Genshin Impact offers you 5 kinds of weapons to use in the game: Sword, Claymore, Bow, Polearm, and Catalyst.
From a hundred and more of choices, 13 of them are forgeable through the Blacksmith for a very cheap price of 500 Mora (only in 10 seconds, too).
The materials needed for the weapons are alike: a Northlander Billet of the particular weapon that you want to forge, 50 pieces of Crystal Chunk, and another 50 pieces of either White Iron Chunk or Starsilver.
Mora-wise, yes, it is really affordable. Farming 50 pieces of Crystal Chunk, White Iron Chunk, or Starsilver isn’t all that hard, either. But the real problem here is the Billet.
You can purchase Billets at the Souvenir Shop in Liyue or Monstadt, but the amount is super limited. Like, there’s only one stock. So, after you buy the only existing stock, it’s up to you to find them through a game of luck that is the Weekly Bosses’ drops.
I don’t even remember the last time I got a Billet from Weekly Bosses.
Anyway.
As there are 5 kinds of weapons in total, I guess it’s only fair to put them each on this list. That said, this isn’t exactly ‘ranked’, because they’re different weapons and not everything can be compared that way.
Alphabetical order it is!
5. Compound Bow
Compound Bow starts off this list as the best forged Bow in Genshin Impact. There are only two forgeable Bows in total, so there isn’t much of competition. Here’s why Compound Bow won for me.
The Bow starts off with 41 Base ATK, leading up to 454 at most on its maximum level. Its substat is Physical DMG Bonus, starting pretty big at 15% on its Level 1 and 69.0% on Level 90.
The passive skill this Bow offers is: Normal and Charged Attack hits increase ATK by 4~8% and Normal ATK SPD by 1.2~2.4% for 6 seconds. This can be stacked to 4 times and can only occur once every 0.3 second.
With these stats and effects the Bow has, it is clear that your Archer is encouraged to continuously use Normal ATK. Just click away, shoot those arrows!
Weapon details:
- Stars: 4
- Forge Material: Northlander Bow Billet (1), Crystal Chunk (50), White Iron Chunk (50)
- Ascension Material: Aerosiderite, Bone Shard, Insignia
- Base ATK: 41
- Substat: Physical DMG Bonus (15%)
Why Compound Bow Is Great:
- Great for main DPS
- Physical DMG Bonus is up to 69.0%
- Encourages Normal Attack
4. Dragonspine Spear
It was a very hard choice between this and Crescent Pike. The best reason I can come up with is, they are both great Polearms but this one is limited edition.
Dragonspine Spear is somewhat a reward from the Festering Fang World Quest. I say somewhat, because you don’t actually get it for free; you have to do quests which eventually lead to the forging of this spear.
This spear has a similar stat with Compound Bow: with 41 Base ATK on Level 1 and a maximum of 454 on Level 90. The substat is practically the same with 15% Physical DMG Bonus at first and 69.0% on its max. level.
Its Refinement has the following effect: hitting an opponent with Normal and Charged Attack has a 60~100% chance of forming and dropping an Everfrost Icicle above them, dealing 80~140% AoE ATKDMG. FIn the case that opponents are affected by Cryo Visions, they get 200~360% ATK as DMG instead. This can only occur once every 10 seconds.
Weapon details:
- Stars: 4
- Forge Material: Northlander Polearm Billet (1), Starsilver (50), Vitalized Dragontooth (8)
- Ascension Material: Boreas Wolf’s Tooth, Mist Grass, Insignia
- Base ATK: 41
- Substat: Physical DMG Bonus (15%)
Why Dragonspine Spear Is Great:
- Boosts Physical DMG up to 69.0%
- Has a chance to deal AoE
- Additional 200~360% ATK DMG if paired with Cryo
- Special edition spear :D
3. Mappa Mare
Choosing Catalyst is rather easier; remembering how the users are quite obviously big on Elemental. Mappa Mage is the weapon to help and optimize exactly that.
This Catalyst has a 44 Base ATK which can be maxed to 565. Its substat is Elemental Mastery, starting with 24 on its first Level and 110 on Level 90.
Additionally, triggering an Elemental Reaction will grant an 8~16% Elemental DMG Bonus for 10 seconds. This can be stacked just up to two times.
If anything, this weapon is pretty clear with its intention: constant use of your Elemental Skill. Moving on, it is pretty easy to optimize the use of all its effects because even Normal Attack results in Elemental DMG for Catalyst users.
Weapon details:
- Stars: 4
- Forge Material: Northlander Catalyst Billet (1), Crystal Chunk (50), White Iron Chunk (50)
- Ascension Material: Aerosiderite, Bone Shard, Slime Condensate
- Base ATK: 44
- Substat: Elemental Mastery (24)
Why Mappa Mare Is Great:
- Conditions for Elemental DMG Bonus is easy
- Elemental DMG Bonus lasts for quite long
- Boosts overall Elemental DMG
2. Prototype Archaic
It is no surprise, I believe, that Prototype Archaic made it to the list. This Claymore is great for your main DPS, which is a good thing because that’s the role Claymore wielders usually take.
Prototype Archaic starts with 44 Base ATK, it can go for as much as 565 on its maximum level. Its substat is, to no surprise, ATK. On Level 1, the number starts at 6% which can be maxed to 27.6% at most.
Its Refinement possesses these effects: on hit, Normal or Charged Attack has a 50% chance to deal an additional 240~480% ATK DMG to opponents within a small AoE. This can only take effect once every 15 seconds.
Frankly speaking, it was between this or Whiteblind. Eventually, Prototype Archaic wins due to its ATK stat as Whiteblind boosts DEF, which is easier to find in Artifacts.
Weapon details:
- Stars: 4
- Forge Material: Northlander Claymore Bullet (1), Crystal Chunk (50), White Iron Chunk (50)
- Ascension Material: Aerosiderite, Bone Shard, Damaged Mask
- Base ATK: 46
- Substat: ATK (10.8%)
Why Prototype Archaic Is Great:
- Has a chance to deal up to 480% AoE DMG
- Boosts ATK up to 27.6%
- Great for main DPS
1. Prototype Rancour
Ah, another weapon that is suitable for main DPS. Prototype Rancour is pretty clear about its effect: hit, hit, and hit.
This Sword starts with a 44 Base ATK and 7.5% Physical DMG Bonus on Level 1. On its max. level, the number turns into 565 and 34.5% respectively.
The effect from its Refinement is to increase ATK and DEF by 4~8% for 6 seconds when Normal or Charged Attacks hit enemies. This can be stacked for as much as 4 times and can only occur once every 0.3 second.
Initially, this might seem like it’s not much. But, with the short countdown and maximum number of stacks, it’s pretty much a good deal to go for your Sword wielder. Plus, it increases both ATK and DEF.
Weapon details:
- Stars: 4
- Forge Material: Northlander Sword Billet (1), Crystal Chunk (50), White Iron Chunk (50)
- Ascension Material: Mist Veiled Elixir, Mist Grass, Insignia
- Base ATK: 44
- Substat: Physical DMG Bonus (7.5%)
Why Prototype Rancour Is Great:
- Increases both ATK and DEF
- Physical DMG Bonus is up to 34.5%
- Great for DPS
