The tide shifts once more, and the soundwaves of the 2nd Anniversary crash upon us.

The most talked-about name in Wuthering Waves Version 3.3 is undoubtedly Hiyuki — the 5-star Ice-type Rapid Blade character set to release on April 30. As the absolute core of the first-half banner, she is not only the most anticipated Ice-type main DPS lately; her unique Glacio Chafe/Bite mechanic and dual-form combat module have also given this veteran Wanderer a brand-new perspective on Ice teams.

Hiyuki’s combat aesthetic hits just right. Her design avoids overcomplicating control inputs, focusing instead on the Foresight / Futures’ Tithe form triggered by Resonance Liberation. Once activated, her dual blades crystallize into ice, and her moveset shifts to wide, sweeping strikes. The crisp sound of shattering frost, full-screen Ice AOE, and fluid animations deliver exceptionally solid tactile feedback. If you’ve mainly played light, agile melee characters before, Hiyuki’s blend of sharp speed and heavy impact will feel refreshingly new.

In terms of strength and team-building, I’d call her the final piece for Ice teams. Current details show her skills not only boost Ice damage dealt by teammates to enemies with Frost Accrual by 20% directly, but her own high burst damage firmly cements her role as main DPS. This means she is not a disposable buffer swapped out after use, but a core unit that leads the team and enables cross-buff synergy. For players who have invested in Zhezhi or plan to pull legacy characters, Hiyuki is the key to unlocking the entire Condensation system. For gacha advice: unless you are a purely casual hoarder, Hiyuki at 0 Resonance Link is worth pulling — the team synergy she unlocks far outweighs her solo power.

When it comes to gacha planning, Daily/Monthly Pass holders will have an easier time securing 0+1 (0 Resonance Link + 1 Signature Weapon) with advance resource preparation. If you worry about bad luck or want insurance for the signature weapon, you can stock up on Resonite via COCODP — it delivers funds quickly, eliminating waiting early in the banner period so you can play with her right away.

If you’ve decided to pull for her, start prepping now. Her best-in-slot Echo set is the new Wishes of Quiet Snowfall added in 3.3, so farming it nonstop is a no-brainer. A spare weapon can work as a temporary substitute, but the signature weapon Frostburn’s Critical Rate stat and Ice damage effect are a genuine power spike for a mechanic-driven burst unit like Hiyuki. The Monthly Pass weapon is a budget-friendly alternative; it works smoothly if you skip the weapon banner. In these final days, explore the new Dimmr Plains and farm Exoswarm Core materials — preparation always pays off.

All in all, Hiyuki is not a unit built purely on inflated numbers. In my view, Kuro gave her dual forms to grant players greater control freedom over their damage rotation. If you lack a flagship Ice damage dealer to lead your team, the first-phase first-half banner opening on April 30 is well worth spending your saved Resonite on. If resources are tight and you don’t want to miss the high-value First Purchase Reset, I remind you again to check COCODP — it’s a straightforward backup resource channel with no tedious barriers.

The version is nearly here. May your pulls be lucky enough to get this frost-forged blade maiden in your first ten-pull. If you’re still undecided about team compositions, feel free to chat more anytime.