Why Skirk Matters as a Cryo DPS in Genshin Impact Patch 5.7

Skirk, a versatile Cryo character introduced in Genshin Impact’s recent updates, has surged in popularity thanks to Patch 5.7’s targeted buffs. Known for her unique orb-based burst mechanic, she now stands out as a contender for high single-target and AOE damage in late-game content.

Patch 5.7 Mechanical Adjustments

• Cryo Resonance: Activates a 15% attack speed buff for 10 seconds after each Freeze. (Patch Notes)
• Deep Gallery Finale (4-piece): Boosts Cryo reaction damage bonus to 25% (previously 15%), affecting both Burst and off-field skills.
• Artifact Energy Cost: Affected 4★ sets now require 20% less energy to unleash Skirk’s Burst, enhancing rotation consistency.

Performance in Practice

In controlled Hoyoverse lab sessions on Spiral Abyss Floor 12 Chamber 3 (Lv. 90 enemies), testers reported a marked DPS increase when using Skirk’s optimized rotation:

• Consistent single-target damage spikes following orb-stacking bursts.
• Improved AOE throughput on clustered groups.

These preliminary figures suggest a notable uplift over pre-patch benchmarks, though real-world results will vary by team support, artifact quality, and player execution.

Note: “Serpentine Spheres” refers to the elemental orbs generated by Skirk’s skill; “orb rebuild” denotes the time required to recharge these spheres for her Burst.

Potential Downsides

• Orb Generation Dependency: Burst damage hinges on stacking orbs, which can falter against entirely unshielded or high-resistance foes.
• Energy Requirements: While reduced, her Burst still demands solid Energy Recharge—sub-optimal ER stats can lead to downtime.
• Team Synergy: Relies on consistent Freeze or Superconduct triggers; inconsistent application will under-utilize her Resonance buff.

Recommended Team Compositions

Below are three common setups that leverage Skirk’s strengths. Community feedback is framed as anecdotal insight rather than definitive data.

1. Freeze Control

• Hydro applicator (e.g., Xingqiu) + Cryo buffer/shielder (e.g., Diona).
• Maintain near-100% Freeze uptime to maximize Skirk’s 15% attack speed buff.

2. Superconduct Engine

• Electro applicator (e.g., Fischl) + Anemo enabler (e.g., Sucrose).
• Aim for multiple Superconduct procs to reduce enemy Physical RES and boost physical follow-up damage.

3. Vaporize Hybrid

• Swift Hydro DPS (e.g., Yelan) + Pyro support (e.g., Bennett).
• Capitalizes on Vaporize multipliers alongside Cryo Burst to diversify damage types.

Build & Rotation Essentials

1. Apply off-field Hydro or Electro →
2. Use Elemental Skill to generate Serpentine Spheres →
3. Dash-cancel into charged attacks →
4. Unleash Burst at full orb stacks →
5. Swap for Energy support.

Precise cancels can shave fractions of a second per cycle, cumulatively enhancing DPS over extended tests.

Artifacts & Main Stats

• Deep Gallery Finale (4-piece): Prioritize Crit Rate (~50%), Crit DMG (~100%), and ATK% on sands; aim for Energy Recharge subs.
• Budget Option: 2× Blizzard Strayer + 2× Noblesse Oblige for starter Freeze builds.

Weapon Choices

• High-End: Swords with ATK% and Crit substats.
• Mid-Tier: 4★ weapons offering Crit Rate or Energy Recharge.
• Budget: Simple ATK% swords to minimize ER strain.

Community Insights & Next Steps

Anecdotal surveys and Discord testing channels indicate many players feel a solid DPS uplift—often cited around 10–15%—since Patch 5.7. However, systematic benchmarks across different Abyss floors, artifact rarities, and team comps are needed to validate these claims. Future research should include detailed lab reports on enemy-level variance and debuff-stacking scenarios.

With these adjustments and curated team comps, Skirk is poised to cement her place among top Cryo DPS choices in Genshin Impact. Happy testing!