Su Xiao

Biodata

Feature	Value
Name	Su Xiao (苏晓)
Alias(es)	Su; President Su 12 307
Species/Race	Human; initially described as a natural, unaugmented human 10 270
Gender	Male
Affiliation	Formerly the Buckle Family; leader of a mercenary team with Jack, V, and Lucy; founder of the Dawn Private Military Company / Dawn Society 3 46 284
Occupation/Role	Mercenary, firearms manufacturer, weapons developer, private military company president 26 43 307
Status	Active 410
First Appearance	Starting from Night City, Chapter 2 2

Power Progression

Stage / Realm / Level	Chapter	Notes
Foundational skill training	3	McCoy begins teaching him Blade Mastery, Strength, Evasion, and Block; Su Xiao can see each skill's learning progress.
Early skill ranks	3–4	After nearly six months with the Buckle Family, Firearm Maintenance reaches Lv. 5; Blade Mastery, Strength, Evasion, and Block reach Lv. 3; Marksmanship Mastery, Throwing, and Vehicle Driving reach Lv. 2.
Combat-earned advancement	7	Killing thirty Serpent Nation attackers grants 3 Potential Points; Blade Mastery, Marksmanship Mastery, and Evasion increase through battle use.
Tactical Goggles blueprint	27	Spends 5 Potential Points when I Guess triggers on AR glasses, gaining improved Tactical Goggles blueprints.
Power Gauntlet blueprint	38	After accumulating 20 Potential Points through jobs against organ traffickers, obtains the improved blueprint for Power Gauntlets.
Evasion Lv. 5 → Lv. 8	82	Invests 30 Potential Points into Evasion, gaining movement, attack speed, reaction-speed, and dynamic-vision improvements comparable to a third-generation Kerenzikov.
Evasion Lv. 8 → Lv. 10; Time Zero	119	Spends 110 Potential Points to maximize Evasion and unlocks Time Zero, enabling him to contend with Sandevistan-enhanced opponents without relying on cyberware.
Sandevistan deployment	142–153	Uses Military Technology Sandevistan cyberware in combat, pairing its acceleration with Time Zero.
Firearm Maintenance Lv. 9; Block Lv. 9	144	Firearm Maintenance at Lv. 9 lets him derive and reproduce Smart Weapon designs after examining them; he also raises Block from Lv. 5 to Lv. 9.
Exoskeleton Armor blueprint	168	Spends 100 Potential Points on fragmented military data to obtain improved Exoskeleton Armor blueprints.
Falcione Exoskeleton Armor	174–198	Deploys the full-body Falcione armor, which incorporates Tactical Goggles and substantially boosts his physical capabilities and protection.
Combat Augmentor blueprints	375	Spends 1,000 Potential Points for Combat Augmentor and Combat Augmentor Enhancer blueprints; their combat modes last roughly one hour.
War Machine Mech blueprint	406	Spends 3,000 Potential Points for an improved War Machine Mech design based on Heavy Hammer's experimental cybernetics.

Background / History

Su Xiao is a transmigrator who awakens in the post-apocalyptic wasteland among the Nomadic Buckle Family. Weak and injured at first, he discovers a system that grants him firearms maintenance knowledge. Repairing a damaged DR5 Nova revolver and DS1 Pulse submachine gun earns him a place in the camp as its preferred gunsmith. 2 3

McCoy becomes his principal mentor, repeatedly training him in swordsmanship, physical conditioning, evasion, and blocking. Su Xiao spends nearly half a year refining his system skills, repairing weapons, and studying the world around him. Though he is accepted by the Buckle Family, he eventually concludes that he does not want to remain a Nomad. 3 4 8

During a Serpent Nation attack on the camp, Su Xiao kills thirty attackers and earns his first Potential Points. After the crisis, McCoy respects his decision to leave, secretly leaving him an SU@@REF_ENTITY_12679092@@ and the family-heirloom katana Muramasa for the journey to Night City. 7 8

Near Night City, Su Xiao accepts Sheriff Andrew Jones's contract to eliminate the cyberpsycho Zank the Decapitator. Despite being physically outmatched by Zank's military-grade cyberware and Mantis Blades, Su Xiao uses mines, gunfire, and an Iaido strike with Muramasa to kill him. The victory earns him 2 Potential Points and establishes cyberpsychos as particularly valuable system targets. 9 10

In Night City, he partners with Jack Wells, later joins forces with V, and turns his weapons expertise into a profitable business manufacturing Tech Weapons for the Priest. His growing income allows him to equip allies with better weapons, cyberware, and custom protective gear rather than leaving them dependent on dangerous, incompatible implants. 16 26 64 66 83

Su Xiao rescues Lucy from a Scavenger camp, gives her housing and money, and eventually recruits her as the team's electronic-warfare specialist. He explicitly agrees not to pry into her past and promises she may leave for the Moon once she has earned enough money. 37 38 46

Later, Su Xiao establishes the Dawn Private Military Company—also called the Dawn Society—at Stone Ridge Mountain outside Night City. He develops it as an alternative to corporate control, recruits trusted allies including Old Wei and River Ward, and prioritizes stable, compatible cyberware for his personnel over reckless augmentation. 284 337 346 349

Personality

Su Xiao is pragmatic, independent, and difficult to pressure into serving another person's agenda. He leaves the Buckle Family by choice, declines Mann's recruitment offer, and later rejects Military Technology's attempt to absorb his team because he values freedom over corporate employment. 8 32 158

He maintains personal principles despite operating in Night City's criminal economy. He initially refuses Jack's car-theft job, only agreeing after learning the intended target supported a policy he considers cruel. He is suspicious of unsolicited advances and manipulation, notably refusing to be swayed by Evelyn Parker's seduction attempt. 17 121

Su Xiao is generous toward people he considers allies. He helps Lucy despite barely knowing her, finances high-quality cyberware for Jack, V, and Lucy, and supports Mann's crew through installment weapon sales and access to Old Wei's clinic. 37 38 62 65 104

His kindness does not extend to enemies he considers dangerous or irredeemable. He uses intimidation, lethal force, and cover-up measures when necessary, killing Woody after discovering his attempt to trigger an alarm and destroying surveillance evidence afterward. 219

As an employer, Su Xiao rejects the disposable mentality common to Night City mercenaries. He insists that Dawn personnel receive genuine, compatible cyberware and gradual upgrades rather than being pushed toward cyberpsychosis for immediate combat power. 349

Abilities & Skills

System and Potential Points

Su Xiao possesses a system that tracks skill progress, awards Potential Points for kills, and allows those points to improve skills or acquire improved blueprints.

• Killing thirty Serpent Nation attackers grants 3 Potential Points. 7
• Killing Zank the Decapitator grants 2 Potential Points. 10
• System improvements can instantly transfer complex engineering knowledge into his mind. 27 38 168
• I Guess activates unpredictably when he studies suitable technology, offering improved designs in exchange for Potential Points. 3 27 32

Firearms Engineering

Su Xiao is an exceptional weapon repairer and manufacturer whose knowledge expands from conventional firearms to Tech Weapons, Smart Weapons, armor, and combat implants.

• Repairs the DR5 Nova revolver and DS1 Pulse submachine gun shortly after arriving at the Buckle Family camp. 2 3
• Manufactures roughly five Tech Weapons per day during his partnership with the Priest. 26
• Creates Tactical Goggles with night vision, thermal imaging, scan mode, and anti-detection interference. 27
• Produces Power Gauntlets, Customized Bulletproof Combat Suits, Combat Augmentors, and other specialized equipment. 39 83 375 379
• At Firearm Maintenance Lv. 9, can derive Smart Weapon structural knowledge after examining a weapon. 144

Blade Combat

Su Xiao is a highly trained swordsman who primarily fights with Muramasa and combines swordsmanship with firearms, explosives, and mobility skills.

• Uses an Iaido-style slash to kill Zank the Decapitator. 10
• Can block or deflect incoming gunfire with Muramasa when his speed and positioning allow it. 147 292
• Uses close-quarters blade work to intimidate gang members and cut through heavily augmented opponents. 154 175
• Initially struggled against opponents whose military cyberware gave them a major raw-strength advantage. 10

Time Zero

Time Zero is Su Xiao's talent unlocked after maximizing Evasion to Lv. 10.

• Lets him perceive and react within an apparent “absolute moment,” allowing extreme bursts of speed and precision. 119
• Enables him to dodge and counter Sandevistan users despite initially lacking acceleration cyberware. 119
• Allows rapid infiltration, such as entering a guarded monitoring room before nearby enemies recognize his movement. 279
• Becomes more dangerous when combined with his later Sandevistan. 142

Falcione Exoskeleton Armor

The Falcione is Su Xiao's full-body exoskeleton armor, developed from his improved armor blueprints.

• Completely encloses its wearer in armor-like cybernetics. 174 175
• Integrates Tactical Goggles with targeting and battlefield-analysis functions. 186
• Enhances strength, neural reaction speed, movement, and defensive resilience. 198 405
• Can withstand ordinary gunfire; even artillery shells are not expected to penetrate it easily. 405

Combat Augmentors

Su Xiao develops implantable combat-enhancement devices based on modified Behavior Chip concepts.

• Combat Augmentor — temporarily raises an ordinary user's ability to approximately special-forces level. 375 379
• Combat Augmentor Enhancer — provides a substantially greater temporary enhancement, described as raising users toward “Captain America” level. 375 410
• Both combat modes last for about one hour. 375

Equipment / Weapons / Items

• Muramasa — McCoy's family-heirloom katana; Su Xiao's signature melee weapon. 8 10
• Tactical Goggles — Custom AR goggles with scanning, thermal vision, night vision, and anti-detection features. 27
• Power Gauntlets — Tyran Steel external gauntlets with internal engines that enhance strength without replacing his arms. 39
• Customized Bulletproof Combat Suit — Custom armor built using fourth-generation Subdermal Armor and Experimental Thickening Liquid. 83
• Sandevistan — Military Technology acceleration cyberware used alongside Time Zero. 142 153
• Falcione Exoskeleton Armor — Full-body combat armor with integrated tactical systems. 174 186
• Blocker Chips — Neural-slot devices used to immobilize or restrain targets. 58 139
• Armored SU@@REF_ENTITY_12679092@@ — Received from Meredith Stout after the Flathead operation. 158
• Fenrir — Motorcycle used for travel across Night City. 111

Relationships

• McCoy — Rescuer, mentor, and fatherly Nomad figure; trains Su Xiao, helps him remain with the Buckle Family, and leaves him Muramasa and an SU@@REF_ENTITY_12679092@@ before his departure. 3 8
• Jack Wells — First major Night City partner and close friend; offers Su Xiao work and a partnership after initially intending to abandon him. 14 16
• V — Core teammate and trusted combat partner; Su Xiao finances high-quality cyberware for her and supports her when her past creates trouble. 46 66 329
• Lucy — Electronic-warfare specialist and close partner; Su Xiao rescues her, respects her privacy, and supports her dream of reaching the Moon. 37 46 81
• Rogue Amendiares — Influential fixer, supplier, and long-term business contact; provides rare cyberware, materials, intelligence, and operational support. 81 168 253
• Mann — Independent mercenary captain whom Su Xiao declines to join; later becomes a customer and ally through Power Gauntlet sales and medical support. 32 62 104
• Rebecca — Friendly ally from Mann's crew; helps on missions and maintains an openly affectionate attachment to Su Xiao. 60 89
• Old Wei — Renowned cyberdoc and trusted friend; Su Xiao recruits him as Dawn's Head of Medical at a salary of 100,000 Eurodollars per month. 64 346
• Panam Palmer — Nomad ally recruited through Rogue for the Herman convoy operation; later works with Dawn at Stone Ridge Mountain. 253 263 315
• River Ward — Former NCPD detective recruited by Su Xiao for Dawn after being pushed out for his integrity. 337
• Meredith Stout — Military Technology executive and temporary ally; their relationship is marked by tense negotiations, mutual utility, and repeated refusals of corporate recruitment. 153 158
• Johnny Silverhand — Frequently argumentative associate whose consciousness later resides in a robot body; Su Xiao helps reveal his identity to Rogue. 208 251

Story Role / Major Arcs

Buckle Family and Departure

• Gains a place in the Buckle Family through firearms repair and receives combat training from McCoy. 3
• Defends the camp during the Serpent Nation assault, earns his first Potential Points, and chooses to leave Nomad life behind. 7 8
• Kills the cyberpsycho Zank outside Night City, proving he can defeat military-grade cyberware through tactics rather than brute force. 9 10

Establishing Himself in Night City

• Partners with Jack, V, and later Lucy to form a capable mercenary group. 16 46
• Establishes a Tech Weapon manufacturing business with the Priest, giving the team a reliable income beyond mercenary jobs. 26
• Supplies allies with Tactical Goggles, Power Gauntlets, bulletproof suits, and fourth-generation cyberware. 27 62 83

Corporate and Gang Operations

• Rescues Sasha from BioTechnica while prioritizing her survival over the sensitive data she is uploading. 126 127
• Defeats Royce and destroys the stolen Military Technology Walking Mech during the Flathead operation. 157 158
• Defeats Adam Smasher outside Azure Tower after becoming strong enough to surpass Smasher's Great Demon Power Armor. 189

Evelyn Parker Investigation

• Investigates the cyberattack at Cloudy Peak and traces Evelyn's disappearance through Woody and Brother Finger. 216 219 221
• Locates Evelyn, arranges Trauma Team treatment, and funds her private hospitalization despite the cost. 228 232

Dawn Private Military Company

• Selects Stone Ridge Mountain outside Night City as the location for his company headquarters. 283 284
• Recruits specialists such as River Ward and Old Wei, while hiring Panam's people for security and scouting. 315 337 346
• Builds Dawn around disciplined training, professional medical support, legitimate cyberware, and advanced combat equipment. 349 363 375

Later Escalation

• Manufactures and negotiates the sale of Combat Augmentors to the Republic of Texas. 379
• Assassins Hana Arasaka, fights through her mansion's elite guards, and confronts Adam Smasher's Crusher mech. 405
• Acquires the improved War Machine Mech blueprint during a submarine escape. 406

Notable Quotes

“If you're unwilling to say, then in my eyes, you're just another ordinary person struggling to survive in this city.” 46

“It is.” 65

Trivia

• The name Dawn Society comes from the meaning of the character in Su Xiao's given name: “Xiao” can mean “dawn.” 284
• Su Xiao does not drink alcohol and is usually the sober member responsible for getting teammates home safely. 85
• His long-term goal is not to become a conventional Night City mercenary legend, but to build an organization capable of resisting corporate dominance. 61 284