Best Weapons for Xiangling in Genshin Impact, Ranked

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The rising star of Teyvat’s culinary world is always in search of new ingredients, which tends to be a problem when her dinner fights back. That’s why you need to equip Xiangling with the best weapon for subduing stubborn ingredients in Genshin Impact.

Known for being the best off-field Pyro applier, Xiangling has been a staple part of many teams since the game’s release. But if you want to maximize her potential to skewer and roast enemies, you’ll need to know what the best weapons are for her in Genshin Impact.

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Foreword on the Best Weapons for Xiangling

The nice thing about Genshin Impact is that there are tons of ways to build and play the characters. Which means most of the time you can pretty much make any weapon work on a character, but you’re not here for that. You want to make Xiangling the most terrifying chef on the battlefield!

This list is made up of 4-star and 5-star polearms that will bring out the most DMG and utility Xiangling has to offer based on their stats, effects, and Xiangling’s Talents. As of Version 3.7, there are not any 3-star weapons we would recommend for her.

That being said, some 4-star and 5-star weapons can be pretty hard to come by. If you don’t already have them, there’s no telling when they’ll be available again. Some 4-star weapons are event exclusives while 5-star weapons are often only available during limited time weapon banner runs.

Luckily, our list doesn’t only include event or weapon banner polearms, so there should be a great weapon for everyone.

How to Choose a Weapon for Xiangling

Xiangling can be easily overlooked since she isn’t as flashy as some other characters in Genshin Impact. She also doesn’t have a whole lot of involvement in the Story or Archon quests. 

Trying to find the right weapon for her can be a bit of a challenge though which is why we’re going over the basics of what to look for.

Stats

To maximize Xiangling’s damage output, you’ll want to make sure she has high Energy Recharge first and foremost. Second priority for her will either be Elemental Mastery or CRIT stats, depending on your team comp.

Ideally, you would be able to get both types of stats, but it’s rather rare to get an increase to both stats on a weapon. Once you obtain an ideal artifact set for Xiangling and see what stats you’re working with, then should you decide on which weapon to wield.

Catering Xiangling’s Weapon to Her Best Role

When it comes to Xiangling there are a couple of different roles she can take up on your team. Hands down her best role is as a Sub-DPS though, and an incredibly powerful one at that. Especially if you need some extra firepower on your team (literally). 

As a Sub-DPS, Xiangling isn’t going to spend a whole lot of time on the field. She’s mostly going to be swapped in and out after using her Elemental Burst. When triggered, Pyronado creates a fiery spinning spear which encircles your active character for 10 seconds. Enemies hit by this spear will be dealt Pyro DMG.

Thanks to her Elemental Burst, Xiangling is one of the few characters in Genshin Impact who can apply Pyro even while off-field. Which also makes her a very valuable addition to team comps wanting to take advantage of Pyro related Elemental Reactions.

In summary, Xiangling’s Elemental Burst is really good, and she needs a weapon that can support it.

Takeaway

In general, you’ll want to be looking for weapons that can increase Elemental Burst DMG or at least provide high Energy Recharge. Having high Energy Recharge will minimize the downtime between Elemental Bursts which means more time spent dealing Pyro DMG to everything in your path.  

If you’re having a hard time finding the right Energy Recharge weapon, you can also choose to maximize Elemental Mastery or CRIT stats instead. While CRIT stats are always appreciated, we recommend prioritizing Elemental Mastery as the more reliable option of the two.

5 Best Weapons for Xiangling in Genshin Impact, Ranked

With the general basics out of the way, let’s get into the list! It’s time to go over the best weapon choices for Xiangling in Genshin Impact. Below you’ll find the best 4-star and 5-star polearm options for Liyue’s most famous culinary genius.

5/5

Wavebreaker’s Fin (4-Star Polearm)

Kicking off our list of the best weapons for Xiangling in Genshin Impact is a polearm from the land of the Electro Archon. It’s the 4-star Wavebreaker’s Fin!

Stats and Effects

For a 4-star weapon, the Wavebreaker’s Fin has a surprisingly high Base ATK stat. Topping out at 620, it actually has the highest Base ATK on our list. Its secondary stat also boosts ATK but by a much less impressive 13.8%. 

The secondary percentage combined with its high Bast ATK kind of balances out, but it’s still a disappointing increase.

The real reason to use the Wavebreaker’s Fin though, is for its effect. Watatsumi Wavewalker increases Xiangling’s Elemental Burst DMG by 0.12% of the whole party’s Energy capacity. That may not sound like a lot, but with the right team, the DMG buff can increase Xiangling’s Elemental Burst DMG by up to 40%. 

If you’re able to refine the Wavebreaker’s Fin, that Elemental Burst DMG buff can be upped all the way to 80%! 

Drawbacks

While the Wavebreaker’s Fin does have a pretty great effect, its secondary stat definitely leaves something to be desired. 13.8% increase to ATK is really bad for a level 90 weapon, and ATK isn’t the most valuable stat for Xiangling in the first place.

Low ATK stat aside, not having Energy Recharge while also having an effect that relies on Energy is not a great combination. It can certainly be compensated for with artifacts, but needing to put that much effort into compensation just means spending more time and resources than you’d like.

Basically, Wavebreaker’s Fin isn’t a bad choice, but you’ll need to put some extra thought into Xiangling’s artifacts and team comp in order to make the most of it.

Materials

To fully ascend the Wavebreaker’s Fin, you will need:

• 150k Mora
• 3 Mask of the Wicked Lieutenant
• 9 Mask of the Tiger’s Bite
• 9 Mask of the One-Horned
• 4 Mask of the Kijin
• 15 Concealed Claw
• 18 Concealed Unguis
• 27 Concealed Talon
• 10 Old Handguard
• 15 Kageuchi Handguard
• 18 Famed Handguard

4/5

Missive Windspear (4-Star Polearm)

The next weapon on our list for Xiangling is the 4-star polearm the Missive Windspear!

Stats and Effects

Starting with its stats, the Missive Windspear has a pretty average Base ATK. At level 90, it tops out at 510. Its secondary stat further increases ATK by 41.3% (a substantial increase from the Wavebreaker’s Fin). 

Having decent ATK stats is all well and good, but the main reason that landed the Missive Windspear on our list is its effect. The Wind Unattained increases ATK by 12% and Elemental Mastery by 48 after an Elemental Reaction is triggered.

Increased Elemental Mastery and ATK after triggering an Elemental Reaction is perfect for Xiangling’s Elemental Burst, given the types of team comps that favor running her. The DMG boost is more indirect than most of the other weapons on our list but still incredibly effective nonetheless.

Drawbacks

While the Missive Windspear is a pretty good polearm choice for Xiangling, it’s an event exclusive. So far, players have only been able to obtain it through the Of Ballads and Brews event. If you don’t already have it, you may not be able to get it in the future. 

So far, Hoyoverse has been pretty stingy about their event weapons. As of Version 3.7, not a single event has ever had a rerun. It’s possible they will in the future, but we don’t suggest holding your breath.

Aside from the difficulty in obtaining it, the Missive Windspear doesn’t directly increase Xiangling’s Elemental Burst DMG directly. To see any increased DMG, you’ll need to be able to consistently trigger Elemental Reactions. If your team isn’t built for that, the greatest strength of this weapon is more or less useless.

Materials

To full ascend the Missive Windspear you will need:

• 150k Mora
• 3 Boreal Wolf’s Milk Tooth
• 9 Boreal Wolf’s Broken Fang
• 4 Boreal Wolf’s Nostalgia
• 15 Gloomy Statuette
• 18 Dark Statuette
• 27 Deathly Statuette
• 10 Slime Condensate
• 15 Slime Secretions
• 18 Slime Concentrate

3/5

The Catch (4-Star Polearm)

The next spot on our list of the best weapons for Xiangling in Genshin Impact should be a familiar one at this point. It’s “The Catch”!

The Catch is a completely free-to-play 4-star polearm that is undoubtedly one of the best in the game, thanks to its stats and effects.

Stats and Effects

While the Base ATK for The Catch isn’t the most impressive at 510, it does have a very high Energy Recharge stat. At a 45.9% increase, it does more for Xiangling’s Energy Recharge than even some 5-star weapons. 

The real star of the show is The Catch’s main effect. Shanty increases Elemental Burst DMG by 16% and Elemental Burst CRIT Rate by 6%. At higher refinement levels, both numbers double up to 32% and 12% respectively. 

High Energy Recharge and increased Elemental Burst DMG is exactly what you want to look for which is why we couldn’t ignore The Catch for this list.

Normally, we don’t recommend refining weapons since it can be tricky to get multiple copies of a single weapon. Thankfully, that’s not the case with this completely free-to-play weapon. You’ll be able to obtain all the refinement materials needed to fully refine The Catch in the same place you obtain it. All without spending a single primogem.

Drawbacks

Xiangling is a great character, especially for the early game. Unfortunately The Catch is not a great weapon for early game, as it’s not available until players reach Inazuma and can get to the Fishing Association. You’ll also need to put in time fishing in Inazuma’s waters for region exclusive fish.

Unsurprisingly, its ascension materials are located in Inazuma as well, so you can’t even preemptively farm for them.

While the stats and effects of The Catch are a good fit for Xiangling, you won’t be able to get this weapon for a while as a new player.

Materials

To purchase The Catch you will need:

• 6 Raimei Angelfish
• 20 Golden Koi
• 20 Rusty Koi

To purchase one Ako’s Sake Vessel (The Catch’s Refinement Materials) you will need:

• 3 Raimei Angelfish
• 10 Pufferfish
• 10 Bitter Pufferfish

To fully ascend The Catch, you will need:

• 150k Mora
• 3 Mask of the Wicked Lieutenant
• 9 Mask of the Tiger’s Bite
• 9 Mask of the One-Horned
• 4 Mask of the Kijin
• 15 Chaos Gear
• 18 Chaos Axis
• 27 Chaos Oculus
• 10 Spectral Husk
• 15 Spectral Heart
• 18 Spectral Nucleus

2/5

Staff of the Scarlet Sands (5-Star Polearm)

Players wanting an even better polearm for Elemental Reactions won’t want to overlook the second best weapon for Xiangling on our list. It’s the 5-star Staff of the Scarlet Sands!

Stats and Effects

Maxing out at 542 Base ATK, the Staff of the Scarlet Sands has a slightly higher ATK than most of the other weapons on our list. Its secondary stat increases CRIT Rate by an impressive 44.1%, which is sure to do a lot of extra DMG.

Impressive CRIT Rate aside, the Staff of the Scarlet Sands also has a great effect. Heat Haze at Horizon’s End increases Xiangling’s ATK by 52% of her Elemental Mastery. She will also gain a secondary effect whenever hitting an enemy with her Elemental Skill. Dream of the Scarlet Sands further increases Xiangling’s ATK by 28% of her Elemental Mastery. This secondary effect can also stack up to 3 times.

Basically, Staff of the Scarlet Sands is the perfect weapon for Xiangling mains who want to maximize both her Elemental Reaction DMG and her time on the field.

Drawbacks

By increasing ATK based on her Elemental Mastery, Staff of the Scarlet Sands pretty much demands two things. Firstly that Xiangling have a high Elemental Mastery stat and secondly that she spend more time on the field.

Those things aren’t necessarily drawbacks, but it does put limitations on the types of teams Xiangling works well with. She won’t do as much damage by just swapping on and off field to use her Elemental Burst. 

Essentially if she isn’t on the field much or if you can’t reliably trigger Elemental Reactions, it can feel like a 5-star weapon is going to waste.

Materials

To fully ascend the Staff of the Scarlet Sands:

• 225k
• 5 Oasis Garden’s Reminiscence
• 14 Oasis Garden’s Kindness
• 14 Oasis Garden’s Mourning
• 6 Oasis Garden’s Truth
• 23 Chaos Storage
• 27 Chaos Module
• 41 Chaos Bolt
• 15 Fungal Spores
• 23 Luminescent Pollen
• 27 Crystalline Cyst Dust

1/5

Engulfing Lightning (5-Star Polearm)

We’re finally down to the overall best weapon for Xiangling in Genshin Impact! When it comes to choosing a polearm for Xiangling, you just can’t go wrong with the 5-star Engulfing Lightning!

Stats and Effects

Engulfing Lightning’s Base ATK maxes out at a respectable 608, much higher than most of the other weapons we’ve gone over. Its secondary stat increases Xiangling’s Energy Recharge by 55.1%, which makes it the highest Energy Recharge stat for polearms in the game thus far. 

What really makes Engulfing Lightning so good though is its main effect. Timeless Dream: Eternal Stove increases ATK by 28% of Energy Recharge above 100%. With the 55% you get from the weapon alone, getting a decent ATK buff should be a piece of cake. The max ATK buff obtained this way maxes out at 80%, though higher refinement levels can increase that up to 120%. 

Xiangling will also have a 30% Energy Recharge buff for 12 seconds after using her Elemental Burst. Which means that aside from her cooldown time, you won’t need to wait around to be able to use her Elemental Burst again. 

Drawbacks

Engulfing Lightning’s biggest drawback is that it’s a limited 5-star weapon. If you don’t already own it, you’ll have to wait for its banner to roll around for a chance to get it.

Luckily Engulfing Lightning’s weapon banner runs alongside the 5-star character Raiden Shogun who has been fairly popular. If history repeats itself, players can usually expect a rerun once or twice a year. Of course there’s no guarantee of that, so we suggest taking advantage of the indefinite time by saving up your primogems.

Materials

To fully ascend Engulfing Lightning, you will need:

• 225k Mora
• 5 Mask of the Wicked Lieutenant
• 14 Mask of the Tiger’s Bite 
• 14 Mask of the One-Horned
• 6 Mask of the Kijin
• 23 Chaos Gear
• 27 Chaos Axis
• 41 Chaos Oculus
• 15 Old Handguard
• 23 Kageuchi Handguard
• 27 Famed Handguard

Join the High Ground!

That’s it for our list of the best weapons for Xiangling in Genshin Impact! Do you see your favorite polearm on our list or do you have another recommendation we should try? Let us know in the comments below and don’t forget to subscribe to our newsletter!

You can also look through our other weapon guides, we’ve got one on the best weapons for Venti and plenty of other characters too. 

Until next time, ad astra abyssosque and happy gaming!