The highly anticipated Genshin Impact Version 5.7 update brings a thrilling Limited Character Banner featuring both new arrivals and long-awaited reruns. HoYoverse has officially unveiled the complete roster of four-star characters joining the Cryo-focused five-star duo Skirk and Shenhe. This marks Skirk's debut as a playable unit following her initial appearance during the Version 4.2 storyline, fulfilling community expectations built over many months. Alongside her, Shenhe returns to limited banners for the first time in over two years, creating unprecedented opportunities for elemental synergy. The carefully curated four-star lineup includes the brand-new Hydro support Dahlia alongside versatile veterans Candace and Diona, establishing compelling team-building dynamics centered on Cryo reactions and battlefield sustainability. This banner structure follows Genshin Impact's established dual-event wish format, where players can target specific five-star characters through the pity system while acquiring four-star units more frequently.
Banner Mechanics and Character Rarity Overview
Genshin Impact operates on a dual-rarity character acquisition system where five-star units like Skirk and Shenhe follow a 90-wish pity mechanism, guaranteeing their appearance within 90 pulls. Conversely, four-star characters such as Diona or Candace feature a more accessible 10-wish pity counter. Each update cycle typically features two simultaneous limited banners sharing a common pool of featured four-star units. The current Phase 1 banner structure offers:
Character | Rarity | Element | Role |
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Skirk | ★★★★★ | Cryo | Main DPS |
Shenhe | ★★★★★ | Cryo | Support/Buffer |
Dahlia | ★★★★ | Hydro | Shield Support |
Candace | ★★★★ | Hydro | Reaction Support |
Diona | ★★★★ | Cryo | Healer/Shielder |
This configuration emphasizes Cryo resonance while introducing fresh Hydro application possibilities through new character Dahlia.
Spotlight on Five-Star Cryo Units
Skirk: The New Cryo Vanguard
Making her playable debut after months of anticipation, Skirk emerges as a premier Cryo damage dealer optimized for freeze and melt compositions. Her kit reportedly thrives when paired with Hydro applicators, suggesting strong compatibility with both the new four-star Dahlia and existing Hydro characters like Yelan. Early gameplay reveals indicate Skirk will dominate as an on-field DPS who triggers devastating elemental reactions, particularly benefiting from Shenhe's Cryo damage amplification abilities. Her arrival since Version 4.2 foreshadowing has generated substantial excitement within the community.
Shenhe's Long-Awaited Rerun
Last featured on a limited banner in early 2023, Shenhe returns as Skirk's ideal support partner. Her unique ability to boost Cryo damage output makes her indispensable for teams built around Ayaka or Ganyu, and now perfectly complements Skirk's DPS focus. Shenhe's Icy Quill mechanics convert attack bonuses into additional Cryo damage instances, creating phenomenal synergy when multiple Cryo units deploy elemental bursts simultaneously. This banner marks a rare opportunity for players who missed her previous runs to acquire this game-changing support.
Four-Star Support Lineup Analysis
Dahlia: Hydro Innovations from Mondstadt
Introducing fresh gameplay dynamics, Dahlia joins as a Hydro shielder and attack speed buffer hailing from the Church of Favonius. His abilities focus on creating robust defensive barriers while accelerating main DPS characters' combat rhythm—ideal for enabling Skirk's damage windows. As the sole new four-star addition, Dahlia represents significant value for players seeking to enhance their Hydro support options without spending five-star resources. His shielding specialization fills a unique niche among Hydro units, offering alternatives to Zhongli in specific team configurations.
Diona & Candace: Versatile Veterans Return
Rounding out the banner are two exceptionally flexible supports:
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Diona 🛡️💫: Provides comprehensive utility including:
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Party-wide healing
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Cryo particle generation
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Shield absorption
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Elemental application
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Candace 🌊⚔️: Excels at enabling Hydro-based reactions through:
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Elemental infusion mechanics
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Hydro damage amplification
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Defensive counterattacks
Their combined presence creates outstanding value, especially for new players building foundational rosters. Diona's Cryo resonance with Skirk/Shenhe enables consistent energy regeneration, while Candace unlocks diverse reaction pathways like Hyperbloom or Vaporize compositions.
Synergistic Team Compositions
The banner's elemental alignment naturally facilitates powerful team architectures:
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Permafrost Dominance ❄️💧
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Skirk (Main DPS) + Shenhe (Buffer) + Dahlia (Shield/ATK Speed) + Anemo Swirler
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Constant freeze application with attack speed boosts
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Melt Reaction Overload 🔥❄️
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Skirk (DPS) + Shenhe (Cryo RES Shred) + Bennett (ATK Buff/Heal) + Xiangling (Pyro Application)
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Capitalizes on Skirk's reaction damage multipliers
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Hydro-Cryo Hybrid 💧❄️
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Candace (Hydro Infusion) + Diona (Healing/Shield) + Shenhe (Support) + Flexible DPS
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Adaptable for exploration and boss encounters
Dahlia's inclusion specifically benefits Skirk by shortening attack animations during damage windows, while Diona's comprehensive toolkit provides survival assurance in spiral abyss challenges. These units collectively lower entry barriers for newer adventurers while offering veteran players advanced tactical combinations.
Strategic Wish Recommendations
With Skirk's debut and Shenhe's rarity, this banner presents exceptional value for accounts lacking premium Cryo options. Players should prioritize wishes if:
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Building freeze-focused teams
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Needing Cryo resonance buffers
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Lacking reliable shield supports
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Seeking Hydro application variety
Resource allocation should consider pity counters—those near guarantee thresholds might target specific five-stars, while beginners benefit from four-star versatility. The concurrent availability of Candace and Diona creates unusual efficiency for constellation upgrades.
Prepare your primogems and intertwined fates for this exceptional character lineup! Strategically timing your wishes could yield tremendous combat advantages, especially when assembling elemental reaction specialists. Don't miss this opportunity to strengthen your roster with these synergistic Cryo and Hydro powerhouses—venture forth when the banner launches! 🎮✨