Archonlytics
Xianyun
AnemoCatalystLiyue★★★★★

Xianyun

Published Jul 17, 2026 · Updated v6.7
Content Tier List
Spiral AbyssS
Imag. TheaterS
OverworldA
Should You Pull?YES

Xianyun (Cloud Retainer) is a 5-star Anemo Catalyst character in Genshin Impact who buffs your teams Plunge Attacks and enables other. White Clouds at Dawn enters Cloud Transmogrification and immediately uses Skyladder. White Clouds at Dawn increases AoE DMG of the Plunging Attack and also generates more Energy on the final attack. If White Clouds at Dawn sounds like your missing piece, Xianyun is a yes.

Xianyun (Cloud Retainer) is a 5-star Anemo Catalyst character in Genshin Impact who buffs your teams Plunge Attacks and enables other characters to now Plunge. Read.

CatalystAnemoSupport

Overview

Quick Build

Weapon

Crane's Echoing Call

Crane's Echoing Call being her best option providing high ATK, reducing Energy requirements and buffing the teams Plunge

Artifacts

Viridescent Venerer

4-Piece recommended

Sands

ATK % / Energy Recharge

Main stat

Goblet

ATK %

Main stat

Circlet

ATK %

Substats

Energy Recharge to requirements > ATK % > ATK > CRIT Rate with Favonius Codex

Strengths

  • White Clouds at Dawn increases AoE DMG of the Plunging Attack and also generates more Energy on the final attack.
  • Stars Gather at Dusk deals AoE Anemo DMG and heals all nearby characters based on Xianyun's ATK.
  • Gives Support coverage that shows up in both Abyss and Theater when built.
  • Posts S-tier Spiral Abyss and S in Imaginary Theater on our content ratings strip.

Weaknesses

  • Energy planning matters — skimping on ER makes Xianyun's Burst feel inconsistent.
  • Signature weapon and premium supports still move the needle more than most 4★ kits.

Talent Priority

1
Elemental BurstPriority: Max (10)

For Xianyun, Elemental Burst is the kit's main payoff — level this first toward 10.

2
Elemental SkillPriority: High (8-10)

Level Xianyun's Elemental Skill after the priority talent; it smooths rotations and secondary damage.

3
Normal AttackPriority: Low (1-6)

Lowest ROI on Xianyun. Level Normal Attack only after the rest of the kit is comfortable.

Substat Priority

1
SandsATK % / Energy Recharge
2
GobletATK %
3
CircletATK %
4
SubstatsEnergy Recharge to requirements > ATK % > ATK > CRIT Rate with Favonius Codex
Xianyun Standard Rotation
Standard

Cast Skill then Burst each rotation.

See build guide

Follow the recommended rotation for optimal Xianyun performance.

Weapons

5-star Weapons

1
Crane's Echoing Call

· Base ATK 0

4-star Weapons

2
Memory of Dust

· Base ATK 0

3
Skyward Atlas

· Base ATK 0

4
Cashflow Supervision

· Base ATK 0

5
Flowing Purity

· Base ATK 0

6
Oathsworn Eye

· Base ATK 0

7
Favonius Codex

· Base ATK 0

Artifact Sets

Viridescent Venerer
SViridescent VenererBest in Slot

Viridescent Venerer much like many other Anemo characters because of the RES Shred.

Sands

ATK % / Energy Recharge

Goblet

ATK %

Circlet

ATK %

Noblesse Oblige
ANoblesse Oblige

Recommended artifact set for this build.

Sands

ATK % / Energy Recharge

Goblet

ATK %

Circlet

ATK %

Song of Days Past
BSong of Days Past

Recommended artifact set for this build.

Sands

ATK % / Energy Recharge

Goblet

ATK %

Circlet

ATK %

Team Compositions

WX

With Xiao

Main DPS

1S

1 Skill

Support

1-

135 - 150%

Support

1-

125 - 135%

Sustain

Energy Recharge Requirements team composition. With Xiao leads, supported by 1 Skill, 135 - 150%, 125 - 135%.

Character Synergy
WX
With XiaoMain DPS

Xiao acts as the primary Plunge DPS, utilizing Xianyun's unique buffs and healing to sustain his high-damage Burst state.

1S
1 SkillSupport

This specific energy configuration assumes a single Skill cast per rotation, placing the focus on maximizing Xianyun's ATK for her Plunge DMG buff.

1-
135 - 150%Support

This high Energy Recharge bracket ensures Xianyun can burst every rotation even in low-particle environments or without a second Anemo unit.

1-
125 - 135%Sustain

A moderate Energy Recharge target is sufficient when Xianyun is paired with high-particle generators or Favonius weapon users on the team.

Talents & Constellations

Talents

Normal AttackNormal Attack

Xianyun performs a sequence of Catalyst-based Normal Attacks.

Normal Attack
Elemental SkillWhite Clouds at Dawn

Enters Cloud Transmogrification and immediately uses Skyladder. Skyladder can then be used up to 2 more times before dealing a Plunging Attack. Each use of Skyladder increases AoE DMG of the Plunging Attack and also generates more Energy on the final attack.

Elemental Skill
Elemental BurstStars Gather at Dusk

Brings forth a sacred breeze that deals AoE Anemo DMG and heals all nearby characters based on Xianyun's ATK. It will also summon the "Starwicker" mechanism. Starwicker ·Continuously follows the active character and periodically heals all nearby party members based on Xianyun's ATK. ·Starts with 8 stacks of Adeptal Assistance. While Adeptal Assistance is active, nearby active characters in the party will have their jump height increased. ·When the active character completes a Plunging Attack, Starwicker will consume 1 stack of Adeptal Assistance and deal AoE Anemo DMG. Only 1 Starwicker can exist simultaneously. This is the newest invention in the "Lunastar Artifices" series, of which previous creations include the Supreme Cuisine Machine, the Snowdrift Mechanism, the Supreme Housekeeping Machine, the Floating Toting Device, and the Bloom Pruner. This series was intended for young humans Cloud Retainer held in great esteem, and so was not designed with a certain half-adeptus in mind. However, when offered Starwicker, a certain female disciple of hers had these emotionless words to say: "No thank you." Cloud Retainer thus had no choice but to keep it herself.

Elemental Burst

Constellations

1
C1
2
C2
3
C3
4
C4
5
C5
6
C6
C1Purifying Wind

White Clouds at Dawn gains 1 additional charge.

Is it worth getting?

Situational for Xianyun's Purifying Wind: White Clouds at Dawn gains 1 additional charge. Take it if you already own earlier constellations.

C2Aloof From the WorldPull Target

Increases ATK by 20% after using Skyladder and buffs Consider, the Adeptus in Her Realm in the following ways: - Plunging attack shockwave DMG is increased by 400% of Xianyun's ATK now. - DMG increase cap has been increased to 18,000.

Is it worth getting?

Worth getting on Xianyun — Aloof From the World. Increases ATK by 20% after using Skyladder and buffs Consider, the Adeptus in Her Realm in the following ways: - Plunging attack shockwave….

C3Creations of Star and Moon

- Increases the Level of Stars Gather at Dusk by 3. - Maximum upgrade level is 15.

Is it worth getting?

C3 levels Stars Gather at Dusk by 3 for Xianyun. Solid for mains; skippable if you only needed earlier breakpoints.

C4Mystery Millet Gourmet

After using Skyladder and dealing a Plunging Attack (Driftcloud Wave). Heals party by 50/80/150% of Xianyun's ATK depending on Skyladder stacks.

Is it worth getting?

Nice-to-have on Xianyun — Mystery Millet Gourmet: Heals party by 50/80/150% of Xianyun's ATK depending on Skyladder stacks. Not a must-pull breakpoint for most accounts.

C5Astride Rose-Colored Clouds

- Increases the Level of White Clouds at Dawn by 3. - Maximum upgrade level is 15.

Is it worth getting?

Pure talent bump on Xianyun's White Clouds at Dawn. Pick it up after the nodes that change the rotation, not before.

C6They Call Her Cloud RetainerPull Target

Increases CRIT DMG of Drifcloud Wave by 15/35/70% depending on Skyladder uses. After Xianyun uses Stars Gather at Dusk, White Clouds at Dawn will not enter CD.

Is it worth getting?

Worth getting on Xianyun — They Call Her Cloud Retainer. Increases CRIT DMG of Drifcloud Wave by 15/35/70% depending on Skyladder uses.

At C0, Xianyun already delivers: white Clouds at Dawn increases AoE DMG of the Plunging Attack and also generates more Energy on….

Alternatives to Xianyun

Not sure Xianyun is right for you? Compare against other characters to find your best pull.

Venti
VentiAnemoSupport

Venti leans on Skyward Sonnet, which summons a Wind Domain at the enemy's location, dealing AoE Anemo DMG and launching enemies into. Competes with Xianyun for the same seat; the better fit is the kit your roster already feeds.

Read Comparison
Prune
PruneAnemoSupport

Where Prune goes hard is Ring-A-Ding-Ding! Hexhunter Chime: it unleash the wind's might to defeat the evil witch and save Descartes!. Direct peer to Xianyun — pick whoever already matches your supports and comfort animations.

Read Comparison
Faruzan
FaruzanAnemoSupport

Faruzan answers with Wind Realm of Nasamjnin (deals AoE Anemo DMG to nearby opponents). Direct peer to Xianyun — pick whoever already matches your supports and comfort animations.

Read Comparison
Ifa
IfaAnemoSupport

Ifa leans on Airborne Disease Prevention, which gains 80 Nightsoul points and enters the Nightsoul's Blessing state. Same Anemo Support neighborhood as Xianyun (White Clouds at Dawn: increases AoE DMG of the Plunging Attack and also generates more Energy on the), with different field-time and supports.

Read Comparison
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