A Revolutionary Energy System

What truly sets Skirk apart from the current Cryo lineup is her groundbreaking energy mechanic. Forget about traditional elemental energy; Skirk operates on her own special system. Her energy bar starts empty, and her core abilities gain power through interactions with Hydro and Cryo allies.

Here’s the fascinating part: every time a Hydro or Cryo teammate deals damage, Skirk gains special stacks. These stacks significantly amplify the damage of her normal attacks and elemental burst. Importantly, these stacks function independently, have their own duration, and can only be triggered by Hydro or Cryo characters. This immediately paints a clear picture of her ideal team compositions.

Thriving in the Freeze: Ideal Team Synergies

Based on current information, Skirk is designed to excel in freeze team compositions. These teams leverage the synergy between Cryo and Hydro to keep enemies perpetually frozen and vulnerable. Characters like Fina, Escafier, Yelan, and Shenhe appear to be her perfect partners. They not only contribute to generating the crucial stacks Skirk needs but also further enhance her overall damage output.

It’s worth noting that, according to current leaks, teams incorporating elements outside of Hydro or Cryo might not be able to fully utilize Skirk’s buffs, potentially leading to a damage reduction of up to 30%. While some recent rumors hint at the possibility of non-Hydro Cryo characters like Zelonin or Kazuha having some interaction, nothing is confirmed yet. For now, investing in building a strong freeze team seems like the safest bet to maximize Skirk’s potential.

Finale of the Deep Galleries: Skirk’s Tailor-Made Artifact Set

Adding even more fuel to the Skirk hype train is the recent release of a brand-new artifact set: Finale of the Deep Galleries. This set, which dropped alongside another for Verissa, seems specifically designed with Skirk in mind.

The two-piece bonus provides a solid 15% Cryo damage bonus, making it a competitive option for any Cryo DPS character. However, the four-piece bonus is where things get truly interesting. When Skirk’s energy is at zero, she gains a significant increase to her normal attack and burst damage, scaling up to 70% based on the stacks she has accumulated.

This bonus is unique because it requires her energy to remain at zero. If Skirk’s “special energy” for her burst isn’t classified as regular elemental energy, she could potentially maintain this powerful bonus 100% of the time – a feat no other character in Genshin Impact can currently achieve!

If you’re planning to make Skirk your main, pre-farming this set might be a wise move. However, if you prefer a more cautious approach with your resin, waiting for the Version 5.7 beta to confirm if this is indeed her BiS (Best in Slot) artifact set is a reasonable strategy.

A Glimpse into the Future of Cryo

It’s clear from the swirling leaks and rumors that Skirk is poised to be more than just another addition to the Genshin Impact roster. Her unique energy system, reliance on Hydro and Cryo-focused teams, and the tailor-made artifact set all suggest that Hoyoverse is aiming to shake up the meta and bring Cryo back into the spotlight.

While some crucial details will remain under wraps until the Version 5.7 beta kicks off, everything currently points towards Skirk being a fantastic addition for players who enjoy efficient freeze teams and those who are eager to experiment with innovative new mechanics.

Now is the perfect time to start planning your team compositions, considering pre-farming artifacts, and keeping a close eye out for the next wave of leaks.