Forging Weapons in Genshin Impact: What to Craft First

Forgeable weapons in Genshin Impact offer powerful free options for players who want reliable gear without relying solely on gacha luck. Crafted at the blacksmith using prototypes and crystals, these weapons can rival 4★ gacha equipment when properly refined. Understanding which forged weapons deliver the best value helps optimize builds for every stage of gameplay.

Why Forgeable Weapons Matter

Blacksmith weapons are accessible, easily refinable and ideal for free-to-play accounts. Because prototypes drop from weekly bosses and certain events, players can steadily upgrade these weapons over time. Many of them provide strong passives that suit specific team roles, such as energy regeneration, EM scaling or Normal Attack boosts.

Unlike gacha alternatives, forgeable weapons offer guaranteed progression. Even a single prototype enables a viable weapon that can support a character through mid-game and into early end-game content.

Best Forgeable Swords

Iron Sting is the top Elemental Mastery sword for reaction-based characters. Its passive increases all damage upon triggering reactions, making it perfect for Anemo supports like Kazuha or Sucrose when players lack premium alternatives.

Prototype Rancour is a physical-oriented blade that boosts ATK and DEF. It works well for early-game sword users who rely on Normal and Charged Attacks.

Best Forgeable Claymores

Whiteblind stands out as one of the strongest forgeable weapons thanks to its DEF-scaling passive, ideal for Noelle and Itto. With high refinements, it becomes a powerful substitute for 5star options.

Prototype Archaic provides consistent AoE damage procs and strong ATK scaling, making it a universal DPS claymore suitable for characters like Razor, Diluc or early-game Eula builds.

Best Forgeable Polearms

Crescent Pike remains one of the best physical polearms due to its powerful Normal Attack bonus. It shines on Rosaria and Xiangling in early physical builds.

Prototype Starglitter is an energy-focused option useful for supports who need Burst uptime, such as Xiangling or Shenhe before obtaining better weapons.

Best Forgeable Bows

Compound Bow provides sustained Normal Attack bonuses for bow users who fight on-field. It is a good early option for Yoimiya or any physical bow character.

Prototype Crescent boosts charged attack damage after hitting weak points. This benefits characters like Ganyu or Tighnari when used early on, though premium options outperform it later.

Best Forgeable Catalysts

Mappa Mare stands out as a strong Elemental Mastery catalyst, increasing damage upon triggering reactions. It performs exceptionally well on characters like Yanfei, Klee or Sucrose.

Prototype Amber greatly increases healing and Burst uptime, making it a top-tier free option for support catalysts like Barbara or Kokomi in early and mid-game stages.

Which Weapons to Craft First

• Mappa Mare — for EM catalyst users.
• Whiteblind — essential for DEF-scaling Geo characters.
• Prototype Archaic — universal DPS claymore.
• Iron Sting — top EM sword.
• Crescent Pike — best physical polearm option.

These weapons provide the highest overall value for the majority of players and fit seamlessly into many team compositions.

Conclusion

Forging is one of the most reliable ways to strengthen your roster in Genshin Impact. While not all blacksmith weapons match premium gacha gear, several provide exceptional performance when refined. Crafting the right weapon allows players to reinforce key roles—DPS, support or reaction trigger—without dependence on luck. With steady resource investment, forged weapons become long-term assets that support progression across all stages of gameplay.