The first half of Genshin Impact’s Version 5.7 has officially revealed its banners—and it’s shaping up to be an enticing phase for both casual and competitive players alike. Skirk, the long-anticipated Hydro sword DPS, and Shenhe, a Cryo support with niche but potent value, take center stage in this phase’s double character banner. Jello Impact, a respected theorycrafter and content creator in the Genshin community, breaks down why this banner—and its accompanying weapon banner—is surprisingly compelling even by HoYoverse’s high standards.

Let’s dive into what makes this phase unique, who should consider pulling, and what you should prioritize if you’re eyeing either Skirk or Shenhe.

Is Skirk Worth Pulling in Genshin Impact 5.7?

Skirk’s debut lives up to the hype—provided you’re equipped to bring out her full potential. According to Jello Impact, the number one factor that defines Skirk’s ceiling is Escoffier, a key support unit and synergy enabler. With Escoffier, Skirk becomes “ridiculously broken,” rivaling or even surpassing top-tier DPS units like Moa in certain comps. Without Escoffier, Skirk still functions well in Hydro/Cryo-based teams but experiences a notable drop in efficiency.

Best Roles and Team Comps for Skirk:

  • With Escoffier: She becomes one of the game’s highest damage dealers.
  • Without Escoffier: She’s still viable, especially alongside supports like Mona (C4), Dalia, or Yelan, though she won’t hit her highest potential.

Jello emphasizes that while Skirk’s full power hinges on Escoffier, even non-optimal setups can 36-star Spiral Abyss content. That makes her a fairly safe pull for anyone with strong Cryo/Hydro infrastructure—especially those who value fluid, normal-attack-centric gameplay.

Shenhe: A Niche Pull With Stylish Appeal

Shenhe returns to banners with her iconic elegance and Cryo support toolkit. But as Jello Impact cautions, she’s not a must-pull for meta chasers—especially when it comes to pairing her with Skirk. Shenhe does provide some utility, but only one of her skill procs per rotation can realistically be used with Skirk, unlike Ayaka who gets more mileage from her support.

Where Shenhe Shines:

  • Best-in-slot support for Ayaka Melt or Freeze comps.
  • Still useful for Skirk, but often outperformed by Mona (C4) or Dalia.
  • Strong pick if you simply love her design or are building out a Cryo-centric team.

Verdict: Pull Shenhe for love, not for meta. She offers stylistic synergy and solid team aesthetics but isn’t required for success.

5.7 Weapon Banner: Surprisingly Worthwhile?

Perhaps the most underrated highlight of this patch is the weapon banner. Skirk’s signature sword stands well above alternatives like Haran or Mistsplitter. Jello notes that even if you miss it and pull Calamity Queller, you’ve still got a great consolation prize—especially if you own Shenhe.

Notable 5-Star Weapons:

  • Skirk’s Signature Sword: By far her best-in-slot, with significant performance gains.
  • Calamity Queller: Great for Shenhe and Escoffier; strong generalist pick.

4-Star Weapons With Hidden Value:

  • Favonius Lance: Staple for energy-hungry supports.
  • Sacrificial Bow: Still one of the best utility bows.
  • Wandering Evenstar & Aquamarine: Surprisingly flexible for EM-based or buffer builds.

The value here isn’t just in the featured 5-star weapons—many of the 4-stars serve as budget-friendly enhancements to a wide array of team compositions.

Final Recommendations: What Should You Pull?

If you’re trying to decide between Skirk’s C1 and her signature weapon, Jello recommends the weapon first, especially if you’re already holding strong 5-star swords like Haran or Mistsplitter. Her C1 is great, but the weapon provides universal and immediate power gains.

Shenhe’s constellations and weapon, on the other hand, are not particularly compelling. Most players will do just fine running her with Favonius Lance at C0. Her signature weapon and C1 are niche upgrades best reserved for high-investment Cryo team enthusiasts.

For Meta Players:

  • Skirk + her weapon + Escoffier + Furina = Endgame powerhouse
  • Weapon before C1 unless you’re already kitted out
  • Shenhe = optional luxury, not essential

For Style-Driven Players:

  • Pair Skirk and Shenhe for that elegant Cryo-Hydro duo—just be aware of the tradeoffs in team efficiency.

For more Genshin Impact build advice and banner breakdowns, be sure to visit ExploreGenshin.gg.
This article is based on insights from Jello Impact’s video on YouTube.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Skirk a good character to pull in Genshin Impact 5.7?

Yes, especially if you have Escoffier. With Escoffier support, Skirk becomes one of the strongest DPS characters in the game.

Do I need Shenhe to make Skirk viable?

No, Shenhe is not required. Mona (C4), Dalia, and others can work just as well or better depending on your team.

Should I pull Skirk’s signature weapon or her C1?

Pull her weapon first unless you already have a strong 5-star sword like Haran or Mistsplitter. It offers more universal benefit.

Is the 5.7 weapon banner good value?

Yes. Even if you miss Skirk’s weapon, Calamity Queller and the 4-star options like Favonius Lance and Wandering Evenstar provide great value.

What teams work best with Skirk?

Skirk thrives in teams with Hydro and Cryo support, particularly Escoffier and Furina. Mona and Dalia are strong alternatives.

Should I pull Shenhe in Version 5.7?

Only if you really like her character or are optimizing an Ayaka team. She’s not a necessary pickup for meta play.