Durin's banner has just launched in Genshin Impact's Luna III update, marking the arrival of this highly anticipated 5-star Pyro Sword user from Mondstadt.
Players often face a tough choice after securing C0: chase his first Constellation (C1) on the character banner or refine his signature weapon, Athame Artis, to R1 on Epitome Invocation. This article breaks down their effects, compares their impact, and recommends the better pull based on current meta insights.
Breaking Down C1: Adamah's Redemption
Exact Effect (post-Burst, 20s duration; stacks refresh on recast):
- Purity Mode: Nearby party members (excluding Durin) gain 20 stacks of "Cycle of Enlightenment." On any DMG (NA/CA/Plunge/Skill/Burst), consume 1 stack per character to boost that instance by 60% of Durin's ATK. Stacks managed individually.
- Darkness Mode: Durin gains 20 stacks. On Burst DMG (dragon hits), consume 2 stacks to boost by 150% of Durin's ATK.
This turns Durin into a hyper-buffer:
- Team mode: Up to 20x 60% ATK DMG% across all abilities (scales with his 2k+ ATK = massive amps).
- Self mode: 10x 150% ATK on dragon hits (personal DPS skyrockets).
C1 elevates Durin from solid enabler to meta staple, enabling 30%+ team DPS uplifts in support role or rivaling signature DPS in Dark mode. It's mode-flexible and always-on post-Burst.
Breaking Down Athame Artis R1
Lv. 90 Stats: 608 Base ATK, 33.1% CRIT Rate (huge for easy ratios).
Passive: Day King's Splendor Solis:
- Burst CRIT DMG +16%.
- On Burst hit: "Blade of the Daylight Hours" (3s): Self ATK +20%, active party member (not wielder) +16% ATK.
- +75% bonus if "Hexerei: Secret Rite" active (self +35% ATK, active +28% ATK).
- Off-field triggerable; no internal cooldown noted.
Athame excels in Hexerei teams (e.g., with Albedo/Varka leaks), providing personal Burst CRIT and short team ATK buffs. Without Hexerei, it's still solid statstick/CRIT source. Alternatives like Primordial Jade Cutter (44.1% CRIT Rate) or Mistsplitter close the gap.
Head-to-Head Comparison
| Aspect | C1 (Adamah's Redemption) | R1 Athame Artis |
|---|---|---|
| Personal DPS | +Huge in Dark mode (150% ATK x10 on Burst); ~30% uplift | +16% Burst CRIT DMG +20-35% ATK (3s); 6-20% over R5 Wolf-Fang |
| Team Buffs | 60% ATK DMG% x20 stacks (all abilities, 20s) | 16-28% ATK to active (3s, Burst trigger) |
| Uptime/Flexibility | 100% post-Burst; mode-agnostic | 3s bursts; needs Hexerei for max |
| Account Dependency | Scales with ATK investment | CRIT Rate eases builds; gated by team |
| Value Rank | Top priority (after C0) | BiS but skippable (F2P: Wolf-Fang R5) |
Key Insights:
- C1 Wins on Impact: Direct, long-duration DMG% >> short ATK%. Team-wide in White mode; personal monster in Dark. No team restrictions.
- R1's Niche: Amazing CRIT sandwich + team ATK in Hexerei comps, but Jade Cutter/Mistsplitter match stats. Passive uptime low (3s vs. 20s).
- Calculations Echo This: Early showcases show C1R0 ~ C0R1 or better; C1 adds 10-30% personal/team DPS.
Verdict: Prioritize C1
Go for Durin C1 first. It unlocks his full potential as a buffer/DPS hybrid, far outpacing R1's stats + conditional buffs. Save Epitome for later (post-C1/C2) or skip if you have CRIT swords. F2P/low-spenders: C0 + R5 Wolf-Fang/Freedom-Sworn suffices for 90% performance.
Pull Order: C0 > C1 > C2 > R1 (if Hexerei main). With banners until Dec 23, plan your Primogems wisely!