With Version 5.7 just around the corner, speculation about Skirk – the long-awaited character – has reached a fever pitch. While she hasn’t been officially confirmed, pre-release indicators all but guarantee she’ll be the next five-star Cryo unit in Genshin Impact. But for all the excitement, there’s also growing concern: based on what we know, Skirk might become one of the most restrictive characters the game has ever seen.
A Cryo Sword DPS With a Catch
Skirk is expected to be a Cryo sword-wielding main DPS who relies heavily on her skill to enhance her normal attacks. Her burst, based on leaks and the new artifact set designed for her, appears to work in tandem with a special “zero energy” mechanic—boosting her burst and normal attacks by 60% when her energy is depleted. This makes her rotation somewhat unique: attack in her enhanced state, then burst, then reset during the downtime.
But this setup seems to have a catch: she is allegedly designed to receive massive buffs when paired exclusively with Cryo and Hydro teammates. A passive bonus increases her damage output the more Hydro and Cryo units are in her party, scaling up to a massive 70% bonus—echoing the way Escoffier (from Version 5.6) functions as a Freeze team enabler.
Escoffier: From Best-in-Slot to Mandatory?
This is where the red flags begin. Skirk’s synergy with Escoffier appears so pivotal that many in the community worry she won’t function well without her. We’ve seen restrictive characters before—Moa relies on Seatlali, and many hypercarries like Navia perform best with Shilon—but none have been quite so boxed in as Skirk may be.
If pre-release information holds true, Escoffier won’t just be Skirk’s best teammate—she may be essential to unlocking her full damage. Early comparisons suggest a damage drop from 140k DPS with Escoffier to just 70k without her, which is a bigger falloff than even Ayaka experiences without her optimal supports. Simply put, if you don’t own Escoffier, Skirk might not be worth pulling.
The “Doomsday Exodia” Setup
There’s also speculation about Dalia, a new Hydro 4-star releasing alongside Skirk. While we don’t know her full kit yet, some fear she may be a “best-in-slot” support for Skirk too—creating what’s being dubbed the “Doomsday Exodia” setup: Skirk, Escoffier, Dalia (possibly at C6), and Focalors.
This would mark a drastic departure from Genshin’s usual flexibility in team-building. While strong synergies are the norm, requiring three specific characters (including a limited 5-star) would lock Skirk into one of the narrowest viable comps in the game. Unlike Novallet, who rewards element diversity, Skirk seems punished for it—unable to function well outside the Cryo/Hydro archetype.
Not All Doom and Gloom
It’s important to remember: this is all pre-release speculation. Nothing is set in stone, and HoYoverse has time to tweak things during beta. Skirk’s kit may be powerful enough to offset her restrictions, and for players who already own Escoffier and Focalors, she could be an incredible addition to Freeze or mixed comps.
Also, her animations and swordplay are shaping up to be gorgeous—another win for lore lovers and character fans. Like many others, the community is excited to finally get Skirk after years of teasing. Just be cautious: if you’re low on primogems or missed Escoffier in 5.6, this might not be the time to roll without doing your research.
Should You Pull?
If you already own Escoffier and enjoy Cryo and Hydro playstyles, Skirk could be one of the most synergistic characters in your box. But for players without Escoffier or Focalors, it may be wise to wait and see how Skirk performs at C0 with standard supports. As always, pull with your heart—but this time, do so with open eyes.
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