Leaked details surface on Varka’s Anemo DPS kit, ascension materials, and a potential 5.4 release-could the Grand Master finally swing his claymore in Teyvat?
Genshin Impact Varka Release Date
Varka’s release date has not been officially confirmed by HoYoverse, but multiple leaks suggest he may arrive in the second half of 2026, likely around Version 5.1 or 5.2. He is expected to debut as a 5-star Anemo claymore DPS from Mondstadt, following story hints that have built anticipation for his playable release. As the Grand Master of the Knights of Favonius, his arrival is tied to Mondstadt’s next major update, which may also expand the region’s storyline and introduce new exploration areas.
Varka has been rumored for Genshin Impact Luna V, which is expected to release on February 25, 2026. He is going to have the biggest character model out of all playable characters in Genshin Impact. You can learn about the release date of all upcoming Nod-Krai characters from our dedicated list.
Here is a countdown timer for Varka’s Genshin Impact release:
Varka release countdown 00 Days 00 Hours 00 Minutes 00 Seconds
Who is Varka in Genshin Impact?
Varka serves as the Grand Master of the Knights of Favonius in Mondstadt, renowned as the Knight of Boreas and one of its strongest warriors. Half a year before the Traveler’s arrival, he departed on a major expedition with 80 percent of the knights’ forces, leaving Jean as Acting Grand Master. Towering in stature with messy blonde hair and blue eyes, he wields an Anemo Vision and commands deep respect for his courageous, action-driven leadership that inspires loyalty among Mondstadt’s people and knights like Razor, Eula, and Rosaria.
Varka is the Grand Master and Knight of Boreus of the Knights of Favonius. He is known to be the strongest in Mondstadt. He left Mondstadt half a year before the start of the Traveler’s journey, leaving Jean as the acting Grand Master in his absence. Varka took eighty percent of the Knights of Favonius members with him to this expedition and is currently residing in Nod-Krai.
It was Varka who asked Barbatos (Venti) to set up a conference with Hexenzirkel, which ended up making them the strongest allies of Mondstadt. His exact reasons for being in Nod-Krai are yet unknown, so we can expect to learn about them in the Luna V Archon quest.
Varka Genshin Impact Kit Leaks
Leaks point to Varka as an upcoming Anemo claymore user with a knightly kit focused on crowd control and shields. His elemental skill likely summons spectral wolves for AoE damage and interruption resistance, while his burst unleashes a massive whirlwind infused with Anemo shred. Ascension materials include new boss drops like Stormterror’s Lacruna and Storm Beads, alongside staples such as Vayuda Turquoise and Tail of Boreas. Expect his release in version 5.3 alongside banners for characters like Citlali and Ororon.
Here is a complete look at Genshin Impact Varka’s kit leaks based on the latest Luna V beta. As the following kit is still in early development, expect to see a lot of changes in the coming days. We will update all changes here, so don’t forget to bookmark this page.
Varka Genshin Kit Explained
- Scaling: ATK
- Role: Anemo DPS
- Skill: Enhances Varka’s basic Attack and Skill and does AoE Anemo damage to enemies.
- Enhanced Basic Attack: Using Varka’s Skill enhances his Basic attacks with increased damage and elemental infusion. His dual claymore deals corresponding Elemental damage based on the elements of his allies in the party. This elemental damage cannot be overridden by other infusions.
- Enhanced Skill: With Pyro, Hydro, Electro, or Cryo characters in the party, Varka’s skill is enhanced and deals corresponding Elemental DMG and Anemo DMG together. He can also use multiple charges of his elemental skill to perform a special charged attack that doesn’t consume stamina while dealing the corresponding element damage and Anemo damage.
- BurstExplained: It does two powerful slash attacks, one of which deals Anemo DMG while the other deals Elemental damage based on the element of the allies, between Pyro, Hydro, Electro, and Cryo.
- Passives: His passives allow his Anemo damage and the corresponding elemental damage to increase based on his ATK stat.
- Hexerei Mechanic: Varka is a Hexerei character, and playing him alongside other Hexerei characters would decrease the cooldown of his Skills significantly.
Varka Talents and Passives
Here is a complete overview of Varka’s talents and passives based on the latest leaks:
| Talents | Description | DMG Multiplier |
|---|---|---|
| Normal Attack | Normal Attack: Imitating an ancient knightly war-dance, Varka wields dual claymores to perform up to 5 consecutive strikes. | 1-Hit DMG: 129.4% |
| 2-Hit DMG: 47.42% 88.06% | ||
| 3-Hit DMG: 64.12% 119.08% | ||
| 4-Hit DMG: 109.57% 59% | ||
| Charged Attack: Consumes a certain amount of Stamina to charge forward and perform an especially powerful dual blade slash toward the front. | 5-Hit Damage: 137.88% 74.24% | |
| Charged Attack DMG: 169.29% 91.15% | ||
| Charged Attack Stamina Cost: 50 | ||
| Plunging Attack: Plunges from mid-air to strike the ground below, damaging opponents along the path and dealing AoE DMG upon impact. | Plunge DMG: 147.44% | |
| Low/High Plunge DMG: 294.82% / 368.25% | ||
| Skill | Manifest the true essence of Favonius Bladework with absolute power. Produces different effects depending on whether the skill is Tapped or Held. | Skill DMG: 501.12% |
| Skill Duration: 12s | ||
| 1-Hit DMG: 129.4% | ||
| 2-Hit DMG: 59.27% 110.08% | ||
| Tap: Leap forward and slash in one fluid motion, dealing AoE Anemo DMG and switching to Stormward Charge mode. While in Stormward Charge, Varka’s Normal Attack DMG is increased, and he cannot perform Plunging Attacks. When performing Normal or Charged Attacks, Varka’s dual-wielded claymores will deal corresponding Elemental DMG based on the Elemental Types of the characters in the party, respectively. This Elemental DMG cannot be overridden by infusions. Additionally, when in Stormward Charge, if there are Pyro, Hydro, Electro or Cryo characters in the party, Varka’s Elemental Skill Windbound Execution will be converted to the special Elemental Skill, Four Winds’ Ascension, dealing corresponding Elemental DMG and Anemo DMG. Additionally, Varka can also expend uses for the special Elemental Skill Four Winds’ Ascension to perform a special Charged Attack, Azure Devour, that does not consume stamina to deal corresponding Elemental DMG and Anemo DMG. | 3-Hit DMG: 80.15% 148.85% | |
| Hold: After charging for a while, leap forward. The duration of the charge will increase the distance of the leap. | 4-Hit DMG: 136.97% 73.75% | |
| 5-Hit Damage: 172.35% 92.8% | ||
| Charged Attack DMG: 211.61% 113.94% | ||
| Follow-up Skill DMG: 236.81% 127.51% | ||
| Follow-up Charged Attack Bonus DMG: 126.36%×2 68.04%×2 | ||
| Follow-up Skill CD: 11 | ||
| CD: 16s | ||
| Burst | In the name of the mightiest Knight of Boreas, unleash a powerful double slash attack toward the front, dealing 2 instances of Anemo DMG. If there are Pyro, Hydro, Electro or Cryo characters in the party, the first slash will be converted to deal corresponding Elemental DMG according to the priority order of the aforementioned Elemental Types. | 1-Hit DMG: 606.53% |
| 2-Hit DMG: 326.59% | ||
| CD: 15s | ||
| Energy Cost: 60 | ||
| Homebound Wind’s Paean | For every party member from Mondstadt, the Elemental Skill Windbound Execution’s CD is decreased by 5%. This effect does not trigger in Domains, Trounce Domains, or the Spiral Abyss. | – |
| Dawn Wind’s March | When there are Pyro, Hydro, Electro or Cryo characters in the party, every 1,000 points of Varka’s ATK will grant Varka a 10% Anemo DMG Bonus and corresponding Elemental DMG Bonus (among the aforementioned Elemental Types, only one element can gain bonus DMG this way), which can gain up to 25% of bonus DMG this way. | – |
| Additionally, if there are at least 2 Anemo characters, or at least 2 characters of the same Element among Pyro, Hydro, Electro or Cryo in the party, the Normal Attacks, Charged Attacks, Special Charged Attack Azure Devour and the special Elemental Skill Four Winds’ Ascension that Varka deals or unleashes while in Stormward Charge will deal 140% of their original DMG. If there are at least 2 Anemo characters and at least 2 other characters of the same element among Pyro, Hydro, Electro or Cryo present in the party at the same time, the aforementioned effect will be increased to 220%. | ||
| Wind’s Vanguard | When nearby party members trigger Swirl reaction(s), Varka gains one stack of Azure Fang’s Oath, increasing the DMG dealt by his Normal Attacks, Charged Attacks, special Charged Attack Azure Devour and special Elemental Skill Four Winds’ Ascension while in Stormward Charge by 7.5% for 8s. Max 4 stacks. Each character can grant Varka with 1 stack of Azure Fang’s Oath every second this way. | – |
| Witch’s Eve Rite: Dawn’s Return | After completing Witch’s Homework: The Untitled Question, Varka will become a Hexerei character. When the party includes at least 2 Hexerei characters, you will gain the Hexerei: Secret Rite effect, which enhances Hexerei characters. | – |
| Hexerei: Secret Rite: Enhances the special Elemental Skill Four Winds’ Ascension: When Varka hits an enemy with Normal Attack(s) in Stormward Charge, the CD of Four Winds’ Ascension will be reduced by 1s. | – |
Varka Constellations
Here is a complete overview of Varka’s constellations based on the latest leaks:
| Constellations | Description |
|---|---|
| “Come, Friend, Let Us Dance Beneath the Moon’s Soft Glow” | When Varka switches to Stormward Charge, he will obtain an additional use of the special Elemental Skill Four Winds’ Ascension. Additionally, after switching to Stormward Charge, Varka will gain the Lyrical Libation effect: When unleashing the special Elemental Skill Four Winds’ Ascension, or when performing the special Charged Attack Azure Devour, Varka can consume this effect to deal 200% of the original DMG dealt by Four Winds’ Ascension or Azure Devour. |
| “When Dawn Breaks, Our Journey Shall Take Flight” | When unleashing the special Elemental Skill Four Winds’ Ascension, or when performing the special Charged Attack Azure Devour, Varka will perform an additional strike, dealing AoE Anemo DMG equal to 800% of Varka’s ATK. |
| “O Friend, Quaff Not the Bitter Wine That Brings Tears of Woe” | Increases Elemental Skill Windbound Execution Level by 3. |
| “For None May Take From Us Our Freedom of Song” | When Varka triggers a Swirl reaction, based on the Elemental Types involved in the reaction, all nearby party members gain a 20% Anemo DMG Bonus and the corresponding Elemental DMG Bonus for 10s. |
| “Fill High the Cup With Fine Wine, for Tyrants Come and Go” | Increases Elemental Burst Northwind Avatar Level by 3. |
| “Beloved Mondstadt, Steadfast You Shall Shine” | Stormward Charge is enhanced: |
| For a short time after unleashing the special Elemental Skill Four Winds’ Ascension, Tapping on Varka’s Elemental Skill or Holding his Normal Attack will not expend any uses of Four Winds’ Ascension, and perform the special Charged Attack Azure Devour. | |
| After performing the special Charged Attack Azure Devour, tap on Varka’s Elemental Skill to unleash an instance of Four Winds’ Ascension without expending any uses of Four Winds’ Ascension. | |
| Additionally, the Azure Fang’s Oath effect in Passive Talent Wind’s Vanguard is enhanced: Every stack of Azure Fang’s Oath will increase Varka’s CRIT DMG by 15%. |
Varka Signature Weapon
The signature weapon of Varka has also been leaked, and it is named Ballad of the Mighty Wolf. Here is a quick overview of the weapon:
| Type | Details |
|---|---|
| Name | Ballad of the Mighty Wolf |
| Rarity | 5-star |
| Weapon Type | Claymore |
| Base ATK | 608.07 |
| Bonus Crit Rate | 33.08% |
| Skill | Increase ATK SPD by 10%. Gain Four Winds’ Hymn every time the equipping character’s Normal Attack(s) hit enemies: DMG dealt is increased by 6% for 4s. Max 5 stacks. This effect can be triggered once every 0.1s. Additionally, when the party has the “Hexerei: Secret Rite” effect, each stack of Four Winds’ Hymn will increase the CRIT DMG of the equipping character by 6%. |
Varka Overview: Rarity, Weapon, Element & Stat Leaks
Varka stands as a 5-star Claymore user wielding the Anemo element. Leaked base stats place his Level 90 values at 357 HP, 60 Energy Recharge, 27.6% CRIT Rate, and 128 ATK. These figures position him as a main DPS with high burst potential and crowd control via Anemo swirls.
Here is everything you need to know about Columbina’s base stats, rarity, element, and voice actor:
| Type | Details |
|---|---|
| Rarity | 5-Star |
| Weapon Type | Catalyst |
| Element | Hydro |
| Voice Actors | English: Emi Lo Japanese: Lynn |
| Attack | 117.2 |
| Defense | 551.53 |
| HP | 15740 |
| Bonus Stat | 19.2% Crit Rate |
Genshin Impact Varka Materials
Varka’s upgrade materials are expected to include items found in Mondstadt and drops from new enemies tied to Fontaine or Natlan content. Players may need Wolfhook, Calla Lily, or new regional plants, along with a boss drop rumored to originate from an Anemo-related creature. Talent materials are likely tied to the Freedom series from Mondstadt’s domain, while his weekly boss requirement could come from an upcoming Archon Quest or new trounce domain. Preparing these ahead of his release will help speed up leveling once he arrives.
Here are all of Varka’s ascension materials:
| Material | Quantity |
|---|---|
| Vayuda Turquoise Sliver | 1 |
| Vayuda Turquoise Fragment | 9 |
| Vayuda Turquois Chunk | 9 |
| Vayuda Turquoise Gemstone | 6 |
| Wolfhook | 168 |
| Broken Drive Shaft | 18 |
| Reinforced Drive Shaft | 30 |
| Precision Drive Shaft | 36 |
| New Boss Material | 46 |
| Mora | 420,000 |
Here are all of Varka’s talent materials:
| Material | Quantity |
|---|---|
| Broken Drive Shaft | 6 |
| Reinforced Drive Shaft | 22 |
| Precision Drive Shaft | 31 |
| Teachings of Freedom | 3 |
| Guide to Freedom | 21 |
| Philosophies of Freedom | 38 |
| Ascended Sample: Rook | 6 |
| Crown of Insight | 1 |
| Mora | 1,653,000 |
Who Voices Varka in Genshin Impact?
Tomokazu Sugita voices Varka in Genshin Impact’s Japanese version. This renowned voice actor, known for roles like Gintoki Sakata in Gintama and Levi Ackerman in Attack on Titan, brings a commanding presence to the Grand Master of the Knights of Favonius. Chinese voice actor Hao Xianghai also lends his talent to the character. Fans praise the casting choice following Varka’s reveal in the Version 5.6 trailer.
Varka’s voice acting is among the best in Genshin Impact, so no wonder everyone wants to learn about the star behind the massive muscles. Here are Varka’s voice actors in English, Japanese, and Chinese:
- English: Joseph May
- Japanese: Tomokazu Sugita
- Chinese: Hao Xianghai
Best weapons for Varka Anemo claymore DPS
Varka, the 5-star Anemo Claymore DPS in Genshin Impact, excels with weapons that boost CRIT stats, ATK, or Anemo DMG to maximize his Gale Rush Mode and dual-element damage output.
Best Weapons
Signature weapon Ballad of the Mighty Wolf (or similar leaked names like Wolf’s Grimoire) leads as BiS, offering high Base ATK, 33% CRIT Rate, and team-wide buffs that align perfectly with Varka’s frontline hypercarry role.
Wolf’s Gravestone ranks second for its massive ATK boost and Geo synergy adaptability, though it shines most in Anemo teams needing raw power.
Serpent Spine (R5 preferred) delivers strong CRIT Rate and DMG via stacks, making it a top F2P alternative for sustained DPS.
| Weapon | Type/Substat | Why It Fits Varka |
|---|---|---|
| Ballad of the Mighty Wolf | 5★ / CRIT Rate | BiS: Fixes CRIT needs, ATK buffs |
| Wolf’s Gravestone | 5★ / ATK% | High ATK for hypercarry scaling |
| Serpent Spine | 4★ / CRIT Rate | F2P powerhouse with stacking DMG |
| Mavika’s Signature | 5★ / CRIT DMG | Attack scaling for hybrid teams |
| The Unforged | 5★ / ATK% | Strong in specific mono-Anemo comps |
F2P Alternatives
Lower-rarity picks like Prototype Archaic provide reliable Charged Attack DMG, suiting Varka’s skill rotation, while Whiteblind offers flat ATK and DEF-to-DMG conversion for early investment.
Prioritize CRIT or ATK% refinements over pure Anemo DMG for his multi-element kit flexibility.
Compare Ballad of the Mighty Wolf vs Wolf’s Gravestone for Varka
Ballad of the Mighty Wolf outperforms Wolf’s Gravestone as Varka’s best-in-slot weapon due to its tailored CRIT Rate substat and passives that synergize with his Anemo DPS kit and team buffs.
Key Stats Comparison
Both are 5-star Claymores with high Base ATK, but Ballad provides 608 Base ATK and 33.1% CRIT Rate, fixing Varka’s CRIT needs directly.
Wolf’s Gravestone offers 608 Base ATK and 44.1% ATK%, delivering massive team-wide ATK boosts via its Wolfish Tracker passive (up to 40% party ATK for 12s).
Ballad’s Indomitable Chivalry grants ATK SPD, stacking DMG (up to 12% at R1), and extra CRIT DMG with specific effects, ideal for Varka’s Gale Rush Mode.
| Feature | Ballad of the Mighty Wolf | Wolf’s Gravestone |
|---|---|---|
| Base ATK | ||
| Substat | CRIT Rate (33.1%) | ATK% (44.1%) |
| Passive Strength | Stacking DMG + CRIT DMG (R1: 12% DMG, conditional CRIT) | Team ATK +40% (12s) |
| Varka Fit | BiS for personal DPS/CRIT balance | Strong team ATK in Geo/Anemo comps |
Performance for Varka
Ballad excels in hypercarry setups, boosting Varka’s Normal Attack chains and Gale Rush output through speed and CRIT synergy, often yielding 10-15% higher personal DPS.
Gravestone shines in teams with Geo units or raw ATK scalers, leveraging its party buff, but lacks CRIT investment, requiring sands adjustments.
Choose Ballad for solo Varka focus; Gravestone if prioritizing team-wide power in Mondstadt or mixed Anemo teams.
