The Short Answer
Yangyang: Xuanling is a 5-star Havoc Sword Main DPS and the first SP (Sublimation) variant ever released in Wuthering Waves, a reimagined version of the original 4-star starter character Yangyang. She debuts in Version 3.5 Phase 1 on July 10, 2026. Her damage centers on Heavy Attacks and applying Havoc Bane, so her build should maximize ATK% and Havoc DMG Bonus while feeding her Heavy Attack uptime. Her signature 5-star sword, Azure Oath, is her best-in-slot weapon if you pull it. She is a completely separate character from the standard 4-star Yangyang support, so pulling one does not affect or replace the other. For version context, see our Wuthering Waves 3.5 release date breakdown.
Xuanling vs. Standard Yangyang
It is easy to assume SP Xuanling is an upgraded version of the 4-star Yangyang most players already own, but the two are unrelated in function. Standard Yangyang is an Aero support built around parry counters and Outro Skill buffs. Xuanling is a 5-star Havoc Main DPS with an entirely different kit, weapon type focus, and team role. Keep your existing Yangyang as a support option and treat Xuanling as a new roster slot, not a replacement.
Best Weapon
Signature: Azure Oath
Her signature Sword is built around extending and empowering Heavy Attacks, boosting ATK% as a base stat and adding a passive that increases Havoc DMG the longer she sustains Heavy Attack pressure on an enemy. If you do not pull her signature, prioritize any 5-star Sword with a high ATK% or CRIT substat and a Heavy Attack or Havoc-focused passive, since her kit gets diminishing returns from generic DMG% weapons that do not interact with her rotation.
Best Echo Sets
- Main set: a Havoc DMG-focused 4-piece echo set that rewards sustained on-field uptime, since her damage comes from repeated Heavy Attacks rather than a single burst window.
- Main stats: Cost 4 slot ATK% or CRIT, Cost 3 slot Havoc DMG Bonus, Cost 1 slots CRIT Rate and CRIT DMG when available.
- Substat priority: CRIT Rate and CRIT DMG first, then ATK%, then Havoc Bane-relevant stats if her kit's tooltips call them out directly.
Aim for a roughly 1:2 CRIT Rate to CRIT DMG ratio once you have enough substats rolled, the standard target for any Main DPS in Wuthering Waves.
Best Teams
- Havoc Mono-Element Core: pair Xuanling with another Havoc unit and a Havoc-buffing support to stack elemental damage bonuses across the team.
- Heavy Attack Enabler Team: run her with a support that extends Heavy Attack windows or grants ATK%/Havoc DMG buffs during her active rotation, plus a healer or shielder to keep her uninterrupted on-field.
- Budget Team: any generic ATK%-buffing support and a sustain unit works while you gear her up, since her kit does not require a specific niche support to function at a basic level.
Pre-Farming Checklist
Before Version 3.5 launches, stock up on:
- Havoc-aligned enhancement materials used to level Sword-type resonators, available from the current version's weekly bosses.
- Ascension materials tied to the new Mengzhou region's local monsters, which typically become farmable once the area unlocks with the patch.
- Shell Credits and enhancement ore for weapon leveling, since a fresh 5-star Sword pull needs a full material stock to reach max level day one.
Is She Worth Pulling?
If Havoc Main DPS is an open slot in your roster, or you specifically want the novelty of the game's first SP unit, Xuanling is a strong Phase 1 priority. If you already run a strong Havoc DPS and have limited Astrite, it is reasonable to skip her in favor of Suisui in Phase 2, since Suisui's support-layer kit lifts more teams broadly. Check the Wuthering Waves tier list for the current rankings, and see our beginner's guide if you are just getting started.
