Xianyun is the best mother. Genshin character review!

If you ask people who they think the best-written characters are in Genshin, few would pick Xianyun. And if you ask who is their favourite to play, she’s even less likely to be mentioned.

And yet, I would include her in both lists.

She is unique in so many ways. She was present in the game from the start, but for years was just an NPC without any hint that she would become playable. Her personality was abrasive and quirky, and in amongst the sea of side characters she always stood out. Even those who didn’t like her absolutely knew who she was.

By the time she was revealed as an upcoming five star I wasn’t all that interested in her story, and while her playstyle looked unusual, it sounded very niche, and I was not excited.

I planned to skip her.

Instead, she absolutely stole the show.

00:00 Intro
00:43 An annoying bird
01:46 A caring mother
02:26 A memorable NPC
02:58 Human form
04:13 Hidden depths
05:31 Mother bird
06:19 Kit overview • Elemental burst
06:48 Kit overview • 4th ascension passive
07:19 Kit overview • Elemental skill
08:03 Kit overview • 1st ascension passive
08:27 Kit overview • Intended role
09:12 Kit overview • Constellations
10:10 Build overview • Priorities
10:52 Build overview • Weapon
11:45 Build overview • Artifact stats
12:06 Build overview • Artifact sets
12:24 Build overview • Talents
12:41 Synergies • Furina
13:07 Synergies • Iansan
13:44 Synergies • Plunge DPS
14:26 Synergies • Other DPS
15:44 Conslusion

Genshin Impact is an open-world action/exploration game, available on PC, PS4, PS5 and mobile devices (iOS & Android).

I'm always happy to talk Genshin and other games, streams 3pm UK every Wed/Sat/Sun

#genshinimpact #hoyocreators #genshin #xianyun

[raeannepepsi]

The Cloud Retainer bird pet has not left my side since it came out. I love her character so much. And I agree... Guizhong and Street Rambler/Madame Ping WHEN?!

[svensaavedra]

I'm so happy to see a video of someone who loves Xianyun as much as I do. She is without question in my top 5 favorite characters for both gameplay and lore. I'm not ashamed to admit that I cried during her story quest. Finding out how truly selfless she is, in spite of her seemingly abrasive attitude, made me truly fall in love with her.

[marcimousie]

Did you see her new anecdote where she meets Razor? >.< I died so hard.

[wndI]

She’s a character that i kind of forget about but i love at the bottom of my heart, which kind of makes me sad since her quest and recent anecdotes were gold😢. Hope we get to see more of her

[prairieguy]

the complexity and depth of genshin characters is insane, It's not just about who had the most shiniest and flashiest skill effects. Liyue anemo characters had connections with the ground akin to plunging. while Monstadt anemo characters make enemies float. Xianyun symbolizes the nest and her lantern rite represents the kite, both being tied to the ground.

[tgamagedon]

"Fine, if you care not to listen, one shan't be telling you! One shall be going homeward now!"

[Razorrrrrrrrrrrr]

I need her and varka to raise razor NOW, I want razor to go lyuie and grow along side her and have her meet Lisa

[vinny_s]

I feel I am the only one who liked her when she was only the giant birb—which is surprising because hate characters with her archetype. Ever since 1.1 I realised she might be playable one day because Xiao existed and SURELY someone didnt have that much personality to be unplayable.

One gripe I have with her is that she made exploration so easy that I cant other teams without her </3

Overall, she's definitely in my top 3 favourite characters. I can't decide if I like her or Furina more.

[rambutan]

Personally loved her design and character writing the most. She has so many sides to her personality yet it melds so well as one complete package, especially with her very wholesome relationship with other very loveable characters: Ganyu and Shenhe. Also, her design and animations really bring home that mystical Chinese legend vibe.

[CDAfree]

wow, I feel the exact opposite when it comes to bird Xinyuan vs human Xinyuan, I absolutely loved her old characterization with her sass and arrogance sprinkled in with motherly moments, it really helped to make her stand out. But then she became playable and now she's just the nicest, most caring mom in all of Teyvat, which makes it difficult to dislike her, it just feels like mihoyo sanded off all of her prickly edges to make her comfy and non-controversial, like they do with all their playable characters so i dunno why I'm surprised at this point lol

[oscelios]

literally pulling for her in this patch just because I like her, doubt I'll end up using her, but I don't care

[aluinkali]

I absolutely loved cringe bird mom since the first Liyue cooking event. Inventing the pressure cooker just to win at a cooking competition was pretty hilarious. She has the right kind of annoying funny and endearing character traits that make her feel much more believable than most of the cast. Her and her adopted daughters / apprentices also have a great family dynamic. I really feel the love they have for one another and the acceptance for everyones quirks. Also that she moves to the city just to be closer to her chosen family is just wholesome af.

[Exacerberus]

She's inadvertently hilarious, she has depths and shows evolution, for sure she's one of the best written Genshin characters.

[DDDiegoAGM]

am I being blessed with a whole appreciation video on best character THE Cloud Retainer? hell yes

[sleet]

i was very happy she became playable, she was always one of my favorite NPCs, now i'm just waiting on Dottore, Jeht, and Enjou, my other favorite NPCs, though unfortunately the likelihood of any of them becoming playable seems pretty small.

[Bliss]

People’s love for Cloud Retainer should show hoyo they can make playable characters that are abrasive or flawed.

[IamMeko]

i love this video, xianyun is my favorite character not only in gameplay but in design as well, she reminds me of bayonetta a lot in looks and somewhat in personality.

[Sleepyzeld]

I remember despising her when I first started playing the game, and even to this day she irks me a bit! 😂 But I completely agree with all your points about her characterization, I’m pretty sure her story quest is the ONLY quest in Genshin so far that even got me close to crying cause it was so good. And I definitely fell in love with her even more recently doing her anecdotes where she travels around Mondstadt, especially her scene with Razor was SO CUTE!!! 🤍

[lunaredelvour]

god I'm so glad xianyun is getting some appreciation. I love her to pieces and the mothering she brings to the game is just... [chef's kiss] she doesn't get enough love

I missed her during lantern rite because I was saving for xiao and I had to make the tough call to not pull her. but I got her on her rerun a week or so ago now and I have been having SUCH a blast on this account again, and I'm excited to experiment. I hadn't even considered pairing chongyun with xianyun and I'm very excited to try a new team out now😆 she has excited me far more than any other natlan character so far I can tell you that much

[dimdimdididimdidim]

She has grown on me like you have experienced. And she feels like my own mother to me a little bit. Big softie inside and embarrassing me whenever there is a chance. One thing you mentioned was an amazing detail that we do not often see a parental figure and what happens after their kids flies the nest on any form of media. Plus i got her c0 this patch and i am amazed at how she cured me of my boredom with the game. Now i have a lot i plan using xianyun in different team comps to try plunge etc. After a year and a half when i was considering giving a break she gave me new purpose which i thought was impossible.