As a proud (and perpetually broke) Genshin Impact player who’s been diving into Fontaine's depths since its release, let me tell you, getting my hands on the shy diver Freminet was a highlight. But once the initial excitement of having a new Cryo buddy wore off, the eternal question hit me: what in Teyvat do I stick in his hands? His whole gimmick of mixing Physical and Cryo damage with that fancy pressure-timer skill is cool, but it makes choosing a weapon feel like solving one of Sumeru's ancient puzzles. So, I did what any dedicated Traveler would do: I scoured every guide, tested every claymore I could get my grubby mitts on, and even asked a few too many questions of my Spiral Abyss-obsessed friends. The result? This comprehensive, slightly sleep-deprived breakdown of the best sticks to whack enemies with as our favorite underwater explorer.

Let's be real, not all of us are swimming in Primogems. Sometimes, you gotta work with what the gacha gods (or the blacksmith) give you. For Freminet, there are some surprisingly solid free-to-play and craftable options that can turn him from a soggy diver into a respectable damage dealer.

First up, the Prototype Archaic. Ah, the old reliable. This forgable friend from Mondstadt's blacksmith is a fantastic early-game companion. It gives a nice ATK% boost and its passive has a chance to proc a little Area-of-Effect boom on hit. It's not flashy, but it's dependable, like a warm loaf of bread from Good Hunter. You'll be using this while you save up for something shinier.

Then there's the Snow-Tombed Starsilver. Now, this one is for my fellow Physical Damage enjoyers. Found as a blueprint in Dragonspine (brr!), this icy greatsword boosts Physical DMG. Its special trick? Hitting enemies has a chance to drop an icicle on their heads, dealing extra damage if they're already chilled with Cryo—which, with Freminet's skill, they often are! It's thematic and effective for a Physical-focused build.

Finally, the new kid on the block from Fontaine: the Tidal Shadow. Craftable in the Court of Fontaine, this weapon is all about that Fontaine spirit of taking hits to get stronger. It gives a hefty ATK% substat, and its passive grants you a massive ATK boost after you get healed. Pair Freminet with an off-field healer like Kuki Shinobu or even Barbara, and he'll be swinging with a nearly permanent +65% ATK bonus. It's like he gets a second wind every time he takes a sip of water!

Weapon Name	How to Get	Best For	Key Stat
Prototype Archaic	Forge at Blacksmith	General Early Game	ATK%
Snow-Tombed Starsilver	Dragonspine Quest/BPs	Physical DMG Build	Physical DMG Bonus
Tidal Shadow	Fontaine Blacksmith	Sustain/Healer Teams	ATK% (Post-Heal)

Now, for those of us who don't mind opening our wallets a tiny bit for the Battle Pass or have been blessed by the standard banner, there are some epic four-star options.

The undisputed king of four-star DPS claymores for many is the Serpent Spine. This bad boy from the Battle Pass gives a ton of CRIT Rate right off the bat. Its passive makes you deal more damage the longer you stay on the field (perfect for Freminet's on-field time) but also makes you take more damage. It's a high-risk, high-reward playstyle. Just make sure you have a good shielder like Zhongli or a very attentive healer, or you'll be watching Freminet get knocked around like a Blubberbeast in a storm.

Don't overlook the Favonius Greatsword either. I know, I know, it's an Energy Recharge weapon on a DPS. But hear me out! If your artifact luck is as terrible as mine and you can't get his burst up consistently, this can be a game-changer. Landing crits generates energy particles for the whole team, smoothing out your rotations. It turns Freminet into a bit of a battery, which is great in teams where other characters are energy-hungry.

Alright, let's talk about the big guns—the five-star legends. If you've been saving your Primogems for a weapon banner or have gotten lucky on the standard wish, these are the dream picks.

For a Cryo-centric Freminet who wants to see those big, blue, Shatter-inducing numbers, look no further than the Beacon of the Reed Sea. This was Dehya's signature weapon, and boy, does it slap. It gives a massive chunk of CRIT Rate and boosts your ATK whenever you take damage or use your Elemental Skill. Since Freminet will be on the front lines and using his skill constantly, he can maintain this buff easily. It's arguably his BiS (Best in Slot) for a Cryo damage focus.

If you're going all-in on the Physical damage route (maybe pairing him with an Electro character for Superconduct), then Song of Broken Pines is your holy grail. Eula's signature weapon gives a huge Physical DMG Bonus and an ATK% boost. Its passive even buffs your whole team's ATK and attack speed after you build stacks. It turns Freminet into a one-diver wrecking crew and a team player all at once.

And let's not forget the Skyward Pride. If you've pulled this from the standard banner, it's a fantastic generalist option. It provides Energy Recharge to ensure his burst is always ready, and its passive gives a flat damage increase and creates vacuum blades that do extra hits. It's not the absolute top for pure damage, but the consistency and utility are top-notch.

So, which one should you choose? Well, fellow Traveler, it boils down to your playstyle, your team, and your artifact luck (may the RNG be ever in your favor).

• Go for Cryo DMG? Prioritize Beacon of the Reed Sea (if you have it) or Serpent Spine. Stack CRIT and ATK artifacts.

• Go for Physical DMG? Song of Broken Pines or Snow-Tombed Starsilver are your best friends. Pair him with an Electro ally for Superconduct to reduce enemy Physical RES.

• Just starting out or F2P? Prototype Archaic or Tidal Shadow will serve you incredibly well. Favonius Greatsword is a great support-oriented option if your team struggles for energy.

Remember, the best weapon is often the one you have that best complements your artifacts. If you have a killer CRIT DMG circlet but no CRIT Rate, maybe Serpent Spine is your savior. If your artifacts are loaded with ATK% but no Energy Recharge, Skyward Pride could be the key. Experiment! That's half the fun. Now, if you'll excuse me, I have a date with a Fontaine ley line and a diver who needs more talent books. Happy diving and slashing!