Genshin Impact 5.6 & 5.7: New Characters and Leaks Explained

With every Genshin Impact update, the excitement for new characters rivals the thrill of pulling a five-star. Version 5.6 continues this tradition, ushering in fresh faces to Teyvat’s ever-growing cast—and if the rumor mill is to be believed, we’re on the brink of the most character-packed stretch yet.

Who’s Arriving in Genshin Impact 5.6?

The spotlight is on Escoffier (Cryo support) and Ifa (Anemo healer), headlining the 5.6 banners. As usual, each banner features one five-star and three four-star characters with boosted drop rates, giving players new options for both support and healing.

Escoffier, first teased in Varesa’s reveal, brings culinary panache to Cryo support. As a no-nonsense restaurant owner, she’s all about quality—both in her kitchen and her team buffs. Expect her to shine in teams that benefit from enhanced Cryo utility and layered support strategies.

Ifa, meanwhile, is Teyvat’s most efficient veterinarian—an Anemo healer with a knack for boosting Elemental Mastery. Her blend of steady healing and teamwide buffs should make Spiral Abyss runs and tough overworld battles a little less hair-raising.

Leaked Characters for 5.7: Hype or Hope?

Looking ahead to 5.7, leaks suggest big things on the horizon. Skirk, the legendary Abyss swordswoman and Childe’s elusive mentor, is rumored to make her playable debut as a Cryo DPS with crowd-pleasing burst potential. If the leaks hold, Dahlia—the calm and collected deacon of Mondstadt’s Church—may join as a four-star, though her exact role is still a mystery.

The long-teased returns of Varka, Mondstadt’s Grand Master, and the enigmatic Dainsleif are also swirling in the rumor clouds. Both have been whispered about since Genshin’s earliest days, and their eventual arrival could shift both story and meta in major ways.

What’s Confirmed—and What’s Just Rumor?

As always, treat leaks as speculative until Hoyoverse makes things official. Escoffier and Ifa are locked in for 5.6, but the rest—Skirk, Dahlia, Varka, Dainsleif—remain tantalizing “maybes.” Some, like Dainsleif, have been officially announced but remain undated, while others only exist in voice lines and lore tidbits.

The Road Ahead: More Depth, More Drama

With each update, Genshin Impact isn’t just expanding its roster—it’s deepening the possibilities for meta shifts and storytelling. Whether you’re a lorehound awaiting Mondstadt’s big names or a theorycrafter eager to try new team comps, the next updates promise plenty to keep you wishing. The only real question: which rumored hero will finally step out of the shadows, and how will they change your dream team?