Skirk in Genshin Impact: Possible Design Changes Before Release

A recent Genshin Impact leak suggests that Skirk will use a heavily modified version of the Medium Female model, indicating that her appearance in Fontaine may not be her final look. As a disciple of Surtalogi and someone closely tied to the Abyss' powers, Skirk has long been one of the most highly anticipated characters in the game. First mentioned by Tartaglia back in Version 1.1, players finally got to see her in person during the final Act of Fontaine.

While her ability kit remains a mystery, it's almost certain that Skirk will be a Cryo character, as hinted by the newly revealed Artifact Set from Version 5.5. Described as a mysterious swordswoman, she will likely wield either a sword or a claymore in her playable debut. Additionally, much like Mavuika, Skirk may have access to a unique form of Elemental Energy, setting her apart from other Cryo characters.

Her exact release date is still unknown, but multiple sources suggest that she will debut in Version 5.7, likely alongside the launch of Mare Jivari—the final Natlan expansion before Snezhnaya. According to DK2, a trusted insider in the Genshin Impact community, Skirk's playable model will undergo slight adjustments from the standard Medium Female template. Given that the leak compares these changes to those of Varesa and Iansan, the extent of the modifications might be greater than expected.

Why Skirk Might Be Redesigned Before Release

Even though Skirk’s design was likely finalized back in Version 4.2, this wouldn't be the first time HoYoverse altered a character's appearance before their official release. Baizhu, for example, received a significant visual upgrade while maintaining his original design. Another clue supporting this leak is Skirk’s silhouette from the official lineup of upcoming Genshin Impact characters—her body shape appears different from her current model.

The positive reception of Varesa and Iansan may encourage HoYoverse to introduce even more varied character models moving forward. With Version 5.5 set to introduce two Collective of Plenty characters, only four remain unrevealed from the upcoming roadmap: Ifa, Dahlia, Effie, and Skirk. Ifa will be the final Natlan character added before Version 6.0, but despite the interest in them, it’s clear that Skirk will be the defining figure of Natlan’s second half.