Summary
Recent datamining has suggested thatGenshin Impactcould end up breaking a major pattern with Skirk, as she will be the first character to be accompanied by a limited 5-Star in her trial domain. One of the oldest unspoken rules ofGenshin Impacthas been selling a limited 5-Star character on the strength of their ability kit alone. For example, Yelan is one of the best possible teammates for Hu Tao, but Hu Tao has always been paired up with Xingqiu in her character trial.
The reason for this is simple:4-Star characters inGenshin Impactare easier to obtain and are considered to be a cheaper investment. Furthermore, 5-Star characters should be able to stand on their own due to the number of Intertwined Wishes needed to guarantee them. While 4-Star characters lack the guarantee, this understanding has shaped how HoYoverse assembled its character trials – up until Version 5.7, that is.
According to Seele Leaks, the latest beta build for Version 5.7 has revealed the full lineup for Skirk and Dahlia’s character trials. While the latter has a fairly standard team, Skirk seems to be paired up with Escoffier, the limited 5-Star character of Version 5.6. From a gameplay standpoint,Escoffier inGenshin Impactprovides a significant buff to Freeze teams. This increase is substantial enough that she can almost be seen as a mandatory Freeze Support. On the other hand, Skirk’s ability kit locks her into a Freeze playstyle. Pairing her up with Escoffier makes perfect sense, but it also confirms that Skirk is meant to be an expensive character.
On the one hand, this allows players to test Skirk out using her intended teammate. On the other hand, it also sets a dangerous precedent. SomeGenshin Impactplayers are worried that future 5-Stars will boast a similar level of synergy to Escoffier and Skirk. This trend was seen in other HoYoverse titles, such asHonkai: Star RailandZenless Zone Zero, and if they so desired, the developers could introduce it toGenshin Impactas well. While its powercreep is described as lower than the industry average,Genshin Impactcharacters such as Neuvillette, Arlecchino, and Mavuika have certainly raised the bar on what is expected from a hypercarry.
Ultimately, there are only so many ways to make a character stand out, andGenshin Impactplayers should be prepared for more niche kits in the future. Certain reactions like Superconduct remain an untapped market, and futureGenshin Impactcharactersmay end up propelling them into the meta – not unlike what Chevreuse did for Overload. It remains to be seen if Skirk will prove to be an exception or a new rule, as Version 5.7 is set to launch on June 06, 2025.
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…
