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The Definitive Guide to Aether’s Best 4-Star Sword in Genshin Impact

The best 4-star sword for Aether in Genshin Impact largely depends on the Aether’s elemental alignment (Anemo, Geo, Electro, Dendro, or Hydro) and your desired playstyle. However, if we’re aiming for a generally powerful and versatile choice, the Blackcliff Longsword emerges as a top contender due to its high damage potential and Crit DMG substat. Its passive ability, which increases ATK after defeating an enemy, can significantly boost Aether’s overall damage output, making it a valuable asset in various combat scenarios. Let’s delve into why and how different swords work with our Traveler!

Understanding Aether and Sword Synergies

Aether, the Traveler, is a unique character because his elemental affinity can be changed at any Statue of the Seven. This makes weapon selection a nuanced process. What works wonders for Anemo Aether might be less effective for Geo Aether, and so on. To make the best decision, consider these factors:

Elemental Skill and Burst: How does Aether’s chosen element interact with the sword’s abilities?
Substats: Do the substats complement Aether’s build, such as Crit Rate, Crit DMG, Energy Recharge, or Elemental Mastery?
Team Composition: Does the sword synergize with other characters in your party to create powerful elemental reactions or provide crucial support?
Playstyle: Do you prefer a more aggressive DPS role, or a supportive role focused on enabling reactions and providing utility?

Top Contenders: A Deep Dive

While the Blackcliff Longsword takes the crown for general damage, let’s explore other viable options:

Blackcliff Longsword: Damage King

Pros: High Base ATK, Crit DMG substat, ATK boost on enemy defeat.
Cons: Requires Starglitter exchange, passive relies on defeating enemies (less effective against bosses).
Ideal for: DPS builds, especially when facing groups of enemies.

The Blackcliff Longsword shines when Aether is built as a primary damage dealer. The Crit DMG substat is invaluable, and the passive can dramatically increase damage output in domains and the Spiral Abyss. Its dependence on defeating enemies makes it less optimal against single, powerful bosses, but its sheer damage potential makes it a worthwhile investment.

The Flute: Consistent Damage

Pros: High Base ATK, ATK% substat, Musical Note passive provides extra damage.
Cons: Passive has a cooldown, doesn’t offer Crit stats.
Ideal for: Balanced DPS builds, consistent damage output.

The Flute is a reliable choice for players who want consistent damage without relying on specific conditions. The ATK% substat and high Base ATK contribute to a stable damage output. The passive, which triggers a wave of damage after accumulating Normal Attack hits, adds another layer of consistent damage to Aether’s kit.

Favonius Sword: Energy Recharge Support

Pros: High Energy Recharge substat, generates Elemental Particles for the team.
Cons: Lower damage output compared to other options, requires Crit Rate investment.
Ideal for: Support builds, characters needing frequent Burst uptime.

If you’re focusing on Aether’s Elemental Burst and want to maximize its uptime, the Favonius Sword is an excellent choice. The high Energy Recharge allows Aether to consistently use his Burst, while the passive helps generate Elemental Particles for the entire team, boosting everyone’s energy regeneration. This is particularly valuable for Electro Aether or teams that rely heavily on Elemental Bursts.

Iron Sting: Elemental Mastery Powerhouse

Pros: Elemental Mastery substat, increases damage after dealing Elemental DMG.
Cons: Lower Base ATK, passive has a cooldown.
Ideal for: Elemental Reaction-focused builds, especially with Anemo Aether.

The Iron Sting is a strong contender for Anemo Aether builds that focus on Swirl reactions. The Elemental Mastery substat significantly boosts the damage of Swirl, and the passive further amplifies damage after triggering an Elemental Reaction. This sword excels in teams built around creating and amplifying elemental reactions.

Sacrificial Sword: Skill Spammer

Pros: High Energy Recharge, chance to reset Elemental Skill cooldown.
Cons: Lower Base ATK, passive is RNG-based.
Ideal for: Maximizing Elemental Skill usage, generating energy.

The Sacrificial Sword is an interesting option for Aether because of the chance to reset the Elemental Skill cooldown. This allows for more frequent skill usage, which can be useful for generating energy or applying elemental effects. However, the reliance on RNG makes it less consistent than other options. This is most beneficial for the Electro Traveler, increasing the amount of energy that can be provided to other team members.

Specific Elemental Alignments

Anemo Aether: Iron Sting (for Elemental Mastery and Swirl reactions), Favonius Sword (for Energy Recharge).
Geo Aether: Blackcliff Longsword (for raw damage), The Flute (for consistent ATK).
Electro Aether: Favonius Sword (for Energy Recharge and team support), Sacrificial Sword (for maximizing Elemental Skill usage).
Dendro Aether: Iron Sting (for maximizing Bloom reactions), The Flute (for consistent ATK).
Hydro Aether: Favonius Sword (for Energy Recharge and team support), Iron Sting (for Vaporize and Electro-Charged reactions).

The best choice hinges on how you intend to use Aether in your team composition and personal play style.

FAQs: Mastering Aether’s Sword Selection

Is the Lion’s Roar a good option for Aether? The Lion’s Roar is situational. Its passive, which increases damage against enemies affected by Pyro or Electro, can be effective in specific team compositions. However, it’s not as versatile as other options like the Blackcliff Longsword or Favonius Sword.
Does Aether’s Talent level affect weapon choice? Yes. As Aether’s Talents increase, their damage potential improves. A weapon with high Base ATK and damage-boosting substats becomes more valuable.
How important is Energy Recharge for Aether? Very important, especially for Electro and Hydro Aether. Their Elemental Bursts are crucial for their role, so maximizing Energy Recharge is key. The Games Learning Society also recommends focusing on understanding energy mechanics to improve gameplay.
Can I use a 5-star sword on Aether? Absolutely! 5-star swords generally offer superior stats and passives compared to 4-star options. If you have a 5-star sword, it will likely be a significant upgrade for Aether.
Should I prioritize Crit Rate or Crit DMG on Aether? It depends on your current stats. Aim for a Crit Rate of around 50-60% before focusing heavily on Crit DMG. A good balance between the two is ideal.
Is the Festering Desire a good option? If you obtained the Festering Desire during its event, it’s a decent option. Its Energy Recharge and Elemental Skill DMG bonus can be helpful, especially for support builds.
How does weapon refinement affect Aether? Weapon refinement enhances the passive abilities of the sword, making it more effective. Refinements can significantly boost Aether’s damage output or support capabilities.
Can Aether be a main DPS? Yes, with the right build and team composition, Aether can be a viable main DPS. Focusing on damage-boosting stats and using a weapon like the Blackcliff Longsword is crucial.
What Artifact stats should I prioritize for Aether? ATK%, Crit Rate, Crit DMG, Energy Recharge (if needed), and Elemental Mastery (for Anemo and Dendro) are all important Artifact stats for Aether.
How does Aether’s Constellation affect weapon choice? Some of Aether’s Constellations enhance specific skills or abilities. This might influence your weapon choice to further amplify those strengths.
Does the Black Sword (Battle Pass weapon) work well for Aether? The Black Sword is a solid choice, particularly for its Crit Rate substat and HP regeneration. It’s a valuable option if you have the Battle Pass.
What’s the best weapon for Aether in the early game? In the early game, focus on weapons with high Base ATK like the Harbinger of Dawn (if you can maintain high HP) or the Fillet Blade.
Are there any craftable swords that are good for Aether? The Iron Sting is a very strong craftable choice. It’s easily accessible and effective for Elemental Reaction builds.
How important is team composition when choosing a weapon for Aether? Team composition is crucial. The ideal weapon will synergize with your team’s strategy, whether it’s focused on elemental reactions, burst damage, or support.
Where can I learn more about Genshin Impact character builds and strategies? There are numerous online resources, including community forums, YouTube channels, and websites dedicated to Genshin Impact guides. Additionally, exploring resources such as GamesLearningSociety.org can provide valuable insights into the underlying game mechanics and design principles that influence character building.

Final Thoughts

Choosing the best 4-star sword for Aether requires careful consideration of Aether’s elemental alignment, your desired playstyle, and your team composition. The Blackcliff Longsword is a strong general option for damage, but other swords like the Favonius Sword and Iron Sting can be more effective in specific scenarios. Experiment with different weapons and builds to find what works best for you and your Aether!

What is the best 4-star sword for Aether?