Whenever a new Archon character in Genshin Impact gets released, the stars rejoice in celebration - though some of the players will inevitably cry in a chorus on the off chance they receive a C20 Qiqi instead. The risk is all worth it, however, as Baal - or "Raiden Shogun" - has proven herself to be another unique game-changing 5-star character. Much like Venti or Zhongli, her primary role is to provide support for the party.
Baal does this by giving tons of energy to everyone and also by acting as a sub-DPS. She's highly versatile in that regard, meaning the number of choices in building her up can lead to confusion or some sub-optimal decisions. So if you want to earn her approval instead of her resentful spite, then give Raiden Shogun the most effective weapons, such as these.
10/10 Kitain Cross Spear
- Max Base ATK: 565
- Secondary Stat: Elemental Mastery 110
- Passive Ability Focus: Elemental Skill & Energy buff
One of the latest 4-star weapons in the game, the Kitain Cross Spear isn't exactly an appealing one thanks to its secondary stat and the conditional weapon passive. With Raiden Shogun's arrival, however, the Kitain Cross Spear just might see increased usage.
The Elemental Mastery isn't bad on her as Electro-Charged is one of the most powerful Electro-based reactions. The Elemental Skill buff for the weapon passive is also quite substantial since Baal generates an eye herald-type attack that damages enemies whenever she uses her skill.
9/10 Favonius Lance
- Max Base ATK: 565
- Secondary Stat: Energy Recharge 30.6 percent
- Passive Ability Focus: Elemental particle generation
One of the most unique things about Raiden Shogun is that she capitalizes on Energy Recharge. That's her gameplay niche as an Archon character. The stat increases her Electro damage and her energy generation for the whole party.
Hence, whereas most polearm characters would actively avoid the Favonius Lance, Raiden Shogun would thrive with it. The Energy Recharge addition is significant enough for her, while it further makes her energy generation even more generous. No such thing as too much energy in Genshin Impact.
8/10 Blackcliff Pole
- Max Base ATK: 510
- Secondary Stat: CRIT DMG 55.1 percent
- Passive Ability Focus: Conditional increased damage.
Still, there are some of you who might prefer to use Baal as a DPS carry. That's also viable - simply give her the right weapon, like the Blackcliff Pole. Again, being a Blackcliff weapon, it's difficult to obtain but can be worth it and cheap if you shy away from spending.
The CRIT DMG increase does wonders for Raiden Shogun's Elemental Skill and Burst damage. The former even gains the benefits of her weapons even if she's off-field. The good thing here is that you don't lose much by ignoring the weapon passive.
7/10 Prototype Starglitter
- Max Base ATK: 510
- Secondary Stat: Energy Recharge 45.9 percent
- Passive Ability Focus: Attack increase
Want an even better Energy Recharge weapon compared to the Favonius Lance? Then go to the blacksmith and grab yourself a Prototype Starglitter. It's one of the best 4-star options for Raiden Shogun. The Energy Recharge on the secondary stat is higher by more than 50 percent of the Favonius Lance's value.
Moreover, Baal gets increased Normal and Charged attack damage after using her Elemental Skill. This is a handy synergy since there are times when you'll pop off Raiden Shogun's Elemental Burst after her Elemental Skill and proceed to attack relentlessly.
6/10 The Catch
- Max Base ATK: 510
- Secondary Stat: Energy Recharge 45.9 percent
- Passive Ability Focus: Elemental Burst damage buff
As good as Prototype Starglitter is, it's still no match for The Catch's benefits. The stats are identical between the two weapons and it also gives Energy Recharge. The best part is that it's a free weapon associated with a quest.
Where it serves Raiden Shogun better is with the weapon passive ability. The Catch increases her Elemental Burst damage by a significant percentage. Moreover, it also adds some CRIT Rate on top of the damage increase. It's a good way to ensure that her Elemental Burst doesn't go to waste.
5/10 Vortex Vanquisher
- Max Base ATK: 608
- Secondary Stat: ATK 49.6 percent
- Passive Ability Focus: Damage & Shield Strength increase
Then again, most 4-star weapons still pale in comparison to 5-star ones. Such is the case for polearms, which is why the Vortex Vanquisher is still a more viable weapon compared to the previous selections. It was made for Zhongli, but that doesn't mean another Archon can't use it better.
The Vortex Vanquisher grants too much attack that it buffs up Baal's Electro damage without much need of reliance on Energy Recharge. If that's not enough, then give her a shield and watch her attack go even higher thanks to the Vortex Vanquisher's weapon passive.
4/10 Primordial Jade Winged Spear
- Max Base ATK: 674
- Secondary Stat: CRIT Rate 22.1 percent
- Passive Ability Focus: Damage increase
Maintaining shields to get the Vortex Vanquisher's full bonus can get rather annoying. Wouldn't you rather attack to increase your damage even further? With the Primordial Jade Winged Spear, you probably would.
It gives out a massive base ATK and some CRIT Rate to spare which is always good when ensuring that Baal's Elemental Burst gets maximized. Further attacking then increases the damage increase stacks and with how fast Baal can dish out slashes, you can guarantee that those stacks will always be full.
3/10 Staff of Homa
- Max Base ATK: 608
- Secondary Stat: CRIT DMG 66.2 percent
- Passive Ability Focus: HP increase & ATK bonus based on HP
This is a weird one for Raiden Shogun since it can change her artifact preference and even playstyle drastically but it can work. The Staff of Homa was originally intended for characters like Hu Tao or Zhongli who rely on their high HP.
But if your Raiden Shogun gets nothing but sad artifact sub-stats such as HP, then time to give her this weapon and turn that bad luck into your convenience. Other than that, the massive CRIT DMG bonus is just hard to beat.
2/10 Skyward Spine
- Max Base ATK: 674
- Secondary Stat: Energy Recharge 36.8 percent
- Passive Ability Focus: CRIT Rate & ATK Speed buff along with bonus physical area attack
Don't be blinded by the appeal of the direct damage and ATK piling 5-star weapons - Energy Recharge is still Raiden Shogun's crowning stat. That's why Skyward Spine is such a great weapon for her. It's tied with the Jade spear for the highest ATK among polearms.
The Energy Recharge stat is also the cherry on top. As for the weapon passive, it's a handful alright. CRIT Rate and attack speed increases make Raiden Shogun's Elemental Burst outright deadlier than ever. The physical vacuum blades are also appreciated.
1/10 Engulfing Lightning
- Max Base ATK: 608
- Secondary Stat: Energy Recharge 55.1 percent
- Passive Ability Focus: More Energy Recharge and more ATK bonus based on Energy Recharge
Too bad the Skyward Spine got dethroned before it even had its spotlight as one of Baal's best polearms. The Engulshing Lightning is just hands-down Raiden Shogun's "best-in-slot" weapon. The shocking Energy Recharge quantity is proof enough.
Then there's the weapon passive which adds even more Energy Recharge. Wielders also get increased ATK based on how much Energy Recharge they have. If that's Raiden Shogun, then it's a lot of energy and her lighting is sure to strike more than twice.
