Is It Worth It To Refine Weapons in Genshin Impact? A Comprehensive Guide
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The question of whether to refine weapons in Genshin Impact is a common one, and the answer isn’t always straightforward. In short, it depends heavily on the weapon’s rarity, its usefulness, and your specific needs and playstyle. Refinement can significantly boost a weapon’s passive abilities, but it also means potentially sacrificing a duplicate copy of that weapon, which could be useful for another character. This guide will break down the complexities of weapon refinement, providing you with the information needed to make informed decisions.
Refinement Basics: What Does It Mean?
Refining a weapon in Genshin Impact involves using a duplicate copy of the same weapon to increase its Refinement Rank (R Rank). A weapon’s R Rank can be raised up to Rank 5 (R5). This does not increase the weapon’s base ATK or its sub-stat. Instead, it boosts the weapon’s passive ability or special effects. For example, a weapon’s passive might provide a higher damage bonus or a more frequent activation at higher refinements.
The Pros and Cons of Refinement
Before we delve deeper, it’s essential to weigh the benefits and drawbacks of refining:
Pros:
- Enhanced Passive Abilities: Refinement significantly boosts a weapon’s special effect, leading to higher damage output, better utility, or more potent buffs.
- Stronger Character Performance: A refined weapon often translates directly into improved character performance, making them more effective in combat.
- Optimized Gameplay: With stronger passives, you might be able to clear domains or the Spiral Abyss more efficiently, saving time and resources.
Cons:
- Loss of a Duplicate Weapon: Refining means using a duplicate copy, thus limiting the potential to equip multiple characters with the same powerful weapon.
- Resource Investment: Refinement requires extra copies of the same weapon, which can be difficult to obtain, especially for 5-star weapons.
- Potentially Lower Overall Team Strength: If you refine a weapon that could have been useful for multiple characters, you might find yourself with a less versatile team.
Weapon Refinement Strategies by Rarity
Understanding the value of refinement changes depending on the weapon’s rarity. Here’s a breakdown of how to approach refining 3-star, 4-star, and 5-star weapons:
3-Star Weapons: Always Refine
3-star weapons are generally considered fodder. They have lower base stats and simple passives. It’s almost always advisable to refine 3-star weapons to R5. Keep one copy at R5 of each one for potential future characters scaling on a specific stat. These R5 weapons are also useful as quick leveling materials when you get new weapons you want to upgrade.
4-Star Weapons: Consider Carefully
4-star weapons require a more nuanced approach. Craftable 4-star weapons are usually safe to refine if you are confident they will be a consistent part of your teams, as you can always create another copy. Examples include the Prototype Archaic, a good early-game Claymore. However, for limited event 4-star weapons, it may be wise to keep a copy at R1, especially if you have several characters that could use that specific weapon type and it has a generally useful passive, as you may not have the option to get more copies in the future.
Battle Pass 4-star weapons like the Deathmatch are often worth refining as well because they offer a good balance of stats and passives. Be sure that they are the perfect fit for a character before using them for refinements because you can only get one copy per battle pass.
5-Star Weapons: Proceed with Caution
5-star weapons are the most complex to consider when thinking about refinement. Duplicates of these weapons are incredibly rare and valuable. Most of the time, it’s better to keep multiple copies rather than refining them, especially if you don’t have a wide selection of 5-star weapons. If you have multiple viable characters that can use the same 5-star weapon, keeping each copy is essential.
However, if you’re a high spender (a “whale” or “dolphin”) and consistently get duplicate 5-star weapons, refining them can be beneficial. A refined 5-star weapon is significantly stronger than an unrefined one, but be absolutely sure that you won’t need the additional copies. A prime example of a weapon where refinement is frequently discussed is the Wolf’s Gravestone. While many claymore users could use the weapon, having several is often less necessary for team composition.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Here are some common questions players ask regarding weapon refinement:
1. Is it worth refining Wolf’s Gravestone?
Personally, yes if you are sure you won’t need to equip multiple claymore characters with the same weapon, refine because the max amount of characters you use at one time is 8.
2. Should I refine my 5-star weapons?
It is often better to keep them separate for more flexibility with team building, unless you consistently get more copies of the same weapon.
3. What happens if I refine a leveled weapon?
Refining a weapon does not reset its level. It only raises its Refinement Rank and boosts specific aspects of its special effect.
4. Should I level up a weapon before refining?
Yes, always level up your weapon, regardless of its rarity. A leveled weapon can always be of use, and you won’t lose levels when you refine it.
5. What’s the best Claymore to refine?
The Prototype Archaic is an excellent choice because it is a craftable weapon, which makes it easy to refine.
6. Is Beacon of the Reed Sea better than Wolf’s Gravestone?
They have the same base attack, but the main difference is that Beacon of the Reed Sea has Crit Rate as a sub-stat while Wolf’s Gravestone has Attack %.
7. Who is the best user for Wolf’s Gravestone?
Diluc, Eula, Razor, Chongyun, Beidou, Sayu, Xinyan, and Dehya are some of the characters that can benefit the most from Wolf’s Gravestone.
8. What is the rarest 3-star weapon in Genshin Impact?
The Dark Iron Sword is the rarest as there is only one in the entire game. It cannot be obtained through wishes.
9. What is the strongest weapon in Genshin Impact?
While weapon effectiveness depends on the character, the Wolf’s Gravestone is frequently cited as one of the most powerful due to its high base attack and passive ability that stacks ATK.
10. Is it hard to get a 5-star weapon in Genshin Impact?
Yes, the pull rate on character/weapon banners is 0.6%. This makes 5-star weapons quite difficult to obtain.
11. How many times can you refine a weapon?
A weapon can be refined a total of five times, reaching Refinement Rank 5 (R5).
12. Should I ascend 4-star weapons?
Yes, it is highly recommended to ascend 4-star weapons, especially those from the blacksmith since they are easy to obtain multiple copies of.
13. What is the best 4-star polearm?
Deathmatch is a very good 4-star polearm that works well for DPS and support characters.
14. Should I level a 4-star weapon to level 90?
It’s a big investment, so only do it if the 4-star weapon is very strong and a cornerstone of your team’s damage.
15. What sword is best for Eula?
Song of Broken Pines is Eula’s signature weapon and is considered her best option. It has a physical damage bonus, as well as an attack bonus.
Conclusion: Refining Weapons Thoughtfully
Deciding whether to refine a weapon in Genshin Impact is a strategic decision. Don’t rush into refining a weapon just because you can. Take time to assess the weapon’s rarity, the character using it, and its overall usefulness. Remember, while refinement can significantly increase a weapon’s power, flexibility is important in team-building, especially when playing through challenging content. By understanding the value of each weapon and carefully evaluating your needs, you’ll make more effective decisions that improve your overall experience in the game.