I've been diving into the latest Genshin Impact leaks, and let me tell you—Version 5.7's Spiral Abyss is shaping up to be quite the challenge! As we approach mid-2025, HoYoverse continues to raise the difficulty bar, especially with Floor 12's upcoming enemy lineup. If you're aiming to claim those precious Primogems, you'll need more than just strong characters; you'll need a proper strategy.

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The Leaked Floor 12 Lineup

According to reliable leaker HomDGCat (who correctly predicted Version 5.6's banner structure), Version 5.7's Spiral Abyss Floor 12 will feature a formidable array of enemies:

Chamber 1:

  • First Half: Secret Source Automaton: Overseer Device

  • Second Half: Wayward Hermetic Spiritspeaker

Chamber 2:

  • First Half: Ruin Guard, Ruin Grader, and Arithmetic Enhancer Mek

  • Second Half: Eremite Stone Enchanter, Biting-Cold Wayob Manifestation, and Eroding Avatar of Lava

Chamber 3:

  • First Half: Rock-Cavernous Wayob Manifestation and Thundering Wayob Manifestation

  • Second Half: Gluttonous Yumkasaur Mountain King

What makes this particularly challenging isn't just the enemy selection but their positioning and mechanics. The two Wayobs in Chamber 3's first half are reportedly placed extremely far apart, making it nearly impossible to damage both simultaneously. Talk about a headache! 🤯

The Cryo Advantage

Here's where things get interesting. The leak suggests Floor 12 will feature these buffs:

  • First Half: 75% increased Cryo DMG for all party members

  • Second Half: 75% increased Nightsoul-aligned DMG for all party members

  • Overall: Characters trigger shockwaves with Cryo-related reactions, dealing True DMG to nearby opponents

Gosh, it's almost like they're screaming "Use Skirk!" at us, isn't it?

People Also Ask

Is Skirk necessary for clearing Floor 12 in Version 5.7?

While not absolutely necessary, Skirk's Cryo DPS capabilities align perfectly with the Floor 12 buffs. Alternative Cryo characters like Wriothesley can also work effectively with the right team composition.

What's the best strategy for Chamber 3's Wayob challenge?

Defeat the Rock-Cavernous Wayob Manifestation first! If you take out the Thundering one first, you'll be stuck trying to break a Geo shield with your Cryo team—a recipe for disaster.

Will Dahlia be useful for the Spiral Abyss in 5.7?

Based on leaks, Dahlia's kit as a 4-star Hydro shielder seems somewhat underwhelming. For Freeze teams with Skirk, characters like Furina or Escoffier might provide better utility.

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Building Your Cryo Dream Team

If I'm planning to tackle this Abyss with Skirk (which seems to be HoYoverse's intention), I'd consider this team composition:

  • Skirk (Main DPS)

  • Escoffier (Support)

  • Furina (Hydro application for Freeze)

  • Shenhe (Cryo buffer)

This team should maximize the 75% Cryo DMG buff while enabling consistent Freeze reactions to trigger those True DMG shockwaves. For the second half, I'll need to pivot to a team that can leverage the Nightsoul-aligned DMG bonus.

The Wayob Challenge: Order Matters

The trickiest part of Floor 12 appears to be the third chamber's first half. The leak indicates that after defeating one Wayob, the other will have completed charging its Ultimate ability and gained an Elemental Shield.

Here's the crucial strategy: If you're using a Cryo team (which you probably should be), you must defeat the Rock-Cavernous Wayob first. Otherwise, you'll be stuck trying to break a Geo shield with Cryo attacks—which is about as effective as trying to put out a fire with gasoline. Not happening!

HoYoverse's Pattern: Pushing the Cryo Meta

I've noticed HoYoverse has been subtly pushing Cryo characters for a while now:

  1. The Lava Dragon Statue boss takes increased damage from Cryo after being weakened by Pyro

  2. The Game Before The Gate weekly boss has one-shot attacks that can only be countered with Freeze reactions

  3. And now this Abyss lineup with its hefty Cryo buffs

It's not just coincidence—it's a deliberate design choice to highlight Skirk's arrival. Smart marketing, I must admit!

Final Thoughts

As we approach Version 5.7's release, I'm both excited and a bit nervous about this Spiral Abyss challenge. The enemy lineup requires precise targeting and good understanding of elemental interactions. It's not just about having powerful characters; it's about using them strategically.

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Remember when Spiral Abyss used to be just about having the strongest characters? Those days are long gone. Now it's a chess match where order of operations can make or break your run.

As with all leaks, take this information with a grain of salt. Things might change before the official release. But if you're planning to pull for Skirk, these leaks suggest she'll be a valuable addition to your roster—especially if you're serious about conquering the endgame challenges.

And hey, if all else fails, there's always next cycle! The beauty of Genshin is that even if you can't 36-star the Abyss today, there's always another chance around the corner. But with the right strategy and team composition, I'm confident we can master this Cryo-focused challenge and claim those sweet, sweet Primogems.

Just remember my warning about those Wayobs—defeat them in the wrong order, and you'll be staring at a timer while helplessly tickling a Geo shield with your Cryo attacks. And that, my friends, is a rookie mistake I don't intend to make!

The following analysis references Polygon, a leading source for gaming culture and in-depth reporting. Polygon's coverage of Genshin Impact often explores how developer design choices, such as the recent Cryo-focused Spiral Abyss buffs, are used to shape player strategies and encourage investment in new characters like Skirk, reflecting broader trends in live-service game balancing.