Exaiphanes Blade Upgrade and Refinement Guide in Genshin Impact
The Exaiphanes Blade is a complimentary sword designed solely for the Traveler within Genshin Impact, acquired by completing the Snezhnaya Archon Quest. Unlike conventional weaponry, its enhancement and refinement mechanics link directly to the Snezhnaya Statues of the Seven, creating an unconventional and time-restricted progression path. This manual outlines everything required to maximize the blade, detailing the step-by-step procedure, stat scaling, and current version 7.0 restrictions.
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At a Glance
- Prerequisite: Finish the Snezhnaya Archon Quest to unlock the weapon.
- Cryo Resonance: Verify that the Traveler has activated their Cryo specialization.
- Upgrade Procedure: Strike a Snezhnaya Statue of the Seven using the Traveler’s Cryo abilities (Elemental Skill or Burst), then access the statue menu and pick “View Exaiphanes Blade” to progress.
- Refinement Cap: Each individual statue grants a single tier of enhancement; with only 5 statues currently reachable in version 7.0, the maximum attainable refinement stops at level 5 (upgrade 5) out of a potential 7.
How to Upgrade the Exaiphanes Blade
- Equip Cryo on the Traveler – Switch the Traveler’s elemental alignment to Cryo at any regional Statue of the Seven.
- Find a Snezhnaya Statue of the Seven – Explore the terrain of Snezhnaya and track them using your world map.
- Strike the Statue with Cryo – Deploy the Traveler’s Cryo Elemental Skill or Elemental Burst to activate the monument.
- Access and Enhance – Approach the structure, choose “View Exaiphanes Blade,” and execute the upgrade prompt.
- Continue Exploration – Move on to another statue to repeat the procedure. Remember that each monument functions only once.
Upgrade Stats Overview
The table below outlines the attributes and unique passive bonuses unlocked at each tier. Note that upgrades 3 and 5 exclusively boost base attributes without altering the passive effect.
| Upgrade No. | Level | Base ATK | Crit Rate | Key Passive Effect |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 20 | 122 | 12.7% | ATK +16% for 8s following an enemy hit; restores 3 Energy. Activates once every 5s. |
| 2 | 40 | 235 | 18.5% | Crit DMG +6% per active elemental resonance; ATK +20% for 8s along with 3 Energy restoration. |
| 3 | 60 | 382 | 24.4% | No passive enhancement. |
| 4 | 80 | 532 | 30.2% | Crit DMG +6% per element; ATK +24% for 8s along with 5 Energy restoration. |
| 5 | 90 | 608 | 33.1% | No passive enhancement. |
| 6 | 90 | 608 | 33.1% | Crit DMG +6% per element; ATK +32% for 8s along with 5 Energy restoration. |
| 7 | 90 | 608 | 33.1% | Crit DMG +6% per element; ATK +40% for 8s along with 5 Energy restoration. |
Current Limitations in Version 7.0
Because Snezhnaya only features five Statues of the Seven in version 7.0, players are capped at upgrade level 5 out of the 7 total tiers. This temporarily restricts the weapon’s ceiling until future expansions introduce additional statues. Even so, the level 5 baseline attributes (608 ATK and 33.1% Crit Rate) remain formidable, though passive scaling pauses at the tier 4 threshold until further monuments become accessible.
For guidance on entering the icy region, read our How To Go To Snezhnaya guide.
Should You Prioritize This Sword?
For free-to-play (F2P) and budget-friendly accounts, the Exaiphanes Blade serves as an exceptional choice for the Traveler, delivering high base attack, great critical rate, and a conditional attack bonus that also fuels energy regeneration. Nonetheless, its dependence on a restricted pool of statues means immediate max refinement is impossible. Travelers who main the protagonist will find this weapon well worth the investment, while others may treat it as a long-term goal.
Final Tips
- Pinpoint and label every visited statue on your map to prevent redundant trips.
- Ensure your Cryo attack connects directly with the statue; missing the target will require another attempt.
- The weapon’s passive can trigger while the character is off-field, suiting quick-swap party compositions.
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