I've been closely monitoring the recent datamines from the Genshin Impact 5.7 beta, and there are some noteworthy changes coming for Skirk and Dahlia before the update launches on June 18, 2025. What's fascinating is how the Natlan era betas have been remarkably quiet compared to previous regions. During Fontaine, we saw characters undergo substantial revisions, but HoYoverse seems much more confident with their Natlan roster designs from the outset.
Looking back at Version 5.6, Escoffier's release demonstrated this confidence. While some might argue his kit was an inelegant solution to fixing Freeze teams, this 5-Star Cryo Polearm user successfully revitalized older units like Ganyu and Ayaka, bringing them back into meta relevance for the first time since the Sumeru era. Now, Skirk and Dahlia appear to be extensions of this Freeze team renaissance, albeit fulfilling different roles within these compositions.
Dahlia's Shield and Attack Speed Buffs
Dahlia, the upcoming 4-Star Hydro Sword character, has received mixed reactions from the community - ranging from mild disappointment to outright criticism. According to the latest datamines, HoYoverse is attempting to address some of these concerns with the following changes:
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Shield of Sacred Favor DMG Absorption: Increased from 5.04% to 6.048% of Max HP + 711.88 (up from 593.23)
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Passive Talent: ATK SPD increase based on Dahlia's Max HP improved from 0.4% to 0.5% per 1,000 Max HP
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Maximum ATK SPD Buff: Increased from 15% to 20%
These adjustments make Dahlia's attack speed buff more potent than C6 Mika, which is certainly a step in the right direction. However, many players, myself included, feel these changes might not be enough to make Dahlia truly competitive against other support options.
Skirk's Power Redistribution
Skirk, on the other hand, has seen more positive reception overall. The 5-Star character's latest adjustments include:
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Elemental Burst Skill DMG: Decreased from 248.616% to 220.968%
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Skill Final Attack DMG: Reduced from 414.36% to 368.28%
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Serpent's Subtlety Bonus: Increased from 29.9261% to 34.782% ATK Per Point
What's interesting here is that while her base multipliers have been nerfed, the buffs to her Serpent's Subtlety stacks actually result in an overall damage increase. This redistribution of power suggests HoYoverse wants players to engage more with her stack mechanic rather than just relying on raw burst damage.
The Future of Freeze Teams
As someone who's been playing since launch, I've witnessed the ebb and flow of the Freeze meta. With Escoffier already making waves and now Skirk and Dahlia joining the roster, it's clear that HoYoverse is deliberately reinvigorating this playstyle.
Skirk will likely emerge as an excellent Freeze hypercarry, providing a modern alternative to veterans Ayaka and Ganyu. She won't break the game's power ceiling, as the developers continue to carefully balance new characters against powercreep concerns.
Dahlia, despite the buffs, may find himself in a niche position - potentially valuable in Skirk teams specifically but overshadowed by other supports in broader team compositions. His shield scaling improvements are welcome, but I wonder if his kit needs more cohesion to truly shine.
Looking Toward Nod-Krai
The horizon beyond Version 5.7 remains shrouded in mystery. Natlan introduced the Nightsoul mechanic, and all indications suggest Version 6.0 will feature yet another combat system innovation.
There are whispers about Version 5.8 introducing a new 5-Star Hydro character to Genshin Impact, but concrete details about the next region and its inhabitants remain scarce. What we do know for certain is that Version 5.7 launches on June 18, 2025, while Version 6.0 – the gateway to Nod-Krai – will welcome travelers on September 10, 2025.
My Thoughts on the Current State of Development
The careful adjustments to Skirk and Dahlia reflect HoYoverse's evolving approach to character design. Rather than massive overhauls during beta, we're seeing more targeted tweaks that preserve the core identity of characters while addressing specific performance concerns.
For Freeze team enthusiasts:
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❄️ Escoffier revitalized classic Freeze carries
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🌊 Dahlia offers new support options (though potentially niche)
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⚔️ Skirk provides a fresh hypercarry alternative
I'm particularly curious about how these characters will interact with the rumored new Hydro 5-Star in 5.8. Will we see new team compositions emerge that challenge the current meta? Or will these characters simply provide more options within established archetypes?
As we approach the conclusion of the Natlan chapter and prepare for Nod-Krai, one thing is certain: Genshin Impact continues to evolve in ways that keep the gameplay experience fresh while building upon its established foundations. Whether these specific character adjustments will achieve their intended goals remains to be seen, but the direction suggests a thoughtful approach to game balance that bodes well for the future.