Newly surfaced leaks have unveiled groundbreaking artifact sets coming to Genshin Impact's Version 5.5 update, poised to dramatically shift combat strategies for specific character archetypes. As the Natlan expansion enters its second phase, these sets emerge as specialized tools designed for the region's upcoming warriors – particularly the highly anticipated 5-star Pyro character Varesa and the enigmatic Cryo master Skirk. The artifacts represent HoYoverse's continued experimentation with niche mechanics, moving beyond Natlan's initial Nightsoul-focused sets toward more polarized playstyles that feel like solving an elemental Rubik's Cube mid-battle.
⚔️ The Plunging Assault Set: Aerodynamic Warfare
Dubbed the 'Everlasting Radiance' set by leakers, this collection fundamentally reimagines aerial combat dynamics:
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2-Piece Effect: Straightforward 25% Plunging Attack damage boost
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4-Piece Effect: Complex stack-building mechanic
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Landing Plunging Attacks, Charged Attacks, or Elemental Skills generates 1/2/2 'Radiance' stacks respectively
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Triggers limited to once per second per attack type
This set functions like a high-stakes juggling act, demanding precise rotation sequencing to maintain maximum stacks. While benefiting existing plunging specialists like Xiao and Gaming, its design screams optimization for Varesa's leaked kit. Players must weave attacks in tight 6-second windows—a rhythmic dance more intricate than tuning a Snezhnayan music box. Leaks suggest Xianyun's banner rerun is imminent, synergizing with this plunge-focused meta shift like wind beneath a falcon's wings.
❄️ The Zero-Energy Cryo Set: Frostbite Paradox
The second artifact set introduces a revolutionary condition—rewarding characters who operate completely without Elemental Energy:
| Effect Type | Bonus Details | Conditional Limitations |
|---|---|---|
| 2-Piece | 15% Cryo DMG Bonus | None |
| 4-Piece | 60% NA DMG & 60% Burst DMG boost | Only activates at 0 Energy |
| Additional | Effects work off-field | NA/Burst buffs disable each other for 6s after triggering |
This glacial paradox creates a delicate equilibrium—like balancing on a frozen tightrope. Currently, only Mavuika and Sethos fit the energy-less criteria, yet neither wields Cryo. All signs point toward Skirk being the primary beneficiary, potentially featuring an Elemental Burst mode mirroring Raiden Shogun's, while her Normal Attacks complete the rotation. The set implies Tartaglia's master operates in bursts of controlled fury, switching combat styles like a dual-bladed icicle.
🌋 Meta Implications and Character Synergies
The artifacts' niche designs signal deliberate shifts:
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🔥 Varesa's Ascendancy: The plunge set likely cements her as Natlan's premier aerial combatant
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❄️ Skirk's Enigma: Energy-less mechanics suggest unprecedented kit design, possibly involving:
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Cooldown-based Bursts instead of energy costs
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Dynamic stance-switching
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Off-field Cryo application windows
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🌀 Ripple Effects: Xiao mains face artifact grinding déjà vu, while Gaming could become an unexpected 4-star superstar
Like tectonic plates reshaping Natlan's volcanoes, these sets will violently alter team compositions. Xianyun's rumored banner return feels inevitable—her plunge support capabilities transforming these artifacts from good to god-tier, much like a blacksmith tempering raw ore into legendary steel.
⏳ The Road to March 26
With Version 5.5's expected March 26, 2025 launch, several unanswered questions linger in the community:
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Will these sets enable entirely new combat archetypes beyond plunge/energy-less?
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Could Effie or Dahlia surprise us as Cryo wildcards?
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Does 'Nod-Krai' hint at future regions with similar mechanics?
Like deciphering ancient murals in Enkanomiya's depths, players can only speculate whether these artifacts represent visionary design or beautiful misfires. Will they become cornerstone pieces, or end up as glorified museum exhibits alongside Ocean-Hued Clam? The true test begins when travelers step into that new Domain—and discover whether these sets are keys to greatness or intricate cages constraining creative combat.