Guide
How the kit works
Start with Guhua Sword: Fatal Rainscreen to strike twice for Hydro damage and create the maximum number of Rain Swords. Their initial maximum is three. The skill also applies Wet to Xingqiu, so pay attention to that status when you use it.
Rain Swords orbit the active character. A sword shatters when that character takes damage, reducing the damage received, and the swords increase resistance to interruption. Through Hydropathic, a sword that shatters or expires heals the current character for 6% of Xingqiu's Max HP.
Use Guhua Sword: Raincutter, then switch to the character you want on the field. Their Normal Attacks trigger consecutive Hydro sword rain attacks. Raincutter also creates Rain Swords and keeps them at their maximum number for its duration.
Blades Amidst Raindrops gives Xingqiu 20% Hydro DMG Bonus. Fatal Rainscreen converts 20% of his Hydro DMG Bonus into extra Rain Sword damage reduction, up to a maximum of 24% extra reduction. Guhua Style (NA) is his own sword attack; the other active character can trigger Raincutter without Xingqiu using it.
Build and why
Use four pieces of Emblem of Severed Fate for a damage-focused build. Two pieces give 20% Energy Recharge, while four increase Elemental Burst DMG by 25% of Energy Recharge, up to a 75% bonus. Both effects suit a character who wants to use his Burst often.
Four pieces of Noblesse Oblige are a team-focused alternative. The set gives 20% Elemental Burst DMG and, after a Burst, gives the party 20% ATK for 12 seconds. The four-piece effect does not stack. For a mixed setup, consider two pieces of The Exile and two of Heart of Depth for Energy Recharge and Hydro DMG Bonus.
Choose Energy Recharge or ATK Percentage on the sands, Hydro DMG Bonus on the goblet, and CRIT Rate or CRIT DMG on the circlet. For substats, look for Energy Recharge first, then CRIT Rate, CRIT DMG and ATK Percentage. Hydro DMG Bonus helps both Xingqiu's Hydro damage and Rain Sword reduction.
Favonius Sword is a strong energy option: CRIT Hits have a 60% chance to generate particles that restore 6 Energy, once every 12 seconds. CRIT Rate helps you use that effect. Sacrificial Sword is another good choice; after the Skill damages an opponent, it has a 40% chance to end its own cooldown, once every 30 seconds.
Primordial Jade Cutter is an alternative that gives 20% HP and ATK based on 1.2% of the wielder's Max HP. The HP also increases Xingqiu's Rain Sword healing. If you use it, still account for the Energy Recharge your Burst needs.
Leveling priority
A good leveling order is Guhua Sword: Raincutter first, then Guhua Sword: Fatal Rainscreen, with Guhua Style (NA) last. Raincutter supports the attacks of the character on the field, while Fatal Rainscreen deals Hydro damage when Xingqiu casts it. His own Normal Attacks matter less if he spends little time attacking on the field.
For ascension, gather Mora, Silk Flower and Cleansing Heart. You also need Varunada Lazurite Sliver, Varunada Lazurite Fragment, Varunada Lazurite Chunk and Varunada Lazurite Gemstone, along with Damaged Mask, Stained Mask and Ominous Mask.
For talents, you need Mora, Teachings of Gold, Guide to Gold and Philosophies of Gold. Save the three mask materials as well, plus Tail of Boreas and Crown of Insight. Flash of Genius gives Xingqiu a 25% chance to refund a portion of the materials when he crafts Character Talent Materials.
Constellations worth it
Hence, Call Them My Own Verses is the standout upgrade. After two sword rain attacks from Guhua Sword: Raincutter, it greatly enhances the third. When that third attack hits, it also restores 3 Energy to Xingqiu.
Rainbow Upon the Azure Sky is a good earlier upgrade to consider: it extends Raincutter by 3 seconds and reduces the Hydro RES of opponents hit by sword rain by 15% for 4 seconds. Weaver of Verses adds three levels to Raincutter, making it another useful option for its damage.
Evilsoother (C4) increases Guhua Sword: Fatal Rainscreen damage by 50% during Raincutter. If you have it, try casting the Burst before the Skill when you want that bonus. The Scent Remained raises the Rain Sword maximum by one, while Embrace of Rain adds three Skill levels.
C4 and C5 are less important if your focus is the Burst and you do not plan to continue to C6. You cannot skip them on the way to C6, so treat them as bonuses rather than separate stopping points.
Teams
Look for an on-field character who uses Normal Attacks often enough to trigger Xingqiu's sword rain. His Hydro damage and defensive Rain Swords then continue to help while that teammate fights.
Common mistakes
Do not cast the Burst and then rely only on Skill or Charged Attacks from the active character. Use Normal Attacks to trigger the sword rain. You do not need to keep Xingqiu on the field for those attacks.
Do not build only for damage while neglecting Energy Recharge. If the Burst is not ready when you need it, its damage and Rain Sword refresh are unavailable. Favonius Sword also needs CRIT Hits for its particle effect, while Sacrificial Sword's cooldown reset is a chance, not a guarantee.
Do not treat Rain Swords as a full replacement for every defensive option. Their healing depends on Xingqiu's Max HP, and their reduction does not prevent all damage. Remember that his Skill applies Wet to him when you decide when to cast it.
