Lightbearing Moonshard Worth It? Zibai C0 Guide 2026

DPS-per-Primogem: The Hidden Cost

DPS-per-Primogem measures damage gained versus Primogems spent—the critical metric for resource optimization. Unlike raw damage percentages, this reveals whether 12,800-38,400 Primogems on weapon banners beats alternative investments.

Weapon banners hit hard pity at 80 pulls (soft pity at 65) versus character banners' 90-pull guarantee. But Epitomized Path needs two Fate Points—you could pull three 5-stars before securing Lightbearing Moonshard. Each wish costs 160 Primogems, making worst-case scenarios pricier than character acquisitions.

For Zibai C0, this matters because he works fine with 4-star options. Genshin Impact Genesis Crystals top up through BitTopup offers competitive rates if you decide to invest, but understand the math first.

Why This Beats Raw Damage Numbers

A 25% damage boost sounds great until it costs 38,400 Primogems—enough for two guaranteed 5-star characters. F2P players earn ~14,540 Primogems in Version 6.3 (107 pulls). Weapon banners mean skipping upcoming characters with better team-building value.

Weapons also carry higher risk. Unlike character constellations providing guaranteed value, weapons depend on artifact quality, team comps, and rotation execution. Mediocre artifacts gain minimal benefit from Lightbearing Moonshard versus optimized Husk sets hitting 150-200% DEF and 60-70% CRIT Rate.

Weapon vs Character Banner Investment

Character banners guarantee featured 5-stars within 180 pulls max (28,800 Primogems with 50/50 loss). Weapon banners need 240 pulls (38,400 Primogems) for Epitomized Path—33% higher cost ceiling. Lightbearing Moonshard's DEF-scaling passive limits effectiveness to DEF-based Sword users, reducing long-term utility.

For Zibai C0, constellations compete directly. C1 grants 100 instant Phase Shift Radiance and allows 5 Spirit Steed's Stride uses, fundamentally changing rotation fluidity. This mechanical improvement often beats raw stats, especially for players struggling with Zibai's 70 Radiance requirement.

Lightbearing Moonshard Breakdown

Debuts as Zibai's signature 5-star Sword on Phase 2 banner (Feb 3-24, 2026). Targets DEF-scaling Geo DPS with stats tailored to Lunar-Crystallize mechanics.

Level 90 Stats

• Base ATK: 542 (standard 5-star)
• CRIT DMG: 88.2% (secondary stat)
• DEF Bonus: 20-40% (passive, refinement-dependent)

542 Base ATK matches Tome of the Eternal Flow and Uraku Misugiri. 88.2% CRIT DMG addresses Zibai's ratio needs, though you still need 60-70% CRIT Rate from artifacts. DEF bonus amplifies damage since his fourth Normal Attack deals 29.46% DEF as Geo DMG at talent level 1.

Passive Mechanics and Uptime

Increases Lunar-Crystallize DMG by 64-128% for 5s after Elemental Skill. Aligns with Zibai's rotation:

1. Elemental Skill (2-3s): Generates 10 Phase Shift Radiance/sec
2. Normal Attacks (4-6s): 3-4 attacks adding +5 Radiance per hit every 0.5s
3. Spirit Steed's Stride (2-3s): Consumes 70 Radiance for two Geo DMG instances
4. Elemental Burst (3-4s): 60 energy cost, 15s cooldown

The 5s buff covers Spirit Steed's Stride activation, where Zibai's A1 Passive already boosts the second hit by 60% DEF for 4s. Stacking these multipliers creates burst windows but requires precise timing. Missing the window wastes the passive entirely.

Lunar-Crystallize reactions occur when Zibai's A4 Passive converts Hydro Crystallize shields. This demands Hydro teammates for uptime, limiting team flexibility. Without Hydro, the 64-128% boost applies to nothing.

Refinement: R1 vs R5

R1 (64% Lunar-Crystallize DMG, 20% DEF) to R5 (128% DMG, 40% DEF). Five copies = 400-pull investment worst-case (64,000 Primogems). For 99% of players, R1 is the ceiling.

The 20% DEF difference translates to ~8-12% final damage variance with Zibai's total DEF pool. This rarely justifies exponential cost. Whales pursue R5 for collection, not necessity.

Zibai C0 Weapon Dependency

Zibai's kit revolves around Phase Shift Radiance and DEF-scaling, creating specific weapon priorities different from traditional DPS.

Kit Scaling with Weapon Stats

Four primary stats:

• DEF (150-200% target): Direct scaling for Normal Attacks and Spirit Steed's Stride
• CRIT Rate/DMG (60-70% / 120-150%): Standard DPS ratios
• Energy Recharge (130-160%): Maintains Burst uptime on 15s cooldown

Lightbearing Moonshard covers DEF and CRIT DMG but zero ER. You must compensate through artifact substats, potentially sacrificing CRIT Rate or DEF. 4-star alternatives with ER substats might alleviate this.

Base ATK contributes minimally to DEF-scaling abilities. While 542 Base ATK affects Burst multipliers, most damage comes from Normal Attacks and Spirit Steed's Stride—both scaling from DEF. This reduces 5-star Base ATK advantages versus ATK-scaling DPS.

Talent Multipliers and Stat Distribution

Fourth Normal Attack at talent 1 deals 29.46% DEF as Geo DMG. At level 10, this multiplier increases substantially. Spirit Steed's Stride delivers two Geo DMG instances, with A1 Passive boosting the second by +60% DEF for 4s.

Optimal distribution: DEF% Sands, Geo DMG% Goblet, CRIT Rate/DMG Circlet. Lightbearing Moonshard's 20-40% DEF bonus adds 400-800 flat DEF at 2000 base DEF, translating to ~12-24% damage increase on DEF-scaling abilities. Assumes perfect artifact substats to maintain CRIT ratios—many mid-game players can't meet this.

Constellation Impact

C0 requires careful Radiance management, making execution challenging. C1 changes this with 100 instant Radiance and 5 Stride uses. This reduces weapon dependency because smoother rotations mean consistent damage regardless of weapon.

For players considering both C1 and Lightbearing Moonshard, C1 typically provides greater QoL. Mechanical fluidity outweighs raw stats, especially in Spiral Abyss where rotation flexibility determines clears. Buy Genshin Genesis Crystals instant recharge through BitTopup if prioritizing constellations over weapon risks.

Real Primogem Cost: Weapon Banner Math

Average Case: 150-180 Pulls

Most players secure targeted weapons within 150-180 pulls (24,000-28,800 Primogems). Assumes:

• Winning one 50/50 on featured weapons
• Hitting soft pity around 65-75 twice
• Accumulating 1-2 Fate Points before guarantee

This average still exceeds guaranteed 5-star character cost (28,800 Primogems max). For F2P earning 14,540 Primogems in 6.3, that's two full update cycles—significant opportunity cost.

Worst Case: 240 Pulls

Epitomized Path guarantees your weapon after 2 Fate Points. Each featured 5-star that isn't your target = 1 Fate Point. Worst progression:

1. Pull 1-80: First 5-star (wrong weapon) = 1 Fate Point
2. Pull 81-160: Second 5-star (wrong weapon) = 2 Fate Points
3. Pull 161-240: Third 5-star (guaranteed Lightbearing Moonshard)

Total: 240 pulls × 160 Primogems = 38,400 Primogems

Occurs ~11% of the time. Unacceptable risk for low-spenders.

Epitomized Path Rules

Fate Points persist only within current banner phase. When Phase 2 ends Feb 24, 2026, points reset completely. Creates pressure to complete pulls within 21 days or lose progress.

Critical rules:

• Fate Points only from featured 5-stars (not off-banner)
• Manually select targeted weapon before pulling
• Points reset when banner phase changes
• Pulling targeted weapon resets Fate Points to zero

Hidden Costs: Opportunity Analysis

Beyond Primogems, weapon pulls sacrifice:

• Character pity buildup: Every 10-pull delays character acquisitions
• Meta shifts: Version 6.4+ might introduce stronger characters
• Resin refresh value: 38,400 Primogems = 240 days daily refreshes
• Welkin equivalent: ~6 months of purchases

Resin refreshes often provide superior long-term value. Guaranteed artifact farming improves entire rosters; single weapons benefit specific characters only.

Damage Testing: Moonshard vs Alternatives

Controlled testing with identical artifacts (Husk 4pc, 65% CRIT Rate, 140% CRIT DMG, 180% DEF):

5-Star Comparisons

Lightbearing Moonshard R1 (baseline: 100% relative damage)

• Optimal with Hydro teammate for Lunar-Crystallize
• 5s buff fully utilized
• DEF bonus stacks with artifacts

Uraku Misugiri (95% relative damage)

• Base ATK 542, CRIT DMG 88.2%, DEF +20%
• Lacks Lunar-Crystallize bonus but permanent DEF
• More consistent across team comps

5% gap narrows without Hydro teammates, dropping Moonshard to 97-98%. Situational dependency reduces practical value.

4-Star Options: Performance Gap

Cinnabar Spindle R5 (82% relative damage)

• Base ATK 454, DEF +69%
• Free event weapon with guaranteed R5
• 18% damage deficit but zero Primogem cost

Generic 4-Stars (70-75% relative damage)

• Harbinger of Dawn (CRIT Rate substat)
• Require high refinement for competitiveness
• Significantly cheaper

18-25% damage gap represents Moonshard's actual value. Whether this justifies 38,400 Primogems depends on account context.

Team Composition Impact

Moonshard excels with:

• Hydro enablers (Xingqiu, Yelan, Kokomi) for Lunar-Crystallize
• Geo resonance (Zhongli, Albedo) for DEF scaling
• Bennett for ATK buffing (less impactful on DEF-scaling)

Performance drops in:

• Mono-Geo without Hydro
• Quick-swap where 5s windows expire
• Overworld where rotation precision matters less

Specialization limits versatility. Unlike universal weapons, Moonshard serves primarily Zibai and future DEF-scaling Sword users.

DPS-per-Primogem: The Verdict

Damage Increase Breakdown

Versus Cinnabar Spindle R5:

• Moonshard R1: +18% damage
• Primogem cost (average): 24,000-28,800
• DPS-per-1000 Primogems: 0.625-0.75% damage increase

Versus Uraku Misugiri:

• Moonshard R1: +5% damage
• Additional cost: Same 5-star investment
• DPS-per-1000 Primogems: 0.208% damage increase

Efficiency Score Comparison

Character constellations typically provide:

• Zibai C1: 25-30% damage + rotation QoL
• Primogem cost: 12,800-28,800
• DPS-per-1000 Primogems: 0.87-2.34% damage increase

Zibai C1 delivers 2-4× better efficiency than Moonshard while improving gameplay feel. Makes constellations superior for most players.

When Moonshard Becomes Worth It

Justifies cost when:

• You own Zibai C1+ and want optimization
• Artifact quality exceptional (70%+ CRIT Rate, 200%+ DEF)
• You main Zibai in Spiral Abyss needing every percentage
• Surplus Primogems after securing desired characters
• You value aesthetic/collection beyond efficiency

When It's a Trap

Skip if:

• F2P or low-spender with limited income
• Lack Zibai or only plan C0
• Artifacts need improvement (resin better spent farming)
• Upcoming banners include meta-defining units
• Don't consistently use Zibai in endgame

Becomes trap when opportunity costs exceed practical benefits—common for 80%+ of players.

Alternative Investment Strategies

Zibai C1 vs Moonshard Value

Zibai C1 provides:

• 100 instant Phase Shift Radiance (eliminates ramp-up)
• Max 5 Spirit Steed's Stride uses (vs C0's single use)
• Smoother rotations, less precision needed
• 25-30% damage through additional Stride procs

Moonshard R1 provides:

• 18% damage over Cinnabar Spindle
• 5% damage over alternative 5-stars
• No mechanical gameplay changes
• Situational team dependency

For identical investment (28,800 worst-case), C1 delivers higher damage and better UX. Only scenario favoring weapon: you already own C1.

Upcoming Banners Worth Saving

Version 6.3 Phase 2 runs with Columbina (5-star Hydro Catalyst) and Illuga (4-star Geo Polearm). Future versions may introduce:

• Archons with game-changing support
• Meta-shifting DPS redefining team comps
• Limited collaboration characters (never rerun)

Spending 38,400 Primogems on Moonshard eliminates flexibility. For account diversity and long-term engagement, character variety typically beats single-weapon optimization.

4-Star Weapon Refinements

Refining Cinnabar Spindle to R5 (if available) costs zero Primogems while delivering 82% of Moonshard's performance. 18% gap rarely determines Spiral Abyss success—player skill, team synergy, artifact quality matter more.

Missed Cinnabar? Craft Amenoma Kageuchi for ER solutions improving rotation consistency. Addresses Zibai's 130-160% ER requirements without sacrificing artifact optimization.

Resin Refresh vs Banner Pulls

38,400 Primogems converts to:

• 240 weapon pulls, OR
• 240 days of 60-Primogem resin refreshes (14,400 additional resin)

That resin = ~720 artifact domain runs—enough for multiple optimized 4pc sets. Since artifact quality determines 60-70% of character performance, this benefits entire roster versus single weapon.

For players with suboptimal artifacts (below 60% CRIT Rate or 150% DEF on Zibai), resin refreshes provide objectively better progression.

Player Profile Recommendations

F2P Players: Strict Skip

Skip Moonshard entirely

F2P earn ~14,540 Primogems per version (107 pulls). 240 pulls consumes 2.25 update cycles—unsustainable opportunity cost. Priorities:

1. Secure desired 5-star characters at C0
2. Build 4-star alternatives (Cinnabar Spindle, Amenoma Kageuchi)
3. Save for constellations fundamentally improving gameplay
4. Invest resin refreshes only after roster completion

18% damage increase never justifies sacrificing character acquisition. Team diversity and elemental coverage provide greater Spiral Abyss value.

Low Spenders (Welkin + BP): Conditional

Pull only if ALL conditions met:

• Own Zibai C1 or higher
• Have 50,000+ Primogems saved (absorb worst-case)
• Zibai artifacts achieve 65%+ CRIT Rate, 180%+ DEF
• Secured all desired characters for next 2-3 versions
• Consistently use Zibai in Spiral Abyss Floor 12

Welkin + BP provides ~20,000 Primogems per version. Supports occasional weapon pulls without crippling character acquisition, but requires disciplined saving.

Dolphins and Whales: Optimization

Pull for collection/optimization

Players spending $100+ monthly can afford weapon investments without sacrificing rosters. But consider:

• Weapon versatility across current and future characters
• Refinement value (R1 sufficient for 95% performance)
• Alternative 5-stars with broader applications

For optimization-focused players, Moonshard represents 5% damage over Uraku Misugiri—marginal gain mattering primarily for speedruns or personal satisfaction.

Account Progression Stages

• Early Game (AR 1-45): Never pull weapon banners. Focus character acquisition and basic 4-stars
• Mid Game (AR 45-55): Skip unless spender. Resin in artifacts provides better returns
• Late Game (AR 55+): Conditional pulls if character roster complete and artifacts optimized
• Endgame (AR 60, 36-star Abyss): Weapon banners viable for min-maxing favorites, but optional

Common Weapon Banner Mistakes

Misconception: 5-Stars Always Better

18% gap between Moonshard and Cinnabar Spindle contradicts assumptions that 5-stars universally outperform 4-stars. For characters with accessible F2P alternatives, performance difference rarely justifies cost multiplier.

Intensifies with refinements. R5 4-star often matches or exceeds R1 5-star, especially when passives align with kits. Always calculate actual damage versus assuming rarity determines value.

Sunk Cost Fallacy Trap

Players investing 160 pulls without securing targeted weapon feel compelled to finish despite depleting reserves. This emotional decision ignores: past spending is irretrievable, future pulls should only continue if weapon still provides value relative to remaining resources.

If you've spent 25,000 Primogems without Moonshard, evaluate whether remaining 13,400 (worst-case completion) still represents best investment. Often, cutting losses and redirecting to character banners yields better outcomes.

Ignoring Weapon Versatility

Moonshard's DEF-scaling passive limits effectiveness to Zibai and potential future DEF-based Sword users. Compare to Mistsplitter Reforged or Haran Geppaku Futsu benefiting multiple characters across builds.

Before pulling, audit roster:

• How many characters can use this weapon?
• Do you own those characters, or hypothetical future pulls?
• Would a versatile weapon provide better account-wide value?

Narrow applications become expensive collection pieces versus practical investments.

Pulling Without Epitomized Path Set

Forgetting to select targeted weapon before pulling wastes Fate Point accumulation. Always verify:

1. Epitomized Path activated (check banner details)
2. Lightbearing Moonshard selected as target
3. Selection persists across multiple 10-pulls

Occurs more frequently than expected, especially pulling immediately after launch without reviewing mechanics.

Smart Primogem Acquisition

Daily and Weekly Sources

F2P earn 14,540 Primogems per version through:

• Daily Commissions: 60 × 42 days = 2,520
• Spiral Abyss: 600 × 2 cycles = 1,200
• Events: ~2,500-3,000 per version
• Maintenance: 600 per major update
• Stardust Exchange: 5 Fates = 800 Primogems
• Livestream codes: 300
• Exploration/quests: 1,000-2,000 (new areas)
• Character test runs: 20 × 4 = 80

Consistency beats individual sources. Missing daily commissions one week costs 420 Primogems—nearly 3 pulls lost permanently.

Event Optimization

Limited events provide 40-50% of F2P income. Maximize by:

• Completing all Primogem-rewarding stages (prioritize over artifact farming)
• Participating in web events (40-120 Primogems for 5 min effort)
• Claiming mail rewards before expiration (7-day windows)
• Finishing event challenges rewarding Fates directly

Events have difficulty tiers—complete at least Primogem-rewarding levels even if skipping higher difficulties offering only Mora/materials.

Efficient Top-Up Through BitTopup

For players deciding Moonshard aligns with goals, BitTopup provides secure Genesis Crystal purchases with competitive pricing and instant delivery. Offers:

• Transparent pricing: Clear conversion rates, no hidden fees
• Fast delivery: Automated processing within minutes
• Secure transactions: Encrypted payment and account protection
• 24/7 support: Assistance with purchase issues
• Wide payment options: Multiple methods for international accessibility

When purchasing, verify:

• Logged into correct Genshin account
• Server selection matches gameplay region
• First-time buyer bonuses available (double Genesis Crystals on initial purchase per tier)

BitTopup's reputation for reliable service makes it trusted for players supplementing F2P income during critical banner phases.

FAQ

Is Lightbearing Moonshard worth pulling for Zibai C0?

For most players, no. Provides 18% damage over Cinnabar Spindle but costs up to 38,400 Primogems. Zibai C0 functions adequately with 4-stars. Primogems better invested in constellations (particularly C1) or future characters. Only pull if you're a spender with surplus resources after securing desired characters.

How much does Lightbearing Moonshard increase Zibai damage?

~18% versus Cinnabar Spindle R5 and 5% versus alternative 5-stars like Uraku Misugiri. Exact increase depends on artifact quality, team comp, and maintaining Hydro teammates for Lunar-Crystallize reactions. Without Hydro enablers, advantage drops to 2-3% over other 5-stars.

What's the primogem cost for guaranteed Lightbearing Moonshard?

Guaranteed needs 240 pulls max via Epitomized Path, costing 38,400 Primogems. Average scenarios range 150-180 pulls (24,000-28,800 Primogems). Each pull costs 160 Primogems. Must accumulate 2 Fate Points by pulling featured 5-stars that aren't your target before guarantee activates.

Can 4-star weapons compete with Lightbearing Moonshard on Zibai?

Yes. Cinnabar Spindle R5 achieves 82% of Moonshard's performance at zero Primogem cost. 18% gap rarely determines endgame success—player skill, team synergy, artifact quality matter more. For F2P and low-spenders, 4-stars represent optimal choice, allowing Primogem investment in characters instead.

Should F2P players pull on weapon banner for Zibai?

No. F2P earn ~14,540 Primogems per version (107 pulls). Weapon banners need 150-240 pulls, consuming 2+ update cycles. Opportunity cost sacrifices character acquisition and roster diversity. F2P priorities: secure 5-star characters at C0, build 4-star alternatives, save for impactful constellations.

What are the best 4-star weapons for Zibai C0?

Cinnabar Spindle R5 (if available from past events) is best, providing DEF +69% and DEF-scaling damage bonuses. Amenoma Kageuchi offers ER solutions for maintaining Burst uptime. Harbinger of Dawn provides CRIT Rate substats but requires maintaining high HP. All deliver 70-82% of Moonshard's performance at significantly lower investment.