Hey besties! 🥂 So, the moment finally came – after months of saving Primogems, I got my hands on the majestic Clorinde during her 4.7 banner! The excitement was real, but then the real work began: figuring out how to build her. As a seasoned player who's seen the meta shift over the years, let me tell you, choosing the right weapon for Clorinde is like trying to solve an ancient Inazuman puzzle – intricate, rewarding, but oh-so-easy to mess up if you're not careful. She's this elegant, powerhouse Electro duelist whose playstyle is as sharp and precise as the sword she wields, demanding gear that complements her unique Bond of Life mechanics and crit-hungry nature. Over the past few weeks, I've tested nearly every viable sword in my arsenal on her, from humble craftables to the shiniest five-stars. I'm here to share my findings, so you can avoid the artifact-building headaches I went through and get our queen slaying from day one! ✨

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Let's get straight into the arsenal. Remember, Clorinde's ascension and passive give her over 40% Crit Rate for free, which completely flips the script on how we evaluate weapons. A Crit Rate weapon on her is like bringing a third umbrella on a sunny day – completely redundant and just takes up valuable space you could use for something else (in this case, Crit Damage artifacts!). 🏖️

🗡️ The Solid & Accessible Options (Great for Starters!)

These are your go-to picks if you're just starting with Clorinde or are saving your resources.

7. The Black Sword

Rarity: 4-Star | Secondary Stat: Crit Rate

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Let's address the elephant in the room first. If you're a Battle Pass enthusiast, you might have this one lying around. It's a fantastic generalist sword—boosting Normal/Charged Attack damage and even offering healing. However, for our dear Clorinde, it's a bit of a trap. That juicy Crit Rate secondary stat? She already has it in spades. Forcing this on her makes artifact farming a nightmare, as you'll be drowning in Crit Rate with nowhere to put it. It's like trying to fit a Sumeru Rose into a Liyue tea cup; the pieces don't align for an optimal build.

6. Iron Sting

Rarity: 4-Star | Secondary Stat: Elemental Mastery

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Now this is a sword that matches her aesthetic perfectly—it was literally featured in her trailers! 🎬 As a craftable weapon, it's super accessible. At Refinement 5, it grants a solid 24% Elemental DMG Bonus. The 165 EM at level 90 is no joke either, directly amplifying her Aggravate reaction damage. The catch? It offers zero help with Crit or ATK, placing the entire burden on your artifact substats. Using this is a declaration that your artifact luck is as unshakable as the Geo Archon's shield. ⛰️

⚔️ The Powerful Contenders (You'll Be Surprised!)

These weapons can truly make Clorinde shine without needing her signature.

5. Finale of the Deep

Rarity: 4-Star | Secondary Stat: ATK%

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Don't sleep on this Fontaine craftable! It's one of her best 4-star options, and the fact that it's free is just chef's kiss. 🤌 Clorinde has a relatively low base ATK, so the ATK% secondary stat is a welcome boost. The real magic is in the passive: using her Skill applies a Bond of Life equal to 25% of her Max HP. For Clorinde, who constantly manages and clears Bond of Life, this translates to a consistent and significant ATK increase. It synergizes with her kit like a perfectly tuned clockwork Meka.

4. Blackcliff Longsword

Rarity: 4-Star | Secondary Stat: Crit DMG

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Ah, the trusty Starglitter shop option. This weapon is a Crit DMG stick, offering up to 36.8% Crit DMG just for leveling it. This stat is like pure, refined nectar for Clorinde. The passive is situational but can be powerful in domains or the Spiral Abyss against waves of enemies. Each defeat grants a 12% ATK boost (at R1), stacking up to three times. When you're cleaving through mobs, this turns Clorinde's damage output into something resembling a thunderstorm sweeping across Watatsumi Island. 🌩️

👑 The Crown Jewels (Peak Performance)

These are the top-tier options that will unlock Clorinde's maximum potential.

3. Light of Foliar Incision

Rarity: 5-Star | Secondary Stat: Crit DMG

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We're entering the big leagues. This Alhaitham signature weapon is a stat monster. At level 90, it gifts a jaw-dropping 88.2% Crit DMG. Let that sink in—that's more than a Crit DMG circulet main stat! This alone makes it phenomenal. Its passive also converts Elemental Mastery into Normal Attack DMG%, which is great since EM is already valuable for her Aggravate teams. Building with this sword feels like conducting a grand orchestra; every stat must be in perfect harmony to reach the crescendo of damage.

2. Mistsplitter Reforged

Rarity: 5-Star | Secondary Stat: Crit DMG

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The legendary blade of Kamisato Ayaka is a nearly perfect fit for our Electro duelist. It boasts a high 674 Base ATK and a generous 44.1% Crit DMG. Its passive can grant up to a 40% Elemental DMG Bonus, and Clorinde meets the conditions effortlessly (using a Normal Attack, casting her Skill, and having less than 100% Energy for her Burst, which is always since you want to burst on cooldown!). This weapon's performance is as reliable and breathtaking as the first sakura bloom of spring in Inazuma.

1. Absolution

Rarity: 5-Star | Secondary Stat: Crit DMG

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And here we are, her masterpiece. Absolution is Clorinde's signature weapon for a reason—it's tailor-made for her. It matches Mistsplitter's high Base ATK and Crit DMG but adds a passive that sings in unison with her kit. It grants an unconditional 20% Crit DMG, and every time her Bond of Life increases (which is constantly), her DMG gets a 16% boost, stacking up to 3 times for a potential 48% total DMG increase. The synergy is seamless. Wielding Absolution on Clorinde isn't just about stats; it's about completing a vision. The weapon becomes an extension of her will, its power flowing as naturally as electro-current through conductive metal. It is, without a doubt, her BiS (Best in Slot).

💎 My Final Verdict & Tips

So, what's the takeaway? If you're F2P or low-spending, prioritize Finale of the Deep. It's craftable and synergizes beautifully. Blackcliff Longsword is a stellar Starglitter option if you have the currency.

If you have other 5-star swords, Mistsplitter Reforged and Light of Foliar Incision are phenomenal and will let her compete at the highest level. I've cleared the latest Spiral Abyss cycles with her using Mistsplitter, and the results are consistently stellar.

But if you truly want to see Clorinde transcend and operate on a different plane, Absolution is the key. It simplifies her build, maximizes her damage ceiling, and looks absolutely divine on her. Pulling for it is a commitment, but for mains like us, it's a commitment worth making.

Remember, no matter the weapon, focus on these artifact stats: Crit DMG > ATK% > Elemental Mastery > Energy Recharge. Aim for a Crit Ratio around 70/200+ to make her truly unstoppable. Good luck building, and may your artifact rolls be ever in your favor! 💖⚡