Genshin Strike is celebrated for confusing skill descriptions, and the up-to-date character Xilonen takes this wordiness to the next level. If you don’t want to spend the evening reading the novel that makes up her set, here’s a quick rundown on how to play Xilonen as both a support and DPS. You’re welcome.
Is Xilonen a DPS or support?
Xilonen’s kit allows her to act as an on-field DPS or off-the-field support. Despite this flexibility, Xilonen is much more effective as a support than DPS. You can still play Xilonen as a DPS on the field, but I recommend getting at least a Constellation 2 and a 5-star CRIT weapon if you decide to go this route.
DPS Xilonen uses different combos than support Xilonen. Scroll down to the appropriate section depending on how you want to play her.
How to play as Xilonen support
For off-field support, Xilonen requires: a team consisting of at least two characters: Pyro, Hydro, Electro or Cryo. This team element requirement is critical because it significantly changes the way Xilonen operates. You can check if your team qualifies by using Xilonen’s Skill and looking at the colors of the three triangles next to her Night Soul meter. Only one triangle can be yellow. If at least two triangles are orange, blue, purple or airy blue, your team will be working with Xilonen.
Once you have your team together, you need to establish a rotation. Xilonen should take the space before your DPS on the field to activate her buffs. Go to Xilonen, exploit her Burst, then Skill, then two Normal Attacks. After two normal attacks, her Night Soul meter should fill up and disappear. If your combo is interrupted, you may need an extra Normal Attack to fill the meter, as it passively depletes over time.
Xilonen Burst heals the character on the field over time, and refilling the Night Soul meter activates their debuffs. Once her normal attacks end, you can swap Xilonen for your DPS on the field, who will then deal increased damage and enjoy healing.
How to play DPS Xilonen
I don’t recommend building Xilonen as a DPS unless you’re a whale or just really dedicated. Her damage isn’t amazing for a 5 star, but it’s still good enough for most content. For comparison, in similar teams my DPS C0 Xilonen with Uraku Misugiri does about 20-30% more damage than my C6 Noelle with Redhorn Stonethresher. Your results may vary.
Requires DPS Xilonen at least two Geo team members. I recommend Gorou and Albedo or Chiori. If you’re missing any of them, Navia, Zhongli, and Yun Jin are also potential options. Once you have your team together, try using Xilonen’s Skills. At least two triangles next to her Night Soul counter should be yellow.
Having two Geo teammates changes how Xilonen’s set works. Instead of normal attacks filling up her Night Soul meter, the meter will constantly deplete over time. Since Xilonen’s Normal Attacks deal increased damage to Geo while her Skill is busy, they will be her main source of damage.
To play Xilonen as a DPS on the field, first rotate your supports to configure their skills. Then, switch to Xilonen and exploit her Burst and then her Skill. Continue using as many normal attacks as possible before her Night Soul meter is completely depleted. Typically this will be three sets of four normal attack combos for a total of 12 hits.
