Guide
How the kit works
Start close to opponents with Sweeping Fervor. It deals Pyro DMG and creates a shield whose absorption depends on Xinyan's DEF and the number of opponents hit. Before unlocking her passive, hitting two opponents gives a level 2 shield and hitting three gives level 3. The passive lowers those requirements to one and two opponents respectively.
The level 3 shield deals intermittent Pyro DMG to nearby opponents. Every level has 250% absorption effectiveness against Pyro DMG, and casting the skill infuses Xinyan with Pyro. Use Riff Revolution near opponents for its Physical hit and subsequent Pyro explosions.
With the shield up, use Dance on Fire (NA) for up to four Normal Attacks, or hold the Charged Attack to spin around nearby enemies. The spin consumes Stamina and ends with a stronger slash. You can also switch to a teammate who benefits from the shield's Physical DMG bonus.
Build and why
For a Physical build, try four pieces of Pale Flame first. Its two-piece bonus gives 25% Physical DMG, and skill hits grant ATK stacks. At two stacks, the Physical bonus from the two-piece effect doubles. Keep an eye on those stacks during combat.
A simpler option is two pieces of Pale Flame with two of Bloodstained Chivalry, for 50% Physical DMG in total. Four pieces of Bloodstained Chivalry are another option for Charged Attacks: after defeating an opponent, they gain 50% damage and cost no Stamina for 10 seconds. For a Burst-focused build, consider Emblem of Severed Fate, which gives Energy Recharge and increases Burst damage based on it.
Use ATK Percentage or DEF Percentage on the sands, Physical DMG Bonus on the goblet, and CRIT Rate or CRIT DMG on the circlet. Look for CRIT Rate, CRIT DMG, ATK Percentage, Energy Recharge and DEF Percentage in substats. DEF helps the shield, while the Physical and CRIT stats support her damage.
Redhorn Stonethresher is the first weapon choice: it increases DEF and adds damage to Normal and Charged Attacks based on DEF. Skyward Pride increases all damage and creates vacuum blades after the Burst. Serpent Spine is another option; its damage bonus builds while Xinyan is on the field, but taking damage removes a stack.
Leveling priority
For an on-field Physical build, a good order is Dance on Fire (NA), Riff Revolution, then Sweeping Fervor. The attacks are what you use repeatedly on the field, while the Burst adds a separate Physical hit. Level the skill afterward for the shield.
If you mainly bring Xinyan in for her Burst and shield, consider raising Riff Revolution and Sweeping Fervor ahead of her attacks instead. Choose the order around the part of her kit you actually use.
For maximum ascension, collect 168 Violetgrass, 46 Everflame Seed and the Agnidus Agate materials, along with Treasure Hoarder Insignia, Silver Raven Insignia, Golden Raven Insignia and Mora. Talents use Teachings of Gold, Guide to Gold, Philosophies of Gold, the same insignia types, Tusk of Monoceros Caeli, Crown of Insight and Mora.
Constellations worth it
Impromptu Opening is the standout upgrade. It gives the Physical damage of Riff Revolution 100% CRIT Rate and creates a level 3 shield on cast. The CRIT Rate increase applies to the Physical hit, not the Pyro explosions.
Wildfire Rhythm is worth considering for Physical teams: the swing from Sweeping Fervor lowers an opponent's Physical RES by 15% for 12 seconds. Rockin' in a Flaming World suits a Charged Attack build, reducing its Stamina consumption by 30% and giving those attacks an ATK Bonus equal to 50% of Xinyan's DEF.
Fatal Acceleration adds attack speed after a CRIT Hit, while Double-Stop and Screamin' for an Encore raise skill levels. You cannot skip constellations on the way, but you can leave those three aside as individual goals if the effects of C2 or a later upgrade are what you want.
Teams
For Xinyan on the field, try pairing her with Cryo and Electro characters. Rosaria brings Cryo, while Fischl brings Electro and can contribute from off the field. Xilonen is an option for the remaining slot if you want a healer. Xinyan supplies her own shield and can use its Physical DMG bonus while attacking.
If Xinyan is there to support another attacker, give that character the shield so they can benefit from its Physical DMG increase. Bennett is an option when you want another Pyro character; Raiden Shogun is another Electro option who can contribute from off the field. Pick teammates around the damage your active character actually deals.
Common mistakes
Don't cast Sweeping Fervor far from the group if you want the level 3 shield. After the relevant passive is unlocked, aim to hit at least two opponents. With Impromptu Opening, Riff Revolution gives you another way to create that shield.
Don't treat the whole Burst as Physical damage: its explosions deal Pyro DMG. Also, don't build only DEF if Xinyan is your attacker. DEF helps her shield, but Physical DMG Bonus and CRIT stats support the damage side of the build. Watch your Stamina when spinning, especially without the four-piece Bloodstained Chivalry effect.
