Skirk Guide and Best Builds
Skirk is a 5-star Cryo Sword character in Genshin Impact. Our Skirk build guide will focus on Skirk's best weapons, best artifacts, skills, constellations and Skirk's best teams.
Skirk Guide & Best Builds
Welcome to our Skirk build guide for Genshin Impact. Skirk is a 5-Star Cryo Main DPS Character who focuses on the Freeze reaction. In our guide, we'll cover everything you need to know to get the most out of your Skirk, from building the best Artifacts and Weapons to important stat priorities and rotations.
Skirk Build Guide Infographic
Best Weapons for Skirk
Listed below are Skirk's best weapons. While weapons are listed in a priority order, what's best to build on your Skirk can vary depending on the team composition and level of investment you want to put into Skirk.
Azurelight (R1)
132%
Whitehill's Bestowal
Base ATK: 674
CRIT Rate: 22.1%
Within 12s after an Elemental Skill is used, ATK is increased by 24% / 30% / 36% / 42% / 48%. During this time, when the equipping character has 0 Energy, ATK will be further increased by 24% / 30% / 36% / 42% / 48%, and CRIT DMG will be increased by 40% / 50% / 60% / 70% / 80%.
Haran Geppaku Futsu (R1)
113%
Honed Flow
Base ATK: 608
CRIT Rate: 33.1%
Obtain 12% / 15% / 18% / 21% / 24% All Elemental DMG Bonus. When other nearby party members use Elemental Skills, the character equipping this weapon will gain 1 Wavespike stack. Max 2 stacks. This effect can be triggered once every 0.3s. When the character equipping this weapon uses an Elemental Skill, all stacks of Wavespike will be consumed to gain Rippling Upheaval: each stack of Wavespike consumed will increase Normal Attack DMG by 20% / 25% / 30% / 35% / 40% for 8s.
Primordial Jade Cutter (R1)
112%
Protector's Virtue
Base ATK: 542
CRIT Rate: 44.1%
HP increased by 20% / 25% / 30% / 35% / 40%. Additionally, provides an ATK Bonus based on 1.2% / 1.5% / 1.8% / 2.1% / 2.4% of the wielder's Max HP.
Mistsplitter Reforged (R1)
109%
Mistsplitter's Edge
Base ATK: 674
CRIT DMG: 44.1%
Gain a 12% / 15% / 18% / 21% / 24% Elemental DMG Bonus for all elements and receive the might of the Mistsplitter's Emblem. At stack levels 1/2/3, the Mistsplitter's Emblem provides a 8/16/28% / 10/20/35% / 12/24/42% / 14/28/49% / 16/32/56% Elemental DMG Bonus for the character's Elemental Type. The character will obtain 1 stack of the Mistsplitter's Emblem in each of the following scenarios: Normal Attack deals Elemental DMG (stack lasts 5s), casting Elemental Burst (stack lasts 10s); Energy is less than 100% (stack disappears when Energy is full). Each stack's duration is calculated independently.
Calamity of Eshu (R5)
108%
Diffusing Boundary
Base ATK: 565
ATK: 27.6%
While characters are protected by a Shield, DMG dealt by Normal and Charged Attacks is increased by 20% / 25% / 30% / 35% / 40%, and Normal and Charged Attack CRIT Rate is increased by 8% / 10% / 12% / 14% / 16%.
Uraku Misugiri (R1)
100.1%
Brocade Bloom, Shrine Sword
Base ATK: 542
CRIT DMG: 88.2%
Normal Attack DMG is increased by 16% / 20% / 24% / 28% / 32% and Elemental Skill DMG is increased by 24% / 30% / 36% / 42% / 48%. After a nearby active character deals Geo DMG, the aforementioned effects increase by 100% for 15s. Additionally, the wielder's DEF is increased by 20% / 25% / 30% / 35% / 40%.
The Black Sword (R5)
100.1%
Justice
Base ATK: 510
CRIT Rate: 27.6%
Increases DMG dealt by Normal and Charged Attacks by 20% / 25% / 30% / 35% / 40%. Additionally, regenerates 60% / 70% / 80% / 90% / 100% of ATK as HP when Normal and Charged Attacks score a CRIT Hit. This effect can occur once every 5s.
Finale of the Deep (R5)
100%
An End Sublime
Base ATK: 565
ATK: 27.6%
When using an Elemental Skill, ATK will be increased by 12% / 15% / 18% / 21% / 24% for 15s, and a Bond of Life worth 25% of Max HP will be granted. This effect can be triggered once every 10s. When the Bond of Life is cleared, a maximum of 150 / 187.5 / 225 / 262.5 / 300 ATK will be gained based on 2.4% / 3% / 3.6% / 4.2% / 4.8% of the total amount of the Life Bond cleared, lasting for 15s.
New Bough
R1
Wildgrowth
Base ATK: 510
CRIT DMG: 55.1%
When the equipping character hits the opponent with an attack within 12s after using the Elemental Skill, they gain the "Verdant" effect, which increases their ATK by 4% / 5% / 6% / 7% / 8% and their Elemental Mastery by 20 / 25 / 30 / 35 / 40. This effect lasts 6s and can trigger once every second. Max 3 stacks. The aforementioned effects can still trigger even when the equipping character is not on the field.
Radiance: Stellar Glimmer: The effect of "Verdant" is changed to: Increases ATK by 6% / 7.5% / 9% / 10.5% / 12% as well as Stellar Glimmer reaction DMG dealt by the equipping character by 8% / 10% / 12% / 14% / 16%.
Absolution (R1)
99%
Deathly Pact
Base ATK: 674
CRIT DMG: 44.1%
CRIT DMG increased by 20% / 25% / 30% / 35% / 40%. Increasing the value of a Bond of Life increases the DMG the equipping character deals by 16% / 20% / 24% / 28% / 32% for 6s. Max 3 stacks.
Summit Shaper (R1)
99%
Golden Majesty
Base ATK: 608
ATK: 49.6%
Increases Shield Strength by 20% / 25% / 30% / 35% / 40%. Scoring hits on opponents increases ATK by 4% / 5% / 6% / 7% / 8% for 8s. Max 5 stacks. Can only occur once every 0.3s. While protected by a shield, this ATK increase effect is increased by 100%.
Light of Foliar Incision (R1)
98%
Whitemoon Bristle
Base ATK: 542
CRIT DMG: 88.2%
CRIT Rate is increased by 4% / 5% / 6% / 7% / 8%. After Normal Attacks deal Elemental DMG, the Foliar Incision effect will be obtained, increasing DMG dealt by Normal Attacks and Elemental Skills by 120% / 150% / 180% / 210% / 240% of Elemental Mastery. This effect will disappear after 28 DMG instances or 12s. You can obtain Foliar Incision once every 12s.
The Black Sword (R1)
93%
Justice
Base ATK: 510
CRIT Rate: 27.6%
Increases DMG dealt by Normal and Charged Attacks by 20% / 25% / 30% / 35% / 40%. Additionally, regenerates 60% / 70% / 80% / 90% / 100% of ATK as HP when Normal and Charged Attacks score a CRIT Hit. This effect can occur once every 5s.
Aquila Favonia (R1)
90%
Falcon's Defiance
Base ATK: 674
Physical DMG Bonus: 41.3%
ATK is increased by 20% / 25% / 30% / 35% / 40%. Triggers on taking DMG: the soul of the Falcon of the West awakens, holding the banner of resistance aloft, regenerating HP equal to 100% / 115% / 130% / 145% / 160% of ATK and dealing 200% / 230% / 260% / 290% / 320% of ATK as DMG to surrounding opponents. This effect can only occur once every 15s.
Kagotsurube Isshin (R1)
89%
Isshin Art Clarity
Base ATK: 510
ATK: 41.3%
When a Normal, Charged, or Plunging Attack hits an opponent, it will whip up a Hewing Gale, dealing AoE DMG equal to 180% of ATK and increasing ATK by 15% for 8s. This effect can be triggered once every 8s.
Sturdy Bone (R5)
87%
Trapper's Pride
Base ATK: 565
ATK: 27.6%
Sprint or Alternate Sprint Stamina Consumption decreased by 15%. Additionally, after using Sprint or Alternate Sprint, Normal Attack DMG is increased by 16% / 20% / 24% / 28% / 32% of ATK. This effect expires after triggering 18 times or 7s.
Wolf-Fang (R1)
86%
Northwind Wolf
Base ATK: 510
CRIT Rate: 27.6%
DMG dealt by Elemental Skill and Elemental Burst is increased by 16% / 20% / 24% / 28% / 32%. When an Elemental Skill hits an opponent, its CRIT Rate will be increased by 2% / 2.5% / 3% / 3.5% / 4%. When an Elemental Burst hits an opponent, its CRIT Rate will be increased by 2% / 2.5% / 3% / 3.5% / 4%. Both of these effects last 10s separately, have 4 max stacks, and can be triggered once every 0.1s.
Best Artifacts for Skirk
Finale of the Deep Galleries
Finale of the Deep Galleries
2-Piece Set: Cryo DMG Bonus +15%
4-Piece Set: When the equipping character has 0 Elemental Energy, Normal Attack DMG is increased by 60% and Elemental Burst DMG is increased by 60%. After the equipping character deals Normal Attack DMG, the aforementioned Elemental Burst effect will stop applying for 6s. After the equipping character deals Elemental Burst DMG, the aforementioned Normal Attack effect will stop applying for 6s. This effect can trigger even if the equipping character is off the field.
Marechaussee Hunter
Marechaussee Hunter
2-Piece Set: Normal and Charged Attack DMG +15%
4-Piece Set: When current HP increases or decreases, CRIT Rate will be increased by 12% for 5s. Max 3 stacks.
Skirk's Stat Priority
: 
: 
: Skirk is a Dedicated Freeze DPS and does not benefit from EM as freeze doesn’t scale from it. Skirk also does not use energy recharge, making her stats limited to CRIT and attack.
Recommended Stats for Skirk
Build recommendations assume a "decently built" level of artifact rolls alongside Skirk's best free to play weapon, Finale of the Deep. Using other weapons may increase or decrease certain stats relative to these recommendations.
Skirk's Talent Priority
Skirk's most important talents to level are her Elemental skill and then Elemental Burst. Skirk Basic Attacks can be ignored for the most part.
How to Play Skirk
Skirk is a on-field Main DPS with a very unique mechanic compared to most characters in the game. She does not use Elemental Energy, and instead relies on her Serpent's Subtlety resource to power her damage and determine whether she leans into sustained Normal Attack uptime or quicker Burst-focused windows. As a Freeze-focused DPS, Elemental Mastery is not a priority stat for her, and her damage mainly scales through her core kit and Cryo/Hydro team synergies.
Skirk has two main playstyles. The first is her on-field Normal Attack focused mode. You enter this playstyle by using her Elemental Skill, Havoc: Warp, to switch into Seven-Phase Flash mode and gain Serpent's Subtlety. During this mode, you stay on-field and deal sustained damage while managing your resource and absorbing Void Rifts for additional Serpent's Subtlety. Void Rifts are generated when nearby party members trigger reactions such as Freeze, Superconduct, Cryo Swirl, or Cryo Crystallize against opponents.
A simple on-field sequence typically looks like chaining Normal Attacks, weaving in Burst usage when available, and using a Charged Attack to absorb nearby Void Rifts during your Seven-Phase Flash window to extend or strengthen your damage cycle. The key is to remain in her mode long enough to benefit from multiple Rift absorptions and avoid swapping out too early and losing value from your uptime.
Her second playstyle is a quicker Burst-focused approach. Instead of relying on standard Elemental Energy, Skirk consumes Serpent's Subtlety to unleash her Elemental Burst, Havoc: Ruin, once she has enough resource available. In this playstyle, you aim to build Serpent's Subtlety quickly, then spend it to deal a large Burst window of damage before transitioning back into the next setup.
Skirk's Best Constellations
| Constellation | % of C0 | % From Previous Constellation |
|---|---|---|
| C0 | 100% | 100% |
| C1 | 125% | 125% |
| C2 | 147% | 118% |
| C3 | 147% | 100% |
| C4 | 164% | 112% |
| C5 | 191% | 116% |
| C6 | 236% | 124% |
Skirk's Best Team Compositions
To learn all about Skirk's synergies and best team compositions, check our dedicated Skirk team page below:
Changelog
- 16 Sep. 2026: Updated Skirk guide for 7.1
- 11 Jul. 2026: Build Reviewed for Update 6.7.
- 11 Feb. 2026: Skirk guide updated for 6.3.
- 27 Sep. 2025: Updated for 6.0.
- 13 Jun. 2025: Guide updates.
- 08 Jun. 2025: Updates to the guide but not full guide release.
- 07 May 2025: Guide added.
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Asher is a Genshin Impact and Wuthering Waves creator and theorycrafter with over three years of experience in Teyvat and one year in Solaris-3. He has been producing guides and analysis content consistently for the past six months, building a growing YouTube community of more than 16,000 subscribers. He focuses on creating simple, clear, and beginner-friendly guides designed to help new players understand characters, builds, and meta strategies with ease.