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Unlocking Ayaka’s Potential: The Best F2P 4-Star Weapons

The Cryo Princess, Kamisato Ayaka, is a force to be reckoned with in Genshin Impact. Her elegant combat style and high damage output make her a popular choice for many players. While her signature 5-star weapon, Mistsplitter Reforged, is undeniably powerful, not everyone has the Primogems (or the luck!) to acquire it. Fear not, aspiring Ayaka mains! There are several viable 4-star weapon options that can significantly boost her performance, even for free-to-play (F2P) players. So, what is the absolute best 4-star weapon for Ayaka, without spending a dime?

The answer, taking into account accessibility, effectiveness, and overall value, is the Amenoma Kageuchi. This craftable sword offers a fantastic blend of Attack and Energy Recharge, addressing two key needs for Ayaka’s consistent Cryo application and Burst uptime.

Amenoma Kageuchi: The F2P Champion

Why Amenoma Kageuchi Reigns Supreme

The Amenoma Kageuchi stands out for several reasons:

F2P Accessibility: It’s craftable! No need to rely on gacha luck. The blueprint is obtained by completing the “The Farmer’s Treasure” World Quest in Inazuma.
Attack Stat: It provides a decent base Attack, crucial for Ayaka’s overall damage.
Energy Recharge Substat: Energy Recharge helps Ayaka consistently use her Elemental Burst, which is a significant source of her damage.
Passive Ability (Iwakura Succession): After casting an Elemental Skill, Ayaka gains one Succession Seed. When using her Elemental Burst, these seeds are consumed to regenerate Energy for her. This addresses her Energy Recharge needs without sacrificing damage stats on artifacts.
Synergy with Blizzard Strayer: Ayaka often uses the 4-piece Blizzard Strayer artifact set, which grants significant Crit Rate. This allows you to focus on Crit Damage substats, further amplifying her damage output. Amenoma Kageuchi contributes to this by allowing for more focus on damage instead of energy recharge on artifacts.

Optimizing Amenoma Kageuchi for Ayaka

Refinement is Key: Aim to refine Amenoma Kageuchi to Refinement Rank 5 (R5). The higher the refinement, the more Energy is regenerated upon using her Burst.
Artifact Stats: Prioritize Crit Damage, Attack%, and Energy Recharge substats on your artifacts. A Crit Rate circlet may be needed depending on your overall Crit Rate.
Team Composition: Utilize characters that can provide additional Energy Recharge or Cryo Resonance to further improve Ayaka’s Burst uptime.

Blackcliff Longsword: A Strong Contender (With a Caveat)

The Blackcliff Longsword from the Paimon’s Bargains shop is another popular choice. Its high Crit Damage substat is incredibly attractive, significantly boosting Ayaka’s overall damage potential.

However, there’s a catch: it requires Starglitter. Starglitter is obtained by wishing and receiving duplicate characters or weapons. This makes it less reliable for F2P players, as acquiring sufficient Starglitter can take time and depend on luck.

Blackcliff’s Strengths and Weaknesses

High Crit Damage: The primary advantage is the substantial Crit Damage it provides, making it easier to reach desirable Crit Ratio.
Passive Ability (Press the Advantage): Defeating an enemy increases ATK by a percentage. This is great in content with multiple enemies.
Starglitter Requirement: Obtaining the Blackcliff Longsword consistently requires using Starglitter, making it potentially less F2P friendly.
Passive Consistency: The ATK buff relies on defeating enemies, which is less effective against single bosses.

When to Consider Blackcliff

If You Have Enough Starglitter: If you have a surplus of Starglitter, the Blackcliff Longsword is a valuable investment.
Content with Multiple Enemies: In domains or the Spiral Abyss with numerous enemies, the Blackcliff’s passive shines.
Prioritizing Crit Damage: If you’re struggling to achieve a high Crit Damage stat on your Ayaka, the Blackcliff can help bridge the gap.

Other F2P Options

While Amenoma Kageuchi and Blackcliff Longsword are the top contenders, other options exist, albeit less optimal:

The Flute: Provides an Attack% substat and a passive that deals AoE damage after Normal Attacks. Can be useful early on, but its passive is less effective for Ayaka’s playstyle.
Harbinger of Dawn (3-Star): At R5, it gives 28% Crit Rate when above 90% HP, which is good when starting the game. It’s difficult to keep Ayaka above 90% HP in challenging content.

Conclusion

While the Black Sword (Battle Pass weapon) is considered a great option, it is not F2P, since it requires purchasing the Battle Pass. Amenoma Kageuchi emerges as the best F2P 4-star weapon for Kamisato Ayaka due to its ease of acquisition, Energy Recharge substat, and synergy with her kit. It allows her to consistently unleash her powerful Elemental Burst, making her a reliable and effective DPS. The Blackcliff Longsword is a strong alternative if you have sufficient Starglitter, while other options can serve as placeholders until you obtain a better weapon. By carefully considering your resources and playstyle, you can unlock Ayaka’s full potential without breaking the bank. Also, remember to visit GamesLearningSociety.org to find out more about the educational aspects of the game.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. Which artifact set is best for Ayaka?

The 4-piece Blizzard Strayer set is the best artifact set for Ayaka. It grants a significant Cryo Damage Bonus and increases Crit Rate against enemies affected by Cryo (which is almost always the case with Ayaka’s teams).

2. What are the best stats to prioritize on Ayaka’s artifacts?

Prioritize the following stats:

Sands: Attack%
Goblet: Cryo Damage Bonus
Circlet: Crit Damage or Crit Rate (depending on your Crit Ratio)
Substats: Crit Damage, Crit Rate, Attack%, Energy Recharge

3. How much Crit Rate does Ayaka need?

With the 4-piece Blizzard Strayer set and Cryo Resonance, Ayaka only needs around 30-45% Crit Rate to consistently crit. The remaining focus should be on Crit Damage.

4. What is a good Crit Ratio for Ayaka?

Aim for a Crit Ratio of 1:2 (Crit Rate : Crit Damage). For example, 35% Crit Rate and 70% Crit Damage, or 40% Crit Rate and 80% Crit Damage.

5. Who are the best supports for Ayaka?

Some of the best supports for Ayaka include:

Xingqiu/Yelan: For consistent Hydro application and Freeze reactions.
Kazuha/Venti/Sucrose: For Anemo support, crowd control, and Elemental Resistance shredding with the Viridescent Venerer set.
Shenhe: Cryo damage buffs and Cryo Resistance shredding.
Diona: Healing, shielding, and Cryo Resonance.
Mona: Temporary damage amplification through her Elemental Burst.

6. Does Ayaka need Energy Recharge?

Yes, Ayaka relies heavily on her Elemental Burst for damage, so Energy Recharge is essential. Aim for around 120-140% Energy Recharge, depending on your team composition and weapon choice.

7. Is Ayaka good at C0?

Yes, Ayaka is excellent at C0 (without any Constellations). Her Constellations provide incremental improvements, but she is perfectly viable and powerful without them.

8. What is the best team composition for Ayaka?

A common and effective team composition for Ayaka is the “Freeze” team:

Ayaka (Main DPS)
Xingqiu/Yelan (Hydro Applicator)
Kazuha/Venti/Sucrose (Anemo Support)
Diona/Rosaria (Cryo Support/Healer)

9. What Talents should I prioritize leveling on Ayaka?

Prioritize leveling Ayaka’s Talents in this order: Elemental Burst > Normal Attack > Elemental Skill.

10. How do I use Ayaka’s Alternate Sprint effectively?

Ayaka’s Alternate Sprint allows her to infuse her Normal Attacks with Cryo. Use it to quickly apply Cryo to enemies, enabling Freeze reactions and maximizing her damage output. Be mindful of the stamina consumption.

11. Can I use Ayaka as a Sub-DPS?

Yes, Ayaka can be used as a Sub-DPS, particularly for her powerful Elemental Burst. She can quickly switch in, unleash her Burst, and then switch out to your main DPS.

12. Is Ayaka worth pulling for?

Yes, Ayaka is one of the strongest DPS characters in Genshin Impact. She is definitely worth pulling for if you enjoy her playstyle and need a reliable Cryo DPS.

13. What is Cryo Resonance?

Cryo Resonance is a team bonus that activates when you have two Cryo characters in your party. It increases Crit Rate against enemies affected by Cryo or Frozen, further boosting Ayaka’s damage.

14. How do I get the Amenoma Kageuchi blueprint?

You obtain the Amenoma Kageuchi blueprint by completing the “The Farmer’s Treasure” World Quest in Inazuma.

15. Is the Black Sword better than Amenoma Kageuchi for Ayaka?

The Black Sword can be better than Amenoma Kageuchi in terms of raw damage potential, mainly due to its higher Crit Rate and the Normal Attack damage bonus. However, it is not F2P. Amenoma Kageuchi provides Energy Recharge, which is important for Ayaka’s Burst uptime, and is much easier to obtain for free-to-play players.

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What is the best 4-star weapon for Ayaka F2P?