Yelan’s Top Weapons in Genshin Impact

Yelan stands out as one of Genshin Impact’s premier Hydro applicators and Sub-DPS characters, excelling in off-field damage through her Elemental Skill and Burst. Her kit revolves around rapid Hydro application, HP scaling, and synergy with reaction-based teams, making weapon choice pivotal for amplifying her strengths. This guide ranks her optimal bows based on damage output, energy needs, and accessibility, drawing from community testing and in-game performance data.

Understanding Yelan’s Weapon Needs

Yelan’s damage primarily stems from her Lifeline Skill (summoning thread-like Hydro attacks) and Depth-Clarion Burst, both scaling off HP while benefiting from CRIT stats and Elemental Mastery in Vaporize or other reactions. Ideal weapons provide CRIT Rate/DMG, Burst DMG, or HP% substats, with passives enhancing off-field uptime or team buffs. 5-star bows dominate top tiers due to superior scaling, but 4-star and craftable options shine for free-to-play players.

• Key Priorities: CRIT sandwich (Rate + DMG), Energy Recharge (ER) for Burst consistency, and passives that boost Skill/Burst without on-field requirements.
• Playstyles: Sub-DPS (off-field), Quickswap, or Hypercarry in niche teams.

Ultimate Tier: Signature and Premium Bows

These weapons define Yelan’s peak performance, often from limited banners but worth saving for due to unmatched synergy.

Aqua Simulacra – The Undisputed Choice

Aqua Simulacra reigns supreme with its HP% substat (19.2% at level 90), directly fueling Yelan’s HP-scaling kit. Base ATK sits at 542, but the passive grants +16% Hydro DMG Bonus after Skill use, stacking to +32%—perfect for her thread-based Skill spam. In testing, it outperforms others by 10-15% in Vaporize teams, especially at R1.

Best For: Pure damage in Aggravate or Hyperbloom. Obtain via event banners.

Polar Star – CRIT Powerhouse

Boasting 608 base ATK and 33.1% CRIT Rate, Polar Star stacks ATK (+48% at 4 stacks) and +12% Skill/Burst DMG. Yelan’s frequent hits trigger stacks effortlessly, rivaling Aqua in raw output.

• Refinement Impact: R5 pushes Burst DMG to absurd levels.
• Drawback: High ER demand without Favonius teammate.

Skyward Harp – Reliable CRIT Alternative

With 674 base ATK and 22.4% CRIT Rate, plus up to 40% CRIT DMG from passive hits, it’s a solid flex option. Excels in teams needing consistent crits without HP focus.

Godroll 4-Stars: Accessible Powerhouses

Free or Battle Pass weapons that punch above their rarity, often matching 5-stars at high refinements.

Elegy for the End – Team Buffer Supreme

510 base ATK, 22.1% Energy Recharge, and a passive granting +20% ATK plus Elemental DMG buffs to Hydro/ Cryo/Pyro/Dendro after Skill use. Yelan’s off-field nature triggers it reliably, making her a mono-Hydro enabler.

Pro Tip: Pair with Xilonen or Furina for resonance.

Favonius Warbow – ER King for Sustainability

Low 454 base ATK but 61.3% ER substat ensures 100%+ Burst uptime. Crits generate particles for the team, vital in double-Hydro setups.

• Refine Goal: R5 for 100% particle gen.
• Artifact Synergy: 4pc Emblem of Severed Fate.

Sacrificial Bow – Reset Machine

At R5, 56.4% ER and 40% Skill reset chance doubles Yelan’s thread output, rivaling 5-stars in Skill spam teams. Base ATK 454.

Solid Mid-Tier and F2P Picks

For newer players, these craftables and 3-stars deliver without primogems.

Mouun’s Moon – Raiden Synergy Star

565 base ATK, 33.1% CRIT Rate, and up to 80% Burst DMG with matching element teammate (Raiden ideal). Limited-time weapon, but event-revivable.

Slingshot – Budget CRIT Monster

354 base ATK, 31.2% CRIT Rate. +36% Normal/Charged DMG if hitting within 0.3s—perfect for Yelan’s Breakthrough Barb. R5 excels post-exploration.

Prototype Crescent – Craftable All-Rounder

510 base ATK, 45.9% ATK%. Passively boosts Normal/Charged DMG based on distance, suiting Yelan’s ranged style.

Weapon Rankings by Playstyle

Performance varies by team comp and investment.

• Sub-DPS (Off-Field): 1. Aqua Simulacra, 2. Elegy, 3. Favonius Warbow.
• Quickbloom/Aggravate: 1. Polar Star, 2. Skyward Harp, 3. Mouun’s Moon.
• F2P: 1. Sacrificial Bow R5, 2. Slingshot R5, 3. Prototype Crescent.

Artifact and Team Synergies

Pair weapons with 4pc Emblem of Severed Fate for Burst DMG or HP sands + CRIT goblet + Healing circlet. Key teams:

• Vaporize: Yelan + Xiangling + Bennett + Kazuha.
• Hyperbloom: Yelan + Nahida + Kuki + Thoma.
• Freeze: Yelan + Ayaka + Shenhe + Kokomi.

ER needs: 180-220% with Favonius, 150-180% otherwise.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Is Aqua Simulacra worth pulling for Yelan?

Yes, it’s her BiS by a wide margin for damage-focused builds.

What’s the best F2P weapon for Yelan?

Sacrificial Bow R5 or Slingshot R5 for Skill/Burst spam.

Should I use Elegy on Yelan or Kazuha?

Yelan benefits more from its ER and buffs in Hydro teams.

Does refinement matter on Favonius Warbow?

Absolutely—R5 guarantees particles on crits.

Can Yelan be a main DPS?

Viable with Hamayumi or Thundering Pulse, but Sub-DPS is optimal.