Genshin Impact Royal vs Blackcliff Weapons Guide 2026

Paimon's Bargains: March 2026 Starglitter Shop

What Is Paimon's Bargains?

Unlocks at AR35. Monthly rotating shop where you exchange Masterless Starglitter for characters and weapons. Updates 1st of each month (4AM UTC+8). Offers two 4-star characters at 34 Starglitter each, complete weapon series at 24 Starglitter per weapon.

March 2026: Ningguang (Geo Catalyst), Xingqiu (Hydro Sword), complete Blackcliff series.

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March 2026 Weapon Rotation

Predictable alternating pattern:

• Blackcliff: Odd months (Jan, Mar, May, Jul, Sep, Nov)
• Royal: Even months (Feb, Apr, Jun, Aug, Oct, Dec)

March 2026 = Blackcliff. Want Royal? Wait until April 2026.

Starglitter Earning Rates

Masterless Starglitter comes from duplicate characters/weapons:

4-Star Duplicates:

• New: 2 Starglitter
• Max constellation: 5 Starglitter

5-Star Duplicates:

• New: 10 Starglitter
• Max constellation: 25 Starglitter

One Blackcliff weapon (24 Starglitter) = 12 new 4-star dupes or 3 max constellation 4-star dupes. Full refinement R1→R5 = 120 Starglitter (60 new 4-star dupes).

Royal Weapon Series Analysis

Royal Stats (All 5 Types)

ATK% secondary stat across all types:

• Royal Longsword (Sword)
• Royal Greatsword (Claymore)
• Royal Bow (Bow)
• Royal Grimoire (Catalyst)
• Royal Spear (Polearm)

All share identical passive mechanics.

Focus Passive: Crit Stacking Mechanics

CRIT Rate increases per attack hit:

• R1: +8% CRIT Rate/stack
• R5: +16% CRIT Rate/stack
• Max: 5 stacks (40% at R1, 80% at R5)
• Reset: All stacks lost on critical hit

The problem: Higher CRIT Rate = higher crit chance = faster stack loss. Creates self-defeating feedback loop. You rarely maintain max stacks in actual combat.

Common Misconceptions

Misconception 1: Consistent CRIT Rate False. Stack resets create fluctuating CRIT Rate, not stable increases.

Misconception 2: Works on Crit Builds Opposite is true. Best on characters with deliberately low CRIT Rate (20-30%), contradicting standard optimization.

Misconception 3: Higher Refinements Fix It R5 doubles CRIT Rate/stack but also doubles crit probability. Fundamental flaw persists.

Best Characters for Royal

Narrow use case:

• Characters with 4-piece sets lacking CRIT stats
• Support characters scaling ATK% for buffs
• Early-game DPS lacking CRIT artifacts

Even then, alternatives typically outperform.

Blackcliff Weapon Series Analysis

Blackcliff Stats (All 5 Types)

CRIT DMG secondary stat:

Blackcliff Longsword (Sword):

• Lv90 Base ATK: 565
• Lv90 CRIT DMG: 36.8%

Blackcliff Slasher (Claymore):

• Lv90 CRIT DMG: 55.1%

Blackcliff Warbow (Bow):

• Lv90 Base ATK: 565
• Lv90 CRIT DMG: 36.8%

Blackcliff Agate (Catalyst):

• Lv90 Base ATK: 510
• Lv90 CRIT DMG: 55.1%

Blackcliff Pole (Polearm):

• Lv90 Base ATK: 510
• Lv90 CRIT DMG: 55.1%

CRIT DMG alone makes these viable stat sticks.

Press the Advantage Passive

Activates on enemy defeat:

• R1: +12% ATK/stack
• R5: +24% ATK/stack
• Max: 3 stacks (36% ATK at R1, 72% ATK at R5)
• Duration: 30 seconds/stack
• Trigger: Enemy defeat

Stacks don't reset on actions—just expire after 30s. More predictable than Royal.

Blackcliff Limitations

Strong Performance:

• Spiral Abyss multi-enemy floors
• Overworld mob farming
• Domain runs

Weak Performance:

• Weekly bosses (single target, no stacks)
• World bosses (single target)
• Abyss boss floors

In pure single-target, functions as CRIT DMG stat stick only.

Best Characters for Blackcliff

Excels on characters who:

1. Need CRIT DMG for optimal ratios
2. Fight multiple enemies frequently
3. Lack better 4-star/5-star alternatives

Strong Synergies:

• Main DPS farming Spiral Abyss
• Characters with AoE abilities
• Accounts lacking gacha 4-stars

Royal vs Blackcliff: Head-to-Head

Sword: Royal Longsword vs Blackcliff Longsword

Winner: Blackcliff Longsword

• 565 Base ATK, 36.8% CRIT DMG at Lv90
• Consistent value vs Royal's unreliable CRIT Rate
• Better for Xingqiu (March 2026 shop)

Claymore: Royal Greatsword vs Blackcliff Slasher

Winner: Blackcliff Slasher

• 55.1% CRIT DMG at Lv90 (highest in series)
• Claymore AoE attacks maintain passive uptime
• Royal suffers same stack reset issues

Bow: Royal Bow vs Blackcliff Warbow

Winner: Blackcliff Warbow

• 565 Base ATK, 36.8% CRIT DMG
• Royal especially bad for charged shots (resets on crit)

Catalyst: Royal Grimoire vs Blackcliff Agate

Winner: Blackcliff Agate

• 55.1% CRIT DMG at Lv90
• Excellent for Ningguang (March 2026 shop)
• 510 Base ATK trades raw ATK for better scaling

Polearm: Royal Spear vs Blackcliff Pole

Winner: Blackcliff Pole

• 55.1% CRIT DMG at Lv90
• One of strongest starglitter investments
• Polearm users frequently fight multiple enemies

Damage Calculations: Real Performance

Testing Scenarios

Scenario 1: Single-Target Boss

• Blackcliff: CRIT DMG only, no passive
• Royal: ATK%, variable CRIT stacks

Scenario 2: Multi-Enemy (3+)

• Blackcliff: CRIT DMG + full ATK stacks
• Royal: ATK%, frequent resets

Scenario 3: Boss + Adds

• Blackcliff: CRIT DMG + partial stacks
• Royal: ATK%, moderate maintenance

Royal DPS Performance

Best at 20-30% base CRIT Rate:

• Stack buildup (0-3): Below-average damage
• Peak (4-5 stacks): Competitive for 2-3 attacks
• Post-crit reset: Back to below-average

Cyclical nature = inconsistent DPS.

Blackcliff DPS Performance

Multi-Enemy: 3 stacks (36% ATK R1, 72% R5) rivals 5-star passives. Testing shows 25-40% DPS increase in Abyss grouped enemies vs baseline weapons.

Single-Target: Functions as CRIT DMG stat stick. Matches other 4-stars with CRIT substats but inactive passives.

The Verdict

Blackcliff outperforms Royal in virtually all scenarios. CRIT DMG provides consistent value, ATK stacking offers significant upside. Royal's unreliable mechanics create inferior damage profiles.

Starglitter Investment Analysis

Cost Breakdown

24 Starglitter = 12 new 4-star dupes or 3 max constellation 4-star dupes.

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Opportunity Cost: Weapons vs Fates

24 Starglitter = 4 Intertwined Fates (5 Starglitter each) or 1 weapon.

Favor Weapons:

• Lacking suitable 4-stars for main DPS
• Need CRIT DMG for ratio optimization
• No upcoming banners of interest

Favor Fates:

• Approaching pity on limited banner
• Weapon roster adequate
• Saving for specific characters

Refinement Value

R1→R5 costs 120 Starglitter total.

R1→R5 Progression:

• ATK/stack: +12% → +24%
• Max ATK: 36% → 72%
• Damage increase: ~15-20% optimal conditions

Verdict: R1→R2 best value. Buy R1 of multiple types vs refining single weapon to R5.

Royal refinements compound unreliability—skip.

F2P Budget Planning

F2P accumulates ~15-25 Starglitter monthly.

Strategy:

1. Reserve 34 for essential 4-stars (Xingqiu, Bennett)
2. Allocate 24 for one weapon every 2-3 months
3. Convert excess to Fates during pity approaches

March 2026: Xingqiu (34) may take priority over Blackcliff.

Character-Specific Recommendations

DPS Tier List

S-Tier Blackcliff:

• Ningguang + Blackcliff Agate
• Main DPS polearm + Blackcliff Pole

A-Tier Blackcliff:

• Sword DPS + Blackcliff Longsword
• Claymore DPS + Blackcliff Slasher

B-Tier Blackcliff:

• Bow DPS + Blackcliff Warbow

Not Recommended Royal:

• Any character >40% CRIT Rate from artifacts
• Burst-focused needing consistent damage

Sub-DPS/Burst Support

Strong Matches:

• Xingqiu + Blackcliff Longsword
• Burst catalyst + Blackcliff Agate

Weak Matches:

• Off-field supports + Royal
• Shield/healing supports (neither series relevant)

Characters to Avoid Both

Skip When:

• Scales from HP/DEF/EM
• Already has superior gacha 4-star/5-star
• Support prioritizing Energy Recharge

Better Alternatives:

• Craftable Prototype series
• Event weapons (Cinnabar Spindle, Festering Desire)
• 3-star refinements (Thrilling Tales)

vs Gacha 4-Star/Battle Pass

Superior Options:

• Gacha 4-stars (Widsith, Sacrificial series)
• Battle Pass (Serpent Spine, Deathmatch)

Comparable:

• Prototype craftables with refinements
• Event exclusives

Inferior:

• Royal series
• Generic 3-stars

Blackcliff advantage: Guaranteed availability via starglitter.

March 2026 Meta Context

Abyss Meta Fit

March 2026 Abyss emphasizes multi-target damage:

Blackcliff Advantages:

• Floor 11-12 groupings enable stack maintenance
• CRIT DMG aligns with meta optimization
• ATK bonuses amplify burst windows

Royal Disadvantages:

• Unreliable CRIT conflicts with timed challenges
• ATK% less valuable than CRIT DMG
• Resets create inconsistency during DPS phases

New Character Synergies

Early 2026 releases favor CRIT DMG:

• Emphasis on burst damage
• Kits with built-in CRIT Rate (making CRIT DMG valuable)
• Multi-target abilities triggering Blackcliff

Future-Proofing

Blackcliff:

• CRIT DMG universally valuable
• Passive works with future AoE characters
• Functions as stat stick when passive underperforms

Royal:

• Passive unlikely to gain value
• ATK% increasingly outclassed
• Limited synergies restrict utility

Expert Recommendations

Early-Game (AR35-45)

Skip both, prioritize characters.

34 Starglitter for Xingqiu > any weapon.

Alternative:

• Save for essential 4-stars (Xingqiu, Bennett, Fischl)
• Use craftable Prototypes
• Convert excess to Fates

Mid-Game (AR45-55)

Blackcliff Pole or Blackcliff Agate (if applicable).

Priority:

1. Blackcliff Pole (highest CRIT DMG)
2. Blackcliff Agate (catalyst DPS)
3. Blackcliff Slasher (claymore users)

Conditions:

• Main DPS lacks superior weapon
• Need CRIT DMG for 1:2 ratio
• Regularly clear Abyss multi-enemy floors

Endgame (AR55+)

Skip unless filling specific gaps.

Convert to Fates for constellations/new characters.

Exceptions:

• Building secondary Abyss team DPS
• Optimizing CRIT on new characters
• Collection completion

When to Skip Both

Skip when:

1. Have gacha 4-stars (Widsith, Sacrificial, Favonius)
2. Within 20 pulls of pity
3. Must-pull character upcoming
4. Roster lacks essential supports
5. Main DPS uses R3-R5 craftables

Convert to Fates when:

• Starglitter >100 (emergency fund maintained)
• No immediate weapon needs
• Limited banner features high-value character/weapon

Final Verdict

Blackcliff = superior investment. CRIT DMG provides consistent value, ATK stacking offers damage spikes in multi-enemy content.

Royal suffers fundamental flaws: CRIT Rate stacking works against itself, ATK% less valuable than CRIT DMG.

Recommendation Hierarchy:

1. Essential 4-stars (Xingqiu, Bennett)
2. Blackcliff for main DPS lacking options
3. Fates for pity building
4. Never: Royal series

March 2026: Evaluate Xingqiu (34) vs Blackcliff (24) based on roster.

FAQ

Are Royal weapons worth buying March 2026? No. Not available (Blackcliff month) and not worth purchasing during availability. CRIT Rate resets on crits = unreliable. ATK% < CRIT DMG value.

Are Blackcliff better than Royal? Yes. Superior CRIT DMG (36.8-55.1% Lv90) and reliable passive. ATK stacking after kills > self-defeating reset mechanics.

How much starglitter needed? 24 per weapon. R1→R5 = 120 total. Represents 12 new 4-star dupes for single R1.

Weapons or wishes? Prioritize essential 4-stars (34 each) first. Buy Blackcliff when main DPS lacks alternatives and not approaching pity. Convert to Fates (5 each) within 20 pulls of pity.

Which Blackcliff has most value? Blackcliff Pole: 55.1% CRIT DMG, broad polearm compatibility. Agate/Slasher tie second (55.1%). Longsword/Warbow provide 36.8%.

Do Blackcliff work in boss fights? Functions as CRIT DMG stat stick only (no passive). Performance matches other 4-stars with CRIT but inactive passives.