Recent leaks surrounding Genshin Impact Version 5.6 have ignited excitement within the community, focusing on two upcoming 5-Star characters: Effie and Skirk.  While Version 5.5 promises exciting content, many players anticipate the latter half of Natlan as Skirk's moment to shine.  As Tartaglia's mentor and Surtalogi's apprentice, Skirk is uniquely positioned to unveil the mysteries surrounding Khaenri'ah and the Abyss.

From a gameplay perspective, Skirk is speculated to be a Cryo Sword user, with developers hinting at her playable debut by Spring 2025.  Effie, on the other hand, remains shrouded in mystery.  Rumors suggest she's a Fontaine chef, but her element and weapon type are unknown. Datamined information points to a Version 5.6 release for Effie, with the possibility of Skirk joining her in the same patch.

Mark your calendars for March 14th, as HoYoverse plans to reveal exciting news for Genshin Impact players.  Leaker Seele, a prominent voice in the community, describes Effie (or perhaps Akkefi) as visually similar to Pecorine, featuring blonde hair and white stockings. Speculation places her element as either Pyro or Cryo. Interestingly, Seele suggests Effie is the ideal teammate for Skirk and Furina, hinting at group healing and Freeze team buffs within her kit.

The potential resurgence of Freeze compositions could bring characters like Ayaka and Shenhe back into the meta, who have seen less play since the arrival of Dendro in Sumeru.  However, a concerning pattern seems to be emerging post-Natlan launch.  Recent 5-Star characters are not only designed for synergy with each other but also released simultaneously.  If Seele's information is accurate, Effie and Skirk will follow the same pattern as Mavuika and Citlali.

Building a Genshin Impact team quickly can be costly.  If Skirk is released alongside Effie in Version 5.6, it suggests HoYoverse is encouraging players to spend currency on both characters rather than waiting for reruns. This strategy proved profitable with Mavuika and Citlali but risks community backlash.

The Natlan era has embraced significant changes, including expanded exploration mechanics, adjusted gacha systems for Event and Weapon Banners, and the introduction of a new gameplay activity in Version 5.3. More information about Effie and Skirk is expected after Version 5.5 launches on March 26, 2025.