Xingqiu has remained a fan-favorite Hydro support character in Genshin Impact since his release, thanks to his ability to apply consistent Hydro damage and enable powerful Elemental Reactions. With the ongoing expansion of Fontaine content and the arrival of powerful new weapons, many players are exploring optimal sword options for Xingqiu beyond the commonly used Sacrificial Sword. Among them, the Fleuve Cendre Ferryman a 4-star sword introduced in the Fontaine region has gained attention for its energy recharge stats and synergy with Elemental Skills. Understanding how this weapon performs with Xingqiu can help players unlock his full potential in both Spiral Abyss and open-world content.
Overview of Xingqiu’s Role and Strengths
Why Xingqiu Is a Top Hydro Support
Xingqiu plays the role of a sub-DPS or off-field Hydro applicator in many team compositions. His Elemental Skill, Guhua Sword: Fatal Rainscreen, generates damage-reducing Rain Swords and provides energy ptopics. His Elemental Burst, Guhua Sword: Raincutter, launches coordinated Hydro attacks when normal attacks are used by the active character.
His core strengths include:
- Consistent Hydro application for Vaporize, Freeze, and Electro-Charged reactions
- High uptime of Elemental Burst with proper energy recharge
- Damage mitigation through Rain Swords
- Scales well with Constellations, especially at C2 and C6
Because his burst is his primary damage-dealing and Hydro-applying ability, weapons that improve energy recharge and Elemental Skill performance are highly valued. This is where the Fleuve Cendre Ferryman enters the discussion.
Fleuve Cendre Ferryman: Weapon Details
Basic Stats and Description
The Fleuve Cendre Ferryman is a 4-star sword introduced in the Fontaine region. It focuses on enhancing Elemental Skill performance and energy regeneration, aligning closely with characters like Xingqiu who rely heavily on their Elemental Burst and Skill for their role.
Key stats at Level 90 Refinement Rank 1:
- Base ATK: 510
- Secondary Stat: Energy Recharge (45.9%)
- Passive: Increases Elemental Skill CRIT Rate by 8%. Also regenerates 3.5 Energy when Elemental Skill CRITs, with a cooldown of 5s.
At higher refinements, the CRIT Rate bonus and energy regeneration improve, making it even more appealing for characters who rely on their Elemental Skills frequently.
Why Fleuve Cendre Ferryman Fits Xingqiu
Energy Recharge Optimization
One of Xingqiu’s challenges is ensuring consistent uptime on his Elemental Burst, which costs 80 energy. The Fleuve Cendre Ferryman’s energy recharge substat directly supports this need. Additionally, the passive effect of generating energy on skill CRIT allows for better skill-to-burst cycling, especially when combined with CRIT Rate from artifacts.
CRIT Rate Synergy
While Xingqiu’s Elemental Skill doesn’t hit multiple times like some other characters, it still benefits from a boost to CRIT Rate. The 8% CRIT bonus (or more at higher refinements) means he can more reliably trigger the energy regeneration effect. This becomes particularly useful when built with CRIT Rate artifacts or support from CRIT-boosting team members.
Skill-Focused Builds
Although Xingqiu’s main value comes from his burst, his skill also provides solid Hydro application, damage reduction, and ptopic generation. Increasing its CRIT Rate enhances his overall consistency and complements the weapon’s energy return passive. This makes the sword a practical option even for players not focused on maximizing Xingqiu’s DPS output directly.
Comparing Fleuve Cendre Ferryman with Other Swords
Fleuve Cendre Ferryman vs Sacrificial Sword
Sacrificial Sword has long been a staple for Xingqiu due to its chance to reset the Elemental Skill cooldown, effectively doubling ptopic generation and damage. However, it relies heavily on RNG and internal cooldowns, whereas the Fleuve Cendre Ferryman provides more predictable energy restoration through CRIT-triggered passives.
Pros of Fleuve Cendre Ferryman:
- Predictable energy regeneration
- Higher base ATK and better substat scaling
- Elemental Skill CRIT Rate increases consistency
Pros of Sacrificial Sword:
- Can effectively double skill use with reset
- Great energy generation when passive triggers
If you already have high CRIT Rate and consistent artifact builds, Fleuve Cendre Ferryman becomes a reliable and damage-friendly option. On the other hand, Sacrificial Sword may still be better for early-game or teams lacking energy batteries.
Fleuve Cendre Ferryman vs Favonius Sword
Favonius Sword is another option focusing on energy recharge. It works well when Xingqiu is built with high CRIT Rate, as it generates additional ptopics with each CRIT. However, Fleuve Cendre Ferryman gives more personal value in terms of CRIT Rate for his skill and passive burst utility, while Favonius tends to support the whole team.
Team Synergies and Usage Scenarios
Best Teams for Xingqiu with Fleuve Cendre Ferryman
Xingqiu fits into many meta and off-meta teams due to his versatile Hydro application. The Fleuve Cendre Ferryman supports his role in these setups by ensuring his burst is always available without sacrificing offensive stats.
- Hu Tao Vaporize Team: Xingqiu, Hu Tao, Zhongli, Yelan
- National Team: Xingqiu, Xiangling, Bennett, Chongyun/Sucrose
- Taser Team: Xingqiu, Beidou, Fischl, Kazuha
In these teams, maintaining Xingqiu’s burst uptime is crucial. The energy recharge from Fleuve Cendre Ferryman helps ensure seamless rotation, especially in prolonged fights or the Spiral Abyss where burst rotation consistency determines performance.
When to Use This Weapon Over Alternatives
The Fleuve Cendre Ferryman is most effective when:
- You already have decent CRIT Rate on Xingqiu to reliably trigger the passive
- You’re looking for a more offensive and consistent alternative to Sacrificial Sword
- You want to avoid RNG-based energy generation
- You’re playing in a composition where fast rotations are more important than raw ptopic count
Artifact Recommendations for Xingqiu with Ferryman
To maximize the Fleuve Cendre Ferryman’s value, players should tailor their artifact sets and stats to complement its strengths.
Recommended Artifact Sets
- Emblem of Severed Fate (4-piece): Boosts Energy Recharge and Burst DMG, perfect for ER-focused builds
- Noblesse Oblige (4-piece): Increases Burst DMG and buffs team ATK
- 2-piece combinations: (e.g., 2 Emblem + 2 Heart of Depth) for a balanced hybrid of ER and Hydro DMG
Main Stats Priority
- Sand: Energy Recharge or ATK% (depending on needs)
- Goblet: Hydro DMG Bonus
- Circlet: CRIT Rate or CRIT DMG
Substats: Prioritize CRIT Rate, Energy Recharge, CRIT DMG, and ATK% in that order. A balanced CRIT Rate (~5060%) ensures the passive of the Ferryman triggers reliably.
The Fleuve Cendre Ferryman offers a strong, consistent, and effective sword choice for Xingqiu, especially for players looking to improve burst uptime without relying on passive RNG effects. With energy recharge as its substat and a useful passive, it helps stabilize rotation cycles in most meta teams. Whether you’re a veteran player or someone focusing on free or accessible options, this Fontaine-exclusive weapon gives Xingqiu the tools he needs to continue dominating Hydro support roles in every region of Teyvat.