Genshin Impact Best 4 Star Weapons Tier List (Strongest And Weakest Ranked)

Updated:

25 Jan 2025

In Genshin Impact weapons are used by characters, though that is probably a statement of the obvious. 4 star weapons are strong, reliable options, especially for free-to-play players. That said, the quality of these 4 star weapons vary massively, ranging from being able to stand up to 5 star weapons in terms of effectiveness, to being weaker than three star weapons. So let’s take a look, and see which ones win out, and which ones might be better used as weapon EXP fodder.

1. Things to consider and how this will work

This is about overall effectiveness: Just as characters can fill multiple roles, weapons can be used in multiple different contexts, and thus have varying degrees of effectiveness in different roles. As such, we will be looking at the overall effectiveness.
- If a weapon fills multiple roles, with vastly different effectiveness, than that gets averaged out.
  - Example: S+ in DPS, S in Sub DPS, and A for support, will have the weapon be rounded to a mean, in this case, S.
- If a weapon fills multiple roles, but some of those roles are equally effective, then it can be placed in that tier.
  - Example: S+ in DPS, S in Sub DPS, and S in support, than it will be considered S.
We will be looking at how versatile these weapons are: Again, weapons that perform well in multiple roles, will be ranked higher. Likewise, if a weapon has good synergy with a larger selection of characters who can use that weapon type, they will also be ranked higher than weapons that are excellent for a smaller amount, even if that character is considered to be a more powerful character.
- That said, this does not supplant overall effectiveness, but it may be a factor for those that aren’t as overwhelming, so no weapon is going to leap from C to S+ tier because of character versatility, but it might make the difference between being ranked lower or higher within a tier.
This will go up to 5.1: At the time of the writing of this article, the 5.2 update has been launched. This means that 3 4-star weapons have been released. Furthermore, rumors, speculations and leaks discussing 5.3 have already begun. As it is too early to guess 5.3, and people have only started to discuss the 5.2 weapons, we will only focus up to the 5.1 update.
This will be ranked D through S, and it will be comparative to each other: 4 star weapons quality and efficiency ranges vastly. However, most tier lists look at all weapons, whether that be 3 stars, 4 stars, or 5 stars. As such, this tier list will focus on how 4 star weapons compare and match up to other 4 star weapons only. As such, the tier list will be D through S, and how they compare to 3 or 5 star weapons will be ignored.
We will be including costs in this examination: 4 stars can be acquired through multiple ways. This includes from the banners, to completing quests, to being rewarded in events. As such, we will include how one can acquire the weapon and refinement, into this tier list ranking.
- More specifically:
  - For weapon acquirement: Banner>Quest Line>Event
  - For refinement acquirement: Banner>Event>Quest line
- The score for cost will be averaged out.
- Like character synergy and roles, this does not supplant overall effectiveness, but it may be a factor for those that aren’t as overwhelming, so no weapon is going to leap from C to S+ tier because of the ease or difficulty in obtaining the weapon and refinement material, but it might make the difference between being ranked lower or higher within a tier.

The 4 star weapons tier list

2. The Tierlist in its purest form

S: These are the ideal 4 star weapons, that boast great powers, are easily accessible, and can be used by a broad variety of characters of this weapon type, both meta and not.

The Catch: 100/100
Favonius Lance: 99/100
Favonius Sword: 98.5/100
The Widsith: 98/100
Amenoma Kageuchi: 97.5/100
Favonius Greatsword: 97/100
Serpent Spine: 96.5/100
Favonius Warbow: 96/100
Sacrificial Sword: 95.5/100
Prototype Amber: 95/100
The Stringless: 94.5/100
Sacrificial Bow: 94/100
Ballad of the Fjords: 93/100
The Black Sword: 92/100
Xiphos’ Moonlight: 91/100
Dialogues of the Desert Sages: 90/100

A: These are powerful options for 4 star weapons, but they might have suffered from power creep, or there might be certain cases where they might not be as good of an option. That said, they are reliable, and may also be good more often than not.

Fleuve Cendre Ferryman: 89/100
Hamayumi: 88.5/100
Iron Sting: 88/100
Prototype Crescent: 87.5/100
Mappa Mare: 87/100
Kitain Cross Spear: 86.5/100
Rightful Reward: 86/100
Hakushin Ring: 85.5/100
Finale of the Deep: 85/100
Ring of Yaxche: 84.5/100
Sapwood Blade: 84/100
Rust: 83.5/100
Favonius Codex: 83/100
Sacrificial Fragment: 82.5/100
Sacrificial Greatsword: 82/100
Blackcliff Warbow: 81.5/100
Blackcliff Longsword: 81/100
Blackcliff Pole: 80.5/100
Solar Pearl: 80/100
Scion of the Blazing Sun: 79.5/100
Wolf-fang: 79/100
Dragon’s Bane: 78.5/100
Wavebreaker’s Fin: 78/100
Akuoumaru: 77.5/100
Mouun's Moon: 77/100
Alley Hunter: 76.5/100
Wandering Evenstar: 76/100
Fruitful Hook: 75.5/100
Makhaira Aquamarine: 75/100
Alley Flash: 74.5/100
Fading Twilight: 74/100
Ballad of the Boundless Blue: 73.5/100
Cinnabar Spindle: 73/100
Festering Desire: 72.5/100
Toukabou Shigure: 70/100

B: Reliable, boosting strong options and potential, but might suffer from limited options for who can use them effectively. If it’s a weapon that can only really be effectively used by 1 character, chances are it’s going to end up here.

End of the Line Bow: 69.5/100
Lithic Spear: 69/100
Chain Breaker: 68.5/100
Katsuragikiri Nagamasa: 68/100
Flowing Purity: 67.5/100
Prototype Archaic: 67/100
King’s Squire: 66.5/100
Moonpiercer: 66/100
Forest Regalia: 65.5/100
Prototype Rancor: 65/100
Flute of Ezpitzal: 64.5/100
Whiteblind: 64/100
Prototype Starglitter: 63.5/100
Fruit of Fulfillment: 63/100
Song of Stillness: 62.5/100
Earthshaker:62/100
Crescent Pike: 61.5/100
Blackcliff Agate: 61/100
Blackcliff Slasher: 60.5/100
Lion’s Roar: 60/100
Rainslasher: 59.5/100
Lithic Blade: 59/100
Mountain bracing bolt: 58.5/100
Prospector's Drill: 58/100
Range Gauge: 57.5/100
Talking Stick: 57/100
Sturdy Bone: 56.5/100
The Dockhand's Assistant: 56/100
The Viridescent Hunt: 55.5/100
Sacrificial Jade: 55/100
Luxurious Sea-Lord: 54.5/100
Oathsworn Eye: 54/100
Missive Windspear: 53.5/100
Dodoco Tales: 53/100
Mailed Flower: 52.5/100
Windblume Od: 52/100
Ultimate Overlord's Mega Magic Sword: 51.5/100
Ibis Piercer: 51/100

C: A bit of a weaker option. There are almost certainly going to be better options, or these might be more applicable under certain conditions.

Frostbearer: 50/100
Dragonspine Spear: 49.5/100
Snow-Tombed Starsilver: 49/100
The Bell: 48.5/100
Kagotsurube Isshin: 48/100
Tidal Shadow: 47.5/100
Footprint of the Rainbow: 47/100
Compound Bow: 46.5/100
The Flute: 46/100
Eye of Perception: 45.5/100
Royal Longsword: 45/100
Royal Spear: 44.5/100
Royal Grimoire: 44/100
Royal Bow: 43.5/100
Portable Power Saw: 43/100
Wine and Song: 42.5/100
Ash-Graven Drinking Horn: 42/100
Cloudforged: 41.5/100
Mitternachts Waltz: 41/100
Predator: 40/100

D: These are unusually bad, or are very limited in use.

Sword of Descension: 35/100

3. The Best 4 star weapons

The Catch

The Catch

Now, while researching for this article, I was thoroughly surprised that this weapon was routinely thought more favorably. Then I saw why;

Both the weapon and the refinement material can be obtained via the Inzauma fishing association, and unlike other fishing association weapons, Inazuma does have a character that can help with this farming: Thoma.
Gives Energy Recharge + 10.0% as its bonus effect.
Increases Elemental Burst DMG by 16% and Elemental Burst CRIT Rate by 6%, making this ideal for characters that focus on Elemental Burst.
Strong choices for wielders include:
- Raiden Shogun
- Shenhe
- Zhongli
- Candace
- And Xiangling

Favonius Lance

2. Favonius Lance

One thing you will quickly notice, is that most of the Favonius line of weapons are strong workhorse options. Part of this reason is both its breadth of wielders with strong synergy, and a focus on energy recharge.

This weapon is particularly good at energy recharge.
- Bonus effect of energy recharge, starting at 6.7%, and growing with each level ascension.
- CRIT Hits have a 60% chance to generate a small amount of Elemental Particles, which will regenerate 6 Energy for the character.
- With each level of refinement, the chance to generate increases, and the cooldown shortens.
  - This effect can only be triggered by on-field characters, but the energy can go to those off-field.
This is great for characters that need a leg up with energy recharge, or it can be used to turbo charge characters that already have a high amount of energy recharge.
- Wielders with strong synergy includes:
  - Raiden Shogun
  - Shenhe
  - Candace
  - Chevreuse
  - Thoma

Favonius Sword

3. Favonius Sword

Like mentioned earlier, Favonius weapons-line weapons are strong choices, both for energy recharge and for good synergy.

Strong option for Support and Sub DPS characters.
- Energy recharge is the name of the game;
  - Energy Recharge of 13.3% is the main bonus effect, which increases with upgrading the weapon.
  - CRIT Hits have a 60% chance to generate a small amount of Elemental Particles, which will regenerate 6 Energy for the character.
  - With each level of refinement, the chance to generate increases, and the cooldown shortens.
Again, great for Support and Sub DPS.
- Strong options for wielders include:
  - Furina
  - Jean
  - Kazuha
  - Nilou
  - Bennett (I personally run Bennett with a Favonius Sword)

The Widsith

4. The Widsith

A strong option for catalyst wielders, the Widsith gives those who wield it a strong option for increased DMG output.

Increases CRIT DMG by 12.0%, with the percentage going up as the weapon is upgraded.
When a character takes the field, they will gain a random theme song for 10 seconds. This can only occur once every 30 seconds. These songs give different effects, and there are three options;
- Recitative: ATK is increased by 60%.
- Aria: Increases all Elemental DMG by 48%.
- Interlude: Elemental Mastery is increased by 240.
  - Each level of refinement increases the bonus effects for each song, though the cooldown time will remain the same.
This weapon will always give strong bonuses to those who wield it, but be aware that the songs are random, so while the DMG will always come flying, it might not be consistent.
Ideal for DPS and Sup DPS characters, such as;
- Neuvillette
- Wriothesley
- Yae Miko
- Nahida
- Wanderer

Amenoma Kageuchi

5. Amenoma Kageuchi

A weapon whose blueprint is obtained via the completion of the Farmer’s Treasure Questline, this weapon once forged, will become a reliable option for DPS and Sub DPS roles.

Gives a bonus boost to ATK by 12.0%, which increases as the weapon upgrades.
Succession Seed mechanic helps reclaim energy.
- After casting an Elemental Skill, gain 1 Succession Seed, which can occur every 5 seconds. Up to 3 seeds can exist at one moment, with each seed lasting up to 30 seconds. After using an Elemental Burst, all Succession Seeds are consumed and after 2 seconds, the character regenerates 6 Energy for each seed consumed.
  - The amount of energy regenerated increases with each refinement level.
A strong free-to-play option for DPS or Sub DPS characters, especially if ATK and Energy recharge is needed.
Characters that synergize well with this weapon includes;
- Ayaka
- Keqing
- Jean

Favonius Greatsword

6. Favonius Greatsword

Once more, Favonius weapons are good for characters that seek strong energy recharge, which a fair amount of claymore characters would appreciate.

Strong option for Support and Sub DPS characters.
- Energy recharge is the primary focus;
  - Energy Recharge of 13.3% is the main bonus effect, which increases with upgrading the weapon.
  - CRIT Hits have a 60% chance to generate a small amount of Elemental Particles, which will regenerate 6 Energy for the character.
  - With each level of refinement, the chance to generate increases, and the cooldown shortens.
Ideal for characters that need higher energy recharge, especially those who have high energy costs.
- Character’s include:
  - Noelle
  - Beidou
  - Chongyun
  - Dehya
  - Kaveh

Serpent Spine

7. Serpent Spine

Widely regarded as one of the best weapons of the game on its own, the only reason why it has placed comparatively lower than normal is due to the fact that it is locked behind a Battle pass.

CRIT Rate of + 6.0%, increasing as the weapon ascends.
Every 4 seconds a character is on the field, they will deal 6% more DMG, while taking 3% more DMG.
- This effect has a maximum of 5 stacks and will not be reset if the character leaves the field, but will be reduced by 1 stack when the character takes DMG.
  - This can be avoided through the strategic use of shielding.
The DMG increase increases with each level of refinement, and the incoming DMG decreases with said refinement.
Out of the 16 claymore wielders in game, 14 can easily synergise.
- Itto, where it is a strong alternative.
- Beidou, especially if playing her as an off-field Sub DPS.
- Diluc
- Navia
- Eula

Favonius Warbow

8. Favonius Warbow

A certain sense of Deja Vu should set in whenever you see a Favonius weapon. Strong option, especially if Energy recharge is needed.

Energy Recharge of 13.3% is the main bonus effect, which increases with upgrading the weapon.
CRIT Hits have a 60% chance to generate a small amount of Elemental Particles, which will regenerate 6 Energy for the character.
With each level of refinement, the chance to generate increases, and the cooldown shortens.
Great for Support and Sub DPS characters;
- Ganyu
- Yelan
- Gorou
- Sara
- Venti

Sacrificial Sword

9. Sacrificial Sword

A strong Support and Sub DPS weapon, players will appreciate its energy recharge capacity, as well as decreased cool down.

Boost to Energy Recharge of 13.3%, increasing with ascension.
After damaging an opponent with an Elemental Skill, the weapon’s skill has a 40% chance to end its own CD, but can only occur once every 30 second.
- With each refinement, the chance increases, and the cooldown between triggering decreases.
Strong option for Support and Sub-DPS characters, between energy recharge, and the chance to increase the amount of times elemental skills can be triggered.
Options include:
- Jean
- Kazuha
- Nilou

Prototype Amber

10. Prototype Amber

Between being useful for HP scaling, and generating energy for your party, although more niche compared to other weapons, it does so in a way that ensures that it will always be appreciated.

HP is increased by 9.0%, and it gets bigger with each ascension.
Using an Elemental Burst regenerates 4 Energy every 2 seconds for 6 seconds. Additionally, all party members will regenerate 4% HP every 2 seconds for this duration.
- In addition, the amount of energy and HP regenerated increases with each level of refinement.
Great for characters that scale with HP.
- Baizhu
- Kokomi
- Neuvillette
But can also fill in for certain niche support builds as well.
- Ningguang via her Jade Screen Skill.
- Yanfei via her Shield at C4.

The Stringless

11. The Stringless

A weapon well suited and designed for characters that lean on their elemental reactions, this weapon has been, and will continue to be, a solid choice for those seeking a strong elemental reaction.

A bonus effect on Elemental mastery of 36, which increases with ascension
Increases Elemental Skill and Elemental Burst DMG by 24%.
- This DMG will be increased with refinement.
This makes this weapon ideal for causing elemental reactions.
Characters that rely on elemental reactions are perhaps some of the best users of The Stringless.
- Tighnari
- Venti
- Yelan
- Tartaglia
- Ganyu

Sacrificial Bow

12. Sacrificial Bow

Another weapon that is designed around energy recharge, the Sacrificial Bow grants the bonuses to those who wield the bow.

Energy Recharge + 6.7%, which increases with ascension.
After damaging an opponent with an Elemental Skill, the skill has a 40% chance to end its own CD. Can only occur once every 30s.
- The chance and the cooldown between triggering become better with refinement, with the chance going up, and the cooldown going down.
A strong option for Sub DPS and Support characters.
- Some ideal characters include;
  - Yelan
  - Sara
  - Gorou

Ballad of the Fjords

13. Ballad of the Fjords

As many of you may know, a lot of Genshin’s DMG in game is done via elemental reactions. Ballad of the Fjords helps facilitate these reactions.

CRIT Rate + 6.0%, which increases with ascension, boosting DMG potential.
When there are at least 3 different Elemental Types in your party, Elemental Mastery will be increased by 120.
- The Elemental Mastery increase increases with refinement.
This skill incentives players to use multiple different elements in a team composition, which in turn helps to facilitate reactions, and also facilitates elemental resonance.
Good for Dendro team builds, though ironically not for Dendro characters.
Ideal characters to use this weapon includes;
- Cyno
- Hu Tao
- Raiden

The Black Sword

14. The Black Sword

A solid choice for DPS characters, the Black Sword is a solid choice for those who rely on physical ATK, and helps boost overall CRIT Rate as well.

CRIT Rate increased by 6.0%, which increases with ascension.
Increases DMG dealt by Normal and Charged Attacks by 20%.
Regenerates 60% of ATK as HP when Normal and Charged Attacks score a CRIT Hit. This effect can occur once every 5 seconds.
- Both increased DMG and the percentage of HP recovered via CRIT increases with refinement.
A strong choice for characters that make heavy use of normal and charged attacks, and can double as healing for characters that are Sub DPS.
- Characters that synergise well;
  - Ayato, where it is probably one of the best 4 star options for him.
  - Clorinde
  - Alhaitham

Xiphos’ Moonlight

15. Xiphos’ Moonlight

A major issue for many characters that rely heavily on elemental reactions such as Kazuha or Nilou, is that you have to make a trade off of whether you invest more in Elemental Mastery (enhances the elemental reactions) or Energy Recharge (recovery of energy to do elemental skills and bursts). The Xiphos’ Moonlight sidesteps this problem entirely by allowing players to build both.

Elemental Mastery is increased by 36, and it only gets bigger with ascension, all the way up to 165 elemental mastery at lvl 90.
Every 10 seconds, the equipping character will gain 0.036% Energy Recharge for each point of Elemental Mastery they possess for 12 seconds, with nearby party members gaining 30% of this buff for the same duration.
- This buff can and will stack.
- This can be triggered off-field.
- The percentage of the Energy Recharge increases with refinement.
This weapon is great for characters that rely heavily on elemental reactions, and doubly so if those characters may have a hard time recharging energy.
- Ideal characters include:
  - Kazuha, who suffers from Energy recharging issues.
  - Nilou, especially if she is an on-field Hydro applicator.
  - Shinobu

Dialogues of the Desert Sages

16. Dialogues of the Desert Sages

Healers in Genshin tend to be stereotyped as almost exclusively either sword wielders or catalyst wielders. So it is perhaps somewhat of a surprise to find out that 1. There are polearm healers, and 2. That there is a polearm weapon well suited for this role. The fact that it looks like the Caduceus (that snake around a winged staff symbol you see on hospitals or ambulances) should probably not be a surprise.

It increases HP by 9.0%, which increases with ascension.
When the wielder performs healing, 8 energy is restored. This effect can be triggered once every 10 seconds but it can occur even when the character is not on the field, making it great for both on-field and off-field healing.
- The amount of energy increases with refinement.
This is ideal for healer characters who scale off of HP stats.
- Healing and energy regeneration, that's a sick deal!
Worth noting, that there are characters that can use the staff, but can’t use the passive skill, at which point, it's your call.
Ideal options for wielders include;
- Mika
- Yaoyao
- Chevreuse
- Zhongli, although he can’t exploit it’s passive.

4. The Worst 4 star

Sword of Descension

Sword of Descension

A PS4 and PS5 exclusive 4-star Sword, which can be claimed by mail via PS4 and PS5, it is a weapon tailor made for the traveler. These two facts are also why this weapon is arguably one of the weakest choices for 4 star weaponry, especially considering the fact that the passive doesn’t even apply outside of Playstation.

You only get one copy, so you cannot refine it.
ATK increase by 7.7%, which increases with ascension.
Hitting enemies with Normal and Charged Attacks grants a 50% chance to deal 200% ATK as DMG in a small AoE.
- Can only occur every 10 seconds.
- If the Traveler equips the Sword of Descension, their ATK is increased by 66.
This passive is only applicable on Playstation platforms, and while it can be used on other platforms if you have crossplay.
Really only useful with the traveler, and if you play on Playstation… at which point, why bother.

Predator

2. Predator

As you may have seen above, super limited exclusive weapons may not be worth the effort. Predator makes that same mistake, and on several layers.

Convoluted system to gain the weapon, as it requires you to reach AR level 20, on a Playstation platform, during the Horizon crossover event…. All the way back in 2.1… while we are about halfway through 5.2… You might be seeing the problem with actually getting the bloody weapon.
ATK increased by 9.0%, which increases with ascension.
Dealing Cryo DMG to opponents increases this character's Normal and Charged Attack DMG by 10% for 6 seconds. This effect can have a maximum of 2 stacks.
- Additionally, when Aloy equips Predator, ATK is increased by 66.
- This passive only applies on Playstation networks and platforms.
Cannot be refined, as it is maxed out at refinement 1.
The bright news, it has two characters that can synergize with it…
- Aloy
- Ganyu

Mitternachts Waltz

3. Mitternachts Waltz

Another event specific weapon, the Mitternachts Waltz, while having an awesome name, is limited by both it being an event weapon from very early in the game’s life, and the options of who can wield it.

Physical DMG increased by 11.3%, which increases with ascension.
Normal Attack hits on opponents increase Elemental Skill DMG by 20% for 5 seconds. Likewise, Elemental Skill hits on opponents increase Normal Attack DMG by 20% for 5 seconds.
- The percentage increases with refinement.
Ideal for characters that can be both a physical and an elemental damage dealer. Problem is, only one character is really suited for this bow…
- Fischl… I guess she can use it, you know, as a treat.

Cloudforged

4. Cloudforged

Another event-exclusive weapon, this one has several advantages over the previous ones, namely that it was more recent. That said, I would best describe this weapon as a budget Stringless.

Elemental Mastery increased by 36, which gets larger with ascension.
After Elemental Energy is decreased, the equipping character's Elemental Mastery will increase by 40 for 18 seconds.
- This stacks, but with a max of 2 stacks.
- The increase increases (hehe) with refinement.
This weapon has several options for users;
- Sethos is the ideal user, as his charged shots decrease some of his elemental energy, so he gets to exploit the passive.
  - You can get a similar effect with others by using energy draining artifacts, such as Shimenawa's Reminiscence.
- Cloudforged could also be a good free-to-play option for elemental reaction based characters, such as;
  - Collie
  - Tighnari
  - Venti

Ash-Graven Drinking Horn

5. Ash-Graven Drinking Horn

An event reward for the flagship event introducing Natlan, this weapon is decent enough, but is somewhat niche, and with it being one of the newest weapons, we still have time to see who else can make good use of this weapon.

HP increased by 9.0%, and larger with ascension.
When an attack hits an opponent, it deals AoE damage equal to 40% of Max HP at the target location. This effect can be triggered once every 15 seconds.
- The percentage increases with refinement.
Strong choice for those who scale off HP.
- Mualani
- Kokomi
- Barbara

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Justin Brewster

Originating from Virginia, whether it be Fodlan or Teyvat, The Western Front or North Africa, you'll find Justin there, whether it be strategy, shooters, or rpgs. (Ignore the laughing hyenas)

Gamer Since:

2010

Favorite Genre:

Strategy

Currently Playing:

Genshin Impact, Company of Heroes 3, Verdun

Top 3 Favorite Games:

Genshin Impact, Mount & Blade: Warband, Company of Heroes 2: The British Forces

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