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Is the black sword good for Kaeya?

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Is The Black Sword Good for Kaeya? A Comprehensive Guide

Yes, The Black Sword is a very good option for Kaeya, especially when you’re looking to build him as a Main DPS or even a Sub-DPS character. While it may not outshine every 5-star weapon in every situation, its Crit Rate substat and damage-boosting passive synergize exceptionally well with Kaeya’s kit, making it a strong contender among 4-star swords. The passive healing effect also adds a layer of survivability, which is always welcome. Let’s dive deeper into why this weapon works so well and how to maximize its potential for the Cryo Cavalry Captain.

Why The Black Sword Works for Kaeya

Kaeya’s strengths lie in his ability to deal sustained damage with his normal attacks and his versatile elemental skill and burst. The Black Sword complements this in several key ways:

  • Crit Rate Substat: Crit Rate is one of the most valuable stats in Genshin Impact, directly increasing your chances of dealing critical damage. The Black Sword provides a substantial amount of Crit Rate, making it easier to build a consistent and effective damage output for Kaeya. This reduces the reliance on Crit Rate artifacts, allowing you to focus on other important stats like ATK, Crit DMG, and Energy Recharge.

  • Normal and Charged Attack DMG Bonus: The Black Sword’s passive increases the damage dealt by normal and charged attacks. This significantly boosts Kaeya’s damage potential, particularly if you’re utilizing him as a main DPS and frequently using his normal attack combos. The increase in damage can be quite noticeable, especially at higher refinement ranks.

  • Healing Passive: The healing passive of the Black Sword provides a small but consistent source of healing whenever Kaeya lands a critical hit. This can be incredibly helpful for survivability, allowing you to sustain him through longer fights without relying solely on a dedicated healer. This is especially useful in the Spiral Abyss or other challenging content.

Comparing The Black Sword to Other Options

While The Black Sword is a strong choice, it’s essential to compare it to other available weapons to make the best decision for your specific needs and team composition.

The Black Sword vs. Aquila Favonia

As the initial article correctly noted, comparing a 4-star to a 5-star weapon is generally unfair. Aquila Favonia boasts significantly higher base ATK and a Physical DMG bonus substat. However, if you’re building Kaeya with a focus on Cryo damage, the Crit Rate from the Black Sword might be more valuable than the Physical DMG bonus of Aquila Favonia, especially if your artifact substats compensate for the ATK difference.

The Black Sword vs. Skyward Blade

Skyward Blade offers a substantial boost to Energy Recharge, making it easier to keep Kaeya’s Elemental Burst up consistently. While this is excellent for a Sub-DPS Kaeya focused on burst support, the Black Sword provides more personal damage. If your team already has sufficient energy generation or you have enough Energy Recharge on your artifacts, The Black Sword might be the superior choice for a DPS-focused Kaeya.

The Black Sword vs. F2P Options (Kagotsurube Isshin, Amenoma Kageuchi)

Kagotsurube Isshin is a decent free-to-play option, offering a good ATK stat. However, the Black Sword’s consistent Crit Rate and DMG boost usually outperform it in terms of overall damage output. Amenoma Kageuchi is a craftable option that focuses on energy regeneration. While it may be useful for improving uptime on his burst, it doesn’t increase the damage output to the level The Black Sword can provide. If you can consistently generate energy for Kaeya, The Black Sword remains the better pick.

How to Maximize The Black Sword’s Potential on Kaeya

To truly make The Black Sword shine on Kaeya, consider the following tips:

  • Focus on Crit DMG: Since The Black Sword provides a good amount of Crit Rate, prioritize Crit DMG on your artifact substats to maximize the impact of your critical hits.

  • ATK% Sands: An ATK% Sands is generally preferable, especially if you’re lacking in overall ATK.

  • Cryo DMG Goblet: A Cryo DMG Bonus Goblet is essential for increasing Kaeya’s Cryo damage output.

  • Crit Rate or Crit DMG Circlet: Depending on your substats and desired Crit Ratio (aim for 1:2 ratio), choose either a Crit Rate or Crit DMG Circlet.

  • Team Composition: Pair Kaeya with characters who can provide buffs, elemental reactions (like Melt or Superconduct), and energy generation. Xiangling, Bennett, and Rosaria are excellent choices.

FAQs About The Black Sword and Kaeya

1. Is The Black Sword a Battle Pass weapon?

Yes, The Black Sword is obtainable through the Battle Pass in Genshin Impact. You need to purchase the Gnostic Hymn version of the Battle Pass to unlock the weapon selection, which includes The Black Sword.

2. Can The Black Sword be refined?

Yes, The Black Sword can be refined by obtaining duplicate copies through the Battle Pass in subsequent cycles. Refinement significantly increases the effectiveness of its passive ability, further boosting normal and charged attack damage and increasing the healing amount.

3. Is The Black Sword good for other characters besides Kaeya?

Yes, The Black Sword is a good option for many sword-wielding DPS characters, particularly those who rely on normal and charged attacks, such as Keqing, Ayato, and even Ayaka.

4. Does The Black Sword’s healing scale with anything?

The Black Sword’s healing scales with the damage dealt by the attack that triggers the critical hit. Therefore, higher ATK and Crit DMG will result in larger healing amounts.

5. Is Lion’s Roar better than The Black Sword for Kaeya?

Lion’s Roar can be better than the Black Sword if you’re fighting enemies consistently affected by Pyro (due to reverse melt compositions). However, The Black Sword’s Crit Rate and consistent DMG bonus generally make it a more reliable choice in most situations.

6. Is The Black Sword worth buying the Battle Pass for?

Whether The Black Sword is worth buying the Battle Pass for depends on your individual needs and priorities. If you lack a good Crit Rate weapon for your main DPS sword user and are willing to spend money, it’s a valuable investment.

7. How does The Black Sword compare to the craftable sword Amenoma Kageuchi for Kaeya?

The Black Sword is generally better for DPS builds because it directly boosts damage output with Crit Rate and a DMG bonus. Amenoma Kageuchi focuses on energy regeneration, making it more suitable for a support-oriented build.

8. Does The Black Sword work well with Kaeya’s Elemental Burst?

While The Black Sword doesn’t directly buff Kaeya’s Elemental Burst, the increased damage from normal attacks can help recharge his energy faster. Focus on Energy Recharge stats from artifacts if his Elemental Burst is your priority.

9. Is Mistsplitter Reforged significantly better than The Black Sword for Kaeya?

Yes, Mistsplitter Reforged is significantly better than The Black Sword for a DPS Kaeya. It provides a massive Crit DMG bonus and a substantial Elemental DMG Bonus, making it the ultimate weapon for maximizing his Cryo damage potential, albeit harder to get.

10. What artifact sets synergize well with The Black Sword on Kaeya?

Blizzard Strayer is an excellent artifact set for a Cryo DPS Kaeya, as it provides a significant Crit Rate bonus against enemies affected by Cryo. Gladiator’s Finale can also be a solid choice for boosting normal attack damage.

11. Does the refinement level of The Black Sword matter?

Yes, the refinement level of The Black Sword significantly impacts its effectiveness. Higher refinement levels increase the DMG bonus to normal and charged attacks, as well as the amount healed on critical hits.

12. Is The Black Sword good for a physical Kaeya build?

The Black Sword is not ideal for a physical Kaeya build, as it does not directly increase Physical DMG. Weapons like Aquila Favonia or Prototype Rancour are better suited for that purpose.

13. Can The Black Sword’s healing save me in tough situations?

The Black Sword’s healing can provide a valuable safety net and help sustain Kaeya in challenging fights. However, it’s not a replacement for a dedicated healer, especially in very difficult content.

14. What stats should I prioritize on my artifacts when using The Black Sword?

Prioritize Crit DMG, ATK%, Energy Recharge (if needed), and Cryo DMG Bonus on your artifacts to maximize The Black Sword’s potential on Kaeya.

15. Where can I learn more about Genshin Impact weapon and character builds?

There are many fantastic resources available online, including dedicated Genshin Impact communities, guides, and YouTube channels. Additionally, you can explore resources from organizations like the Games Learning Society at GamesLearningSociety.org for insights into game mechanics and strategic gameplay.

In conclusion, The Black Sword is an excellent choice for Kaeya, providing a strong balance of damage, survivability, and consistency. While it may not be the absolute best option in every scenario, its ease of access and synergy with Kaeya’s kit make it a highly recommended weapon for players looking to build him as a formidable DPS character.

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