One of the best ways of upgrading characters in Genshin Impact is by equipping them with 5-star weapons. In this article’s case, Swords. These weapons are usually specifically designed for a 5-star character. It suits them aesthetically and also functions as their b.i.s. Despite that, most of these weapons are excellent overall.
But if you’re one of those players who no longer have the desire to pull for new characters and want to focus on building their main characters, then this list is for you. Do note that this list is specially tailored for sword lovers out there. Check out our other guides if you’re looking for a specific weapon type.
Aquila Favonia (ATK 674 | Physical DMG 41.3%)
Passive: Grants 20-40% ATK. Taking damage triggers HP regeneration equal to 100-160% of ATK and deals 200-320% of ATK to surrounding opponents. This effect can occur once every 15s
Notable Users: Bennett, Jean, Kaeya
Starting off our list is Aquila Favonia. With its whopping 674 ATK, no one can mistake this sword as a 5-star weapon. Its passive also grants bonus ATK, paired with some sustain and AoE damage.
This weapon is indeed a great addition to everyone’s collection, but what’s stopping it from getting a higher spot on our list is its secondary stat. Granted, every sword character in the game can deal Physical damage, but each one of them is also not designed to optimally work with it. All in all, the Aquila Favonia in Genshin is an excellent 5-star sword, but its niche secondary stat sends it to the sidelines in most cases.
Summit Shaper (ATK 608 | ATK 49.6%)
Passive: Increases Shield Strength by 20-40%. Hits on opponents increase ATK by 4-8%. Capped at 5 stacks. One stack can be gained every 0.03s.
Notable Users: Kaeya, Qiqi, Keqing (with Kirara)
This weapon is the ultimate stat stick for ATK-scaling characters. Its passive alone can provide 40% increased ATK at refinement rank 1. Unfortunately, it’s overshadowed by the many ATK buffing options in the game right now. Moreover, forcing a Shield Character in your team to trigger the passive may also not be worth pulling for this 5-star sword for your team rotations when playing Genshin.
Skyward Blade (ATK 608 | ER 55.1%)
Passive: Increases CRIT Rate by 4-8%. Casting Elemental Burst increases Movement Speed and ATK Speed by 10%. Normal and Charged attacks also deal additional damage equal to 20-40% ATK. These buffs last for 12s
Notable Users: Bennett, Kaeya, Xingqiu
On paper, this sword seems like it has all the buffs every character needs. Being one of the first 5-star swords in Genshin Impact, It tries to give a bit of everything, yet it’s also the reason why it’s placed at the 7th spot. This weapon by no means counts as “bad,” just that it does not excel at anything.
The main highlight of this would probably be the Energy Recharge. Current metas favor Energy Recharge stats now that players have realized how crucial it is to always be bursting off-cooldown.
Key of Khaj-Nisut (ATK 542 | HP 66.2%)
Passive: Increases HP by 20%. When Elemental Skill hits opponents, the equipping character gains the Grand Hymn effect, which increases Elemental Mastery by 0.12-0.24% of their Max HP. This effect can be triggered once every 0.03s. Once capped at 3 stacks or when the 3rd stack is refreshed, the Elemental Mastery of all party members will be increased by 0.02-0.4% of the equipping character’s Max HP for 20s
Notable Users: Nilou, Kuki Shinobu, Layla, Kirara
This is currently the only option players have for an HP% sword. Its users may be limited, but it undeniably does its job well. With Fontaine looking out to be the region of HP-scaling characters, this weapon will definitely shoot up the ranks in the coming updates.
But speaking of the current meta, its passive also has its own significance of buffing Elemental Reactions, particularly the Dendro-related ones. A strong buff to an already strong element is something that every player can benefit from.
Freedom Sworn (ATK 608 | EM 198)
Passive: Increases DMG by 10-20%. When the weapon holder triggers Elemental Reaction, they gain a Sigil of Rebellion. Can be triggered once every 0.05s even when the character is off-field. When 2 Sigils are gained, both are consumed, and all party members gain 16-32% increased Normal, Charged, and Plunging Attack DMG. ATK is also increased by 20-40%. No Sigil of Rebellion will be gained 20s after first triggering the buff.
Notable Users: Kazuha, Kuki Shinobu, Keqing
The sword entry of the Millennial Movement Series exclusive to Genshin, This 5-star weapon’s passive is focused on giving team-wide buffs similar to its counterparts.
Players would generally see this weapon used by support characters like Kazuha and Kuki Shinobu, but the rise of Aggravate elemental reaction also means that Keqing can make great use of both the stats and the passive provided by this weapon. Overall a great weapon considering the buff it gives, is not limited to the weapon holder.
Light of Foliar Incision (ATK 542 | CD 88.2%)
Passive: CRIT Rate is increased by 4-8%. Gains the Foliar Incision effect when Normal Attacks deal damage, increasing DMG dealt by Normal Attacks and elemental Skills by 120-240% of Elemental Mastery. This DMG increase will disappear after 28 DMG instances or 12. This effect can be gained once every 12s
Notable Users: Al-Haitham, Keqing, Kazuha (DPS)
A great stat stick considering it has the highest CRIT DMG stat out of any swords in the Genshin. Unfortunately, it is held back by its somewhat niche passive, which can only be utilized to its maximum potential by its signature owner- Al-Haitham.
The ATK on this weapon is also on the lower side, meaning characters will benefit less from ATK buffs that they normally get from their artifacts and party members.
Haran Geppaku Futsu (ATK 608 | CR 33.1%)
Passive: Gain 12-24% DMG Bonus for all elements. When other party members use Elemental Skills, the weapon holder will gain 1 Wavespike stack. Capped at 2 stacks. One stack can be gained every 0.03s. Stacks are consumed when the wielder casts Elemental Skill, which will increase their Normal Attack DMG by 20-40% for each stack that they have. This effect lasts for 8s.
Notable Users: Ayato, Ayaka, Keqing
At the third spot is Ayato’s signature 5-star sword. Everything this weapon offers is a direct damage increase for your characters. The passive can also be triggered easily as you cycle through your team rotations.
However, not a lot of characters can make great use of the increased Normal Attack DMG. Units such as Xingqiu and Kaeya would rather be used in a quick-swap manner, which means they’ll be unable to use their Normal Attacks and ultimately lose out on the passive.
Mistsplitter Reforged (ATK 674 | CD 44.1%)
Passive: Gain 12-24% Elemental DMG Bonus for all elements. The wielder also gains a stack of Mistsplitter Emblem under the following conditions: Normal Attack deals Elemental DMG (lasts 5s), casting Elemental Burst (lasts 10s), Energy is less than 100% (stack disappears when Energy is full). At 1/2/3 Mistsplitter Emblem stacks, character gains 8/16/28-16/32/56% bonus Elemental DMG for their corresponding Element.
Notable Users: Ayaka, Keqing, Ayato, Xingqiu
A strong contender and a close second place. Any player looking for a DPS increase can never go wrong pulling for this weapon. Unlike other weapons on this list, this weapon grants a significant amount of Elemental DMG Bonus, a stat that players would usually only get from Artifacts rolls.
What makes this special is the fact that damage calculations in Genshin Impact actually favor DMG bonuses more than ATK bonuses. This means that players can get more benefit from stacking DMG bonuses, granted that they already have a decent ATK, rather than the other way around. Not to mention that there is already a wide array of options in the game when it comes to boosting a character’s ATK.
Primordial Jade Cutter (ATK 542 | CR 44.1%)
Passive: HP increased by 20-40%. Also provides ATK equal to 1.2-2.4% of the wielder’s Max HP
Notable Users: Traveler, Keqing, Ayato, Al-Haitham, Xingqiu
Regarded as the “most versatile weapon” by most players; Whether it’s the on-field DPS characters, or the Sub-DPS ones like Xingqiu and Kaeya– any character equipping this weapon is sure to obtain a massive DPS increase.
It packs a huge CRIT Rate stat which makes character-building waaaay easier. Players are almost guaranteed to get their sweet 1:2 CRIT ratio when using this weapon. Subsequently, this also means that less time is spent on painful Artifact Grinding. This factor alone makes it the best 5-star sword in Genshin Impact.
While players are reluctant to wish on the weapon banners, most would still agree that this weapon is worth the 240 wishes, especially when paired with other decent 5-star weapons and characters.
