Cloud Retainer: Genshin Impact's Enigmatic Adeptus Guide

In the vast world of Genshin Impact, few characters embody the mystique and elegance of Liyue's adepti quite like Cloud Retainer. Known by her human name Xianyun, this powerful Anemo catalyst user has captivated players with her unique abilities and compelling backstory. As we move into 2025, Cloud Retainer continues to be a pivotal character in both Genshin Impact's lore and gameplay meta.

Who is Cloud Retainer in Genshin Impact?

Cloud Retainer, whose adeptus name reflects her affinity with the clouds, has taken up residence in Liyue Harbor out of curiosity about what draws her disciples to the bustling port city. Previously known to players as an NPC dwelling atop Mt. Aozang, she officially became a playable 5-star Anemo character, bringing her centuries of wisdom and power to travelers' teams.

As one of the mighty adepti who once fought alongside Rex Lapis (Morax) to protect Liyue, Cloud Retainer possesses both immense knowledge and combat prowess. Her elegant demeanor masks a playful curiosity about human affairs, making her one of the more approachable adepti despite her lofty status.

Gameplay Strengths and Abilities

What makes Cloud Retainer truly special in Genshin Impact's roster is her revolutionary approach to aerial combat and support capabilities. Unlike most characters who remain grounded, Xianyun specializes in enabling and enhancing plunging attack playstyles for the entire team.

Her Elemental Skill, White Clouds at Dawn, allows her to enter the Cloud Transmogrification state, during which she can use Skyladder to leap forward and deal Anemo DMG. This skill transforms her plunging attacks into powerful Driftcloud Waves that deal substantial AoE Anemo damage.

Cloud Retainer's Elemental Burst, Stars Gather at Dusk, creates the "Starwicker" mechanism that follows the active character, providing several key benefits:

1. Continuous healing for all nearby party members based on Xianyun's ATK

2. Increased jump height via Adeptal Assistance stacks

3. Additional Anemo DMG when active characters perform plunging attacks

Perhaps most impressive is her passive talent "Consider, the Adeptus in Her Realm," which significantly increases plunging attack damage for all characters based on her ATK stat. This makes her an exceptional support for characters who specialize in aerial combat, such as Xiao and Varesa.

Best Builds for Cloud Retainer

As we've learned through extensive testing in 2025, Cloud Retainer's optimal build focuses primarily on maximizing ATK and Energy Recharge. Since virtually all her utility scales with ATK—from healing to damage buffs—prioritizing this stat yields the best results.

Recommended Weapons:

• Crane's Echoing Call (5★): Her signature weapon, providing substantial ATK and Energy Recharge

• Oathsworn Eye (4★): An excellent F2P alternative with useful ATK and Energy Recharge stats

• Thrilling Tales of Dragon Slayers (3★): For purely support-focused builds

Artifact Sets:

• Viridescent Venerer (4-piece): For teams utilizing elemental reactions

• Song of Days Past (4-piece): Ideal for teams with Xiao or other Anemo DPS

• Noblesse Oblige (4-piece): A versatile alternative for general support

The goal should be reaching approximately 3,500-4,000 ATK and at least 200% Energy Recharge to ensure her Elemental Burst is available consistently.

Best Teams for Cloud Retainer

Cloud Retainer excels in enabling plunging-focused team compositions. Some particularly effective teams include:

Xiao Hypercarry

• Xianyun (Cloud Retainer)

• Xiao (Main DPS)

• Faruzan (Anemo support)

• Furina (Sub-DPS/Support)

This team maximizes Xiao's already powerful plunging attacks with Cloud Retainer's buffs, while Faruzan provides Anemo resistance shred and Furina offers additional damage scaling.

Varesa Plunge Team

• Xianyun (Cloud Retainer)

• Varesa (Main DPS)

• Iansan (Sub-DPS)

• Furina/Xilonen (Support)

Varesa, being one of the best low-investment plunge attackers in the game, synergizes perfectly with Cloud Retainer's kit.

Pyro Plunge Vaporize

• Xianyun (Cloud Retainer)

• Diluc/Gaming (Main DPS)

• Xingqiu (Hydro application)

• Bennett (Support)

This team leverages Cloud Retainer's plunge buffs while enabling powerful vaporize reactions for massive damage output.

Finding Cloud Retainer in the World

For players who haven't yet completed the related quests, Cloud Retainer can be found at her abode atop Mt. Aozang in the Jueyun Karst region of Liyue. Reaching her involves completing the "Custodian of Clouds" quest, which requires:

1. Finding three recipes around the mountain-top pond

2. Cooking and offering the dishes: Matsutake Meat Rolls, Mora Meat, and Jewelry Soup

3. Solving a series of puzzles involving rotating platforms and fire totems

The journey to meet Cloud Retainer is worth the effort, as it provides valuable insight into Liyue's history and the nature of the adepti.

Is Cloud Retainer Worth Pulling?

As we approach the second half of 2025, Cloud Retainer remains one of the most versatile support characters in Genshin Impact. Her unique ability to enable plunging attack playstyles, combined with strong healing capabilities and Anemo utility, makes her an excellent addition to many team compositions.

For players who enjoy aerial combat or have characters like Xiao, Varesa, or Gaming, Cloud Retainer represents a substantial power increase. Even for those without dedicated plunging attackers, her healing, buffs, and Viridescent Venerer application make her a valuable asset.

Have you incorporated Cloud Retainer into your Genshin Impact teams? What builds have you found most effective for this elegant adeptus? The community continues to discover new synergies and strategies as Teyvat's story unfolds.

Whether soaring through the clouds or providing wisdom to the Traveler, Cloud Retainer stands as one of Genshin Impact's most fascinating characters, bridging the ancient world of the adepti with the mortal realm in a way that enriches both gameplay and lore.