A successful play-through of Genshin Impact requires three things: a strong character, a great team, and amazing weapon choice. When playing with Shenhe, the number of viable weapons is pretty limited and access to each one depends on factors like loot drops, upgrades, and even game passes.
There are, however, weapons ranging from three stars all the way up to five stars with strong base attack stats to choose from for Shenhe, all of which have their own perks (such as energy recharges) and bonuses for her and her teammates. Let's examine some of the best.
Updated April 28, 2022 by Rebecca Timberlake: Though released as a playable character in January 2022, other updates have led to changes in Shenhe's bio and purpose. Formerly listed as a Liyue resident, the version 2.6 update in Genshin Impact has changed her affiliation to Cloud Retainer's Abode, which also boasts Ganyu as a member. Shenhe is a Cryo-user, and works best in teams of other Cyro-users, either as a main DPS or a support DPS, so the weapon you equip her with is all about adding to her power.
13/13 The Halberd - Three Star
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The Halberd is a three-star Polearm weapon that may be common and basic, but it has its benefits for Shenhe. The Halberd is the best possible three-star weapon in Genshin Impact because it offers Attack as its substat, and it causes the normal attack to deal out an additional 160 percent damage every ten seconds.
This makes it a decent substitute for higher graded weapons, especially those that are harder to get ahold of.
12/13 The Favonius Lance - Four Star
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The Favonius Lance has one of the lower attack numbers out of the four-star weapons, but can be used as a battery to help out any time your team is low on Energy Recharge. The critical hits also have a 60 percent chance of generating Elemental Particles, which will be used to get your overall team’s Elemental Burst back quicker.
The Favonius Lance does have a higher Base Attack than the Catch, which is one of the common weapons players recommend for Shenhe.
11/13 The Lithic Spear - Four Star
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This Polearm weapon is of four-star quality, with a base attack between 44 and 565 depending on Shenhe's stats and variables. The secondary stat offered by the Lithic Spear can increase the Attacks anywhere from six percent to 27.6 percent, so creating a strong team around Shenhe will only maximize the damage she can dole out with this weapon.
It will also add three percent Attack and seven percent weapons gains for all members on your team that are from the Liyue region, and this can be stacked up to four times.
10/13 The Wavebreaker’s Fin - Four Star
Another four-star weapon, this one was accessible as Wish-exclusive content. So while it's harder to get, it is totally worth the effort. Its Base Attack can get up to 620 when at level 90, and has a passive ability that increases the Elemental Burst damage by a factor based on the total Energy capacity of Shenhe’s entire team.
This means the stronger the team you build, the higher your increase will be on Burst damage, ensuring the versatility of the Wavebreaker’s Fin. Despite the more elusive nature of this weapon, you won't regret adding it to your armory.
9/13 The Deathmatch - Four Star
An alternative weapon for Shenhe that was available in the Premium Battle Pass, the Deathmatch is a four-star Polearm that has staggering perks that match its name. If you are facing off against two or more opponents in close proximity, it will increase your Attack and defense stats by 16 percent.
If there’s only one opponent nearby, however, you get a 24 percent Attack boost instead. Even if Shenhe isn’t present on the battlefield, the buffs are always active for her teammates.
8/13 The Blackcliff Pole - Four Star
You'll go through Paimon's Bargains to get the Blackcliff Pole, a four-star Polearm that offers a Base Attack boost between 42 and 510, based on Shenhe's level. It's way easier to get ahold of than the Deathmatch, and due to their similar stats, many players pick one or the other- and often times the Blackcliff Pole wins out.
Crit damage will also get an increase with this weapon, between 12 and 55.1 percent. Finally, Attack gets a bonus 12 percent anytime Shenhe defeats an opponent on the battlefield.
7/13 The Catch - Four Star
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This four-star Polearm resembles a trident, physically standing out from all the other weapons recommended for Shenhe. The Shanty skill it provides increases Burst damage by 16 percent, and critical hits by six percent. The Catch is commonly recommended to use with Shenhe (among other characters) by players for its ease of access (it's free) and use.
It also features Energy Recharge as its secondary stat, so it helps maintain power consistently in battle.
6/13 The Vortex Vanquisher - Five Star
Another Polearm weapon, this one is ranked as a five-star. It comes with an attack bonus stat, a Base Attack of 46, a secondary attack that adds 10.8 percent, and it increases your shield strength by 20 percent. When you successfully hit an enemy, Shenhe’s attack will increase by four percent for eight-second intervals, and this can be stacked up to five times during a fight.
As long as Shenhe is protected by a shield, she’ll also see an increase to her Attack bonus by 100 percent. The Vortex Vanquisher is not a weapon to miss out on.
5/13 The Skyward Spine - Five Star
This five-star weapon will increase Shenhe’s crit rate by eight percent and her normal Attack speed by 12%. You’ll also see Shenhe’s Normal and Charged Attacks getting a 50 percent chance to trigger Vacuum Blade as long as the hits connect with the enemy targets.
When this happens, it will deal 40 percent of the Attack damage within a small Area of Effect. The Skyward Spine is an impressive weapon that only increases Shenhe’s effectiveness in battle.
4/13 The Primordial Jade Winged-Spear - Five Star
If you don't have access to the Skyward Spine, the Primordial Jade Winged-Spear is a great replacement and is conveniently also five-stars. Its overall Base Attack increase will run from 48 to 674, depending on Shenhe's level in the game, and her Crit Rate will go up another 4.8 to 22.1 percent, again based on her level. This means you could have her maxed out, with the additional 22.1 percent to make her an ultimate power hitter.
Whenever Shenhe successfully connects a hit with an enemy, it will increase her Attack by 3.2 percent for six seconds. This has a max stack of seven, and once you've gained seven her damage will go up by 12 percent.
3/13 The Engulfing Lightning - Five Star
With a base attack between 46 and 608, this five-star Polearm is a top choice for characters with strong Elemental Bursts, like Shenhe. It offers an Energy Recharge bonus of 12 percent to 55.1 percent, helping with recovery from attacks to deal more damage.
Its special passive is called ‘Timeless Dream: Eternal Stove’, which increases Shenhe’s Attack power when in use. If you use her Elemental Burst, the Engulfing Lightning will also give her an extra Energy Recharge for 12 seconds afterward, giving her shorter periods of inactivity or lighter damage attacks.
2/13 The Dragonspine Spear - Five Star
The Dragonspine Spear works best with a Cryo-user, and has the biggest boosts with Cryo bonuses, so if you're using Shenhe in an all-Cryo team, you're really going to get the best performance out of everyone and this Polearm. You can forge it yourself, making it pretty easy to get, and it gives a range of 41 to 454 Base Attack bonus, depending on Shenhe's level.
Whenever she hits a target with her Normal or Charged Attack, there's a 60 percent chance it will form the Everfrost Icicle. This will dole out an 80 percent AoE Attack damage, and any opponent affected by Cryo will get a 200 percent Attack damage. This means an all-Cryo team around Shenhe will be a quick and merciless win.
1/13 The Calamity Queller - Five Star
Made from crystal, the weapon was released alongside Shenhe, implying their compatibility is more design than happenstance. You’ll find the Calamity Queller recommended time and time again for Shenhe.
With bonus Attack increases between 3.6 percent and 16.5 percent and Base Attacks ranging from 49 to 741, this five-star Polearm will enhance Shenhe in any team composition you place her in. It will increase all teammates’ Elemental damage with the passive ability in ‘Extinguishing Precept’, making it a welcome addition.
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