The Catch vs. Prototype Starglitter: Which Polearm Reigns Supreme in Genshin Impact?

The question of whether The Catch or Prototype Starglitter is better in Genshin Impact is a common one, particularly for players seeking effective and accessible polearms. The definitive answer is that The Catch is generally the superior choice for most characters who benefit from Energy Recharge, especially Raiden Shogun and certain sub-DPS units like Xiangling. While Prototype Starglitter offers Energy Recharge as well, The Catch’s passive ability provides significant boosts to Elemental Burst Damage and Crit Rate, making it a more impactful weapon overall. Its ease of acquisition through fishing further solidifies its position as a top-tier F2P option.

Diving Deeper: The Nuances of Each Polearm

To truly understand the nuances of this comparison, we must examine each weapon’s attributes, passive abilities, and suitability for various characters.

The Catch: The F2P Fishing Champion

The Catch is a 4-star polearm obtainable through fishing in Inazuma. This makes it entirely free-to-play, a significant advantage for players who prefer not to rely on the gacha system.

• Base Stats: Provides a substantial Energy Recharge substat, reaching 45.9% at max level.
• Passive Ability (Shanty): Increases Elemental Burst DMG by 16% and Elemental Burst CRIT Rate by 6% at Refinement Rank 1, scaling up to 32% and 12% at Refinement Rank 5.

The combination of Energy Recharge and burst damage buffs makes The Catch an ideal weapon for characters who rely heavily on their Elemental Bursts to deal damage or provide utility.

Prototype Starglitter: The Forged Alternative

Prototype Starglitter is another 4-star polearm, but unlike The Catch, it’s obtained through forging. This requires a Northlander Polearm Billet, which can be acquired from weekly bosses or through limited-time events.

• Base Stats: Also provides Energy Recharge as a substat, matching The Catch at 45.9% at max level.
• Passive Ability (After Sandstorm): After using an Elemental Skill, increases Normal and Charged Attack DMG by 8% for 12 seconds, stacking up to 2 times. At Refinement Rank 5, this increases to 16%.

While the Energy Recharge is valuable, the passive focuses on buffing Normal and Charged Attack damage, which is less universally useful than The Catch’s burst-centric buffs.

Who Benefits Most? Character-Specific Analysis

The effectiveness of each polearm heavily depends on the character wielding it.

Raiden Shogun: The Catch is the Clear Winner

For Raiden Shogun, The Catch is unequivocally the better choice. Her kit is designed around maximizing her Energy Recharge and converting it into Electro DMG. The Catch’s passive directly buffs her Elemental Burst damage, which is the core of her DPS. While Prototype Starglitter can help with Energy Recharge, it doesn’t enhance her burst damage in the same way. Some argue that Wavebreaker’s Fin is her best four-star weapon, and it is a strong contender, but The Catch is easier to obtain and refine.

Xiangling: A More Nuanced Decision

For Xiangling, the decision is more nuanced. Xiangling is a versatile character who can be built in various ways. While The Catch remains a strong option due to her reliance on her Elemental Burst, Prototype Starglitter can be viable if Xiangling is used in a team composition where her Normal and Charged Attacks contribute significantly to damage. However, in most cases, Dragon’s Bane is considered a better option for Xiangling due to its Elemental Mastery stat, which synergizes well with her Pyro application.

Other Polearm Users

• Thoma: The Catch is generally preferred for Thoma as he needs a lot of Energy Recharge to keep his shield up consistently, and The Catch’s passive helps boost the damage of his burst.
• Rosaria: Both weapons can be decent on Rosaria, depending on her role. The Catch is better if she’s primarily used for burst support, while Prototype Starglitter might be considered if you are aiming for damage.
• Mika: For Mika, the need for Energy Recharge is quite high, so both Prototype Starglitter and The Catch will work well on him. If you want to boost his healing and damage a bit further, The Catch is better than Prototype Starglitter.

The Verdict: The Catch Takes the Crown

In conclusion, The Catch is generally the superior choice due to its Energy Recharge substat and powerful passive that directly buffs Elemental Burst damage and Crit Rate. Its free-to-play accessibility further solidifies its position as a top-tier option for many polearm users, particularly Raiden Shogun. While Prototype Starglitter has its uses, The Catch’s overall utility and impact make it the winner in this comparison.

Engaging with the Community

Discussing weapon choices and character builds is a vital part of the Genshin Impact experience. Share your experiences and insights with fellow players in online forums, communities, and in-game. Contributing to discussions and exploring different perspectives can enhance your understanding of the game and help you make informed decisions about your own team compositions.

Furthermore, consider exploring research on the educational aspects of gaming, such as the work done by the Games Learning Society at https://www.gameslearningsociety.org/. Understanding how games can foster learning and problem-solving can enrich your gaming experience.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. Is The Catch truly F2P friendly?

Yes! The Catch is obtained solely through fishing, requiring no Primogems or gacha pulls. This makes it an excellent option for free-to-play players.

2. How long does it take to obtain The Catch and its refinements?

The time required depends on your fishing efficiency and the availability of fishing spots. It can take several days to a week to obtain The Catch and fully refine it.

3. Can Prototype Starglitter ever be better than The Catch?

In niche scenarios where a character’s Normal and Charged Attacks are heavily emphasized, Prototype Starglitter might offer a slight advantage. However, this is rare.

4. What are the best artifacts for Raiden Shogun with The Catch?

Emblem of Severed Fate is the best artifact set for Raiden Shogun with The Catch. It provides Energy Recharge and increases Elemental Burst damage based on Energy Recharge.

5. Is Dragon’s Bane a good alternative to The Catch for Xiangling?

Yes, Dragon’s Bane is a strong alternative, especially in Vaporize or Melt team compositions, due to its Elemental Mastery stat, which greatly boosts reaction damage.

6. What other polearms are competitive with The Catch?

Wavebreaker’s Fin, Staff of Homa, Engulfing Lightning, and Primordial Jade Winged-Spear are all strong polearms, but they are obtained through gacha pulls, making them less accessible.

7. How does The Catch compare to the 5-star polearm Engulfing Lightning?

Engulfing Lightning is generally superior to The Catch for Raiden Shogun due to its higher stats and more potent passive. However, The Catch is a viable alternative for players who don’t have Engulfing Lightning.

8. Is it worth refining The Catch to Rank 5?

Absolutely! Refining The Catch significantly increases its Elemental Burst DMG and CRIT Rate bonuses, making it a worthwhile investment.

9. What characters besides Raiden Shogun and Xiangling can effectively use The Catch?

Other characters who can benefit from The Catch include Rosaria, Thoma, and other sub-DPS units who rely on their Elemental Bursts.

10. How do I unlock the ability to forge Prototype Starglitter?

You need to obtain a Northlander Polearm Billet, which can be acquired from weekly bosses or through limited-time events, and then use it at a blacksmith.

11. Does Prototype Starglitter’s passive stack additively or multiplicatively?

Prototype Starglitter’s passive stacks additively, meaning each stack provides an additional 8% (or 16% at R5) damage bonus.

12. Is it worth investing in Prototype Starglitter if I already have The Catch?

Generally, no. The Catch offers more significant benefits for most characters. Invest in other weapons or character builds instead.

13. How important is Energy Recharge for polearm users in general?

Energy Recharge is crucial for many polearm users, especially those who rely on their Elemental Bursts for damage or utility. It allows them to cast their bursts more frequently, maximizing their effectiveness.

14. Can The Catch be used effectively in the Spiral Abyss?

Yes! The Catch is a highly effective weapon for the Spiral Abyss, particularly for characters like Raiden Shogun and Xiangling, who are commonly used in Abyss teams.

15. Should I prioritize obtaining The Catch over other F2P weapons?

For players focusing on building strong Elemental Burst-centric teams, The Catch is a high-priority weapon to obtain and refine. Its accessibility and effectiveness make it a valuable asset.