Hey everyone! It's your friendly neighborhood Genshin nerd back with another deep dive. Today, we're talking about one of my favorite 4-star Pyro DPS units, Gaming! As of 2026, he's still a fantastic and fun character, especially if you love plunging attack gameplay. But let's be real, his damage can feel a bit lackluster if you don't give him the right claymore. I've spent hours testing builds in the Spiral Abyss, and I'm here to break down the absolute best weapons for him, from the most accessible to the ultimate whale options.
First, let's remember what makes Gaming tick. He's all about that Plunging Attack spam after using his Skill. His Burst is crucial for maximizing his damage window. So, what do we look for in a weapon? ATK%, CRIT stats, and Energy Recharge are all super valuable. Some weapons also boost his Elemental Mastery for bigger Vaporize numbers. The meta has evolved, but the core principles for building him remain strong.
Alright, let's get into the rankings! I've compiled this list based on my own testing and the current 2026 meta. Remember, the best weapon for you depends on your artifacts and team composition.
🥇 The Absolute Best: Beacon of the Reed Sea
-
Rarity: Five-Star
-
Base ATK: 608
-
Secondary Stat: CRIT Rate (33.1%)
-
How to Get: Limited Weapon Banner
Let's not beat around the bush. If you have it, this is Gaming's BiS (Best in Slot). Why? It's the perfect stat stick. That 33.1% CRIT Rate is insane and makes building his artifact CRIT stats a breeze. The passive is just the cherry on top: 20% ATK boost when his Skill hits, and another 20% ATK when he takes damage. If you're not using a shielder, you even get an HP bonus. High base ATK, massive CRIT Rate, and a ton of ATK%? It's literally made for a selfish DPS like Gaming. I pulled this for Dehya back in the day, and throwing it on Gaming was a game-changer.
🥈 The Premium & Powerful Alternatives
These weapons are also top-tier and can sometimes compete with the Beacon depending on your build.
Verdict
-
Rarity: Five-Star | Base ATK: 674 | Secondary Stat: CRIT Rate (22.1%)
-
Navia's signature weapon is a beast. The raw stats alone—high base ATK and CRIT Rate—justify its place here. The passive (boosting Skill DMG after picking up Crystallize shards) is nice if you run him with a Geo unit like Zhongli, but you can ignore it and he'll still destroy everything. It's that good.
Serpent Spine
-
Rarity: Four-Star (Battle Pass) | Base ATK: 510 | Secondary Stat: CRIT Rate (27.6%)
-
Don't sleep on this BP weapon! It's arguably the best 4-star option for him. The CRIT Rate secondary is a lifesaver for artifact farming. The passive gives up to a 30% DMG Bonus (at R5) as long as you can avoid getting hit. Since Gaming is often in the air, this is very doable. Pair him with a shielder, and you have a mini 5-star weapon.
🥉 The Strong & Accessible Picks
These are fantastic weapons you can get without wishing on the weapon banner.
Ultimate Overlord’s Mega Magic Sword
-
Rarity: Four-Star (Event) | Base ATK: 565 | Secondary Stat: Energy Recharge (30.6%)
-
If you played the 4.3 event, this sword is a gift. It provides great ER to fuel his Burst and a ton of ATK% from its unique Melusine-helping passive. At R5, it's a monster. If you missed it... well, F.
Tidal Shadow
-
Rarity: Four-Star (Forged) | Base ATK: 510 | Secondary Stat: ATK (41.3%)
-
This is probably your best F2P/craftable option in 2026. Gaming constantly heals himself, so he triggers the passive effortlessly, giving him a massive 48% ATK bonus at R5. It's reliable, strong, and doesn't lock your team. Go craft this right now!
👍 Solid Contenders & Niche Options
Wolf’s Gravestone
-
Rarity: Five-Star | Base ATK: 608 | Secondary Stat: ATK (49.6%)
-
The classic. It gives so much ATK it's almost comical. The team-wide ATK buff is nice when it procs. Its main issue is the long cooldown on its full passive. Still, if it's your only 5-star claymore, it will serve Gaming very well.
Rainslasher
-
Rarity: Four-Star | Base ATK: 510 | Secondary Stat: Elemental Mastery (165)
-
This weapon is SPECIFIC for Vaporize teams. If you're running Gaming with Xingqiu, Yelan, or Furina, this is a hidden gem. The EM boosts his Vape damage, and the passive gives a 20% DMG increase against Hydro-affected enemies. It's niche but powerful in the right setup.
Skyward Pride
-
Rarity: Five-Star | Base ATK: 674 | Secondary Stat: Energy Recharge (36.8%)
-
High base ATK and a boatload of ER. If you struggle to get his Burst back up, this solves all your problems. The 8% DMG bonus and vacuum blades are just extra. It's a comfort pick that ensures smooth rotations.
Lithic Blade
-
Rarity: Four-Star | Base ATK: 510 | Secondary Stat: ATK (41.3%)
-
This weapon forces you into a Liyue-themed team, but guess what? Gaming's best supports (Xingqiu, Yelan, Xianyun, Zhongli) are from Liyue. In such a team, it provides huge ATK% and CRIT Rate. It's a great option if you have the right squad.
🎯 Final Thoughts & TL;DR
Choosing a weapon for Gaming is all about balancing your stats. Here’s a quick cheat sheet:
| Your Need | Weapon Recommendations |
|---|---|
| Max Damage (Whale) | Beacon of the Reed Sea > Verdict |
| Best Value (BP) | Serpent Spine (R5 is insane) |
| Best Craftable/F2P | Tidal Shadow (R5) |
| For Vaporize Teams | Rainslasher (High Refinement) |
| Need ER Badly | Skyward Pride or Ultimate Overlord's Mega Magic Sword |
| Liyue Team Enjoyer | Lithic Blade |
My personal journey? I started with an R5 Tidal Shadow, which was amazing. Then I got lucky and pulled a Beacon of the Reed Sea, and the damage difference was noticeable. But honestly, a well-built Gaming with any of the top 5 weapons here can easily crush the Spiral Abyss. The most important thing is to have fun with his awesome plunging playstyle!
What weapon are you using on your Gaming? Let me know in the comments! And as always, good luck with your artifact rolls, may the CRIT stats be ever in your favor 🙏.