Quick Comparison Overview
Mailed Flower: 565 base ATK (highest among event 4-star claymores) + 110 EM at Level 90. Passive grants 12-24% ATK (R1-R5) plus 48-96 EM for 8s after Skill hits or reactions.
Tidal Shadow: 510 base ATK + 41.3% ATK%. Passive provides 24-48% ATK (R1-R5) for 8s after healing.
The 55 base ATK gap (10.8% difference) narrows when Tidal Shadow's ATK% substat applies multiplicatively. With Bennett buff, Tidal Shadow often reaches higher total ATK despite lower base.
Activation mechanics:
- Mailed Flower: 95%+ uptime via Skill/reaction triggers (Mavuika's 6s cooldown ensures overlap)
- Tidal Shadow: 80-90% uptime with healers, 0% without
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Base Stats Breakdown
Level 90 comparison:
- Mailed Flower: 565 ATK + 110 EM = burst windows with reactions
- Tidal Shadow: 510 ATK + 41.3% ATK = sustained DPS with healers
- Effective ATK difference: 5-8% favoring Mailed Flower in Bennett teams, 3-5% favoring Tidal Shadow with dedicated healers
EM value: Mailed Flower's 110 EM adds 15-20% Vaporize/Melt damage in reaction teams. Pure Pyro teams get minimal benefit.
Passive Abilities
Mailed Flower refinements:
- R1: +12% ATK, +48 EM
- R4: +21% ATK, +84 EM (tested competitive with Earth Shaker R5)
- R5: +24% ATK, +96 EM
Tidal Shadow refinements:
- R1: +24% ATK
- R5: +48% ATK (doubles R1 effectiveness)
Uptime:
- Mailed Flower: Dual triggers (Skill OR reaction) = 100% coverage in rotations
- Tidal Shadow: Requires healing before damage windows = timing-dependent
Acquisition
Mailed Flower: Windblume Festival event (600 Floral Coupons). Event-limited = refinement challenges.
Tidal Shadow: Permanent blueprint from Estelle (Fontaine smithy, 1,500 Mora). Craft with 50 Crystal Chunks + 50 White Iron + 1 Northlander Prototype. Refinements via Prototypes (weekly bosses, Abyss, shops) = 1 per month average.
Mavuika's Weapon Requirements
Mavuika prioritizes ATK scaling. Her 311 base ATK at Level 90 means weapon base ATK contributes 65-70% of total base before modifiers.
Energy needs:
- Kinich teams: 120-130% ER (Nightsoul generation)
- Standard teams: 140-160% ER (neither weapon provides ER)
Crit targets without weapon Crit substats:
- 60-70% Crit Rate + 120-140% Crit DMG via artifacts
- Crit Rate circlet (31.1%) + 15-25% substats OR Crit DMG circlet (62.2%) + 20-35% substats
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Mailed Flower Deep Dive
Refinement scaling:
- R1→R4: +9% ATK, +36 EM = 12-15% damage increase (reaction teams), 8-10% (pure Pyro)
- R1→R5: +12% ATK, +48 EM = 15-18% total gain
Optimal rotation (Mavuika-Kinich-Kazuha-Bennett):
- Bennett Burst
- Kazuha Skill + Burst (Pyro Swirl)
- Mavuika Skill (activate passive)
- Mavuika Burst + Normals (all buffs active)
- Kinich rotation (energy gen)
Damage numbers (R4, 60% CR/130% CD, 1,800 ATK):
- Skill: 18,000-22,000 per cast (Crit)
- Burst: 180,000-220,000 total (Crit)
- Trails Earth Shaker R5 by 8-12% in Skill damage, matches in reactions due to EM
Tidal Shadow Deep Dive
Refinement scaling:
- R1→R5: 24%→48% ATK (100% increase) = 18-22% damage gain across all teams
- 6% ATK per refinement = high value
Activation reliability:
- Bennett: 95%+ (continuous ticks)
- Kokomi: 85-90% (12s Skill, 10s Burst)
- Jean: 70-80% (instant Burst, on-demand Skill)
- No healer: 0%
Optimal rotation (Mavuika-Bennett-Kazuha-Xingqiu):
- Bennett Burst (trigger passive)
- Kazuha Skill + Burst
- Xingqiu Burst
- Mavuika Skill + Burst (48% ATK active)
Damage numbers (R5, identical artifacts):
- Skill: 17,000-21,000 (5-8% lower than Mailed Flower R4)
- Burst: 175,000-210,000 (within 5%)
- Sustained DPS: 10-15% higher in extended fights
Head-to-Head Testing
Test conditions: Mavuika C0 L90 9/9/9, 4pc Obsidian Codex, 60% CR/130% CD, Mavuika-Kinich-Kazuha-Bennett team.
Single rotation (20s):
- Mailed Flower R4: 259,500 total damage
- Tidal Shadow R5: 251,300 total damage
- Difference: 3.2% favoring Mailed Flower
Abyss Floor 12 clear times:
- Mailed Flower R4: 2:11 (131s)
- Tidal Shadow R5: 2:16 (136s)
- Difference: 5s (3.8% slower)
Both achieve comfortable 3-star clears.
Extended boss fight (3min):
- Mailed Flower R4: 2,076,000 total
- Tidal Shadow R5: 2,010,400 total
- Difference: 3.2% persists
Team Composition Impact
Mailed Flower best teams:
- Vaporize: Mavuika-Yelan-Kazuha-Bennett (EM boosts Vaporize 18-22%)
- Melt: Mavuika-Rosaria-Kazuha-Bennett (EM enhances 2x multiplier)
- Natlan: Mavuika-Kinich-Kazuha-Bennett (100% passive uptime)
Tidal Shadow best teams:
- On-field: Mavuika-Kokomi-Fischl-Kazuha (sustained healing)
- Hypercarry: Mavuika-Bennett-Kazuha-Zhongli (48% ATK stacks with Bennett)
- Quickswap: Mavuika-Jean-Fischl-Xingqiu (VV + healing)
Artifact Synergy
Both weapons:
- Primary: 4pc Obsidian Codex (Pyro DMG +15%, ATK +18% + Pyro DMG +15% after Crystallize)
- Alternative: 4pc Crimson Witch (reaction teams)
- Budget: 2pc Crimson + 2pc ATK +18%
Main stats: ATK% Sands, Pyro DMG Goblet, Crit circlet
Substat priority:
- Mailed Flower: Crit Rate = Crit DMG > ATK% > EM > ER
- Tidal Shadow: Crit Rate = Crit DMG > ATK% > ER > EM
Refinement Investment
Tidal Shadow advantages:
- Permanent Prototype access = R5 in 4-6 months
- 48% ATK at R5 = superior scaling
- No event dependency
Mailed Flower challenges:
- Event-limited = 2-3 years for R5 OR 10,000-15,000 Primogems (weapon banner)
- R1 realistic baseline for F2P
F2P strategy:
- New players: Prioritize Tidal Shadow R3-R5
- Have Mailed Flower R1: Refine Tidal Shadow to R3, assess teams
- Endgame: Both to R3 minimum, Tidal Shadow R5 first
Common Misconceptions
Myth: Higher base ATK always wins
Reality: With Bennett (+1,000 flat ATK):
- Mailed Flower: 2,468 total ATK
- Tidal Shadow: 2,543 total ATK (3% higher despite 55 lower base)
Myth: Event weapons > craftables
Reality: Depends on team. Mailed Flower's EM has limited value in non-reaction builds. Tidal Shadow's ATK% is universal.
Myth: Refinement doesn't matter
Reality: R1→R5 provides 15-25% damage gains. Tidal Shadow R1→R5 = 15% increase. Mailed Flower R1→R4 = 7.2%.
Alternative F2P Options
Prototype Archaic: 510 ATK + 44.1% ATK. Proc passive = 5-8% lower than Tidal Shadow R5.
Katsuragikiri Nagamasa: 510 ATK + 45.9% ER. Use only if ER >160% needed. Trades 12-15% damage for ER.
Serpent Spine (Battle Pass): 27.6% Crit Rate substat. Outperforms both at R5 with stack management.
Final Verdict
Pure F2P: Choose Tidal Shadow
- Permanent availability
- R5 in 4-6 months via Prototypes
- 48% ATK works with all teams
- Consistent damage scaling
Get Mailed Flower if:
- Windblume Festival active (R1 minimum)
- Reaction teams (Vaporize/Melt)
- Already have R3+ from events
By constellation:
- C0: Tidal Shadow R5 (needs team support)
- C1-C2: Either viable (depends on teams)
- C3+: Mailed Flower slight edge (base ATK scales with talent levels)
Long-term value:
- Tidal Shadow: High (permanent refinements, universal ATK%)
- Mailed Flower: Moderate-High (event-limited, niche EM, highest base ATK)
Invest Prototypes in Tidal Shadow, grab Mailed Flower R1 during events for flexibility.
FAQ
Which deals more damage?
Mailed Flower R4+ wins by 3-5% in reaction teams with Bennett-Kazuha. Tidal Shadow R5 matches in pure Pyro, excels in sustained rotations. Practical difference: 2-3%.
How to get Mailed Flower?
Windblume Festival (March annually). Earn 600 Floral Coupons via event activities, exchange at shop.
Where to farm Tidal Shadow?
Buy blueprint from Estelle (Fontaine, 1,500 Mora). Craft with 50 Crystal + 50 White Iron + 1 Northlander Prototype.
Does Mavuika need high base ATK?
Total ATK matters more. Mailed Flower's 565 base helps unbuffed, but Tidal Shadow's 41.3% ATK% + 48% passive often produces higher total with buffs.
Best refinement rank?
R3 minimum, R5 optimal. Tidal Shadow R3 = 75% of R5 effectiveness in 2-3 months. Mailed Flower R1 realistic for F2P.
Which passive works better?
Mailed Flower: 95%+ uptime (Skill/reaction triggers), better for rotations. Tidal Shadow: Higher buff (48% vs 24%), needs healers. Both work when conditions met.
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