Genshin Impact: Fisherman's Catch Guide
Hey guys! Let's dive into the Fisherman's Catch in Genshin Impact, a topic that might seem a bit niche, but trust me, it's super important if you're looking to maximize your character's potential through powerful weapons. This guide is all about breaking down the Fisherman's Catch, what it is, how to get it, and most importantly, why you should care about this 4-star polearm. We'll cover everything from its stats and passive ability to the best characters who can wield it. So, grab your fishing rods and let's get started on reeling in all the info you need!
Understanding the Fisherman's Catch Polearm
So, what exactly is the Fisherman's Catch in Genshin Impact? Well, it's a 4-star polearm that you can obtain through the fishing system introduced in the Inazuma region. Unlike most weapons you get from wishes or quests, this bad boy is purely earned through dedication and a lot of fishing. The initial grind might seem daunting, but for certain characters, this weapon offers incredible value, especially if you're a free-to-play (F2P) player or just haven't been lucky with gacha pulls. Its base ATK isn't the highest among 4-star polearms, but its secondary stat and unique passive ability more than make up for it. The secondary stat at level 90 is CRIT DMG, which is always a win in Genshin Impact, as CRIT stats are crucial for boosting your damage output. But the real kicker is its passive: increases Elemental Burst DMG by 12% and CRIT Rate of Elemental Burst by 6%. This effect can occur once every 10 seconds. This sounds pretty sweet, right? It means your most impactful damage-dealing ability gets a significant boost, both in terms of raw damage and consistency. We'll be exploring how this passive stacks up against other polearms and which characters benefit the most from this explosive combination.
How to Obtain the Fisherman's Catch
Now, let's talk about the real grind, guys: how to get your hands on the Fisherman's Catch. This weapon is exclusively obtained through fishing in Teyvat. You'll need to visit various fishing spots across different regions and catch specific types of fish. The primary NPC you'll be dealing with for this weapon is Kujirai Momiji in Inazuma City, who sells weapon billets and the blueprints for the Fisherman's Catch. To purchase the weapon blueprint, you'll need to accumulate a certain amount of Ornamental Fish from specific fishing pools. These aren't just any fish; you'll need to catch about 20 of them to get the blueprint. Once you have the blueprint, you can then craft the weapon at any blacksmith. However, crafting it requires 2500 Adventure Rank experience, 2000 Mora, and 50 pieces of Midlander Polearm Billet. The billets themselves are also obtained through fishing, or by exchanging 30 Pristine Fish or 40 Exquisite Fish for each. This means you'll be spending a lot of time by the water. Different fishing spots have different fish spawns, and some are more lucrative than others. You'll need specific fishing rods and baits to catch the desired fish effectively. For example, the Fruit Paste bait is great for catching Ornamental Fish. Don't forget that you can only catch a limited number of fish per day in certain spots, and the fish respawn rates vary. The whole process is a test of patience and resource management. You might need to trade with other players' worlds if you're looking to speed things up, as some fish are region-locked. Remember to check the daily reset times for fishing spots and plan your routes accordingly. It's a marathon, not a sprint, but the reward is a solid, free-to-play friendly weapon that can significantly boost your team's damage output, especially for characters whose kits revolve around their Elemental Burst. The investment in time is substantial, but the payoff can be huge for the right character.
Refining the Fisherman's Catch: Making it Even Better
Just like any other weapon in Genshin Impact, the Fisherman's Catch can be refined to increase its power. Refining this polearm means you'll need to obtain multiple copies of it. Yes, that's right, you'll need to catch and craft it four more times after getting the first one to reach Refinement 5 (R5). This means a total of five Fisherman's Catch polearms. This sounds like a massive undertaking, and honestly, it is! However, each refinement level significantly boosts the weapon's passive ability. At R1, the Elemental Burst DMG bonus is 12%, and the CRIT Rate bonus is 6%. By the time you reach R5, these numbers jump to 24% Elemental Burst DMG and 12% CRIT Rate. This is a huge difference! Think about it: doubling the bonus damage and the crit rate for your Elemental Burst can drastically change your character's performance in combat. The extra damage can help you clear content faster, and the increased CRIT Rate makes your bursts more reliable and satisfying. For F2P players or those who don't spend primogems on weapons, reaching R5 on the Fisherman's Catch can give you a competitive edge against characters wielding some gacha-exclusive 5-star weapons, especially in terms of burst damage. The strategy here is to prioritize catching the specific fish needed for the weapon and its refinement materials. You'll also need a substantial amount of Mora and billets. So, if you're serious about getting the most out of this weapon, start stockpiling those fish and saving up your Mora. The journey to R5 is long and arduous, but the payoff in terms of raw power is absolutely worth the effort for the characters that can fully utilize its potential. It’s all about that burst damage, baby!
Best Characters for the Fisherman's Catch
So, who are the best characters to equip with the Fisherman's Catch? This polearm shines brightest on characters whose Elemental Burst is their main source of damage or a significant part of their damage rotation. Its passive ability is tailor-made for this playstyle. Let's break down some top contenders:
Raiden Shogun
This is arguably the poster child for the Fisherman's Catch. The Raiden Shogun's entire kit revolves around her powerful Elemental Burst, Musou Shinsetsu. The increased Burst DMG and CRIT Rate from the Fisherman's Catch directly amplify her primary damage output. At R5, the stats it provides are incredibly competitive, even against her signature weapon, Engulfing Lightning, in certain scenarios, especially for F2P players. If you're building Raiden Shogun for her burst damage, this polearm is a no-brainer. It allows her to hit incredibly hard with her lightning strikes, making her an amazing Sub-DPS or Main-DPS.
Xiangling
Xiangling, the renowned chef of Liyue, is another fantastic candidate for the Fisherman's Catch. Her Pyronado (Elemental Burst) is a massive damage dealer that persists on the field, even when she's swapped out. The boost to Burst DMG and CRIT Rate significantly enhances the Pyronado's effectiveness, making her one of the best off-field DPS characters in the game. The consistency and raw damage increase from this polearm make her a terrifying force in any team composition. Pairing Xiangling with the Fisherman's Catch allows her Pyronado to consistently crit and deal massive damage, further solidifying her role as a top-tier Pyro DPS.
Hu Tao
While Hu Tao is primarily known for her Charged Attacks during her Elemental Skill, her Elemental Burst also contributes significantly to her damage, especially when used to finish off enemies or during specific rotations. The Fisherman's Catch can be a viable option for Hu Tao, particularly if you are running a team that relies heavily on burst damage or if you're in a pinch and need a strong polearm. The CRIT Rate bonus can also help ensure her Burst hits hard and crits consistently, adding another layer of burst damage to her already potent kit. It's not her absolute best-in-slot, but it's a very strong F2P option that complements her playstyle well.
Rosaria
Rosaria's Elemental Burst is a significant part of her damage output, especially when used in Freeze or Melt compositions. The Fisherman's Catch synergizes perfectly with her Burst-focused playstyle, providing much-needed CRIT DMG and CRIT Rate to make her icy shards hit even harder. The added CRIT Rate from the Burst passive is particularly useful, as it can indirectly buff her teammates' CRIT Rate as well due to her Ascension talent. This makes her a valuable asset in teams aiming for high burst damage and critical hits. She benefits greatly from the consistent damage boost and the ability to land critical hits more often, making her a potent Sub-DPS.
Thoma
Thoma, the defender of the Kamisato household, can also make good use of the Fisherman's Catch, especially when built for damage rather than pure shielding. His Elemental Burst, however, acts as a shield and also deals Pyro DMG periodically. The boost to Elemental Burst DMG and CRIT Rate can make his contributions more significant, especially in reaction-based teams where his Pyro application is crucial. While not as dominant as on Raiden or Xiangling, it's a solid choice that enhances his offensive capabilities, turning him into a more well-rounded character who can both shield and contribute offensively.
Alternative Polearms and When to Use Fisherman's Catch
It's important to remember that the Fisherman's Catch isn't always the best polearm for every character. Its strength lies specifically in maximizing Elemental Burst damage. If a character's primary damage comes from Normal Attacks or Elemental Skills, other polearms will likely be more beneficial. For example, Staff of Homa is generally superior for characters like Hu Tao who rely heavily on Charged Attacks and HP scaling. Deathmatch (a Battle Pass weapon) offers consistent CRIT Rate and ATK bonuses for Normal and Charged Attacks. Primordial Jade Winged-Spear and Staff of the Scarlet Sands are excellent general-purpose polearms with high base ATKs and strong secondary stats. The Wave-Breaker's Fin can be powerful in teams with high Energy Recharge needs, as its ATK bonus scales with the team's total Energy Recharge.
However, the Fisherman's Catch truly shines in its niche. You should consider using it when:
- Your character's Elemental Burst is their main damage source: This is the most crucial factor. If your character's Burst does 70%+ of their total damage, this weapon is a top contender.
- You are a Free-to-Play (F2P) player: Obtaining and refining the Fisherman's Catch is entirely free, making it an exceptional option for players who don't spend Primogems on the weapon banner.
- You have a strong need for CRIT Rate and CRIT DMG on Burst: The combination of bonuses is powerful and can help you reach comfortable CRIT stats for your Burst.
- You've already invested heavily in the weapon: If you've gone through the effort of refining it to R5, it's a significant investment that should be utilized on appropriate characters.
In essence, the Fisherman's Catch is a testament to the fact that you don't always need rare gacha weapons to be powerful. With a bit of patience and a lot of fishing, you can acquire a weapon that punches well above its weight class, especially for characters who love to unleash their ultimate abilities. So, keep those fishing rods ready, guys! It's time to catch some serious damage!