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Alhaitham’s Blades: Finding the Perfect Sword for the Scribe

The best sword for Alhaitham is, without question, his signature weapon, Light of Foliar Incision. It’s practically tailor-made for his kit, maximizing his damage potential and synergizing perfectly with his mechanics. However, not everyone can obtain a 5-star signature weapon. So, let’s delve into a comprehensive guide to finding the ideal blade for the esteemed Scribe of Sumeru, exploring various options, from premium picks to accessible F2P choices.

Unveiling the Best Options: A Tiered Approach

Choosing the right sword for Alhaitham depends largely on your resources and playstyle. Here’s a breakdown of the best options, categorized by rarity and availability:

S-Tier: Light of Foliar Incision

As mentioned earlier, this is the ultimate weapon for Alhaitham. Its high Crit DMG substat (reaching a whopping 88.2% at level 90) significantly boosts his overall damage output. The passive is equally impressive: it increases Crit Rate by 4-8% (depending on refinement) and grants the “Foliar Incision” effect. This effect increases Normal Attack DMG by 120-240% of Elemental Mastery for a short duration after Normal Attacks deal Elemental DMG (which Alhaitham’s infused attacks do frequently). This weapon massively amplifies his damage, making him a true force to be reckoned with.

A-Tier: Premium 5-Star Alternatives

If Light of Foliar Incision eludes your grasp, these 5-star swords offer excellent alternatives:

Primordial Jade Cutter: This sword boasts a high Crit Rate substat and increases HP, which further boosts ATK based on HP. While the HP bonus might seem unusual for Alhaitham, the sheer amount of Crit Rate it provides, combined with the ATK bonus, makes it a strong contender.
Mistsplitter Reforged: With its Crit DMG substat and a passive that increases Elemental DMG Bonus, Mistsplitter Reforged is a fantastic option, especially if you can maintain high stacks of its passive. It synergizes well with Alhaitham’s Dendro infusion.
Haran Geppaku Futsu: This sword increases Elemental DMG Bonus and Normal Attack DMG. While not as perfectly tailored as Light of Foliar Incision, it still provides a significant damage boost, especially for players who heavily rely on Alhaitham’s Normal Attacks during his Elemental Burst.
Aquila Favonia: Offering the highest base attack in the game, Aquila Favonia isn’t a bad choice. Alhaitham will always benefit from an attack boost, and the passive of the sword can provide additional healing if needed.

B-Tier: Excellent 4-Star Choices

These 4-star swords provide accessible and effective alternatives, especially for players who haven’t invested heavily in weapon banners:

The Black Sword (Battle Pass): This sword offers a Crit Rate substat and a passive that increases Normal Attack DMG and regenerates HP on Crit hits. The Crit Rate is invaluable, and the healing provides some added survivability. Its acquisition through the Battle Pass makes it relatively accessible.
Iron Sting (Craftable): This forgeable sword boasts a high Elemental Mastery main stat, significantly boosting Alhaitham’s Dendro reaction damage. Its passive further increases damage after dealing Elemental DMG. This is a fantastic F2P option, especially for teams focused on Bloom, Hyperbloom, or Aggravate reactions.
Sapwood Blade (Craftable – Sumeru): While not as universally acclaimed, the Sapwood Blade can be a good option for a support Alhaitham, due to its ability to grant the “Leaf of Consciousness” effect when triggering Dendro reactions. The character who picks up the Leaf will have their Elemental Mastery increased, which can be useful when building an elemental team around him.
Festering Desire (Event Exclusive): If you have it from a previous event, its Energy Recharge Substat is really helpful for allowing Alhaitham to constantly use his Elemental Burst, and its passive increases Elemental Skill DMG and Elemental Skill CRIT Rate.

C-Tier: F2P Alternatives & Honorable Mentions

These swords are viable if you’re truly on a budget or in the early game:

Harbinger of Dawn (3-Star): This 3-star sword offers a Crit DMG substat and a passive that increases Crit Rate when HP is above 90%. While the HP requirement can be tricky to maintain, the sheer amount of Crit it provides makes it surprisingly effective in certain situations.
Amenoma Kageuchi (Craftable): While not ideal, its ATK% stat and its passive that can regenerate energy, Amenoma Kageuchi can provide some utility to the Scribe of Sumeru.
Favonius Sword: The Favonius sword can be a great sword to use if you want to give your Alhaitham character the Energy Recharge. However, this is best used as a support sword for Alhaitham, and should not be used as his main weapon.

Stats and Substats: What to Prioritize

Beyond the sword itself, understanding which stats to prioritize is crucial for maximizing Alhaitham’s effectiveness. Here’s a general guideline:

Crit Rate/Crit DMG: Aim for a 1:2 ratio (e.g., 70% Crit Rate and 140% Crit DMG). Crit Rate is crucial for consistent damage.
Elemental Mastery (EM): Aim for 200-300 EM. This significantly boosts Dendro reaction damage.
Elemental Recharge (ER): Aim for 120-150% ER, depending on your team composition and energy generation. Ensure you can consistently use Alhaitham’s Elemental Burst.
ATK%: After fulfilling the above requirements, focus on increasing ATK% to further boost his overall damage.
Energy Recharge: Energy recharge is very important for any character, especially for Alhaitham. Always try to maximize Energy Recharge, along with Crit Rate/DMG and Elemental Mastery.

FAQs: Answering Your Burning Questions About Alhaitham’s Swords

1. Is Light of Foliar Incision truly that much better than other swords?

Yes, it is. The synergy with Alhaitham’s kit is unparalleled. The Crit DMG, Crit Rate, and Elemental Mastery scaling on Normal Attacks perfectly complement his playstyle and significantly amplify his damage output.

2. Can Alhaitham function well without his signature weapon?

Absolutely. While Light of Foliar Incision is his best-in-slot, he can still perform exceptionally well with other options, especially the premium 5-star alternatives or well-optimized 4-star swords.

3. Is Elemental Mastery more important than Crit Rate/Crit DMG for Alhaitham?

It depends on your team composition. If you’re focusing on Dendro reactions (Bloom, Hyperbloom, Aggravate), Elemental Mastery is crucial. However, Crit Rate/Crit DMG are still essential for consistent damage output. Aim for a balance between the two.

4. How much Energy Recharge does Alhaitham need?

Aim for 120-150%, but this can vary depending on your team’s energy generation capabilities. Experiment to find what feels comfortable for your playstyle.

5. Is the Black Sword worth getting from the Battle Pass specifically for Alhaitham?

If you lack other strong Crit Rate swords, yes, it’s a worthwhile investment. The Crit Rate substat and Normal Attack DMG bonus make it a valuable option for Alhaitham.

6. Is Iron Sting a viable option for endgame content?

Yes, especially in teams focused on Dendro reactions. Its high Elemental Mastery stat significantly boosts reaction damage, making it a potent F2P option.

7. What artifact sets pair best with the recommended swords?

The Deepwood Memories set is generally considered the best for Alhaitham, as it reduces enemy Dendro RES. Other viable options include Gilded Dreams or a combination of two-piece sets that provide Elemental Mastery or Dendro DMG Bonus.

8. Should I refine the Black Sword or focus on getting other weapons?

Generally, refining the Black Sword is a good investment if you plan to use it extensively on Alhaitham. The increased Normal Attack DMG bonus is significant.

9. Can Alhaitham benefit from weapons with Energy Recharge substats?

Yes, particularly if you struggle to consistently use his Elemental Burst. Weapons like the Favonius Sword (while not ideal for DPS) can provide valuable energy generation for the entire team.

10. How does the Sapwood Blade compare to Iron Sting?

The Sapwood Blade is only effective if Alhaitham is in the Sub DPS role. Iron Sting should generally be the go to option when choosing between the two.

11. Are there any upcoming swords that might be good for Alhaitham?

Keep an eye on future updates and weapon banners. miHoYo (Hoyoverse) often releases new weapons with unique passives that could potentially synergize well with Alhaitham’s kit.

12. What is the best team comp for Alhaitham?

Alhaitham generally needs Electro or Hydro characters on his team to make the most of his abilities. Kuki Shinobu or Raiden Shogun would work well, along with Xingqui or Yae Miko.

13. How much Crit Rate and Crit Damage should I have for Alhaitham?

Aim for at least 60% Crit Rate and over 120% Crit Damage. More would always be better, so maximizing those stats will greatly affect his damage.

14. What is better for Alhaitham, ATK% or Elemental Mastery?

Elemental Mastery is generally better to level up for Alhaitham, as it is a necessity for enabling the Spread reaction.

15. What weapons should I use in the early game?

In the early game, it is best to use the Harbinger of Dawn weapon. This weapon is effective at dealing a great amount of damage.

Conclusion: Choosing the Right Blade for Your Alhaitham

Ultimately, the best sword for Alhaitham depends on your individual circumstances. Light of Foliar Incision is the pinnacle, but numerous viable alternatives exist. By understanding the nuances of each weapon and prioritizing the right stats, you can equip the Scribe with a blade that suits your playstyle and maximizes his potential. Keep in mind that experimenting and adapting to your team composition are key to achieving optimal results. This can be accomplished and learned at the Games Learning Society, a community that values creativity, learning, and exploration in gaming. You can visit them at GamesLearningSociety.org.

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