So, you've summoned the Conqueror of Demons, Xiao, but that fancy Primordial Jade Winged-Spear decided to play hard to get? Don't sweat it! As of 2026, the adeptus's arsenal has plenty of powerful options that can keep him dishing out those massive Plunging Attacks. While his signature 5-star polearm is, without a doubt, his perfect match—seriously, it's like they were made for each other—the reality is that not every Traveler has the primogems or luck to pull it. The good news? Xiao's damage potential is so high that with the right substitute weapon, he'll still be tearing through Abyss floors like they're made of paper.

xiao-s-best-weapon-alternatives-in-genshin-impact-for-2026-image-0

When building Xiao, his damage output is king. A huge chunk of that power comes from his Critical stats. So, whether you're using his BiS (Best-in-Slot) or a substitute, the weapon's sub-stat should be one of these three: Crit Rate, Crit Damage, or ATK%. It's all about finding that sweet spot where his plunges start hitting for astronomical numbers. Let's break down the top contenders, from the premium 5-stars to the craftable 4-stars that get the job done.

Top-Tier 5-Star Substitutes

If you have a spare 5-star polearm lying around, these are your best bets for keeping Xiao's damage competitive.

  • Staff of Homa: This is often called Xiao's second-best-in-slot for a reason. It's Hu Tao's signature weapon, but it scales beautifully with the Vigilant Yaksha. Its massive Crit Damage sub-stat lets you focus your artifact farming entirely on Crit Rate. Its passive, Reckless Cinnabar, is the real kicker. It boosts HP and then converts a portion of that Max HP into a flat ATK bonus. Here's the fun part: when Xiao's HP drops below 50% during his life-draining Elemental Burst, that ATK bonus gets even bigger. Talk about turning a weakness into a strength!

  • Skyward Spine: This weapon offers a solid Crit Rate sub-stat, which is always welcome. Its passive increases Normal Attack Speed and creates a small vacuum blade that deals extra damage. While the Energy Recharge sub-stat is a bit of a waste on Xiao (he doesn't usually have energy problems with a proper team), the consistent Crit Rate and attack speed boost make it a reliable and strong option. It's not flashy, but it gets the job done very well.

Powerful & Accessible 4-Star Options

Not everyone has a closet full of 5-star weapons, and that's perfectly okay! These 4-star polearms are fantastic and much more accessible for the average player.

Weapon How to Get Sub-Stat Why It's Good for Xiao
Deathmatch Gnostic Hymn (Battle Pass) Crit Rate Provides a hefty Crit Rate boost and an ATK% increase based on nearby enemies. It's super consistent and makes building his Crit Damage artifacts much easier. A real workhorse weapon.
Blackcliff Pole Paimon's Bargains (Starglitter Shop) Crit Damage The best F2P (Free-to-Play) friendly option with a Crit Damage focus. Its passive grants an ATK boost after defeating an enemy, which stacks. It shines in content with lots of weaker foes, like certain Abyss chambers.
Lithic Spear Gacha (Weapon Banner) ATK% A sneaky-good option if you run Xiao in a Liyue-heavy team (e.g., Zhongli, Xianyun, Furina). Each Liyue teammate boosts his ATK and Crit Rate. With 3-4 Liyue characters, this weapon can perform surprisingly close to some 5-stars!

Building Around Your Weapon Choice

Your weapon choice directly influences your artifact priorities. Think of it as a balancing act.

  • If your weapon has Crit Rate (e.g., Deathmatch, Skyward Spine): Go all-in on Crit Damage for your artifact main stats and sub-stats. You're already covered on the Rate side.

  • If your weapon has Crit Damage (e.g., Staff of Homa, Blackcliff Pole): Your artifact circlet must be a Crit Rate main stat. Farm for those sub-stats that add even more Crit Rate to hit that golden 1:2 ratio (e.g., 70% Crit Rate / 140% Crit Damage).

  • General Artifact Set: The Vermillion Hereafter 4-piece set remains his undisputed BiS artifact set in 2026, as it's tailor-made for his playstyle. The 2-piece Marechaussee Hunter / 2-piece ATK% (like Gladiator's Finale) combo is a strong and easier-to-farm alternative.

At the end of the day, remember this: Xiao is fundamentally one of the strongest DPS characters in Teyvat. While having his signature weapon is the dream, he's far from helpless without it. With the right substitute and a well-built artifact set, the Conqueror of Demons will still have you feeling like you're cruising on easy mode. So, equip what you have, fine-tune those artifacts, and get ready to plunge!