Xueyi, the newly introduced 4-star character in Honkai: Star Rail's version 1.6 update, presents a distinctive role as both a DPS and sub-DPS. Her standout ability lies in effectively leveraging diminishing toughness and Break Effect to her advantage, even when facing opponents not particularly vulnerable to the Quantum element. Moreover, she accumulates stacks that enable subsequent attacks, making her adaptable to various team compositions and paths within the Simulated Universe for players eager to explore new strategies.

Honkai: Star Rail Xueyi

Given the unique mechanics in her skill set, Xueyi's optimal build deviates slightly from the usual DPS characters as she emphasizes Break Effect. Nevertheless, there are still key elements that complement her performance. Here's the recommended build for players seeking to maximize Xueyi's capabilities.

Xueyi Best Build In Honkai: Star Rail

Light Cone Relic Set Relic Stat
  1. Collapsing Sky
  2. Shattered Home
  3. Under the Blue Sky
  4. The Moles Welcome You
  5. On the Fall of an Aeon
  1. Genius of Brilliant Stars
  2. 4pc Thief of Shooting Meteor

Planar Ornaments

  1. Talia: Kingdom of Banditry
  2. Space Sealing Station
  • Body: Crit DMG / Rate
  • Feet: SPD
  • Planar Sphere: Quantum DMG
  • Link Rope: Break Effect
  • Sub-stat: Crit DMG/ Rate, Break Effect, SPD

Xueyi review

Xueyi emerges as a versatile damage dealer, excelling in Toughness damage against foes resistant to Quantum elements. Her ability to manipulate Toughness Gauges and accumulate stacks for a potent follow-up attack amplifies her effectiveness, especially against Quantum-vulnerable enemies. Leveraging Break Effect, she gains substantial permanent damage boosts but is limited in team and scenario flexibility due to her reliance on Toughness damage.

Despite seemingly modest base damage, Xueyi's Bonus Ability Traces redefine her prowess. Her A2 links damage dealt directly to her Break Effect stat, offering a staggering bonus of up to 240%. This inherent damage boost, complemented by additional Break Effect, ensures consistent and substantial damage output, minimizing reliance on Quantum DMG Planar Spheres.

Strategically, Xueyi's A6 ensures stack retention even when overcapping, enhancing her sustained damage potential. She synergizes well with various support characters, benefiting from increased Action rates and Energy generation for more frequent Ultimates and follow-up attacks. Notable partners include Bronya, Tinyun, Asta, Hanya, Silver Wolf, Pela, and Ruan Mei, amplifying her Entanglement damage.

Augmentations via Eidolons further elevate her performance, enhancing follow-up damage, enabling Toughness damage regardless of type, boosting Break Effect post-Ultimate, and increasing follow-up attacks. Her potential as a primary or secondary damage dealer shines, emphasizing the importance of maximizing Toughness damage to optimize her efficiency.

Best Xueyi Light Cones In Honkai: Star Rail

Xueyi's unique reliance on Break Effect limits her compatibility with many high-tier Destruction light cones, particularly the exclusive 5-star options associated with specific Destruction characters. This opens up an F2P pathway for players to construct her build using more accessible alternatives. Currently, the top choice for her is On the Fall of an Aeon, easily obtainable and stackable via the Herta Store, serving as an exceptional F2P alternative. This cone not only bolsters ATK but also significantly boosts her damage upon Weakness Breaking, aligning perfectly with her distinctive toughness-based mechanics.

For players using this cone on other characters or yet to acquire it, considerations can be made for either Under the Blue Sky or The Moles Welcome You as 4-star options, mainly enhancing ATK as a stat boost. If Xueyi confronts a solitary enemy, Nowhere to Run can be considered; however, as a Destruction character, she generally thrives when engaging multiple foes. Additionally, Xueyi can effectively utilize certain 3-star options, especially when fully stacked, like Collapsing Sky or Shattered Home, to amplify specific aspects of her kit's damage or to inflict greater damage against enemies below certain HP thresholds.

Best Xueyi Relics In Honkai: Star Rail

Considering Xueyi's unique reliance on Break Effect, akin to Ruan Mei but with distinct functions, prioritizing Break Effect in her build is highly advisable. Players can opt for the Thief of Shooting Meteor set to boost her Break Effect, a more cost-effective choice if they've acquired it previously through Echoes of War or other content. Alternatively, the Genius of Brilliant Stars set proves more effective, offering DEF ignore and Quantum DMG bonuses, aligning well with Xueyi's mechanics.

As Break Effect can be easily obtained via sub-stats, main stats, or Planar Ornaments, players can streamline their optimization for the most effective build. Talia: Kingdom of Banditry ornaments serve as the best choice, emphasizing Break Effect and Speed to elevate Xueyi's overall damage output. For those unable to meet the 145 speed requirement or opting for the Thief of Shooting Meteor set, Space Sealing Station provides a viable alternative with a lower speed threshold, offering an ATK% boost beneficial for Xueyi.

When it comes to main and sub-stats, prioritizing Break Effect, Crit Values, and Speed is crucial. While her setup resembles that of other DPS characters, the primary distinction lies in the emphasis on Break Effect. Consequently, her set closely resembles typical builds, replacing ATK with Break Effect on Link Rope and focusing on sub-stats like Crit Rate/DMG and Speed, unlike characters such as Kafka, who don't benefit from Crit Values.

Xueyi Team Composition

Ruan Mei becomes an essential component of Xueyi's team, significantly bolstering Xueyi's gameplay. Offering a Break Effect stat boost, enhancing Weakness Break efficiency, and further stalling enemy actions (in addition to Quantum break's effects), Genius Society Member #81 elevates Xueyi's performance to new heights.

Given the focus of both Xueyi and Ruan Mei on Weakness Break, the inclusion of Silver Wolf, capable of inflicting weaknesses on any enemy, becomes a perfect addition. Subsequently, players should consider a healer or shielder wielding either the Quantum or Ice Element. This choice ensures that Silver Wolf applies only either Quantum or Ice weakness, facilitating continuous reduction of the enemy's Toughness by the team.

There are various options available, including Lynx, Gepard, March 7th, and Fu Xuan. Here's a breakdown of each character's contributions to the team:

  • Lynx: Functions as a standard healer, providing healing through Skills and Ultimate abilities. Doesn't offer significant additional benefits to the team beyond healing.
  • Fu Xuan: Acts as a defender, notably reducing team damage taken. Provides some buffs but isn't particularly relevant to this specific Xueyi team composition.
  • Gepard: Offers shielding through the Ultimate and possesses a freezing ability via the Skill.
  • March 7th: Provides shielding through the Skill and has a Talent that harmonizes well with Xueyi's Talent if March counters an enemy with Ice weakness. March's Ultimate targets all enemies, potentially triggering Weakness Break frequently, synergizing with Ruan Mei. The added Frozen effect provides an extra layer of team protection, and when her E6 is unlocked, she gains healing capabilities as well.

>>> Read more: Honkai: Star Rail Complete Ruan Mei Build Guide