Genshin Impact Weapon Guide

Whether you're just stepping into Teyvat for the first time or you're an experienced traveler looking to optimize your damage, understanding your arsenal is key to conquering the game's challenges. Weapons in Genshin Impact aren't just stat sticks; they are foundational to your character's effectiveness, defining their playstyle and potential. This guide will break down everything you need to know about weapons—from the core types and quality tiers to the ins and outs of leveling them up—so you can make smarter investment decisions and build the powerful teams you need.

Understanding the Five Weapon Archetypes

Every character in Genshin Impact is tied to a specific weapon type, which dictates their basic attack patterns and reach. Choosing the right weapon for your character is your first step toward victory.

Swords: The versatile all-rounders of melee combat. They offer a balanced mix of attack speed and damage, making them reliable for most situations. Their range is moderate, requiring you to be relatively close to your target.
Claymores: The heavy hitters. These massive weapons swing slower than swords or polearms but deliver tremendous damage per hit. A crucial advantage is that claymore attacks are classified as Blunt Attacks, making them exceptionally effective at breaking Geo constructs and mining ores, and dealing increased damage to enemies with Geo or similar shields.
Polearms: Masters of speed and reach. Polearm users can unleash rapid sequences of attacks and boast excellent forward momentum, making them great for chasing down agile foes. While each hit deals moderate damage, the high attack speed can lead to formidable overall DPS.
Catalysts: The magical conduits. Unlike other weapons, every normal and charged attack from a catalyst is infused with the wielder's elemental type (Pyro, Hydro, Cryo, etc.). This makes them perfect for applying elements consistently and triggering elemental reactions, though they typically have the lowest base physical damage.
Bows: The ranged specialists. Bows excel at safe, long-distance combat. Their standard charged shot can hit targets across the battlefield, and when fully charged, it infuses the arrow with the character's element, making it a prime tool for triggering weak-point shots and powerful reactions.

Weapon Quality and Rarity: Stars Matter

Every weapon has a star rating from 1★ to 5★, which fundamentally determines its potential. Higher rarity weapons come with:

Higher Base Attack Scaling: They gain significantly more Attack Power as you level them up.
Stronger Secondary Stats: Their sub-stats (like Crit Rate, Attack %, Energy Recharge) have higher growth values.
More Powerful or Unique Abilities: 5★ weapons often have passives that can define entire character builds, while 3★ and 4★ weapons offer more accessible but still potent effects.

However, this power comes at a cost. Higher-rarity weapons require vastly more Weapon Enhancement Materials (like Mystic Enhancement Ore) and Mora to level up. Furthermore, obtaining them is much harder, with 5★ weapons primarily coming from the limited-time Weapon Event Wish banners.

Practical Advice for Players: For most players, especially those in the early and mid-game, 4★ weapons are the backbone of your collection. They offer an excellent balance of power and accessibility. Many 4★ weapons are competitive or even situationally superior to 5★ ones. Don't neglect your 3★ weapons either; some, like the Thrilling Tales of Dragon Slayers (Catalyst) or Harbinger of Dawn (Sword), are legendary for their utility and can be used well into the late game.

Leveling Up: Gaining Power Through Enhancement

To increase a weapon's level and base attack, you must feed it Weapon EXP. This is primarily generated by:

Weapon Enhancement Materials: The most efficient source. Items like Enhancement Ore (★★★), Fine Enhancement Ore (★★★), and Mystic Enhancement Ore (★★★) provide large amounts of EXP. You can craft these at the Blacksmith using Crystal Chunks and White Iron Chunks.
Sacrificing Other Weapons: You can use unwanted weapons as fodder. While convenient, it's generally more Mora-efficient to use enhancement ore and save weapons for refinement or as placeholders.

Each weapon has a level cap that is tied to its current Ascension Phase. You cannot level a weapon beyond this cap until you ascend it.

Ascension: Breaking Through the Ceiling

When your weapon hits its current level cap (e.g., Lv. 20/40/50), you must Ascend it using specific materials to unlock the next set of levels. This process also increases the weapon's base attack and secondary stat, and unlocks its passive ability upgrades at certain tiers.

Key Ascension Materials:

Enemy Drops: Materials like Damaged Masks, Treasure Hoarder Insignias, or Slime Condensates.
Mining Materials: Chunks of the respective gemstone (e.g., Lapis Lazurite Chunk for Mondstadt weapons).
Domain Materials: Weapon Ascension Materials farmed from specific Forgery Domains on certain days of the week. For example, the Cecilia Garden domain in Mondstadt drops materials for many Mondstadt-themed weapons.

Pro Tip: Plan your farming! Check the weapon's ascension material requirements on the wiki or in-game and farm the correct domains on the right days to avoid wasting resin.

Refinement: Enhancing Your Weapon's Unique Ability

Most 3★, 4★, and 5★ weapons possess a unique passive skill (e.g., increasing damage after using an elemental skill). You can Refine a weapon to strengthen this skill by using a duplicate copy of the same weapon as material. Each refinement level (from R1 to R5) enhances the effect.

Refinement is a key source of power for 4★ weapons, as duplicates are more attainable. For 5★ weapons, refinement (often called "whaling" for R5) provides a significant damage boost but is extremely resource-intensive, usually only pursued by dedicated spenders.

Weapon Series and How to Obtain Them

Weapons are often grouped into thematic series tied to regions or events. Knowing these helps you predict what materials they need and where to find them.

Mondstadt Series: Weapons like Favonius, Prototype, and Aquila Favonia. Ascension materials are farmed from domains in Mondstadt.
Liyue Series: Includes Lithic, The Catch, and Primordial Jade series. Materials come from Liyue's domains and enemies.
Inazuma Series: Features the Amenoma Kageuchi, Hakushin Ring, and Engulfing Lightning. Materials are from Inazuma.
Sumeru Series: Such as Sapwood Blade, King's Squire, and Light of Foliar Incision.
Fontaine Series: Includes weapons like Fleuve Cendre Ferryman and Tome of the Eternal Flow.
Event & Craftable Weapons: Many powerful 4★ weapons are obtained for free from time-limited events (e.g., Cinnabar Spindle, Fading Twilight) or through crafting at the blacksmith using Northlander Billets obtained from weekly bosses.

Summary & Key Takeaways

Match Weapon to Character: A character's weapon type is fixed. Focus on choosing the best specific weapon within that category for their role.
Rarity Isn't Everything: A well-refined 4★ weapon is often more practical and powerful for your account than an unrefined 5★ weapon you struggle to level. Prioritize the Prototype series for craftable flexibility.
Invest Wisely: Leveling and ascending weapons is a major resource sink. Prioritize weapons for your main damage dealers first. Use 3★ weapons judiciously for their excellent support passives.
Plan Your Ascension: Bookmark the materials your key weapons need and farm the correct Forgery Domains on the right days to progress efficiently.
Don't Sleep on Free Weapons: Always participate in major events to claim powerful, free 4★ weapons and their refinement copies. These are often best-in-slot for many characters.

Understanding these weapon fundamentals will ensure your Adventurer's Handbook is filled with powerful, well-invested equipment, ready to face whatever Teyvat throws at you.