Following the story teaser, developer HoYoverse shared a battle-focused Genshin Impact cutscene, ‘A Void Gnawed Into Stillness’. It also takes place during Skirk’s character story, so avoid watching if you haven’t finished it yet and care for spoilers!
“In the instant when blades cross, a surge of light pierces the armored shell, dislodging a pale shadow coiled tightly at its core. All that ravenous desire coveted was one outcome: a single, grand battle.”
Story-wise, Skirk is a mysterious swordmaster, hailing from the Abyss. She is both Tartaglia’s unyielding master and a student to one of Khaenri’ah’s Great Sinners, Surtalogi. For the first time, she crossed paths with the Traveler during the crisis in Fontaine. Now, she appears just when the protagonist needed help.
When it comes to battle, Skirk has two distinct playstyles: one relies on enhanced Normal Attacks for sustained damage, while the other uses her Elemental Burst to deal a powerful Cryo AoE attack. Both modes draw on Serpent’s Subtlety, a unique resource generated from Skirk’s Skills and Talents, instead of Elemental Energy.
Skirk also brings valuable synergy to teams with only Hydro and Cryo characters, granting an extra level to their Elemental Skills and a significant damage boost to herself.
If you are done with the quest and the cutscene, consider checking out the new endgame permanent battle event, Stygian Onslaught. It will test your mettle in boss battles.
