increases your team's plunge DMG by 28%, and the holder recovers 2.5 Energy for any plunging attack done.
click to enlarge + 3Xianyun best team comps
Mono Anemo Team Comp
Xianyun is designed to be paired up with Xiao. Pairing her up with C1 Faruzan and Xiao actually changes up her build style quite a bit due to the increased Energy Recharge, and you can run her in Mono Anemo comps this way.
Vaporize Diluc Team Comp
Another team comp you might enjoy involves using her alongside Diluc and Furina.
Lastly, if you're not a fan of plunging attacks, you can use her as a driver or support in teams that make use of characters such as Sucrose, Yae Miko, and Fischl.
That's all you need to know about Xianyun's abilities, best weapons, artifacts and team comps. We're excited to see the official gameplay footage for Cloud Retainer and how she'll shake up the meta. Until then, you can check out the current meta-defining characters such as Nahida and Zhongli.
For more articles like this, take a look at our Guides and Genshin Impact page.