Forging The Legend: The Ultimate Sword Tier List In Genshin Impact And The Art Of Equipping Them

In the vast realms of Teyvat, where the Seven Elements dance at the whim of the archons and travelers forge their destiny, the choice of your weapon is as crucial as the bravery in your heart. Genshin Impact, the acclaimed open-world action RPG, immerses you in an epic adventure where every decision can tip the scales between victory and defeat. And on this battlefield, dominated by gacha and elemental strategy, the right sword is not just a tool, it is an extension of your will.

This article is your definitive guide, a compendium forged with the experience of countless battles, to unravel the mysteries of light swords in Genshin Impact. You will learn not only which are the most powerful according to the latest 2025 Tier List, but also how to equip them, refine them, and orchestrate the perfect synergy so your characters unleash their maximum potential. Prepare your inventory, because we are about to write your name in the annals of Teyvat.

The Heart of Teyvat: Elements and Battle

Genshin Impact challenges you to master a clever elemental system with seven primary forces: Anemo (wind), Pyro (fire), Electro (thunder), Hydro (water), Cryo (ice), Dendro (plant), and Geo (rock). The essence of combat lies in the strategic combination of these elements to trigger devastating reactions. A wooden shield burning under Pyro? Enemies frozen by the Hydro-Cryo synergy? Each elemental interaction opens a range of tactical possibilities, turning every encounter into a ballet of power and strategy.

Forming a team with “elemental resonance” is the key to overcoming challenges and climbing the Adventure Rank, unlocking missions and raising your World Level. But beware, each increase in World Level brings more formidable enemies, and with them, the urgent need to optimize every aspect of your team, especially your weapons. Each character, with their elemental and ultimate abilities, is a pillar in this complex structure, and a well-chosen sword can exponentially amplify their impact on the battlefield.

A Glimpse of the Journey: The Evolution of Light Swords in Genshin Impact

Weapons in Teyvat have their own history, a chronicle of legendary forges and discoveries through countless versions of the game. Below, we explore the trajectory of the most relevant light swords in Genshin Impact, from their origins to the latest treasures, allowing you to understand the legacy of each blade.

Era	Event
I. Initial Launch (1.x)
Prototype Rancour (⭐⭐⭐⭐)	Physical Damage Bonus. Available since launch; obtained as a reward upon reaching Adventure Rank 10 (AR 10). Basic weapon accessible for new players.
Aquila Favonia (⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐)	Physical Damage Bonus. 5-star sword present since early versions; historically had the highest Base Attack (674) until matched by Mistsplitter Reforged. Obtained through gacha (Wishes).
Festering Desire (⭐⭐⭐⭐)	Energy Recharge. Event-exclusive weapon released in v1.2. Currently not obtainable for new players (low accessibility).
Mistsplitter Reforged (⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐)	CRIT Damage. Released after Aquila Favonia; matched/surpassed its Base Attack and established as the elemental DPS power standard. Obtained via gacha.
Dark Iron Sword (⭐⭐⭐)	Elemental Mastery. Initially extremely rare: only one copy could be obtained from NPC Chen the Sharp at Liyue Harbor; non-refinable (R1).
II. Expansion to Inazuma (2.x)
Amenoma Kageuchi (⭐⭐⭐⭐)	ATK%. Forgeable sword from Inazuma. The blueprint is obtained by completing the world quest “The Farmer’s Treasure.” Focused on energy self-sufficiency for DPS.
Iron Sting (⭐⭐⭐⭐)	Elemental Mastery. Forgeable sword available through forging in Inazuma.
Cinnabar Spindle (⭐⭐⭐⭐)	DEF%. Event-exclusive weapon released in v2.3, specifically designed for Albedo. Currently unobtainable.
Kagotsurube Isshin (⭐⭐⭐⭐)	ATK. Unique sword (non-refinable) obtained as a reward from Kazuha’s story quest.
Second copy of Dark Iron Sword (⭐⭐⭐)	Elemental Mastery. Later a second copy was added in the Chenyu Vale area obtainable from a chest; still unrecoverable as material if consumed.
III. Expansion to Sumeru (3.x)
Sapwood Blade (⭐⭐⭐⭐)	Energy Recharge. Forgeable sword oriented to the Dendro meta. Blueprint obtained by exchanging “Aranara Stories” with Aravinay.
IV. Expansion to Fontaine (4.x)
Sword of Narzissenkreuz (⭐⭐⭐⭐)	ATK. Unique sword rewarded for a complex world quest in Fontaine. Its refinement materials (Shell-shaped Chalice) are obtained from missions and chests (e.g., v4.2 and “The Forest Relic” saga). The weapon can change Pneuma/Ousia energy alignment.
Fleuve Cendre Ferryman (⭐⭐⭐⭐)	Energy Recharge. Obtainable via the Fontaine Fishing Association.
Finale of the Deep (⭐⭐⭐⭐)	ATK. Forgeable sword belonging to the Beaumont collection.
V. Future Expansion (Natlan / Nod-Krai 5.x / 6.x)
Flute of Ezpitzal (⭐⭐⭐⭐)	DEF. Speculated forgeable sword for Natlan; could be useful for DEF scaling characters (e.g., Chiori).
Moonweaver’s Dawn (⭐⭐⭐⭐)	ATK. Sword planned as a quest reward in Nod-Krai. Its refinements, as far as known, would be obtainable only by gacha.

Unveiling the Power: How to Understand Light Swords in Genshin Impact

In Teyvat’s vast arsenal, Genshin Impact’s light swords are the choice of agile heroes and elemental mages alike. Their versatility makes them key pieces for characters ranging from pure elemental DPS to vital supports and energy generators (batteries). But what truly makes a sword legendary?

Multiplier Utility: Beyond Raw Damage

The true strength of a sword lies not only in its base attack but also in its Multiplier Utility. This subtle metric evaluates how secondary stats (substats) that don’t directly focus on damage, like Energy Recharge (ER) or Elemental Mastery (EM), can provide immense value to the team. Often, solving an energy problem or boosting elemental reactions is more impactful than a simple personal damage increase.

Role / Priority Substat	Description	Examples of Key Weapons
Elemental/Crit DPS	Require Crit Rate and Crit Damage to maximize personal damage.	Mistsplitter Reforged, Primordial Jade Cutter.
Energy Recharge (ER)	Crucial for Supports whose power depends on Elemental Burst, such as Bennett and Xingqiu, ensuring 100% uptime.	Sacrificial Sword, Favonius Sword.
Elemental Mastery (EM)	Essential for reaction drivers like Kazuha, as it directly scales transformative reaction damage (e.g., Swirl).	Iron Sting, Oathsworn Eye.

The Forge of Power: Ultimate Light Sword Tier List in Genshin Impact

Below, we break down the definitive sword tier list in Genshin Impact, categorized by rarity and battlefield impact. This is the unvarnished truth about which blades will lead you to victory.

Five-Star Jewels: The Pinnacle of Power

These weapons represent the peak of power, capable of defining strategies and taking your characters to unparalleled damage and support heights.

Weapon (Rarity)	Tier / Role	Key Stats (N90)	Notable Passive (R1)	Recommended Characters
Mistsplitter Reforged (⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐)	SS / Pure Elemental DPS	Base ATK 674, Crit Damage	Total Elemental Damage Bonus up to 40% via Emblem of Severed Fate.	Kamisato Ayaka, Keqing Electro.
Primordial Jade Cutter (⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐)	SS / Hybrid/Universal DPS	Crit Rate 44.1% (max in game), Base ATK 542	Increases HP 20% and grants ATK Bonus based on Max HP.	Alhaitham, Keqing, Traveler, Nilou (HP-based).
Aquila Favonia (⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐)	S / Base ATK/Support	Base ATK 674 (highest), Physical Damage Bonus	Increases ATK 20%. Heals when damaged and deals AoE damage.	Bennett (BiS for high base ATK buff), Jean, Physical Keqing.
Oathsworn Eye (⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐)	S / EM/Support	Elemental Mastery 198, Base ATK 608	Increases base DMG 10% and grants group buff (+20% ATK, +16% Normal/Charged Attack DMG) after 2 elemental reactions.	Supports focused on reaction/EM.
Skyward Blade (⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐)	Standard Banner / Utility	Energy Recharge, Base ATK 608	Grants 10% Movement Speed and ATK for 12s after using Burst.	Bennett (2nd best choice for Base ATK/ER), Supports.

Unbreakable Allies: Four-Star Swords with Epic Value

Don’t underestimate the power of four-star swords in Genshin Impact. Fully refined, they can rival or even surpass five-star swords, especially if they meet specific team needs.

Weapon (Rarity)	Tier / Role	Key Stats (N90)	Notable Passive (R5)	Recommended Characters	Acquisition
Sacrificial Sword (⭐⭐⭐⭐)	BiS Utility / Battery	Energy Recharge 61.3%, Base ATK 454	80% chance to reset Elemental Skill cooldown.	Xingqiu (functional BiS, guarantees 100% Burst uptime and double particle generation).	Gacha.
Favonius Sword (⭐⭐⭐⭐)	Universal Battery / Support	Energy Recharge 61.3%, Base ATK 454	100% chance to generate 6 Energy particles on CRIT.	Bennett (alternative), Kazuha, Xingqiu, Jean.	Gacha (R1 obtained free in Archon Quest).
Amenoma Blade (⭐⭐⭐⭐)	F2P Battery / Self-Sustained DPS	ATK% 55.1%, Base ATK 454	Generates Succession Seeds that, when consumed, restore a total of +12 Energy per rotation (R5).	Ayaka, Jean (for energy/ATK self-sustain).	Forge (Inazuma quest blueprint).
Iron Sting (⭐⭐⭐⭐)	EM Driver / Reactions	Elemental Mastery 165, Base ATK 510	Increases Elemental DMG (up to 24% at R5).	Kazuha (BiS for Swirl), EM Traveler.	Forge.
Black Sword (⭐⭐⭐⭐)	Battle Pass / CRIT DPS	Crit Rate 27.6%, Base ATK 510	Increases Normal/Charged Attack DMG by 20% (R1) and heals on CRIT.	Generalist DPS (Keqing, Kaeya).	Battle Pass (BP).
Festering Desire (⭐⭐⭐⭐)	Limited Event	Energy Recharge, Base ATK 510	Increases Elemental Skill DMG and Crit Rate (32%/12% at R5).	Bennett, Xingqiu, Albedo.	Event (V1.2, Currently Unobtainable).
Fleuve Cendre Ferryman’s Sword (⭐⭐⭐⭐)	ER / Skill CRIT	Energy Recharge 45.9%	Increases Crit Rate of Elemental Skill (8% R1) and increases Energy Recharge for 5s after using Elemental Skill.	Lynette, Furina.	Fontaine Fishing Association.
Prototype Rancour (⭐⭐⭐⭐)	Physical DPS / Early Game	Physical Damage Bonus, Base ATK 510	Increases ATK and DEF on hit (up to 4 stacks).	Physical builds (e.g., Physical Keqing).	Forge (Obtained free at AR 10).
Cinnabar Spindle (⭐⭐⭐⭐)	Limited Event / DEF	DEF% 69.0%, Base ATK 454	Increases Elemental Skill DMG by 80% (R5) based on DEF.	Albedo (designed for him).	Event (V2.3, Currently Unobtainable).

Hidden Secrets: Three-Star Gems That Defy Fate

Some three-star light swords in Genshin Impact are true hidden treasures. With minimal investment (just 7,500 Mora for R5), they can offer surprising stat peaks.

Weapon (Rarity)	Tier / Role	Key Stats (N90)	Notable Passive (R5)	Recommended Characters	Important Note
Sword of Dawn (⭐⭐⭐)	S-Tier Trinity / Sub-DPS	Crit Damage 46.9%, Base ATK 401	Increases Crit Rate by 28% if HP is above 90%.	Albedo, Layla, Alhaitham, Xingqiu (with shields/healing).	Requires maintaining HP > 90%.
Dark Iron Sword (⭐⭐⭐)	Niche / Collection	Elemental Mastery 141, Base ATK 401	Increases ATK by 20% when triggering Electro reactions (R1).	Kuki Shinobu, Kazuha (emergency EM option).	Only two copies per account. Cannot refine beyond R1 with obtainable copies.

The Art of War: Strategies to Equip and Optimize Your Swords

Choosing the right sword for a character is only the first step. The path to mastery lies in meticulous optimization. Here we reveal strategies to equip your swords in Genshin Impact and maximize their potential.

The Upgrade Ritual: Strengthening, Ascending, and Refining

Each sword, regardless of rarity, requires an upgrade process to unleash its true power in Teyvat. Mastering these steps is essential.

Step	Description	Requirements
Strengthen (Level Up)	Increases Base Attack. Done using weapon experience materials (Mystic Enhancement Ore).	Weapon experience materials.
Ascend	Allows increasing the weapon’s max level (e.g., from Lv. 20 to Lv. 40). Can ascend six times.	Specific and rare Ascension materials.
Refine	Uses identical copies of the weapon to improve the power of its Passive Ability (up to Rank 5).	Duplicate copies of the same weapon.

Smart Investment: Maximizing Your Resources

Resources in Genshin Impact are valuable. Knowing where to invest to equip the best light swords is a strategist’s skill:

Prioritize 3-Star Refinement: High-value 3-star swords like Sword of Dawn should be refined to R5 without hesitation due to their low cost and huge stat gain.
Invest in Four-Star F2P (Bills): Bills (Prototypes) are scarce. Prioritize forging Amenoma Kageuchi (R5) for your DPS’s energy autonomy, followed by Iron Sting (R5) to boost Kazuha’s reactions.
Gacha Management (Four Stars): Focus on diversity. Having multiple useful sword copies like the Sacrificial Sword or Favonius Sword at R1 or R2-R3 is more valuable for equipping two teams in the Abyss than investing in a single R5 copy.
Collector’s Weapons: Dark Iron Sword is unique. Never use it as upgrade material because it is unrecoverable and very rare.

Perfect Sync: Rotations and Artifacts

The best sword is the one that integrates harmoniously with your character and their artifact set:

Elemental Rotations: Adjust your rotations to exploit the weapon’s passive. If it gives temporary bonuses after the Burst, use it just before the climax of your attack.
Artifacts for Raw Damage: Prioritize Crit Rate, Crit Damage, and ATK% to complement your sword’s offensive power.
Artifacts for Elemental Reactions: If your elemental strategist is the main character, focus on Elemental Mastery and Elemental Damage Bonus.
Artifacts for Support: Prioritize Energy Recharge (to secure 100% Burst uptime) and, depending on circumstances, HP or DEF for team survivability.

Remember, choosing the right sword is like selecting the right tool for a specific job: if your team’s problem is energy, an R5 Energy Recharge weapon is the functionally superior “Constraint Solver,” even if a 5-star sword has a bigger “engine” but doesn’t address the core problem.

Clearing Doubts about Swords in Genshin Impact

What are the best light swords in Genshin Impact?

The best light swords in Genshin Impact are mainly:

Primordial Jade Cutter (5 stars) – considered the best light sword for its high base attack and versatility for main DPS.
Mistsplitter Reforged (5 stars) – excellent for crit damage and scaling, also highly valued in the top tier.
Amenoma Blade (4 stars) – very good for support and characters who benefit from energy recharge.
Prototype Rancour (4 stars) – accessible and very effective for increasing base attack with consecutive hits.
Favonius Sword (4 stars) – useful for characters focused on energy recharge and support.

These swords are considered the best for their balance of base attack, useful secondary effects (such as crit boost, energy recharge, or attack), and availability. The Primordial Jade Cutter and Mistsplitter Reforged stand out at the top for their power and versatility, while the four-star options are more accessible and still very effective.

How do you equip swords in Genshin Impact?

To equip swords in Genshin Impact, open the character menu (pressing C on PC), select the weapons tab, then choose the sword you want to use and click “Change” to equip it on the selected character. The sword will be equipped immediately and ready for combat.

This process is the same for any weapon; you simply choose the character you want to swap the sword for and repeat these steps. Additionally, you can level up, ascend, and refine the sword to improve its stats. Optimizing the sword depends on the damage type and character role, adjusting artifacts and stats to maximize its effectiveness.

What makes a sword great in Genshin Impact?

The qualities that make a sword great in Genshin Impact are:

High base damage and good scaling to maximize the character’s attack.
Passive abilities that increase damage, whether for normal, charged, or elemental burst attacks.
Effects that improve character efficiency, such as increased energy recharge, physical attack, or role-specific enhancements (DPS, support).
Synergy with the character using it, adapting to their combat style and element to boost performance.
Versatility and ease of obtaining, whether via gacha, quests, or events.

A great sword combines good base damage, a useful passive that enhances the character’s playstyle, and contributions to specific roles such as damage or support.

What is the difference between light swords and claymores in Genshin Impact?

The main difference between light swords and claymores in Genshin Impact lies in their attack speed, size, damage type, and utility:

Light swords are fast and agile weapons, with quicker attacks allowing fluid combos and constant hits. They suit characters requiring speed and mobility in combat.
Claymores (greatswords) are slower and heavier weapons but deliver powerful, area-of-effect strikes due to their size. They are effective against enemies with shields, especially Geo types, because they can break those shields more easily and briefly stagger small enemies with their attacks. Claymores sacrifice speed in exchange for strength and multi-enemy impact capability.

Light swords offer speed and continuous attacks, while claymores provide strong hits, shield control, and area damage but with slower strikes.

Which swords are recommended for beginners in Genshin Impact?

The most recommended swords for beginners in Genshin Impact are easily obtainable 3 and 4-star swords that offer good performance without requiring high resources. These include the Prototype Archaic (four stars, forgeable weapon), the Sword of Dawn, and the Iron Sting, which are good starters due to their decent base damage and useful effects like energy recharge or crit damage. It is also advisable to use the Favonius Sword for characters who require energy recharge. These weapons allow effective progression without relying on harder-to-get five-star swords.

The Journey Continues: Your Legacy in Teyvat

With this guide, the next time you venture into Teyvat’s adventures, you will carry not only a sword but knowledge. Every challenge you face, every domain you conquer, will be a testament to your strategic acumen and mastery of Genshin Impact’s legendary weapons. May your blade shine with the power of the elements and your journey be filled with glorious victories. The fate of Teyvat awaits, Traveler!

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