After years of teases and hype, the Grand Master of the Knights of Favonius, Varka, is finally playable in Genshin Impact's Version 6.4. Fresh leaks from the beta's first week reveal a unique 5-star Anemo Claymore hypercarry with a revolutionary dual greatsword mechanic. This on-field DPS blends high-speed Normal and Charged Attacks with mixed elemental damage, team composition buffs, and Swirl synergies, potentially shaking up the meta - especially in mono or dual-element teams.
Varka wields twin claymores in a knightly war-dance style, with his left sword always dealing Anemo damage and the right copying a Pyro, Hydro, Electro, or Cryo element from his party (priority-based, non-overridable by infusions). He thrives on ATK scaling, constellation investment, and setups like 2 Anemo + 2 matching PHEC (Pyro/Hydro/Electro/Cryo) characters for massive damage multipliers. Early numbers suggest high potential, but expect tweaks before release.
Normal Attack: Favonius Bladework - Dancing Radiance
Varka performs up to 5 consecutive dual-blade strikes. His Charged Attack dashes forward for a powerful slash (50 stamina), and Plunging Attacks deal AoE on impact. In Gale Rush Mode (detailed below), Normal/Charged Attacks gain boosted damage and deal dual-element hits.
Elemental Skill: Plunging Gale's End (or Windbound Execution)
Tap: Leaps forward with AoE Anemo DMG, entering 12-second Gale Rush Mode (NA DMG up, no Plunges). Unlocks Four Winds Arise (2 charges, AoE Anemo + copied element DMG; Normal hits reduce CD by 0.5s, max 15 triggers). Consume a charge for Azure Devour (stamina-free multi-hit Charged Attack: Anemo + element).
Hold: Charges for longer leap.
CD: 16s (Skill) / 11s (Four Winds). In beta, Normal Attacks in mode fuel endless spam potential.
Elemental Burst: I Am the Northwind (or Northwind Avatar)
Two massive slashes dealing Anemo DMG; first hit converts to party PHEC element (if present). Low 60 Energy Cost and 15s CD make it a reliable nuke to weave into rotations.
Passives and Ascension Talent
Varka's kit rewards specific teams:
| Passive | Effect |
|---|---|
| Dawn Wind's March (A1) | 10% Anemo + PHEC DMG Bonus per 1,000 ATK (max 25%). +140% DMG to attacks/skills if 2 Anemo OR 2 same PHEC; +220% if both. |
| Wind's Vanguard (A4) | Swirl nearby grants Azure Fang's Oath (+7.5% personal DMG x4 stacks, 8s). |
| Wind Homebound Paean | -5% Skill CD per Mondstadt teammate (overworld only). |
| Witch's Eve Rite: Dawn's Return | Becomes Hexerei post-quest. 2+ Hexerei: Normal hits reduce Four Winds CD by 1s. |
Ascension Stat: CRIT DMG.
Constellations
Constellation-hungry, with C2/C6 offering huge leaps:
| Constellation | Effect |
|---|---|
| C1: "Come, friend..." | +1 Four Winds use on mode entry; consume for 200% DMG amp. |
| C2: "When dawn breaks..." | Four Winds/Azure triggers 800% ATK AoE Anemo. |
| C3 | +3 Skill Lv. (max 15). |
| C4: "When no one..." | Swirl grants team 20% Anemo + reacted elem DMG Bonus (10s). |
| C5 | +3 Burst Lv. (max 15). |
| C6: "My beloved Mondstadt..." | Post-Four Winds: Tap Skill/Hold NA for free Azure; post-Azure: Tap for free Four Winds. Oath stacks +15% CRIT DMG each. |
Signature Weapon: Ballad of the Mighty Wolf (Wolf's Grimoire)
5-star Claymore perfect for his NA focus:
- Base ATK: 608
- Substat: 33.1% CRIT Rate
- Passive (Indomitable Chivalry): +10% ATK SPD. NA hits stack Four Winds' Hymn (+6% DMG x5, 4s, triggers every 0.1s). +6% CRIT DMG per stack with Hexerei Rite.
Best Teams and Playstyle
Rotation: Burst > Tap Skill (enter Gale Rush) > NA/CA spam > Four Winds/Azure Devour > repeat (CDs managed by hits).
Premium Team: Varka (Hypercarry) + Venti/Faruzan (Anemo buffs/groups) + Durin (Pyro Hexerei) + Bennett (Heal/Pyro/ATK).
F2P Alternatives: Swap Faruzan for Sucrose; Bennett/Xiangling for Pyro; Furina/Mona for Hydro/Electro.
Build: 4pc Rising Winds (Anemo shred). ATK sands/goblet (multi-elem), CRIT DMG circlet. High ER funnel for 60-cost Burst.
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