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A fresh Genshin Impact leak has sparked excitement among players, offering a detailed look at Effie and Skirk, two highly anticipated 5-Star characters expected to arrive in upcoming updates. While Version 5.5 is already shaping up to be an exciting milestone, many fans are especially eager for the second half of Natlan, where Skirk is expected to take center stage.
As Tartaglia’s enigmatic mentor and the apprentice of Surtalogi, Skirk is in a prime position to introduce dark and mysterious lore tied to Khaenri’ah and the Abyss, making her one of the most intriguing upcoming characters.
Skirk and Effie: What We Know So Far
Skirk: The Cryo Sword Master
From a gameplay perspective, leaks suggest that Skirk will be a Cryo Sword user, offering powerful melee abilities. Developers have hinted at her playability by Spring 2025, aligning with the timeline of Genshin Impact Version 5.6.
Given her connection to Tartaglia and the Abyss, players anticipate highly dynamic combat mechanics—potentially introducing a new playstyle for Cryo Sword characters.
Effie: The Mysterious Fontaine Chef
Unlike Skirk, Effie remains largely a mystery. While leaks claim she hails from Fontaine and works as a chef, her Element and weapon type remain unconfirmed.
However, datamined information suggests that Effie will debut in Version 5.6, possibly alongside Skirk. According to well-known Genshin leaker Seele, Effie—whose full name might be Akkefi—bears a resemblance to Pecorine and sports blonde hair with white stockings.
Her Elemental Vision is rumored to be either Pyro or Cryo, and she is expected to excel as a support character, synergizing with Skirk and Furina. If accurate, this could indicate a group healing ability and a kit tailored for Freeze-based team compositions.
How Effie and Skirk Could Shake Up the Meta
The return of Freeze teams to the meta could see a resurgence of Cryo-heavy lineups, particularly benefiting characters like Ayaka and Shenhe, who have seen reduced prominence since the rise of Dendro teams in Sumeru.
However, a concerning trend appears to be forming with Natlan’s latest 5-Star characters. Recent banners have introduced pairs of characters designed as each other’s ideal teammates, making them more appealing to pull together.
Monetization Strategy: A Double-Character Release Trend?
If HoYoverse follows this pattern, Skirk and Effie could be released simultaneously in Version 5.6, much like Mavuika and Citlali. This approach encourages players to spend more Primogems at once, rather than waiting for reruns. While it proved profitable in previous banners, it has also frustrated some players who prefer to strategically save their resources.
Natlan’s Impact on Genshin’s Evolution
Despite potential concerns about banner strategies, Natlan has brought significant innovations to Genshin Impact, including:
✔ Enhanced exploration mechanics, making traversal more dynamic
✔ Improved gacha mechanics, easing Event and Weapon Banner pulls
✔ New gameplay features, including a major activity introduced in Version 5.3
With Version 5.5 launching on March 26, 2025, fans won’t have to wait long for official reveals about Effie, Skirk, and Natlan’s next chapter. Stay tuned for more leaks and confirmations in the coming months!
