Summary
- A new Genshin Impact leak reveals more details about Effie, including an appearance possibly similar to Pecorine.
- Effie may be an ideal teammate for Skirk and Furina, supporting Freeze teams with group healing.
- The trend of introducing characters together risks displeasing players but aims for profitability.
A recent leak in the Genshin Impact community has given players a detailed description of Effie and Skirk – two upcoming 5-Star characters. While Version 5.5 is set to be an exciting update to Genshin Impact, many players see the second half of Natlan as Skirk's time to shine. As the mentor of Tartaglia, and the apprentice to Surtalogi, Skirk is perfectly positioned to connect the Traveler and Paimon to the darkest secrets of Khaenri'ah and the Abyss.
From a gameplay standpoint, Skirk in Genshin Impact is assumed to be a Cryo Sword character, and the developers have teased that she will become playable by the end of Spring 2025. On the other hand, Effie is a complete unknown. She is rumored to be a chef from Fontaine, but her element and weapon type are a mystery. According to datamined information, Effie is expected to launch in Version 5.6, but Skirk could feasibly make her debut in the same patch as well.
March 14 Will Be a Big Day for Genshin Impact Fans
Genshin Impact players should mark their calendars for March 14, as HoYoverse is planning to share some incredible things with the community.
Seele, a famous voice in the Genshin Impact community, claims that Effie (or possibly Akkefi) visually resembles Pecorine, with blonde hair and white stockings. Her Elemental Vision is rumored to be either Pyro or Cryo, but Seele describes Effie as the ideal teammate for Skirk and Furina, implying that she will have group healing in her kit, while buffing Freeze teams in Genshin Impact.
Genshin Impact: Effie and Skirk Could Have a Lot of Synergy
The return of Freeze to the meta could see Genshin Impact characters like Ayaka and Shenhe make a comeback, who have arguably fallen from the spotlight since the emergence of Dendro in Sumeru. However, an uncomfortable trend seems to be developing after the launch of Natlan. Recent 5-Star characters are not only designed as each other's ideal partners, but they also make their debut at the same time. If the information provided by Seele is correct, it means that Effie and Skirk will follow in Mavuika and Citlali's footsteps.
It is expensive to assemble a Genshin Impact team at short notice, and if Skirk releases in Version 5.6, then it implies that HoYoverse is banking on players to spend currency on both characters rather than waiting for a rerun. This strategy made Mavuika and Citlali's banner quite profitable, but it risks agitating the community.
The Natlan era hasn't shied away from making bold changes. It expanded the way Genshin Impact players could explore Teyvat, eased the gacha mechanics of the Event and Weapon Banners, and added a new gameplay activity in Version 5.3. Players will be able to find out more about Effie and Skirk after Version 5.5 launches on March 26, 2025.
Genshin Impact
-
OpenCritic Reviews
- Top Critic Avg: 81 /100 Critics Rec: 87%
- Released
- September 28, 2020
- ESRB
- Teen / Alcohol Reference, Fantasy Violence, In-Game Purchases (Includes Random Items), Users Interact
- Developer(s)
- HoYoverse (Formerly miHoYo)
- Publisher(s)
- HoYoverse (Formerly miHoYo)
WHERE TO PLAY
Step into Teyvat, a vast world teeming with life and flowing with elemental energy.
You and your sibling arrived here from another world. Separated by an unknown god, stripped of your powers, and cast into a deep slumber, you now awake to a world very different from when you first arrived.
Thus begins your journey across Teyvat to seek answers from The Seven — the gods of each element. Along the way, prepare to explore every inch of this wondrous world, join forces with a diverse range of characters, and unravel the countless mysteries that Teyvat holds...
MASSIVE OPEN WORLD
Climb any mountain, swim across any river, and glide over the world below, taking in the jaw-dropping scenery each step of the way. And if you stop to investigate a wandering Seelie or strange mechanism, who knows what you might discover?
ELEMENTAL COMBAT SYSTEM
Harness the seven elements to unleash elemental reactions. Anemo, Electro, Hydro, Pyro, Cryo, Dendro, and Geo interact in all sorts of ways, and Vision wielders have the power to turn this to their advantage.
Will you vaporize Hydro with Pyro, electro-charge it with Electro, or freeze it with Cryo? Your mastery of the elements will give you the upper hand in battle and exploration.
BEAUTIFUL VISUALS
Feast your eyes on the world around you, with a stunning art style, real-time rendering, and finely tuned character animations delivering you a truly immersive visual experience. Lighting and weather all change naturally over time, bringing every detail of this world to life.
SOOTHING SOUNDTRACK
Let the beautiful sounds of Teyvat draw you in as you explore the expansive world around you. Performed by the London Philharmonic Orchestra, the soundtrack changes seamlessly with the time and gameplay to match the mood.
BUILD YOUR DREAM TEAM
Team up with a diverse cast of characters in Teyvat, each with their own unique personalities, stories, and abilities. Discover your favorite party combinations and level up your characters to help you conquer even the most daunting of enemies and domains.
JOURNEY WITH FRIENDS
Team up with friends across various platforms to trigger more elemental action, tackle tricky boss fights, and conquer challenging domains together to reap rich rewards.
As you stand atop the peaks of Jueyun Karst and take in the rolling clouds and vast terrain stretching out before you, you may wish to stay in Teyvat a little longer... But until you are reunited with your lost sibling, how can you rest? Go forth, Traveler, and begin your adventure!
- Engine
- Unity
- Multiplayer
- Online Co-Op
- Cross-Platform Play
- All platforms
- Cross Save
- All platforms
- PC Release Date
- September 28, 2020
- Xbox Series X|S Release Date
- November 20, 2024
- PS5 Release Date
- April 28, 2021
- Genre(s)
- RPG, Action, Adventure, Gacha, Open-World
- Platform(s)
- PlayStation 5, PlayStation 4, Xbox Series X, Xbox Series S, PC, iOS, Android
- X|S Optimized
- yes
- OpenCritic Rating
- Strong
