Like many other online games, DPS or a damage-focused playstyle takes the throne in Genshin Impact. It's a free game after all and thus involves tons of grinding. In order to shorten that grinding time, which usually consists of killing things over and over again, having the highest damage is key. It just so happens that players love to min-max when it comes to DPS and having the best DPS character is always a raging point of debate.
Fast forward a few weeks after Xiao's arrival, the numbers are up. He's right at the top along with certified heavy-hitters and according to some, might even give Diluc a run for his money. Do keep in mind that testing the actual numbers is difficult since there are too many valuables. However, each character has its own strengths that trump the other's, and here's how Xiao and Diluc duke it out for the top DPS spot. Bootleg Batman versus edgy pogo stick, let's go!
10 It's Xiao Now: More Fun Playstyle
The general consensus is out for anyone who has tested Xiao says that he's the most fun they ever had controlling a character in Genshin Impact. This is a rather important factor when choosing a DPS main because you'll mostly be using them ad infinitum.
Xiao's dumb jumpy and fast play is notably more fun than Diluc who requires an elaborate setup in order to deal the most damage. Moreover, players get to see faster and more frequent five-digit damage numbers with Xiao, adding to the fun factor.
9 Still Diluc: Easier To Build
With that said, the price for seeing Xiao deal tons of damage per plunge is a bit higher than seeing Diluc be a rich pyromaniac. Xiao's polearm selection is rather limited and the most optimal ones require spending cash or tons of primogems plus some luck.
Moreover, Xiao needs at least two Gladiator's Finale artifacts which are the hardest ones to obtain. By comparison, Diluc's B.I.S. Crimson Witch set artifact and craftable claymores are much more obtainable and easier to grind for than Xiao's.
8 It's Xiao Now: More Consistent DPS
Since Xiao is a little high maintenance, the damage he deals should be proportional to his demands. So, is it? For the most part, yes. Xiao can dish out upwards of 20,000+ to 40,000+ damage per plunge and this is for as long as Xiao has health to spare.
It's a risky fighting style but is nevertheless one of the most consistent damage out of all DPS characters in Genshin Impact. The continuous plunges are also hard to interrupt as Xiao gets hit less in the air.
7 Still Diluc: More Energy Efficient
Then again, Xiao demands way too much and needs 70 energy for his Elemental Burst that has an 18-second cooldown. This is a bit much and makes him need Energy Recharge as an artifact sub-stat or at least a support character that generates energy for him.
Diluc on the other hand can easily chain his Elemental Burst because it only has a 40-energy requirement which is easily generated by his Elemental Skill. To that end, Diluc isn't reliant on Energy Recharge at all and can focus on full damage artifacts.
6 It's Xiao Now: More Mobile And Faster
Xiao with his polearm does attack faster and when he isn't using his Elemental Burst, does more frequent attacks which also hit more. Diluc, while one of the faster claymore users around, is still considerably slower than a polearm user.
Meanwhile, Xiao's abilities make him look like he drank a cocktail of all available energy drinks with how jumpy and agile he is after activating them. He can even use these abilities in mid-air making Diluc look like a geriatric with a claymore.
5 Still Diluc: Pyro Is The Most Damaging Element
Xiao's impressive anemo damage might be steady and can combo with Swirl but that's not exactly an in-demand elemental reaction. Melt and Vaporize remain as the two most powerful reactions in Genshin Impact and both of them involve pyro.
Guess what? Diluc loves fire more than he likes his half-brother Kaeya. For that matter, Diluc's Elemental Burst can easily reach 50,000+ or sometimes even regularly dip into six-digits depending on party composition. So if you're looking for the biggest damage number, Diluc is the way to go.
4 It's Xiao Now: Highest Base ATK
Before Xiao came along to out-angst Diluc, the latter and Ganyu dominated the top spot in Genshin Impact when it comes to having the most base attack. Both Diluc and Ganyu had 26 but then Xiao had 27 and the increase is incremental per level threshold.
That means Xiao technically has higher ATK potential than Diluc. This also means his damage multipliers can scale easier since he has higher base damage. The difference might not be that big but it's a bragging right, having Xiao since, by technicality, he has the highest damage right out of the box.
3 Still Diluc: He's Not Selfish As A DPS
One thing to keep in mind for both characters is that their playstyles are different from one another. Diluc is more dependent on a hydro or cryo character in order to get the most damage numbers out of him.
The whole party is given a chance to show off what they got when Diluc is your main DPS since he thrives on elemental reactions for maximum damage. So if he dies accidentally, it's not the end of the world for the party since chances are, they are leveled well and are capable on their own.
2 It's Xiao Now: Selfish DPS
With that said, there is a perk to Xiao being a selfish DPS. He plays like Razor where he needs to be out in the field more than 90 percent of the time. Compared to Diluc, Xiao is more independent when it comes to dealing damage.
He doesn't need an elaborate character swapping sequence. Just press his Elemental Burst and then watch him bounce around flattening enemies to death. The whole party revolves around Xiao and all he needs is a healer or an NRE.
1 Still Diluc: Claymore
The best weapon in Genshin Impact remains the claymore. So no matter how fond you are of Xiao and his jade spear, you will still miss the claymore's practicality. Apart from easily breaking rocks and ore deposits, the claymore breaks down Abyss Mage shields faster.
Then there's the fact that claymore strikes simply deal higher damage numbers and can stagger or stun-lock enemies better. Even the most powerful weapon in the game, the Wolf's Gravestone, is a claymore and it suspiciously matches Diluc's color palette. It's like they're suggesting something.