Genshin Impact Swordplay: From Rarest Blades to Domain Domination
So, you’re wandering Teyvat. You crave sharp steel, right? Swords in Genshin Impact are not just pointy sticks. They are tools of elegance and destruction. Let’s explore Genshin swords, from the strongest wielders to the blades you may have discarded. Don’t worry, mistakes happen.
The Apex Sword Saint: Neuvillette, Bow Down Before the Hydro Dragon
Forget about some nimble swordsman. The strongest sword user in Genshin Impact now is Neuvillette. Yes, the Chief Justice of Fontaine. The Iudex. The man who handles primordial seawater like it’s nothing. Holding that back is just part of his power. With restored authority, Neuvillette is rewriting the power scale. Others play checkers while he plays five-dimensional chess with primordial forces. If you expected an anime swordmaster at the top, think again. It’s a dragon. A very polite, sharp dragon with a sword made of water. Because, why not?
For those who prefer humans, here are impressive mortals who master blades:
- Ayaka: The Cryo Queen. Princess of the Kamisato Clan. Wielder of Cryo like a natural extension. Powerful and elegant on the battlefield. Picture ice ballet, swords, and enemies shattering into frosty shards.
- Bennett: Unlucky but Supportive. Don’t let his mishaps fool you. Bennett is a support powerhouse. Healing? Check. Attack buffs? Double-check. He’s the friend you want in every domain. His optimism is… sometimes endearing.
- Kazuha: Anemo Animation Majesty. Top-tier sub-DPS with smooth animations. Kazuha swirls enemies into vortexes of pain while looking effortlessly cool. You’ll want to replay his Elemental Skill repeatedly for that visual thrill.
- Xingqiu: Low-Investment Hydro Support. Reliable Hydro application without breaking resources? Enter Xingqiu. This bookish swordsman offers consistent off-field Hydro damage. He’s a dependable friend, even with the occasional obscure poetry.
The Unicorn of Blades: The Dark Iron Sword
Now, let’s discuss rarity. Forget five-star weapons for a moment. Have you heard of the legendary Dark Iron Sword? Probably not, because you most likely fed it to another weapon to level it up. Mistake. This 3-star weapon is rarer than a working microwave in Snezhnaya. The reason? There’s only one guaranteed way to obtain it: chat with Chen the Sharp in Liyue Harbor. Yes, that NPC blacksmith is the key to the elusive blade.
To add to the frustration, until Version 4.4, the Dark Iron Sword was the only 3-star weapon that couldn’t be refined. Think about it. Even the game acknowledged its unique status by preventing upgrades through duplicates. It’s like the game told you, “No, cherish this singular, unremarkable iron, peasant!”
And if you hoped to admire it in your Archive, think again! The Dark Iron Sword is too exclusive for that. It doesn’t even have an entry in the Archive system. Essentially, it’s the weapon equivalent of a secret menu item – elusive and hard to find.
Sword Safari: Hunting Down Blades and Domains
Okay, so perhaps the Dark Iron Sword is more a collector’s item than a combat tool. But where can you find swords that help you defeat hilichurls? Domains hold the best loot. Let’s strategize.
Unlocking the Formation Estate Domain: Torchlight Tango
Want a domain challenge? Formation Estate in Inazuma awaits you. First, deal with the weather, specifically the perpetual rain. Unlock this domain by completing the “Orobashi’s Legacy” world quest. Finish that questline, clear the rain, and then unlock the domain.
Once the rain recedes, locate a cube-shaped machine. You’ll see torches nearby. Ignite them all! And just like that, Formation Estate is ready for your exploration.
However, some players insist on tougher paths. Rumors suggest you can also unlock the domain without the quest. Legend says you can frantically light torches with a ridiculous number of Pyro characters before rain snuffs them out. Sounds frustrating, but if you need that RNG challenge, then go for it.
Sword Acquisition Hotspots: From NPCs to Mountaintops
Need more swords? Genshin provides options, from friendly NPCs to mountain peaks:
- Dark Iron Sword: Chat with Chen the Sharp in Liyue Harbor. It’s that easy to miss and to obtain (once).
- Another Dark Iron Sword?: Mt. Lingmeng might house another copy. Look for a large stone door, knock in-game, and see if a quest triggers.
- The Black Sword: Battle Pass Bounty. Want a guaranteed 4-star sword? The Black Sword is part of the Battle Pass. It’s a solid pick for those investing in the premium track.
- Skyrider Sword: Pan Guan’er’s Pavilion. Head to Liyue, east of Qingyun Peak. At a teal pavilion, chat with Pan Guan’er for the Skyrider Sword. It’s like ordering swords with nice views.
- White Tassel (Polearm): Liyue chests (Exquisite or higher) drop this polearm. Technically not a sword, but relevant while treasure hunting.
Sword Synergy: Making Blades Work for You
Swords do more than look cool. They provide utility and synergy with characters. Here’s how some swords enhance roles:
- Skyward Blade: Energy Recharge for Burst DPS. If you have a damage dealer relying on their Elemental Burst, Skyward Blade is ideal. It maximizes Energy Recharge, allowing bursts more often.
- Sacrificial Sword: Kazuha’s Crowd Control Boost. For Kazuha, Sacrificial Sword enhances crowd control. It lets him swirl enemies more often while boosting Energy regeneration.
- Sacrificial Sword (Again!): Bennett’s Burst Support. Sacrificial Sword can work on Bennett too. It boosts his burst damage potential significantly while being useful as support.
Sword-Adjacent Shenanigans: Lightning Rods, Pot Puzzles, and Dragon Flowers
Genshin Impact enjoys sprinkling puzzles and mysteries throughout the game. Swords sometimes play a role in these or at least sword-wielding characters assist in solving them. Let’s dive deeper into these challenges.
wander off the beaten path a bit:
- Lightning Rod Pot Puzzle: Electro Shenanigans. Remember those puzzles with lightning rods? You collect them. Then what? Find a little pot! Put the rods in the pot. Puzzle solved. Some puzzles are complex. Others are just pots and rods.
- Unnamed Sword Technique: Charge It Up! There’s a sword technique that does 15k-18k damage, with or without Haki (wait. Wrong game). You mean elemental infusion? Charging it longer makes it hit harder. Sounds like most charged attacks in Genshin. Mystery is somewhat… un-mysterious.
- Afterimage Altar Quest: Memory Lane Mayhem. This quest is more involved. Talk to an afterimage at The Altar in The Serpent’s Heart. Help them understand their identity (an existential crisis in Inazuma). Report back. Find hidden kids (not creepy), talk to more afterimages, trek to Tokoyo Reisen, grab some Waters of Lethe, then climb a Dragonbone Flower. All for closure? Maybe some rewards. Genshin quests, everybody!
Sword Stats Spotlight: Aquila Favonia’s Aerial Advantage
Let’s discuss stats. Aquila Favonia, the 5-star sword, has serious numbers. It ties with Mistsplitter Reforged for highest base attack at level 1 with 48. That’s serious power. Call it Aquila Favonia or “that Favonius one.” It’s a top-tier sword for raw attack power. Just don’t confuse it with Favonius Sword; they’re… different. Slightly.
Character Deep Dive: Kazuha and the Raiden Shogun’s Doppelganger Drama
Characters make the swords shine, and Kazuha has been a vocalist in Genshin’s saga. He’s been present since Version 1.6, even starring in the first Golden Apple Archipelago event. Talk about grand entrance! Kazuha isn’t just a pretty face and sword; he’s part of Genshin’s narrative.
Speaking of narrative twists, remember the fake “Baal”? It wasn’t just an imposter. It was Raiden Shogun, a complex being made of two parts: Raiden Ei, Makoto’s twin sister, and Shogun, a bionic puppet created by Ei herself. Sibling rivalry, philosophical debates on eternity, and high-tech puppets – just a typical day in Teyvat.
Domain Decryption: Electro Monument Mastery
Domains are puzzles combined with combat wrapped in loot. Unlocking them requires some environmental interaction. Take Electro domain as an example. First, grab an Electrogranum (those little lightning sprites). Use it to activate four Lightning Strike Probes. This unlocks four Electro Monuments. Activate those monuments. A hole appears. Jump in. Swim through a tiny opening to reach a root (because why not?). Climb the root. Find three wall switches. Activate them. Door opens. Domain unlocked. Simple, right? Just your average Tuesday domain-unlocking procedure.
Primogem Procurement: The Traveler’s Treasure Hunt
Swords are cool, but Primogems are the real power currency in Genshin Impact. How to farm those precious gems efficiently? Spiral Abyss is your endgame gem venue. Daily Commissions provide reliable daily gem feeds. Story Quests and Achievements offer bursts of Primogems. Events are limited-time gems extravaganzas. Don’t forget exploration! Wander Teyvat, open chests, and watch Primogems grow. Claim Adventure Rank rewards and check your in-game mail for surprise Primogem deliveries. A multi-faceted approach to becoming a Primogem pro.
So there it is, a tour of Genshin Impact swords. From ultra-rare Dark Iron Sword you probably vendored to dragon-powered dominance of Neuvillette, there’s always something new to discover, collect, and conquer with a blade in hand. Now get out there, Traveler, and may your pulls be ever in your favor (especially when wishing for those 5-star swords!).
