The Knight of Boreas Arrives: 6 Fun Facts About Varka After Early Playtesting

1. Unmatched Height and Top-Tier Mobility

Varka’s character model is remarkably tall. During character swaps, it is clear that he stands about a third of a head taller than Wriothesley. This physical stature translates directly into movement speed; testing shows he runs approximately 10% faster than Flins, who was previously one of the fastest tall male characters. Furthermore, his long legs give him a massive advantage in jumping distance, allowing him to cover great distances with a single leap.

2. The First Dual-Claymore Combat Style

Varka’s Normal Attack, named Favonius Bladework: Dancing Radiance, is a unique combat style that imitates an ancient knightly war-dance. He is the first character in the game to dual-wield claymores. While we have seen dual-wielders using swords before, seeing Varka swing two massive greatswords in a consecutive strike sequence provides an unprecedented level of visual impact.

3. Powerful Animation and Sound Details

There is a distinct personality trait hidden in the final strike of his Favonius Bladework: Dancing Radiance sequence. After completing his combo, Varka performs a unique animation where he rubs his knuckles. Attentive players can hear a very distinct "cracking" sound of his finger joints, adding a rugged and battle-hardened feel to his character design.

4. Specialized Plunging Attack Module

Varka does not use a generic plunging attack animation. When he strikes the ground from mid-air, he releases two sharp sword beams upon impact. These beams not only increase his effective area of effect but also showcase the power of his dual-wielding style, setting him apart from all other claymore users currently in the game.

5. Anemo and Elemental Infusion Mechanics

This is the core of Varka’s strategic gameplay. When he Taps his Elemental Skill, Windbound Execution, he enters the Sturm und Drang mode. In this mode, his two greatswords gain different elemental properties that cannot be overridden:

• Left Hand: Deals Anemo DMG .

• Right Hand: Deals corresponding Elemental DMG (Pyro , Hydro , Electro , or Cryo ) based on the priority of your party members.

For example, with Klee in the party, he wields Anemo in his left hand and Pyro in his right. While he can use Cryo infusion to cross water, the cooldown and duration of the Sturm und Drang mode currently prevent permanent ice-bridging.

6. Inheriting the Elemental Skill Restriction

In a detail that feels familiar to many veteran players, Varka cannot perform plunging attacks while in the Sturm und Drang mode. This design choice is consistent with other tall male damage dealers like Tartaglia . This means that while his infusion mode is active, players must focus on his ground-based Normal Attack combos and his powerful special Charged Attack, Azure Devour.