Silkock: The Swordsmanship and Wisdom of the Ice Queen
In the world of Genshin Impact, snow and ice are never lonely. Silkock, a five-star Ice-elemental sword-wielding character set to debut in version 5.7, arrives like a shower of cool snowflakes, bringing not just the chill of ice, but also the wisdom and elegance of a sword.
Silkock’s arrival feels like a mysterious invitation. With a five-star rarity, an Ice element, a sword as her weapon, and a base critical damage bonus of 38.4%, the data behind her tells the story of an Ice Queen. Her signature weapon, “Cangyao,” boasts a base attack of 608, an attack percentage of 33.1%, and a critical rate of “White Mountain’s Gift”—after using her Elemental Skill, her attack increases by 24% for 12 seconds. If her Elemental Energy is depleted, her attack increases by an additional 24%, and her critical damage soars by 40%. These numbers weave a tale of ice and swords.
Silkock’s Normal Attack, “Kyokkō Technique: Cut,” is as gentle and persistent as spring rain. It can be performed up to five times in a row, like a poem where each line flows rhythmically. Her Charged Attack, on the other hand, consumes stamina to hurl a spinning ice spear at enemies ahead, drawing a graceful arc in the air. Her Plunge Attack descends from the sky, striking enemies in her path and dealing AoE damage upon landing, like an icy festival.
Her Elemental Skill, “Kyokkō Technique: Flash,” is where Silkock truly shines. It mimics the combat style of the “Kyokkō Rider.” When tapped, it grants 45 points of “Snake’s Cunning” and switches to the “Seven Strikes Flash” mode; when held, it also grants 45 points of “Snake’s Cunning” and enables rapid movement with enhanced resistance to interruptions. Silkock can control the direction of her movement and end the state early by recasting the skill. This skill embodies the essence of speed, direction, and wisdom in combat.
Her Elemental Burst, “Kyokkō Technique: Extinction,” is Silkock’s pièce de résistance. Unlike other characters, it doesn’t rely on Elemental Energy but on “Snake’s Cunning.” With at least 50 points of “Snake’s Cunning,” she tears through space and unleashes a flurry of slashes, dealing Ice-elemental AoE damage. For every additional point of “Snake’s Cunning” beyond 50, the damage increases, capping at 12 extra points. In “Seven Strikes Flash” mode, her Elemental Burst is replaced by “Kyokkō Technique: End,” which requires no “Snake’s Cunning” to cast and grants her the “Icy Jade” effect until the mode ends. If her innate talent “Reason Beyond” is unlocked, she can absorb nearby “Eclipsing Rifts.” During “Icy Jade,” every 0.1 seconds, her Normal Attacks gain increasing damage bonuses, further amplified if “Eclipsing Rifts” are absorbed. This effect lasts until it triggers 10 times.
Silkock’s fixed talents are equally impressive. Her first innate talent, “Reason Beyond,” creates an “Eclipsing Rift” near enemies whenever a nearby party member triggers a Freeze, Superconduct, Ice Elemental Spread, or Ice Elemental Crystallize reaction. This rift enhances her abilities, making her a formidable force on the battlefield.