Aquila Favonia stands as one of the most sought-after five-star swords in Genshin Impact, famed for its impressive base ATK and potent physical damage bonus. Whether you are building a physical DPS character or seeking a reliable stat stick for healing and burst damage, this weapon offers a unique blend of offensive power and survivability. In this detailed review, we explore every aspect of Aquila Favonia – from its stats and passive abilities to the best characters who wield it and recommended builds.
Weapon Profile and Acquisition
Weapon Type: Sword
Rarity: 5-star
How to Obtain: Aquila Favonia is available exclusively through the Weapon Event Wish (Epitome Invocation) in Genshin Impact. It does not appear in standard banners or through crafting.
Core Statistics and Performance
Aquila Favonia is celebrated for its exceptional base ATK and robust Physical DMG Bonus. Below are the key stats:
| Level | Base ATK | Bonus Stat (Physical DMG%) |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 48 | 9.0% |
| 90 (max) | 674 | 41.3% |
This sword boasts the highest base ATK among all swords in the game, and its bonus stat makes it a force to be reckoned with in physical DPS builds.
Passive Ability: Falcon’s Defiance
The passive ability of Aquila Favonia, known as Falcon’s Defiance, adds both offensive and defensive utility to the weapon. It increases ATK by 20% at refinement rank 1 (up to 40% at rank 5) and triggers the following effect every 15 seconds when the wielder takes damage:
- Regenerates HP equal to 100% of ATK (up to 160% at higher refinements)
- Deals AoE damage to nearby enemies equal to 200% of ATK (up to 320% at higher refinements)
This dual-effect is ideal for characters who need both a damage boost and extra survivability during intense combat situations.
Top Characters That Benefit from Aquila Favonia
Aquila Favonia excels as a physical DPS weapon, and its optimal use is on characters who can maximize its physical damage and healing potential. Notable recommended characters include:
- Jean: Her abilities are enhanced by the additional healing and ATK boosts, making her one of the best candidates for this weapon.
- Keqing: While known for her Electro builds, a physical DPS variant can utilize Aquila Favonia to deliver rapid, high-damage normal and charged attacks.
- Qiqi: Even as a support, this sword enhances her self-healing and contributes an extra layer of damage.
- Bennett: Although he may not fully exploit the Physical DMG Bonus, the high base ATK provides significant buffs to his Elemental Burst performance.
Optimal Builds for Aquila Favonia
To truly harness the full potential of Aquila Favonia, pairing it with the right artifact sets and sub-stats is essential. Consider the following recommendations:
Artifact Sets
- 2-piece Pale Flame combined with 2-piece Bloodstained Chivalry for a balanced boost to ATK and Physical DMG
- 4-piece Pale Flame for maximum physical damage output provided you can maintain the set bonus uptime
Main Stat Priorities
- ATK%
- Physical DMG%
- CRIT Rate or CRIT DMG
This weapon is suited for a physical DPS or hybrid healer/DPS role and truly shines in builds focusing on high base ATK and physical damage.
Strengths and Limitations
Strengths
- Highest base ATK among swords, providing a notable stat boost regardless of other buffs.
- Exceptional Physical DMG Bonus to transform characters into powerful physical DPS units.
- The passive ability contributes to both regular healing and burst AoE damage, enhancing survivability in combat.
- Versatility as a stat stick means it can support characters who benefit from high ATK scaling.
Limitations
- The physical DPS focus is not the prevailing meta; many newer team compositions favor elemental reactions.
- Only a limited selection of sword characters are optimized for the physical DPS role offered by Aquila Favonia.
- The passive effect requires the character to take damage in order to activate, which may not be ideal in all scenarios.
Weapon Summary at a Glance
| Feature | Description |
|---|---|
| Weapon Type | Sword |
| Rarity | 5-star |
| How to Obtain | Weapon Event Wish (Epitome Invocation) only |
| Max Base ATK | 674 |
| Bonus Stat | Physical DMG Bonus (up to 41.3%) |
| Passive Ability | Increases ATK by 20-40%, periodic self-heal, and AoE damage on taking damage |
| Best Users | Jean, Keqing (Physical), Qiqi, Bennett |
| Optimal Build | Physical DPS orientation with high ATK and artifact sets like Pale Flame or Bloodstained Chivalry |
Additional Insights and Considerations
Beyond its formidable in-game performance, Aquila Favonia also features in the Genius Invokation TCG mode, offering similar healing and damage-boosting effects for sword users. Although it is most famously associated with Jean, it is a flexible weapon that can serve as a stat stick or physical DPS enhancer in various team compositions, depending on the current meta changes and character availability.
Frequently Asked Questions about Aquila Favonia in Genshin Impact
What makes Aquila Favonia stand out among other swords?
Aquila Favonia boasts the highest base ATK among all swords in Genshin Impact and provides a significant Physical DMG Bonus. Its unique passive ability, Falcon’s Defiance, not only increases ATK but also offers healing and AoE damage, making it a standout weapon even in a diverse meta.
How can I obtain Aquila Favonia?
This weapon is exclusively available through the Weapon Event Wish known as Epitome Invocation. It is not obtainable from standard banners or through any crafting methods.
What are the key stats of Aquila Favonia at level 90?
At level 90, Aquila Favonia has a base ATK of 674 and its bonus stat, Physical DMG Bonus, maxes out at 41.3%. These stats make it highly effective for physical DPS builds.
What does the passive ability Falcon’s Defiance do?
Falcon’s Defiance increases ATK by 20% (up to 40% at higher refinement levels) and triggers every 15 seconds when the wielder takes damage. It regenerates HP equal to 100% of ATK (up to 160% at higher refinements) and deals AoE damage equal to 200% of ATK (up to 320% at higher refinements) to nearby enemies.
Which characters benefit most from using Aquila Favonia?
Characters like Jean, Keqing (in a physical DPS build), Qiqi, and Bennett can fully utilize Aquila Favonia’s stat boosts and passive effects. These characters gain significant advantages from the high base ATK and the Physical DMG Bonus.
Can Aquila Favonia be used effectively on characters not designed for physical DPS?
While Aquila Favonia shines on physical DPS builds, its high base ATK can also benefit hybrid characters. However, its full potential is realized on characters who can consistently apply physical damage in combat.
What artifact sets are recommended when using Aquila Favonia?
For optimal performance, artifact sets such as the 2-piece Pale Flame paired with 2-piece Bloodstained Chivalry or the full 4-piece Pale Flame set are recommended to maximize ATK and Physical DMG. Prioritize ATK%, Physical DMG%, and CRIT stats for best results.
How does Aquila Favonia compare with elemental weapons?
While elemental weapons may provide additional elemental reaction benefits, Aquila Favonia focuses solely on physical damage. It is ideal for teams or characters built around physical DPS where its raw stats and passive effects can be fully leveraged.
Is Aquila Favonia considered Jean's signature weapon?
Yes, Aquila Favonia is widely recognized as Jean's signature weapon due to the synergy between its passive and her abilities. Nonetheless, it remains a versatile option that can work well on several characters depending on the build strategy.
What role does Aquila Favonia play in team compositions?
Aquila Favonia is excellent as a stat stick or main DPS weapon in teams focused on physical damage. It can also serve a dual purpose by enhancing healing and providing burst AoE damage, making it suitable for hybrid roles in various team setups.
