Serpent Spine | Genshin Impact
Serpent Spine is a 4 star Claymore that can be acquired from the Battle Pass by purchasing the Gnostic Hymn and reaching level 30. It has been available in Genshin Impact since its original release with version 1.0. Serpent Spine is a high risk, high reward 4-Star Claymore that grants an extremely valuable damage substat in Crit Rate, as well as a stacking damage buff that greatly increases damage. Beware however, for it also increases damage taken, and each hit taken reduces your stacks gained .At higher refine levels, if you can manage to consistently keep up its buff it manages to outclass even some 5 Star Claymores.
About Serpent Spine
| Rarity | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
| Weapon Type | Claymore |
| Secondary Stat | Crit Rate |
| Refinement Passive | Wavesplitter |
| Region | N/A |
| Series | Gnostic Hymn Series |
How to get Serpent Spine in Genshin Impact?
Serpent Spine is a 4 star Claymore that is attainable by reaching level 30 of the Battle Pass after purchasing the Gnostic Hymn. You can then proceed to select it as your weapon of choice from 5 different options and this is currently the only means of obtaining Serpent Spine.
Upgrades
Ascension and Stats
| Ascension Phase | Level | Base ATK | 2nd Stat (CRIT Rate) |
| 0✦ | 1/20 | 42 | 6% |
| 20/20 | 109 | 10.60% | |
| 1✦ | 20/40 | 135 | 10.60% |
| 40/40 | 205 | 15.50% | |
| 2✦ | 40/50 | 231 | 15.50% |
| 50/50 | 266 | 17.90% | |
| 3✦ | 50/60 | 292 | 17.90% |
| 60/60 | 327 | 20.30% | |
| 4✦ | 60/70 | 353 | 20.30% |
| 70/70 | 388 | 22.70% | |
| 5✦ | 70/80 | 414 | 22.70% |
| 80/80 | 449 | 25.10% | |
| 6✦ | 80/90 | 475 | 25.10% |
| 90/90 | 510 | 27.60% |
Ascension Materials
| Items Required | Amount |
| Weapon Ascension Materials | |
| Grain of Aerosiderite | 3 |
| Piece of Aerosiderite | 9 |
| Bit of Aerosiderite | 9 |
| Chunk of Aerosiderite | 4 |
| Common Ascension Materials | |
| Fragile Bone Shard | 15 |
| Sturdy Bone Shard | 18 |
| Fossilized Bone Shard | 27 |
| Whopperflower Nectar | 10 |
| Shimmering Nectar | 15 |
| Energy Nectar | 18 |
| Total Mora | 150000 |
Refinements
| Refinement | Effects |
| 1 | Every 4s a character is on the field, they will deal 6% more DMG and take 3% more DMG. This effect has a maximum of 5 stacks and will not be reset if the character leaves the field, but will be reduced by 1 stack when the character takes DMG. |
| 2 | Every 4s a character is on the field, they will deal 7% more DMG and take 2.7% more DMG. This effect has a maximum of 5 stacks and will not be reset if the character leaves the field, but will be reduced by 1 stack when the character takes DMG. |
| 3 | Every 4s a character is on the field, they will deal 8% more DMG and take 2.4% more DMG. This effect has a maximum of 5 stacks and will not be reset if the character leaves the field, but will be reduced by 1 stack when the character takes DMG. |
| 4 | Every 4s a character is on the field, they will deal 9% more DMG and take 2.2% more DMG. This effect has a maximum of 5 stacks and will not be reset if the character leaves the field, but will be reduced by 1 stack when the character takes DMG. |
| 5 | Every 4s a character is on the field, they will deal 10% more DMG and take 2% more DMG. This effect has a maximum of 5 stacks and will not be reset if the character leaves the field, but will be reduced by 1 stack when the character takes DMG. |
Availability
| Method | Obtainability |
| Paimon’s Bargains | No |
| Crafting | No |
| Overworld | No |
| Events | Yes (Battle Pass) |
| Epitome Invocation | No |
| Wanderlust Invocation | No |
| Character Event Wish | No |
Appearance
Each weapon has two forms, one when it is initially summoned and another once it has reached a certain level of ascension. Once this occurs, the weapon will undergo a change in its design. Serpent Spine very much looks as it sounds, as a blade crafted from white bonelike material that resembles a spine. It is wide at its base, held in place by a grey guard piece and then gradually narrows as it reaches the top. Its handle is red with a grey pommel.
Non-Ascended
The bony blade is clear with no visible blemishes other than the natural divots and depressions located on the spine. A pair of eyelike structures at the base of the blade remain closed.
Ascended
The middle section of the blade turns a fleshy dark reddish brown color and the eyes at the base of the blade open with a menacing red glare. The jewel at the hilt of the blade also begins to glow.
Story
A greatsword fashioned from the spine of a great sea monster, each eerie segment of bone a tale unto itself.
In the past, seamen would use the bones of such monsters as figureheads,
And with them frighten the beasts who dwelt in the deep sea, and who envied the land—dwellers.
In the stormy oceans of the ancient past, those who put out to sea would often never be seen again.
The carefree sea shanties of today were, in years long gone, farewell songs that left people in mournful silence.
There was a greatsword-wielding captain in those days who enjoyed drinking and making merry before a voyage. When people questioned him, he laughed and said:
"I know myself. What is wine and song to me? Worry not. Once the sea and winds are right..."
But he would never finish that statement. He would only raise his mug, and call for all around to have another drink.
Then, the day when the sea and winds came together arrived at last, and the stern of the great vessel rode them as it sailed.
Deep into the misty sea it went, far across the darkening waves, into the ocean that teemed with sea creatures.
And at last, neither the singing skipper nor his ship would ever return to the harbor ringed by mountains.
After many days, the corpse of a sea monster from the deep was beached upon the shore by the waves.
Brilliant white bone shone out from a great gash torn into it by a greatsword. Its blood had long been washed clean.
"When the sea and winds are right, I will go forth to sea and avenge her. O maiden charmed by the tidal song."
"So what if I sleep with the fishes? That way, I will be able to send my sea shanties into the deep where she dwells."
Today, the seas are no longer plagued by giant creatures that emerge from the storm and rain down devastation upon the waves.
The practice of mounting skeletons of sea monsters onto the bows of ships has also been lost with their extinction.
But when one sails far abroad, sometimes one can still hear the spine-chilling sound of thunder rumbling in the depths...
Trivia
-The in game book series Tales From the Waves references the previous owner of this claymore, the Skipper.
-It is one of two 4 star or 5 star claymores with a Crit substat, the only other one being the Redhorn Stonethresher.
-With refines, the extra damage taken by Serpent Spine’s stacking passive goes down.
FAQs
Is the Serpent Spine good?
Absolutely. Serpent Spine is one of the rare claymores that actually has Crit Rate or Crit DMG as a substat, which is pivotal in terms of reaching a high ideal 1:2 Crit rate to Crit DMG ratio in order to maximize the consistency of your damage. It is also paired with one of the strongest weapon passives in the game if you can manage to maintain it. At higher refines for some characters (which are guaranteed if you consistently hit level 30 with each version Battle Pass) a highly refined Serpent Spine will even beat out many 5 Star claymores at R1.
How do you avoid losing Serpent Spine stacks?
Don’t get hit. You can either dodge all incoming, which is possible but extremely difficult and in some cases impossible, or rely on shields to protect yourself. This is why pairing Serpent Spine users with shielding characters like Thoma, Diona, or Zhongli is a very common and effective practice.
Is Serpent Spine BiS for anyone?
At high refine levels for Main DPS claymore users like Diluc and Itto, assuming you can constantly maintain the full stacks Serpent Spine will straight up beat out just about everyone other R1 5 Star claymore like Wolf’s Gravestone or Skyward Pride. In Itto’s case it even beats out his signature weapon in Redhorn StonethresherOne of the few exceptions would be Eula with Song of Broken Pines and its unique synergy with her Elemental Burst.
Final Thoughts
Serpent Spine is virtually unmatched by its 4-Star peers in terms of damage. With the scarcity of Crit substats it is an extremely attractive option for both Main and Sub DPS claymore users, and while its passive does have a notable downside in potentially dropping stacks on hit, it is easily circumvented by using shielding characters. If you are a regular buyer of the Battle Pass it is absolutely an option you should consider!
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