Tidal Shadow is a standout 4-star Claymore weapon in Genshin Impact, highly regarded for its generous, healing-triggered ATK buff and its accessibility to both new and veteran players. Since its introduction in Fontaine, Tidal Shadow has carved a niche as a free-to-play friendly option with competitive utility for many Claymore users seeking flexible support or supplemental DPS boosts.
Understanding Tidal Shadow: Weapon Type, Stats, and Lore
Tidal Shadow is a Claymore weapon of 4-star rarity, offering an ATK% substat and a unique passive that rewards teams with healing in their rotation. Its refined nautical design pays homage to the traditions of Fontaine’s seafaring officers, making it visually appealing and thematically rich for players exploring the Hydro nation’s depths.
- Weapon Type: Claymore
- Rarity: 4-Star
- Base ATK at Level 90: 510
- Secondary Stat (Level 90): 41.3% ATK
- Passive (White Cruising Wave): After the wielder is healed, their ATK increases by 24% (at R1) for 8 seconds. This can be triggered even when the character is off-field. At maximum refinement, the buff scales to 48%.
How to Obtain Tidal Shadow in Genshin Impact
Tidal Shadow belongs to the select category of weapons that are exclusively craftable and fully accessible to all players, bypassing the gacha pool entirely. Here’s how you can add it to your arsenal:
1. Acquire the Forging Diagram
Purchase the Tidal Shadow blueprint from Estelle, the Fontaine blacksmith. To obtain the blueprint, you will need the following regional ingredients:
- 10x Bulle Fruit
- 10x Marcotte
- 10x Condessence Crystal
2. Craft the Weapon
With the diagram in your inventory, head to any blacksmith to forge Tidal Shadow. Required materials are:
- 50x White Iron Chunk
- 50x Crystal Chunk
- Additional Fontaine materials depending on your world exploration
For a detailed, step-by-step guide, see this in-depth resource.
Tidal Shadow’s Stat Progression and Ascension
Like all 4-star weapons, Tidal Shadow requires six ascension phases to reach level 90, with increasing stat bonuses along the way. Here’s what players can expect at maximum refinement and ascension:
- Base ATK (Lv. 90): 510
- ATK% Substat (Lv. 90): 41.3%
- Passive (R5): Up to 48% ATK increase for 8 seconds post-heal
Ascension materials focus on Fontaine-region drops such as Rift Cores, Meshing Gears, Foreign Synapses, Alien Life Cores, and the Goblet of the Pristine Sea series. The coin cost for full ascension is 150,000 Mora. For an updated materials list, visit this companion page.
Best Characters for Tidal Shadow
The passive effect of Tidal Shadow makes it an especially potent support or main-damage option for characters regularly receiving healing, or those in compositions with frequent HP restoration. Top recommendations include:
- Freminet: Excels with the passive’s consistent uptime alongside healers
- Gaming: Synergizes naturally with self-heals from his kit
- Mavuika: Makes great use of the weapon’s off-field triggering mechanic
- Navia: Appreciates the extra ATK as both a stat stick and buff source
- Razor: Immensely benefits as a physical DPS reliant on ATK boosts
Other notable candidates: Chongyun, Eula, Sayu, Dehya, Diluc, Beidou, Dori, Noelle, Xinyan, Kaveh, and Kinich.
Team Compositions and Ideal Builds
Tidal Shadow’s passive shines in group settings that ensure frequent healing. Optimal teams will often include:
- A dedicated healer (e.g., Bennett, Barbara, Kokomi)
- A Tidal Shadow user in either the main DPS or off-field Support role
- Rotations that enable the ATK boost to be triggered and maintained
As Tidal Shadow grants a considerable ATK percentage for 8 seconds following a heal, timing and team synergy can maximize the weapon’s bonus throughout combat. This makes it a stellar fit for sustain and hypercarry archetypes.
Weapon Comparison and Tier Placement
While Tidal Shadow is often out-damaged by high-tier 5-star options, it’s notably B tier for DPS and A tier for support Claymore roles. Its ability to offer significant boosts with little downtime makes it a staple in teams built around healing mechanics, narrowing the power gap between free and premium armaments.
For character-specific build ideas, check this tier and build guide.
Evolving Strategies and Community Insight
Since release, theorycrafters and content creators have explored a variety of builds and rotations to amplify Tidal Shadow’s efficiency. For meta analysis, gameplay tips, and demonstrations of Tidal Shadow in action, watch this curated expert breakdown:
More community insights and real-world usage examples can be found on review hubs and guides such as Genshin-Builds and Game8.
Frequently Asked Questions about Tidal Shadow in Genshin Impact
What is Tidal Shadow in Genshin Impact?
Tidal Shadow is a 4-star Claymore weapon introduced in Fontaine. It features an ATK% substat and a passive that boosts attack after healing.
How do I obtain Tidal Shadow?
You obtain Tidal Shadow by purchasing its blueprint from Estelle in Fontaine, then crafting it with regional ores and materials.
Can Tidal Shadow’s passive be triggered off-field?
Yes, the White Cruising Wave passive is activated by healing even when the wielder is not on the field, allowing for seamless team synergy.
What stats does Tidal Shadow provide at level 90?
At level 90, Tidal Shadow has a base ATK of 510 and an ATK% secondary stat of 41.3%.
Which characters are best paired with Tidal Shadow?
Freminet, Gaming, Mavuika, Navia, and Razor are top choices, especially when paired with reliable healers for passive uptime.
Is Tidal Shadow better for DPS or support?
While viable for DPS thanks to its ATK bonus, Tidal Shadow shines as a support weapon, offering a consistent outsource of ATK buffs in healing teams.
How does Tidal Shadow compare with 5-star Claymores?
Though not as powerful as top-tier 5-stars, Tidal Shadow is a competitive, free-to-play option that closes the gap for players without premium pulls.
What materials are required to craft and ascend Tidal Shadow?
The forging process requires White Iron Chunks, Crystal Chunks, and Fontaine world drops. Ascension uses Rift Cores, Meshing Gears, Goblet of the Pristine Sea series, and Mora.
Is Tidal Shadow limited to Fontaine or can other regions’ characters use it?
While crafted in Fontaine, Tidal Shadow can be used by any Claymore wielder, offering flexibility across the roster regardless of region.
Where can I find more detailed guides and community analysis on Tidal Shadow?
Trusted resources include Genshin-Builds, GameWith, and popular YouTube creator discussions, such as the video embedded above.
Empower Your Team with Tidal Shadow
Tidal Shadow is a must-craft for players seeking versatile, healing-driven ATK buffs without relying on gacha RNG. Whether supporting a burst DPS or amplifying a sustain-oriented lineup, this Claymore offers evergreen value for savvy team-builders. Explore more strategies and weapon recommendations at ExploreGenshin and stay ahead on your journey across Teyvat’s ever-expanding frontiers.
