Genshin Impact Skirk Build Guide – Maximizing Her Cryo DPS Potential
As Genshin Impact continues to grow with new characters, Skirk has emerged as one of the most anticipated additions to the roster. Known as the mysterious mentor of Tartaglia (Childe) who taught him the Foul Legacy technique, Skirk is a powerful 5-star Cryo sword user with unique mechanics that set her apart from other characters.
In this comprehensive build guide, we’ll explore everything you need to know to maximize Skirk’s potential on the battlefield.
Skirk Character Profile
Skirk is a formidable 5-star Cryo sword user who hails from the darkest corners of the universe. Her kit revolves around a unique resource called Serpent’s Subtlety, which powers her abilities and determines her playstyle. Unlike many characters who rely on Energy Recharge for their bursts, Skirk’s Elemental Burst consumes this special resource instead.
What makes Skirk particularly interesting is her flexibility – she can be built as either a Normal Attack DPS for longer engagements or a Burst DPS for quick, high-damage rotations. Her kit strongly favors Hydro and Cryo team compositions, making her an excellent addition to freeze teams.
Skirk Talent Priority
When building Skirk, your talent priority will depend on your preferred playstyle:
- Elemental Skill: Havoc Warp (★★★★★) – This should be your top priority regardless of playstyle, as it provides Serpent’s Subtlety and enables her infusion.
- Elemental Burst (★★★★) – Prioritize this second, especially if you’re focusing on a burst damage playstyle.
- Normal Attack: Havoc Sunder (★) – Lowest priority since her Normal Attack multipliers are actually on her skill.
The talent priority might seem counterintuitive at first, but Skirk’s Normal Attack talent doesn’t need to be leveled since her damage multipliers come from her Elemental Skill when she’s in the Seven-Phase Flash mode.
Skirk Best Weapons
Skirk performs best with weapons that boost her CRIT stats or ATK, similar to other main DPS characters. Here are the top options:
5-Star Weapons
- Azurelight (Signature Weapon) – Her best-in-slot weapon, providing massive CRIT DMG and a passive that perfectly complements her kit.
- Mistsplitter Reforged – Excellent alternative that boosts Elemental DMG and CRIT DMG.
- Haran Geppaku Futsu – Strong option that provides CRIT Rate and Normal Attack DMG bonus.
4-Star Weapons
- The Black Sword – Best 4-star option due to CRIT Rate and Normal Attack DMG bonus.
- Blackcliff Longsword – Good F2P option from the Starglitter shop with CRIT DMG.
- Amenoma Kageuchi – Craftable option that helps with her resource management.
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Skirk Best Artifacts
For artifacts, Skirk benefits most from sets that enhance her Cryo damage and critical stats:
Best Set Options
- Finale of the Deep Galleries (4-piece) – Best in slot for maximizing her personal damage.
- Blizzard Strayer (4-piece) – Excellent for freeze teams, providing massive CRIT Rate.
- Blizzard Strayer (2-piece) + Gladiator’s Finale (2-piece) – Solid beginner option.
Main Stats
- Sands: ATK%
- Goblet: Cryo DMG%
- Circlet: CRIT Rate/CRIT DMG (balance to achieve 1:2 ratio)
Sub Stats Priority
CRIT Rate/CRIT DMG > ATK% > Energy Recharge
Avoid investing in Elemental Mastery as Skirk doesn’t benefit much from reactions like Melt.
Skirk Best Teams
Skirk’s passive talent “Return to Oblivion” rewards teams composed of Hydro and Cryo characters. Each Hydro or Cryo character (excluding Skirk) can provide her with a stack of “Death’s Crossing,” which significantly boosts her damage output.
Premium Team
- Skirk (Main DPS)
- Furina (Support)
- Yelan (Sub-DPS)
- Ayaka (Sub-DPS)
Double Hydro Team
- Skirk (Main DPS)
- Furina (Support)
- Yelan/Xingqiu (Sub-DPS)
- Rosaria/Layla (Support)
Triple Cryo Team
- Skirk (Main DPS)
- Furina (Support)
- Rosaria (CRIT Rate buffer)
- Citlali/Layla (Support)
F2P Friendly Team
- Skirk (Main DPS)
- Xingqiu (Sub-DPS)
- Rosaria (CRIT Rate buffer)
- Charlotte/Layla (Support)
Skirk Constellations
While Skirk is fully functional at C0, her constellations provide significant power spikes:
- C1: Adds additional damage after absorbing Void Rifts.
- C2: Increases Serpent’s Subtlety gain and provides ATK bonus in Seven-Phase Flash mode.
- C4: Each stack of Death’s Crossing increases ATK by 10%/20%/40%.
- C6: Massive damage boost that adds coordinated attacks to her Elemental Burst and Normal Attacks.
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Playstyle Tips
Skirk has two main playstyles:
Normal Attack Playstyle
- Apply Hydro with supports
- Press Skill to enter Seven-Phase Flash mode
- Press Burst for NA damage boost
- Perform Normal Attacks
- Use Charged Attacks to absorb Void Rifts and extend infusion duration
Burst Playstyle
- Apply Hydro with supports
- Hold Skill to gain Serpent’s Subtlety without entering Seven-Phase Flash
- Once you have enough Serpent’s Subtlety, use Burst for massive damage
- Repeat the rotation
Remember that Void Rifts are created when your team triggers elemental reactions (except Melt). Absorbing these rifts grants additional Serpent’s Subtlety, which is crucial for maintaining her damage output.
As we continue to explore Skirk’s potential in the evolving meta of Genshin Impact in 2025, her unique playstyle and powerful damage ceiling make her a valuable addition to any account. Whether you prefer the sustained damage of her Normal Attack build or the burst potential of her Elemental Burst, Skirk offers flexibility and power that few characters can match.
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