- Signature Weapon: The Athame Artis is the undisputed BiS, offering massive Crit Rate and team-wide ATK buffs.
- Top 4-Star Choice: Wolf-Fang at high refinements competes with 5-star options for personal damage.
- F2P MVP: Moonweaver’s Dawn is a free quest reward that provides excellent stats for non-spending players.
- Form Synergy: Weapon choice shifts based on whether you utilize White Form (Support) or Dark Form (DPS).
- Hexerei Bonus: Always pair Durin with another Hexerei character to boost weapon passives by 75%.
Signature Breakdown: Athame Artis Analysis
The Durin weapon meta is defined by his signature 5-star sword, the Athame Artis. Released in Version 6.2, this blade is tailor-made to exploit Durin's unique dual-form mechanics. It provides a high Base ATK and a substantial Crit Rate secondary stat, which is vital since Durin ascends with Crit DMG.
Video Highlights:
- Detailed breakdown of the Athame Artis passive and its 75% Hexerei scaling.
- Comparison between Durin's signature and the Primordial Jade Cutter.
- Analysis of how the weapon buffs off-field characters like Varesa and Fischl.
The passive, Blade of the Daylight Hours, increases Elemental Burst Crit DMG by 16%. More importantly, when his Burst hits, it grants a 20% ATK buff to Durin and a 16% ATK buff to the rest of the team. If you have two Hexerei characters in the party, these buffs are enhanced by 75%, bringing the team-wide ATK boost to a staggering 28%.
| Stat | Value at Level 90 | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Base ATK | 608 | Standard high-tier 5-star base |
| Secondary Stat | 33.1% Crit Rate | Perfect for balancing Crit ratios |
| Burst Crit DMG | +16% | Applies to all periodic Burst ticks |
| Team ATK Buff | 16% to 28% | Scaling depends on Hexerei presence |
| Wielder ATK Buff | 20% to 35% | Self-buff for high personal DPS |
To unlock the full potential of this Durin weapon, you must complete the "Witch's Homework" questline to unlock the Hexerei tag. Without it, the weapon loses nearly half of its value.
Top 5-Star Alternatives: Premium Rankings
If you aren't pulling for the signature, several other 5-star swords provide excellent results. Durin's kit scales heavily with ATK and Crit, making standard "stat sticks" highly effective. However, since Durin is often an off-field dealer, weapons that require on-field stacks (like Mistsplitter Reforged) can be harder to optimize.
Primordial Jade Cutter
- 44.1% Crit Rate
- HP to ATK conversion
- Best generalist alternative
Freedom-Sworn
- Elemental Mastery focus
- Team-wide DMG & ATK buffs
- Ideal for White Form support
Absolution
- High Base ATK
- Massive Crit DMG secondary
- Strong for Dark Form Melt/Vape
The Primordial Jade Cutter is the closest competitor to the signature for personal damage. It provides a massive Crit Rate boost that allows you to focus almost entirely on Crit DMG and ATK% substats in your artifacts. For players focused on Durin's White Form utility, Freedom-Sworn is a top-tier pick as it further enhances the RES shredding capabilities and provides additional team buffs.
| Weapon | Performance (vs Sig) | Best Use Case |
|---|---|---|
| Athame Artis | 100% | BiS for all roles and team buffs |
| Jade Cutter | 92% - 95% | Consistent personal DPS |
| Mistsplitter | 88% - 91% | High investment Dark Form DPS |
| Freedom-Sworn | 85% (DPS) | High-end support/Reaction teams |
| Azurelight | 87% | Balanced Sub-DPS builds |
Weapons like Haran Geppaku Futsu provide excellent stats but have passives that Durin cannot fully utilize from off-field. Only use these if you lack the top-tier options listed above.
4-Star & F2P Options: Best Budget Picks
For F2P and low-spending players, the Durin weapon selection is surprisingly generous. You don't need a 5-star blade to make him viable in the 2026 meta. The introduction of craftable Fontaine and Natlan-era weapons has provided Durin with several competitive choices that focus on his high ATK requirements.
Obtain Moonweaver’s Dawn
Complete the world quest "Echoes of an Unfinished Past" to receive one copy for free. This is his best free entry-level weapon.
Craft Finale of the Deep
If you have a dedicated healer (like Bennett or Kokomi), this craftable sword provides a massive ATK boost that helps reach his 2500 ATK cap.
Refine Wolf-Fang
For Battle Pass users, an R5 Wolf-Fang can actually outperform several R1 5-star weapons in terms of Burst damage.
Wolf-Fang is particularly notable because its passive increases Elemental Skill and Burst DMG, which are the primary sources of Durin's output. However, note that its Crit Rate stacks do not generate while Durin is off-field, making the initial setup important.
| 4-Star Weapon | Tier | Why it Works |
|---|---|---|
| Wolf-Fang | S | Massive Skill/Burst DMG bonus and Crit |
| Finale of the Deep | A | Huge ATK% buffs; requires a healer |
| Moonweaver’s Dawn | A | Free, high ATK, and energy refund |
| Lion’s Roar | B | Excellent for Overload/Mono-Pyro |
| Favonius Sword | B | Best for high ER requirement teams |
If you are strictly F2P, stick with Moonweaver’s Dawn. It is specifically designed for the 2026 quest content and provides the most balanced stat spread for a Sub-DPS Durin.
Optimization: Artifact & Weapon Synergy
Choosing a Durin weapon is only half the battle; you must pair it with the correct artifact set to maximize his 20-second Burst uptime. In 2026, the A Day Carved from Rising Winds set is his Best-in-Slot, especially when using a weapon that provides Crit Rate.
Key Synergies to Consider:
- ATK Threshold: Durin’s A4 passive, Chaos Formed Like the Night, caps at 2500 ATK. If your weapon has a low base (like Lion's Roar), you must use an ATK% Sands and potentially an ATK% Goblet.
- Energy Recharge (ER): If your weapon doesn't provide ER (like Jade Cutter), and your Skill isn't crowned, aim for 130% - 150% ER to ensure a smooth rotation.
- Reaction Buffs: In Dark Form, Durin gains a 40% (or 70% with Hexerei) Vape/Melt bonus. Weapons with Elemental Mastery secondary stats (like Xiphos' Moonlight) become significantly more valuable in these builds.
Build Checklist:
- Reach 2500 ATK to max A4 passive
- Ensure 140%+ ER if solo Pyro
- Pair with a Hexerei teammate (Fischl/Razor/Sucrose)
- Balance Crit Ratio at 1:2 (e.g., 70% Rate / 140% DMG)
- Level Elemental Skill to 10 for flat energy refund
In Overvape teams (Hydro + Electro + Durin), Lion's Roar jumps to A-Tier. The constant Pyro and Electro aura on enemies allows Durin to maintain the 20%-36% DMG bonus permanently.
Weapon Comparison FAQ
Q: Is Athame Artis worth the Primogems if I have Primordial Jade Cutter?
Only if you value the team-wide 28% ATK buff. For Durin's personal damage, Jade Cutter is roughly 95% as effective. The signature is a vertical investment for the whole team, not just Durin.
Q: Can I use Favonius Sword on Durin?
Yes, but it is a major DPS loss. Only use Favonius if your team (like a high-cost Varka or Arlecchino team) is struggling significantly with energy. Otherwise, use an ER Sands with a DPS weapon.
Q: How does the Hexerei buff affect weapon choice?
The Hexerei: Secret Rite effect increases the signature weapon's buffs by 75%. If you aren't running a Hexerei team, the gap between Athame Artis and 4-star options like Wolf-Fang narrows significantly.
Q: Which weapon is best for a 'Main DPS' Durin build?
If using C6 Bennett for infusion, Mistsplitter Reforged and Athame Artis are the top choices. For 4-stars, Finale of the Deep is excellent due to the high ATK scaling on his normal attacks.