The Skyward Blade in Genshin Impact is a highly coveted 5-star sword that impresses players with its stunning blue, sky-themed design and powerful Energy Recharge secondary stat. Whether you are a seasoned player or just starting your journey in Teyvat, this weapon offers utility for support and sub-DPS builds through its unique passive ability and balanced stats.
Discovering the Skyward Blade
Weapon Type and Visual Appeal
The Skyward Blade is a 5-star sword known for its elegant design inspired by the endless expanse of the sky. As part of the renowned “Skyward” weapon series, it stands out with its distinctive blue hues and dynamic visual effects that enhance both your character’s aesthetic and in-game performance.
Acquisition: The Gacha Experience
The only way to obtain the Skyward Blade is through the Weapon Event Wish, also known as the Epitome Invocation in Genshin Impact’s gacha system. This exclusive method makes the sword highly prized among collectors and players dedicated to optimizing their builds.
Weapon Power: Stats and Attributes
Core Stats Overview
At Level 1, the Skyward Blade starts with a Base Attack of 46 and an Energy Recharge secondary stat at 12%. When fully upgraded to Level 90, its Base Attack surges to 608 while the Energy Recharge climbs to 55.1%. The emphasis on Energy Recharge makes this weapon especially beneficial for characters who depend on Elemental Bursts.
Passive Ability: Skypiercing Fang
The Skyward Blade features a unique passive ability named Skypiercing Fang. This ability increases the wielder’s CRIT Rate by 4%, scaling up to 8% at max refinement. In addition, when an Elemental Burst is activated, the wielder gains the “Skypiercing Might” buff for 12 seconds, which provides a 10% boost to both Movement Speed and Attack Speed. Normal and Charged Attack hits deal extra damage based on 20% of the character’s ATK, and this bonus can reach up to 40% at max refinement.
Crafting Your Build with Skyward Blade
Best Characters to Wield the Blade
Given its focus on Energy Recharge and CRIT Rate, the Skyward Blade shines on characters who frequently trigger Elemental Bursts. Recommended users include:
- Jean: Enjoys improved healing and Burst DPS.
- Bennett: Benefits from enhanced Burst uptime and extra CRIT rate.
- Qiqi: Although her healing is the focus, the Energy Recharge is a welcomed bonus.
- Kaeya: Gains more frequent Burst activations which boost on-field DPS.
- Ayaka: Provides an alternative for players who need extra ER and occasional damage boosts.
- Lynette or Traveler (Anemo/Dendro): Both can capitalize on the improved Energy Recharge.
Strategies and Build Types
The Skyward Blade offers flexibility in gameplay, making it suitable for various builds:
- Sub-DPS/Support Build: Prioritize Energy Recharge to keep Elemental Burst uptime consistent. Pair the sword with Energy Recharge as well as CRIT Rate or ATK% artifacts for a well-rounded approach.
- On-field DPS/Hybrid Build: Users can alternate between exploiting the added Normal and Charged Attack damage after Burst and stacking other offensive attributes.
Enhancing the Blade: Ascension and Comparison
Ascension Materials Needed
To fully unlock the Skyward Blade’s potential, players must collect specific items during ascension. Key materials include:
- Boreal Wolf’s Milk Tooth, Cracked Tooth, Broken Fang, and Nostalgia
- Dead Ley Line Branch, Leaves, or Sprout
- Slime Condensate, Secretions, or Concentrate
- Mora (in-game currency)
Comparing Skyward Blade in the Sword Arsenal
While the Skyward Blade boasts versatile buffs that benefit Energy Recharge and CRIT Rate, it is sometimes viewed as underwhelming in terms of raw damage when compared to other high-end 5-star swords such as the Aquila Favonia. Its lower base attack means that its strengths lie in support or hybrid roles rather than pure DPS output. However, for many sub-DPS characters, the benefits of the passive ability more than make up for this difference.
Visual Effects and Gameplay Impact
When the Skyward Blade’s passive is activated, players will notice a flowing light aura radiating from the blade along with green arrows that surround the character. These visual cues not only provide satisfying feedback during combat but also signal the brief window of enhanced movement and attack speed.
Frequently Asked Questions about Skyward Blade in Genshin Impact
What makes the Skyward Blade unique among 5-star swords?
The Skyward Blade is distinguished by its sky-inspired design, high Energy Recharge secondary stat, and its passive ability which boosts CRIT Rate, movement speed, and attack speed after using an Elemental Burst.
How do I obtain the Skyward Blade in the game?
Players can only acquire the Skyward Blade through the Weapon Event Wish or Epitome Invocation in Genshin Impact’s gacha system, making it an exclusive and highly sought-after weapon.
Which characters benefit the most from using the Skyward Blade?
Characters such as Jean, Bennett, Qiqi, Kaeya, and Ayaka are ideal candidates because they either rely heavily on Elemental Bursts or can effectively use the additional damage and speed bonuses provided by the weapon.
Can I use the Skyward Blade on off-field support characters?
Yes, the sword’s attributes can benefit off-field supports; however, the passive bonuses are most effective when the character is actively engaging in combat and frequently using their Elemental Burst.
What are the key stats of the Skyward Blade at Level 90?
At maximum level, the Skyward Blade offers a Base Attack of 608 and an Energy Recharge secondary stat of 55.1%.
How does the passive ability Skypiercing Fang enhance gameplay?
The passive ability increases CRIT Rate by 4% (up to 8% at max refinement) and grants a temporary boost to Movement Speed and Attack Speed after an Elemental Burst, along with additional damage on Normal and Charged Attacks.
What materials are required for the ascension of the Skyward Blade?
To ascend the Skyward Blade, you will need items such as Boreal Wolf’s Milk Tooth (and its higher-level forms), Dead Ley Line Branch materials, Slime Condensate or its derivatives, and Mora.
Is the Skyward Blade a good choice for a DPS build?
While it provides supportive buffs and works well in hybrid builds, its lower Base Attack makes it more suitable for sub-DPS or support roles where its additional Energy Recharge and CRIT Rate are more beneficial than raw damage.
How does the visual effect of Skyward Blade’s passive manifest in game?
When activated, the passive ability creates a flowing light aura on the blade and green arrows around the character, signaling the enhanced state for both movement and attack speeds.
What strategies should players consider when building around the Skyward Blade?
Players can focus on Energy Recharge builds to maximize Elemental Burst uptime or opt for hybrid builds that combine CRIT Rate and ATK% to further exploit the weapon’s extra damage on Normal and Charged Attacks.
