Xingqiu's Ultimate Weapon Tier List & Build Guide (2026 Edition)

Yo, fellow Travelers! It's your boy back again, and today we're diving deep into the world of everyone's favorite Hydro sword prince, Xingqiu. Let's be real, building sub-DPS and support characters can feel like trying to solve a puzzle blindfolded sometimes, right? They can do so many things, it's hard to pin down one perfect direction. But here's the tea: your weapon choice? That's the cheat code. It basically decides the whole vibe for your Xingqiu. And in 2026, our boy is still sitting pretty at the top of the meta—talk about longevity! So, whether you're looking for raw damage, non-stop energy, or just trying to make him shine, I've got you covered. Let's break down the best blades for our bookworm buddy.

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Alright, let's get into the rankings. Remember, this is based on what works best with his Hydro-obsessed kit and constant need for energy. Think of it like this: some weapons are like giving him a supercharged battery, while others are like strapping a jet engine to his rain swords.

6. Skyward Blade

Rarity	Secondary Stat
Five Star	Energy Recharge

Look, the Skyward Blade is like that reliable friend who's good at everything. It won't make you gasp with one insane stat, but it covers all the bases. It gives Xingqiu a nice attack boost to patch up his weaker hits, and the real magic happens when you pop his Burst. You get a 10% speed boost to movement and attack? That's just... smooth. It lets you weave in more attacks during his rain sword duration. Plus, a little 4% crit rate bump is the cherry on top. It's the "I don't know what I'm doing, just give me something solid" weapon. Solid choice, no cap.

5. The Alley Flash

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Rarity	Secondary Stat
Four Star	Elemental Mastery

Now, The Alley Flash is for the players who want to go all-in on what Xingqiu does best: big, chunky Hydro damage. Instead of fixing his energy issues, it doubles down on his strengths. That Elemental Mastery secondary stat? Chef's kiss for Vaporize or Electro-Charged teams. The passive gives a straight 12% damage boost to ALL his damage. The catch? You gotta play like a ninja. Take a single hit, and you lose that buff for five seconds. It's high risk, high reward. Perfect for when you're feeling confident and want those rain swords to hit like a truck.

4. Favonius Sword

Rarity	Secondary Stat
Four Star	Energy Recharge

Okay, listen up. If your team has another Hydro character (looking at you, Yelan or Furina mains), your Xingqiu's energy problems aren't as bad. That's where Favonius Sword becomes a secret team player. Sure, it helps his own energy, but its real superpower is generating those clear particles for the WHOLE team. This means your main DPS gets their ult back faster, and Xingqiu doesn't suffer. It's the ultimate support weapon for support Xingqiu. It's like he's not just making rain, he's making energy drinks for the whole squad.

3. Sacrificial Sword

Rarity	Secondary Stat
Four Star	Energy Recharge

The classic. The OG. For years, Sacrificial Sword has been Xingqiu's best friend, and for good reason. It directly tackles his two biggest problems: energy hunger and that painfully long Elemental Skill cooldown. The Energy Recharge keeps the juice flowing. But the passive? That's the game-changer. A chance to reset his Skill cooldown means you can use his damage-reducing, healing swords twice in a row. Double the damage, double the particles, double the fun. It's incredibly reliable and smooths out his entire rotation. For most players, this is still the comfort pick.

2. Iron Sting

Rarity	Secondary Stat
Four Star	Elemental Mastery

This one's for the reaction enthusiasts. Iron Sting is all about amplifying those elemental numbers. It gives a big boost to Elemental Mastery, making every Vaporize or Electro-Charged reaction pop off. Its passive is sneaky good: dealing elemental damage gives you a 6% damage boost, stackable up to two times. That's a potential 12% extra damage on everything. It rewards you for just doing what Xingqiu does—applying Hydro constantly. It turns him from a support into a reaction trigger monster. A bit niche, but devastatingly effective in the right team.

1. Festering Desire

Rarity	Secondary Stat
Four Star	Energy Recharge

And here we are, at the top. Festering Desire. Yes, it's an event weapon, and if you missed it... my condolences. But for those who have it, this is arguably his BiS (Best in Slot) for pure, unadulterated skill-focused power. It does everything he wants: Energy Recharge to fuel his Burst, a fat 16% boost to his Elemental Skill damage (which hits hard and generates energy), AND a 6% crit rate boost for that skill. It's tailor-made for him. It makes his Skill hit like a meteor and crit more often, all while keeping his energy topped up. For players who want to maximize his personal damage output from off-field, this creepy, glowing sword is the ultimate prize.

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So, there you have it! The weapon hierarchy for our beloved Xingqiu in 2026. From the team-friendly Favonius to the hyper-carry potential of Festering Desire, the choice really depends on your playstyle and team needs. The meta shifts, but a well-built Xingqiu? He's eternal. Now go out there and make it rain (swords)!