Prototype Crescent is a 4-star craftable Bow in Genshin Impact that remains one of the most accessible and effective weapons for characters specializing in Charged Attacks. With a powerful ATK% substat and a passive effect tailored towards weak point hits, it’s a popular choice among Free-to-Play players, particularly for characters like Ganyu. Whether you’re building a DPS or supporting archer, Prototype Crescent offers reliable performance backed by convenient availability early in the game.
Prototype Crescent at a Glance: Weapon Overview
- Weapon Type: Bow
- Rarity: 4-Star
- Method of Acquisition: Forging at a Blacksmith
- Substat: ATK%
- Passive Ability: Unreturning – CRIT-hitting a weak point with a Charged Attack increases Movement Speed by 10% and ATK by 36% for 10 seconds (values at Refinement Rank 1)
How to Obtain the Prototype Crescent
The Prototype Crescent can be forged at any Blacksmith station in Teyvat. You can unlock the blueprint in early game progression, making it widely accessible to most players.
Required Crafting Materials
- 1 Northlander Bow Billet
- 50 White Iron Chunks
- 50 Crystal Chunks
- 500 Mora
Speak to Wagner (Mondstadt), Master Zhang (Liyue), or Hajime (Inazuma) to craft the weapon using these materials.
Stats and Passive Effect: A Closer Look
| Attribute | Level 1 | Level 90 |
|---|---|---|
| Base Attack | 42 | 510 |
| Substat – ATK% | 9.0% | 41.3% |
| Passive Ability – Unreturning | Charged Attacks that hit weak points increase Movement SPD by 10% and ATK by 36% for 10s. (R1 effect; increases with refinement) | |
Best Characters to Use Prototype Crescent
This weapon thrives on characters who reliably land weak point Charged Shots. Below are the most synergistic users:
Ganyu
Thanks to her double-charged Frostflake Arrow mechanic, Ganyu is arguably the best user of Prototype Crescent. When she crits weak points, her ATK boost is maximized, significantly increasing Frostflake bloom damage output.
Tighnari
Tighnari’s Dendro playstyle revolves around rapid-firing Charged Attacks. The movement buff helps with repositioning while benefiting from the ATK increase.
Kujou Sara
Although not a dedicated charged attack user, Sara can use it in specific teams for precision if built as a sub-DPS or support archer.
Aloy
Aloy’s ranged playstyle makes her a decent match, especially for Freeze teams that enable constant weak point hits.
Lyney
In mono Pyro compositions, Lyney may leverage Prototype Crescent when a better 5-star bow is unavailable.
Source: GENSHIN.CH Character Recommendation Rankings
How to Play Around Prototype Crescent
The weapon provides great value when Weak Points are hit consistently. Its passive is only usable under specific conditions, so plan combat situations with high-hitbox enemies or apply Freeze to immobilize mobs.
Recommended Build Focus
- Main Stats: ATK / Crit Rate / Crit DMG
- Artifact Sets: Wanderer’s Troupe, Blizzard Strayer, Shimenawa’s Reminiscence (depending on the character)
- Team Tips: Use CC and Freeze comps to land consistent weak point shots
More details are available on Game8’s Weapon Guide.
Frequently Asked Questions about Prototype Crescent in Genshin Impact
What type of weapon is Prototype Crescent?
Prototype Crescent is a craftable 4-star Bow in Genshin Impact designed for ranged characters focused on Charged Attacks.
How do I get Prototype Crescent?
You can forge it at any Blacksmith using a Northlander Bow Billet and common ore materials like White Iron and Crystal Chunks.
Is Prototype Crescent a good weapon?
Yes, especially for characters that rely on Charged Attacks and can reliably hit enemy weak points. It provides excellent ATK scaling and movement speed buff at no cost.
Which character benefits most from Prototype Crescent?
Ganyu is widely regarded as the best match. Her Frostflake Arrows can frequently hit weak points, maximizing the weapon’s passive buff.
What materials do I need to forge Prototype Crescent?
1 Northlander Bow Billet, 50 White Iron Chunks, 50 Crystal Chunks, and 500 Mora.
What is the passive effect of Prototype Crescent?
Charged Attacks hitting a weak point increase movement speed by 10% and ATK by 36% for 10 seconds. This effect scales up with refinement.
How does it compare to Hamayumi?
Hamayumi provides consistent Charged Attack damage regardless of enemy hitboxes, whereas Prototype Crescent has a higher ceiling when its passive is reliably triggered. Check this YouTube comparison for more: Hamayumi vs. Prototype Crescent for Ganyu.
Can I refine Prototype Crescent?
Yes, if you obtain more Northlander Bow Billets, you can craft additional copies and refine the weapon up to Rank 5.
Does the Movement Speed buff stack?
No, the speed and ATK buffs do not stack, but hitting another weak point refreshes their duration.
Is Prototype Crescent good for Free-to-Play players?
Absolutely. It’s craftable, accessible early, and effective when used with proper mechanics. It’s one of the top-performing F2P Bows.
