Messenger Genshin Impact Guide ⇒ Unlock the Best Stats Now

Messenger is a notable 3-star bow in Genshin Impact, valued for its critical damage scaling and its special passive that rewards precision aiming. While often overshadowed by higher rarity options, Messenger remains a compelling early-game choice or a convenient stat stick for certain characters, particularly those who excel at weak spot targeting. In this evergreen guide, you’ll discover everything you need to know about Messenger, including its stats, ideal characters, ascension, and more.

Messenger in Genshin Impact – Complete Weapon Overview

Weapon Type and Rarity

Type: Bow
Rarity: 3-Star

Messenger is among the select few bows in the game that grants a Crit Damage bonus as its substat, making it unique within its grade.

Core Stats and Scaling

Base Attack:
- Level 1: 40
- Level 90: 448
Substat: Crit DMG
- Level 1: 6.8%
- Level 90: 31.2%

This stat line is exceptional for characters needing more critical damage in their kit, allowing meaningful early-game damage improvement.

Unique Passive – Archer’s Message

Messenger’s weapon skill, Archer’s Message, provides situational burst damage when you score Aimed Shot hits on enemy weak spots. On hit, the weapon will deal bonus attack damage as crit damage, subject to a 10-second cooldown.

Effect (Refinement 1): Aimed Shot hits on weak spots deal 100% additional ATK DMG as CRIT DMG. Can only occur once every 10 seconds.
Effect grows with refinement:
- R2: 125% additional ATK DMG
- R3: 150% additional ATK DMG
- R4: 175% additional ATK DMG
- R5: 200% additional ATK DMG

Because the effect relies on precise aim and patient play, Messenger rewards sharpshooters over rapid-fire users.

How to Obtain the Messenger Bow

Messenger is an exploration reward and cannot be wished for in standard weapon banners. It is acquired from exquisite chests (and higher) located in Liyue. As a world exploration weapon, multiple copies can be gathered naturally over time through diligent exploration, allowing for refinements.

For location specifics and a full drop overview, explore the following resource: GameWith’s Messenger Weapon Guide

Weapon Ascension Materials

To bring Messenger to its peak, you’ll need the following ascension items:

Mist Veiled series (Elixir/Lead/Mercury/Gold/Primo)
Mist Grass items (Pollen, Grass, Wick)
Treasurer Hoarder/Raven Insignias
Total Mora required: 105,000

All these materials can be found or farmed through regular gameplay and are shared with other Liyue region weapons.

Best Messenger Bow Users and Builds

Ideal Characters

The bow’s strength shines with characters optimized for aimed shots and weak point hits. For most, Messenger may be a temporary or niche pick, but certain archers can take advantage of its attributes:

Tighnari: Due to his charged attack focus, Tighnari can deploy Messenger’s passive effectively, especially in Dendro “Spread” teams
Amber: Her gameplay encourages precision aiming, making her a potential candidate for Messenger in early game
Aloy: Another archer that relies on aimed shots and can make use of bonus crit damage
Fischl (early game): Can use as a stat stick until better 4-star/5-star weapons are available, though her damage scaling comes more from skills and Oz in late game

Recommended Builds

Artifact Focus: Pair with Crit Rate/ATK%/Elemental DMG artifacts to balance the high Crit DMG substat
Playstyle: Prioritize heroes and tactics focusing on precision shots at weak points
Refinements: Refining Messenger can double its passive power, so collecting multiple copies is worthwhile if you plan to use it continuously

For a deeper dive into artifact recommendations and advanced build tips for bow users, check out this comprehensive guide: Game8’s Bow Builds Guide

Messenger Compared to Other Bows

While Messenger offers unique critical potential for its rarity, it remains a step below top-performing bows for DPS. It can outperform other 3-star bows such as Recurve Bow or Raven Bow only for characters who favor weak point critical hits. Against 4-star options like The Stringless, Blackcliff Warbow, and premium 5-star bows, Messenger falls short in both stats and wider usability. Nonetheless, its instant shell of Crit DMG can carry early or casual bow users through Liyue’s challenges before better options are found.

Find further stat breakdowns on Messenger and related bows here: Genshin-Builds Messenger Details

Frequently Asked Questions about Messenger in Genshin Impact

What is the Messenger bow in Genshin Impact?

Messenger is a 3-star bow weapon in Genshin Impact with Crit DMG as its secondary stat and a passive that grants bonus crit damage on aimed weak point hits.

How do you obtain Messenger in Genshin Impact?

Messenger is obtained as a random drop from exquisite or higher-level chests in the Liyue region, not from wishes or limited-time events.

Which characters are best suited for Messenger?

Characters whose gameplay revolves around charged aimed shots, such as Tighnari, Amber, Aloy, and sometimes Fischl, are best able to activate Messenger’s passive.

What is Messenger’s weapon skill and how does it work?

Messenger’s Archer’s Message passive grants a powerful bonus attack as crit damage when an aimed shot hits a weak point, usable once every 10 seconds.

How does Messenger’s Crit DMG substat compare to other bows?

Messenger is the only 3-star bow in the game to offer Crit DMG as its main substat, making it unique among low-rarity weapons and a solid stat stick for crit-based builds in early game.

Can Messenger be refined?

Yes, you can refine Messenger up to Refinement 5 by collecting duplicate copies from Liyue chests, increasing its passive effect up to 200% additional attack damage as crit damage.

Is Messenger a good weapon for late-game content?

Messenger is generally outclassed in late-game or Spiral Abyss content due to its lower base stats and situational passive. It is best considered a strong starting option while you seek superior 4-star or 5-star bows.

What materials are required to ascend Messenger?

Ascending Messenger requires Mist Veiled Elixirs, Mist Grass items, Treasure Hoarder/Raven Insignias, and 105,000 Mora in total for maximum ascension.

How can I maximize Messenger’s performance?

To get the most out of Messenger, equip it to a character who uses charged attacks, balance Crit Rate with your artifacts, and attempt to refine the weapon for a stronger passive effect.

Is Messenger exclusive to any event or banner?

No, Messenger is only attainable through exploration in Liyue and is not limited to events or banners, making it a permanent and evergreen weapon for any player.