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Xiao is a top DPS character, right up there with Diluc, Ganyu, Childe, and Klee. As one of the newest additions in the DPS pool for Genshin Impact, it’s high time Xiao is introduced properly. Turns out the quiet and secretive Adepti has, well, a lot of secrets. So to appreciate him better, here are some lesser-known facts about Genshin Impact’s resident pogo stick.
Updated December 2, 2021, by Sid Natividad: Rumors and speculations point to a Xiao re-run on the horizon. While one will want to take those speculations with several grains of salt, some newfound appreciation for Xiao wouldn’t hurt. After all, Genshin Impact is bound to re-introduce him via a re-run at some point. It just so happens that Xiao, being secretive and introverted he is, remains one of the most interesting silent-type characters in the Genshin Impact lore. There’s much more to know about this angsty slayer of demons. Thus, an update on his personal secrets and insights is warranted.
15 He’s Worried About Liyue’s Fast Progress
Xiao might be thousands of years old, but that doesn’t mean he’s the wisest or most mentally flexible character in the game. Unlike Zhongli, Xiao has a tendency to cling to tradition. One of his dialogue lines stares that he’s noticed Liyue’s changing fast. Then he reverts back to his usual stoic facade and dismisses his own concerns about the nation.
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This does reveal more about his unease with Liyue becoming more and more modern, independent from gods and demi-gods like him. Sadly, he doesn’t reveal much beyond that. It’s unclear whether he’s worried that he’ll be forgotten and left behind like a relic, or is more anxious about whether the people of Liyue can look after themselves.
14 He Does Not Sleep
One might wonder how does a person like Xiao or even some of the gods in Liyue slumber or rest. The answer is that they probably don’t. Well, Xiao doesn’t, or at least that’s what he implies when confronted about his drowsiness. He seems a bit offended by the Traveler’s query about his sleep schedule, which is supposedly nonexistent.
Again, this might be Xiao just brushing off other people’s concerns, for fear that it might make him appear weak or incapable. However, some of his kind, such as Ganyu (who’s half Adepti) certainly so sleep. It could be that Xiao does get drowsy, but prefers to stay awake and remain vigilant.
13 He Finds Hu Tao Amusing
Hu Tao is quickly becoming public enemy number one in Liyue based on a lot of other characters’ impressions about her. That’s a fair evaluation, on their part as she can be an abrasive prankster and at times downright insensitive. Xiao, however, is one of the few people who can tolerate her.
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He does find Hu Tao irritating, especially her liveliness and extroversion. But Xiao also appreciates one of Hu Tao’s redeeming qualities, which is her sense of humor. It seems even a stiff immortal like Xiao has a preference for humor and Hu Tao fits his criteria well enough.
12 He Doesn’t Even Know Venti’s Name
Based on Xiao’s story quest and in the introductions for the Yakshas, Venti did something for him during his troubled state. Such was Venti’s musical prowess that he was able to soothe Xiao and his pains. Still, that doesn’t mean Xiao is grateful or even appreciative of Venti’s tunes.
In fact, he doesn’t even know Venti’s name, meaning he likely didn’t bother thanking the Bard or even recognizing him as a person. Xiao only learned Venti’s name after the Traveler asked about his relationship with the Anemo god. It also seems he likes Venti’s music but is too proud, shy, or reserved to admit it.
11 He Hates Dumplings
While Xiao has a favorite food much like most playable Genshin Impact characters, he also has that one food he loathes. Those would be dumplings of any sort.
In one of his dialogues, Xiao was somewhat disgusted or annoyed by the fact that one has to place the dumpling fillings in the wrapper before eating them. He prefers the older generations of humans, presumably the ones with a less refined palate.
10 He Requires The Same Flower As Ganyu
It was a huge dilemma in Genshin Impact’s player base whether to prepare for Xiao or Ganyu. That’s because both of these characters use the Qingxin flower for ascension. It just so happens that obtaining those is ridiculously difficult since they’re all situated on mountaintops.
To makes matters worse, their banners succeed each other, meaning players who had Ganyu probably didn’t have anymore Qingxin flower stocks for Xiao. Still, it makes sense for them to share the flower lore-wise. After all, Xiao is Ganyu’s mentor and both of them are Adepti.
9 His Height Is 5'2"
Despite being one of the most powerful Adepti in Genshin Impact, Xiao isn’t exactly blessed with vertical advantage. For some reason, his character model uses that of a teenage male in Genshin Impact, making him the same height as the teenage models.
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That puts him at around 5'2", but it’s clear that in a game like Genshin Impact, a character’s physical traits don’t signify their capabilities. Xiao’s height certainly didn’t affect his fighting skills. The spear likely helped big time.
8 His Yaksha Name Is Alatus
One can’t rightfully call themselves a Xiao “stan” or “fan” if they don’t know his real name. Xiao was merely a moniker granted to him after he was rescued by a god. His other more formal name for his Yaksha designation is Alatus.
Alatus is also a constellation in Genshin Impact and in Latin, it means “winged.” Seeing Xiao’s playstyle and general mobility, it’s a fitting name for him though he probably doesn’t like being called as such. Too many bad memories as a Yaksha.
7 He’s Over 2,000 Years Old
Speaking of bad memories, Xiao has more than thousands of years’ worth of them. That’s because as an Adepti, he ages differently and was estimated to be more than 2,000 years old. Someone who has lived that long despite the occupational hazards is undoubtedly one of the best fighters around.
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This sort of longevity also arguably makes Xiao lonely and disconnected from the mortal world. Each human he meets is probably just a speck in his timeline though his age doesn’t reflect his appearance; many people still consider him as a “handsome Adepti boy.”
6 Zhongli Is His Former Boss
As for the god who rescued Xiao from a cruel Adepti fate? That would be Rex Lapis/Morax/Zhongli. Zhongli has always been Liyue’s deity and protector ever since time immemorial and he maintained it well until the current timeline of Genshin Impact where he quite out of laziness.
Even so, there are no two ways about it, Zhongli is Xiao’s boss. As Morax, he was the one who formed the Yakshas out of Adepti in order to combat the demons in Liyue. That didn’t end well for the four other Yakshas though.
5 He Doesn’t Remember How He Got His Vision
While being over 2,000 years of age has its perks, Xiao often disregards some of his most important memories or just completely forgets them. One of those would be how he got his Vision or his elemental powers in Genshin Impact.
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For other characters, it can be as dramatic as losing one’s wolf family or fighting a sea monster for several days straight. For Xiao, he just doesn’t remember or care enough to recall how he was blessed with Anemo or wind powers.
4 He Doesn’t Like Any Other Food Than Almond Tofu
Every playable character in Genshin Impact has their own contribution to the recipe pool, and their favorite food is usually a unique twist to an already existing cuisine. Xiao’s favorite is none other than an Almond Tofu variant whom he calls “Sweet Dream.”
In Xiao’s case, it’s even quite severe since he dislikes all other food in Teyvat (especially dumplings, as mentioned above.) The only thing he can tolerate is Almond Tofu. The texture of the meal reminds him of the dreams he used to eat during his demon-slaying stint as a Yaksha.
3 Venti’s Music Kept Xiao Sane
Since Xiao ate too many bad dreams and slew too many demons, he’s haunted by the violence of his past and thus carries a heavy karmic burden. It was even implied that Xiao would have gone insane or perished like his other Yaksha comrades.
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However, the character cutscene showed Xiao listening to Venti while the latter plays his Dihua flute. It’s then suggested that Xiao could have succumbed to his karmic burden if not for Venti’s soothing music.
2 He Has One Of The Highest Base ATK
Before he was even released in the finished game version, Xiao was regarded as an overpowered or even broken character in the Beta testing days of Genshin Impact. Of course, the developers had to iron things out but Xiao still remains one of the most powerful characters in the game right now.
Out of all of them, he has one of the highest base attack numbers available. Previously, this spot was occupied by Diluc and Ganyu at 26 base ATK on level 1. Xiao has 27 at that same level. That doesn’t necessarily mean he’s top DPS right now; that’s still up for a mathematical and practical debate.
1 He Eats Snow
You can be the toughest Yaksha or the most hard-hitting DPS in Genshin Impact but that doesn’t mean you can’t be goofy. Xiao, all 2,000 years of him, still eats snow in the current Genshin Impact timeline.
Some eagle-eyed players discovered that fact in Xiao’s in-game voice lines where he says “once the snow is thick enough, we can eat it.” Knowing Xiao’s stern personality, it’s not a joke. It’s also probably why he has a soft spot for Ganyu; she’s practically a walking buffet for Xiao… because of her cryo abilities, mmkay?
Genshin Impact is available now for PlayStation 4, Android, Microsoft Windows, Nintendo Switch, iOS, PlayStation 5.
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