Why The Bell Rings Hollow: An In-Depth Look at Genshin Impact’s Most Maligned Claymore

The Bell. Just the name is enough to elicit groans from Genshin Impact players the world over. Its reputation as the worst 4-star weapon is widespread and, frankly, quite deserved. But why does this particular claymore inspire such negativity? Simply put, The Bell is a bad weapon because its stats and passive ability are generally unhelpful and often actively detrimental for most characters and team compositions. Its HP% main stat is only beneficial on a very niche selection of characters, while its passive, a shield triggered upon taking damage, has a long cooldown and short duration, making it unreliable and inefficient compared to other options. Add to this the fact that there are often superior, more accessible weapons available, and The Bell’s shortcomings become glaringly apparent. It’s a beautiful weapon visually, but its performance in battle leaves much to be desired, solidifying its place as the least coveted 4-star pull in Genshin Impact.

The Core Issues: Stats, Passive, and Alternatives

The Problematic HP% Main Stat

The Bell’s main stat is HP%. While increasing a character’s health points might sound appealing, it’s generally not a high priority stat for most DPS (Damage Per Second) or even sub-DPS characters. The primary concern is usually dealing damage, and stats like ATK%, CRIT Rate, and CRIT DMG contribute far more to that goal.

There are a handful of characters, like Beidou and Noelle, who can benefit from HP%, particularly in specific builds. However, even for these characters, there are often better options. For Beidou, while HP% can strengthen her shield, other weapons offer significantly more damage potential. For Noelle, who can scale damage from DEF or ATK, and who has healing abilities based on DEF, HP% is not the main desired stat, and there are far superior options. Thus, the HP% main stat severely limits The Bell’s usefulness to a very small subset of the roster.

The Ineffective Passive: Rebellious Guardian

The Bell’s passive, Rebellious Guardian, creates a shield upon taking damage. This shield absorbs damage based on the wielder’s Max HP. While a shield might seem useful in theory, the implementation is deeply flawed:

• Long Cooldown: The shield can only be triggered once every 45 seconds. In the fast-paced combat of Genshin Impact, a 45-second cooldown is an eternity. This makes the shield highly unreliable.
• Short Duration: The shield lasts for only 10 seconds. This means that for 35 seconds out of every 45, you have no shield from the weapon.
• Trigger Condition: The shield only activates upon taking damage. This encourages a playstyle of intentionally getting hit, which is counterproductive. Better to avoid damage altogether than rely on a temporary, unreliable shield.
• Better Alternatives: Characters who benefit from shielding can often find more consistent and effective shielding options through talents, constellations, or other characters with dedicated shielding abilities (like Zhongli, Layla, or Diona).

Superior and More Accessible Alternatives

The most damning aspect of The Bell is that there are numerous other 4-star and even F2P (Free-to-Play) weapons that offer superior performance. Weapons like Prototype Archaic/Amber, Serpent Spine, and Blackcliff Slasher provide significantly higher damage output and more consistent benefits for most claymore users. These weapons are often easier to obtain and refine, further diminishing The Bell’s appeal. Even the craftable claymores are often a better choice.

Why Players Dislike The Bell

Players dislike The Bell for several reasons:

• Disappointment When Pulled: Pulling a weapon from the gacha system and receiving The Bell is often a major disappointment. Players are typically hoping for powerful weapons that will enhance their characters, and The Bell simply doesn’t deliver.
• “Bait” Banner Concerns: Some players express concern that The Bell is included in weapon banners to dilute the pool of desirable weapons. While this is unconfirmed, the perception is enough to fuel resentment.
• Meme Status: The Bell has become a meme within the Genshin Impact community, often used as a symbol of bad luck or a source of humor. This further reinforces its negative image.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) About The Bell

1. Is The Bell ever a “good” weapon in Genshin Impact?

In very specific circumstances, The Bell can be okay, but it’s rarely the best choice. For a heavily invested shield-focused Beidou build, it can have some use. However, even then, other weapons often offer better damage or more reliable utility.

2. Who is The Bell best suited for?

Noelle, Beidou, and Xinyan are the characters that are generally best suited for The Bell. However, there are often better options.

3. Is The Bell better than a 3-star weapon?

In most cases, a well-leveled and refined 3-star weapon can outperform The Bell, particularly on characters who don’t benefit from HP%.

4. Can The Bell be useful in the early game?

Even in the early game, there are better F2P claymore options, such as the Prototype Archaic.

5. How does The Bell compare to Prototype Archaic?

Prototype Archaic is almost universally superior to The Bell. Its ATK% main stat and passive damage proc make it a much more reliable and impactful weapon for damage dealing.

6. Should I refine The Bell if I have multiple copies?

It’s generally not recommended to refine The Bell. It’s often better to save the copies in case a future character or build emerges that can truly utilize its unique properties, however unlikely.

7. Is The Bell worth leveling?

Unless you have a very specific build in mind and no other claymore options available, The Bell is generally not worth the resource investment to level it.

8. Does The Bell’s shield stack with other shields?

Yes, The Bell’s shield stacks with shields from characters like Zhongli or Diona. However, relying on The Bell’s shield in conjunction with another shield is still inefficient due to its long cooldown.

9. Can The Bell be used as an off-field support weapon?

No, The Bell is not a good choice for off-field support. Its passive requires the character to be on the field and take damage, making it unsuitable for characters who primarily provide support from off-field.

10. Will The Bell ever become a good weapon in the future?

It’s possible, but unlikely, that The Bell will become a meta-defining weapon in the future. It would require a new character with abilities that synergize extremely well with HP% and the damage-triggered shield, surpassing the effectiveness of other available options.

11. What are the alternatives to The Bell for a shield-focused Beidou build?

Alternatives include weapons that increase Beidou’s damage output, such as the Serpent Spine, Blackcliff Slasher, or Wolf’s Gravestone.

12. How does The Bell compare to other HP% weapons?

Other HP% weapons, such as the Staff of Homa and Key of Khaj-Nisut, have additional effects that make them useful for specific characters. The Bell only increases HP and provides a weak shield, which limits its viability compared to these weapons.

13. Is there any comedic value to using The Bell?

Some players enjoy using The Bell ironically as a “meme weapon”. Equipping it on a character for comedic effect can be a lighthearted way to engage with the game.

14. What is the best way to dispose of The Bell?

The best approach is to just leave it in your inventory. You never know if it will be important in the future.

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

Reliable information about Genshin Impact weapon builds can be found on various online resources, like Genshin Impact wikis, community forums, and YouTube guides. Furthermore, understanding the science behind video games is crucial. Discover the importance of game studies with the Games Learning Society at GamesLearningSociety.org, an organization dedicated to understanding learning and engagement in games.