Xiao: The Epically Strong Skill Combo in Genshin Impact – An Unofficial Deep Dive

Introduction: Meet Xiao, the Nano-Wielding Powerhouse of Teyvat

While many characters dominate Genshin Impact’s vast roster with flashy abilities and story prestige, Xiao stands out as a quietly devastating prodigy whose epic skill combo redefines late-game play. Known as the “Nano Master” and often dubbed the strongest solo character in the game, Xiao’s mastery of elemental burst and skill synergy offers a sharp edge in both PvP and PvE scenarios. In this unofficial yet comprehensive guide, we break down Xiao’s epic skill combo, explore how it works, and why mastering it is key to climbing Teyvat like never before.

Understanding the Context


Who is Xiao? A Brief Character Overview

Xiao is the prodigy trainee of the Altha folk, wielding shimmering nano-tipped spears that harnesses the power of T Nacha’s ancient nanotech. Though not officially part of the initial release, Xiao quickly became a fan favorite due to his cinematic skillshots, rapid skill progression, and unmatched burst potential. Central to his effectiveness is a carefully choreographed skill combo system that blends elemental strikes, domain shifts, and passive enhancements.


Key Insights

Understanding Xiao’s Core Skill System

Xiao’s power lies in elemental burst mechanics triggered by skill combos, allowing players to build stacks of damage over time using a chain of smartly timed abilities. His primary weapon—Lightning Spear (a core nano-infused spear)—is augmented by a trio of elemental-focused skills:

  1. Lightning Spear (Base Skill)
    Deals clean elemental damage with high setups, ideal for chaining into subsequent skills.

  2. Nano Burst (ultimate skill)
    Unlocks a massive nano-particle explosion at 100% spec, dealing heavy burst damage and stunning enemies briefly.

  3. Dominance + Elemental Domains
    Xiao shifts skill triggers and element types, synergizing with the main skill and passive to maximize burst potential.

Final Thoughts


The Epic Skill Combo: Step-by-Step Breakdown

Why is Xiao’s combat style called “epic”? It’s because of how his skill sequence snowballs damage through synergistic triggers:

Phase 1: Setup & Infusion

  • Tap SELECT on Lightning Spear to enable skill chaining.
  • Action 1: Lightning Spear (Low shift, high elemental damage)
  • Purpose: Build charge and activate elemental Nano Burst trigger for the next skill.

Phase 2: Elemental Burst Burst

  • Tap ACT on Lightning Spear (uma-chain readiness).
  • Execute Lightning Spear during energy build to enter Nano Burst phase.
  • Mechanics: Activates domesticated Nano Particles that deal staggeringly high burst damage (200–400%) based on spec and domain shift.
  • Domains shift via Full Domain Override, switching element type (e.g., Lightning → Hydro) to bypass enemy resistances.

Phase 3: Ultimate Mastery – Triggering the Dominance Burst

  • Once Nano Burst finishes, perform a final ultimate to initiate Dominance Shift.
  • Tap ACT and select habilitation mode to stabilize offensive pressure.
  • Full Domain Lock amplifies burst damage exponentially (up to 750% with max spec).
  • Result: Unstoppable elemental storm with possible vertical disintegration effects, disorienting foes.