The Genshin Impact community is buzzing with speculation following recent leaks about Nicole, the enigmatic Hexenzirkel mage, who may debut as a game-changing 5-star support character. Described as a shielded version of the beloved 4-star Bennett, Nicole could shake up team compositions and meta strategies.

The Leak Details

Leaks from sources such as Tieba user 剑风九重天 and Full Stop Chan suggest Nicole is a Pyro catalyst wielder. Her base kit provides ATK buffs to party members, while her signature weapon adds DMG bonuses, potentially requiring it or constellations for full optimization. She is positioned as a shielder and support, forming a double-Pyro core with Durin for upcoming characters like Varka.

The information first surfaced on platforms like Reddit's r/Genshin_Impact_Leaks and quickly spread to X and YouTube. Screenshots and discussions highlight her speculated Pyro element, inferred from a vision-like object on her design, despite early renders showing blue tones.

Kit Breakdown and Comparisons

  • Element and Weapon: Pyro Catalyst
  • Rarity: 5-Star
  • Abilities: ATK buffs, shields, off-field damage; less flexible than Bennett
  • Release: Expected in Version Luna VII (May 2026)

Compared to Bennett, Nicole offers similar support utility but trades healing for shields, potentially making her a direct competitor or replacement in shield-focused teams. Insiders note she could provide Klee-level off-field damage with stronger scaling at higher constellations.

Community Reaction

Players are divided. Some hail Nicole as a fresh take on support roles, with comments like "Finally, a 5-star Bennett upgrade with shields!" Others express concerns over power creep, stating "Bennett has been meta for years; replacing him feels like forced obsolescence." Discussions on TikTok and YouTube speculate on her synergies with existing Pyro DPS units.

"If Nicole buffs like Bennett but adds shields, she's an instant pull for my teams." - X user @TeyvatTraveler

Leak Reliability

These details stem from leakers with mixed track records. Tieba sources have been hit-or-miss, while Full Stop Chan is more reliable for roadmaps. HoYoverse has not commented, and all info is subject to change. Past leaks for characters like Sandrone and Linnea have evolved before release.

As with all leaks, travelers should approach with caution. Nicole's importance in the lore suggests a premium 5-star treatment, but final abilities may differ.