Summary
- Skirk's ability kit in Genshin Impact boosts Normal and Burst damage with Hydro or Cryo element stacks, according to a leak.
- The character's Phantasmal Rift mechanic aids in triggering Freeze, Superconduct, and Cryo reactions.
- Skirk's playable debut in Version 5.7, alongside Dahlia, may reshape freeze teams in the game.
A recent Genshin Impact leak has given players an early look at Skirk's ability kit, as the 5-Star Cryo Sword is set to take Freeze teams to the next level. While Mavuika has been the most anticipated character in the Natlan era due to her role as the Pyro Archon, it cannot be denied that the Genshin Impact community is feverishly excited about Skirk as well. Set to make her playable debut in Version 5.7, Skirk has been teased since Tartaglia made his way to the Event Banners in Version 1.1.
The earliest information about a playable Skirk in Genshin Impact came in the wake of Version 5.3's teaser in December 2024. Her silhouette was revealed in a lineup of upcoming characters, and it didn't take long for leakers to claim that Skirk was going to be Cryo in Version 5.7. The new Artifact Sets from Version 5.5 further added credence to the rumors, and with Escoffier on the horizon, the vision was clear: Skirk was going to be a Freeze hypercarry that Genshin Impact hasn't seen since Ayaka in Version 2.0.
Genshin Impact's Cryo Element May Be Back With a Vengeance
After a long drought of Cryo characters in the Wish Banners, this neglected Element in Genshin Impact could be set for a major comeback.
Shared by Seele Leaks and Team Mew via textmap, Skirk will be a 5-Star Cryo Sword with a soft preference for Hydro and Cryo teammates. The leak claims that whenever a Hydro or Cryo character does damage of their respective element, Skirk gains a stacking buff to her damage. This bonus is applied to her Normal Attacks and her Elemental Burst, and the difference between the second and third stacks is quite significant. On paper, this means that players will be able to run a full Freeze team with Skirk, or pair her up with someone like Xilonen in Genshin Impact for the elemental shred.
Genshin Impact: Skirk's Ability Kit Preview
Styx Severance
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When Hydro characters in the party deal Hydro DMG, or Cryo characters deal Cryo DMG, Skirk gains 1 stack of Styx Severance (lasts 18s, max 3 stacks, each tracked independently). These bonuses are:
- Normal Attack DMG in Sevenfold Flash Mode: +10%/+20%/+70%.
- Elemental Burst DMG: +5%/+15%/+60%.
Phantasmal Rift
- When the team triggers Freeze, Superconduct, Cryo Swirl, or Cryo Crystallize reactions, a Phantasmal Rift is created near the enemy (2.5s cooldown, max 3 on field).
- In Sevenfold Flash Mode, Skirk's Charged Attacks that hit enemies absorb nearby Rifts, restoring 8 Serpent's Guile per Rift absorbed.
This philosophy is further reinforced by her Phantasmal Rift mechanic, as it accounts for Cryo Swirl, Cryo Crystallize, and even Superconduct reactions. Much like Mavuika in Genshin Impact, Skirk will have a unique version of Elemental Energy, and her Charged Attacks will be used to collect the particles. Curiously, it seems that the developers are attempting to avoid Pyro teammates for Skirk, which certainly makes her unique among recent Genshin Impact characters.
While leaks should be taken with a grain of salt, beta testing for Version 5.7 isn't that far away. The upcoming patch is expected to add Skirk and Dahlia to Genshin Impact, with the latter rumored to be a 4-Star Sword character. Its beta will commence around the launch of Version 5.6, which is set to come out on May 7, 2025.
Genshin Impact
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OpenCritic Reviews
- Top Critic Avg: 81 /100 Critics Rec: 87%
- Released
- September 28, 2020
- ESRB
- Teen / Alcohol Reference, Fantasy Violence, In-Game Purchases (Includes Random Items), Users Interact
- Developer(s)
- HoYoverse (Formerly miHoYo)
- Publisher(s)
- HoYoverse (Formerly miHoYo)
WHERE TO PLAY
Step into Teyvat, a vast world teeming with life and flowing with elemental energy.
You and your sibling arrived here from another world. Separated by an unknown god, stripped of your powers, and cast into a deep slumber, you now awake to a world very different from when you first arrived.
Thus begins your journey across Teyvat to seek answers from The Seven — the gods of each element. Along the way, prepare to explore every inch of this wondrous world, join forces with a diverse range of characters, and unravel the countless mysteries that Teyvat holds...
MASSIVE OPEN WORLD
Climb any mountain, swim across any river, and glide over the world below, taking in the jaw-dropping scenery each step of the way. And if you stop to investigate a wandering Seelie or strange mechanism, who knows what you might discover?
ELEMENTAL COMBAT SYSTEM
Harness the seven elements to unleash elemental reactions. Anemo, Electro, Hydro, Pyro, Cryo, Dendro, and Geo interact in all sorts of ways, and Vision wielders have the power to turn this to their advantage.
Will you vaporize Hydro with Pyro, electro-charge it with Electro, or freeze it with Cryo? Your mastery of the elements will give you the upper hand in battle and exploration.
BEAUTIFUL VISUALS
Feast your eyes on the world around you, with a stunning art style, real-time rendering, and finely tuned character animations delivering you a truly immersive visual experience. Lighting and weather all change naturally over time, bringing every detail of this world to life.
SOOTHING SOUNDTRACK
Let the beautiful sounds of Teyvat draw you in as you explore the expansive world around you. Performed by the London Philharmonic Orchestra, the soundtrack changes seamlessly with the time and gameplay to match the mood.
BUILD YOUR DREAM TEAM
Team up with a diverse cast of characters in Teyvat, each with their own unique personalities, stories, and abilities. Discover your favorite party combinations and level up your characters to help you conquer even the most daunting of enemies and domains.
JOURNEY WITH FRIENDS
Team up with friends across various platforms to trigger more elemental action, tackle tricky boss fights, and conquer challenging domains together to reap rich rewards.
As you stand atop the peaks of Jueyun Karst and take in the rolling clouds and vast terrain stretching out before you, you may wish to stay in Teyvat a little longer... But until you are reunited with your lost sibling, how can you rest? Go forth, Traveler, and begin your adventure!
- Engine
- Unity
- Multiplayer
- Online Co-Op
- Cross-Platform Play
- All platforms
- Cross Save
- All platforms
- PC Release Date
- September 28, 2020
- Xbox Series X|S Release Date
- November 20, 2024
- PS5 Release Date
- April 28, 2021
- Genre(s)
- RPG, Action, Adventure, Gacha, Open-World
- Platform(s)
- PlayStation 5, PlayStation 4, Xbox Series X, Xbox Series S, PC, iOS, Android
- OpenCritic Rating
- Strong
- X|S Optimized
- yes
