Genshin Impact 7.1: Everything New Coming September 23
Version 7.1 of Genshin Impact, titled “A Rekviem for the Underworld,” arrives on September 23, 2026. This update continues the major Snezhnaya storyline that began in 7.0, introduces two brand-new five-star characters, expands the Archon Quest, adds a new weekly boss, returns players to Liyue for the Moonchase Festival, and coincides with the game’s sixth anniversary. The result is one of the densest content drops of the year, mixing high-stakes narrative, fresh combat options, exploration incentives, and generous free rewards.
This overview covers the confirmed new characters, story developments, banners, events, bosses, weapons, anniversary gifts, and practical advice for preparing your account. All details come from official announcements and the Version 7.1 Special Program so players can plan their Primogems, Resin, and team-building with confidence.
Release Timing Across Servers
Maintenance for Version 7.1 begins at different local times but resolves to the same global moment. On the Asia server the update starts at 06:00 on September 23. America and Europe players see the maintenance window open on the evening of September 22. Typical downtime lasts approximately five hours, after which the new version goes live. Pre-download usually becomes available a few days earlier, so players with limited bandwidth can finish the large file transfer ahead of time.
The sixth anniversary falls on September 28, only five days into the patch, which is why HoYoverse packed substantial free rewards into the early weeks of 7.1.
New Playable Characters: Vesna and Vodyanitsa
Two new five-star characters headline the update and form the Phase 1 banners.
Vesna is a five-star Anemo Sword user and the youngest Commander in Druzhna history. She is known for unwavering loyalty to the Tsaritsa. In combat she functions as a main DPS who specializes in Stellar Swirl reactions. While she is on the field or in the party she can convert Cryo Swirl reactions triggered by any teammate into Stellar Swirl, and she increases the damage of those Stellar Swirl reactions. Her kit emphasizes enhanced Elemental Skill damage and sustained Anemo application, making her a strong hyper-carry option for teams that already lean into Swirl or want to experiment with the new reaction enhancement.
Vodyanitsa is a five-star Hydro Catalyst user and the prima donna of the Royal Theatre. She brings a more supportive kit that includes a summon capable of lowering enemy resistance and restoring HP to the team. Her presence strengthens Hydro-related reactions and provides both offensive utility and sustain, pairing naturally with Vesna’s Stellar Swirl focus or with existing Hydro and Anemo cores.
Both characters arrive with signature weapons. Beyond the Chrysalis is Vesna’s five-star Sword, and Hymn of the Maelstrom is Vodyanitsa’s five-star Catalyst. These weapons are tuned to amplify the specific strengths of each character’s kit and will appear on the accompanying weapon banner.
Banner Schedule
Phase 1 runs from the launch of 7.1 on September 23 through October 13 and features Vesna and Vodyanitsa on the character event wish. The corresponding weapon banner carries their signatures.
Phase 2 begins on October 13 and runs until early November. It brings reruns of Skirk (five-star Cryo Sword) and Escoffier. Players who missed these characters earlier in the Snezhnaya arc or who want constellations will have a clear window to pull.
As usual, the standard banner and Epitome Invocation continue alongside the event wishes. The exact four-star rate-ups for each phase are confirmed closer to launch, but the five-star lineup is locked in.
Story and Archon Quest Progress
Version 7.1 advances the Snezhnaya storyline significantly. The situation in the nation grows more dire as plans form to stand against the Heavenly Principles. The growing threat of Ronova, the Ruler of Death, sets the stage for a major confrontation. Rhinedottir, the Ruler of Life, also arrives and adds further uncertainty to the political and cosmic balance.
Players fight alongside Snezhnaya forces in a climactic battle against Ronova. The Archon Quest continues with Chapter 7 Act 3 (“As a White Night’s Dream Awakens”) and Act 4 (“A Rekviem for the Underworld”). These acts bring Dainsleif into closer contact with the Ruler of Death and deepen the lore surrounding the Heavenly Principles, the Tsaritsa’s goals, and the fate of Teyvat.
Ronova herself becomes a new Weekly Boss, giving players repeated opportunities to face her overwhelming power and farm the materials needed for the new characters and future builds. A new world boss, the Guardian Blade of Drifting Snow, also appears for regular farming.
Events and Limited-Time Content
Several events run throughout the version. Silverwing in Pursuit of the Moon focuses on exploration and combat challenges and rewards a new four-star sword called Silver Light, making it especially valuable for free-to-play and low-spending players looking to expand their weapon inventory. Carefree Snowball Fight offers a lighter, more playful activity. Predictive Victory Dynamics and a return of Overflowing Favor provide additional Primogems, materials, and weapons.
The long-awaited Moonchase Festival returns to Liyue, giving players a nostalgic celebration filled with food, minigames, and story moments that contrast with the heavier Snezhnaya narrative. These events are staggered across the six-week patch so there is always something active to complete.
Sixth Anniversary Rewards
Because 7.1 overlaps with Genshin Impact’s sixth anniversary, the free rewards are among the most generous the game has offered. Players receive a selector that lets them choose one five-star character from the standard pool. A second selector offers one limited five-star from a curated list that includes Tartaglia, Baizhu, Nilou, Chiori, Varesa, and Clorinde. Additional anniversary gifts include Intertwined Fates, a large amount of Primogems, a reset of the Genesis Crystal first top-up bonus, and further materials announced closer to the anniversary date itself.
These selectors are account-wide and do not require spending, making them a major boost for both new and veteran players. Planning which characters to claim based on your current roster and future team goals is one of the highest-value decisions of the patch.
Combat and System Changes
The introduction of Stellar Swirl as an enhanced reaction type opens new team-building possibilities. Characters and weapons that interact with Swirl, Anemo, or Cryo gain fresh relevance. Players who already invested in Kazuha, Sucrose, or other Swirl supports will find new ways to amplify damage once Vesna is available.
The new weekly and world bosses expand the weekly boss rotation and the open-world farming loop. Resin planning becomes more important in the first weeks as players balance Archon Quest progress, character ascension, talent books, and boss materials.
Quality-of-life improvements and balance adjustments typical of a major version are expected, though the exact list is finalized at launch. The focus remains on delivering the story, characters, and anniversary content cleanly.
Preparation Advice for Players
Save Primogems if you want both new characters or their constellations and signatures. The anniversary selectors reduce pressure on the standard banner and give free limited options, so many players can afford to be selective with their pulls.
Clear Resin and stockpile talent books, weapon materials, and character ascension items in the final days of 7.0. The new bosses will have their own material requirements, and early access to fully built Vesna or Vodyanitsa will make the story content and Spiral Abyss easier.
Review your current Anemo and Hydro teams. Even if you do not pull the new characters immediately, understanding how Stellar Swirl interacts with existing kits will help you evaluate their value when the banners open.
Complete any remaining 7.0 exploration and quests before the update so you can dive straight into the new Archon Quest acts and events without backlog.
Looking Ahead
Version 7.1 sits at a pivotal point in the Snezhnaya arc. The confrontation with Ronova, the arrival of Rhinedottir, and the continued development of the Tsaritsa’s plans push the overarching narrative closer to its climax. At the same time the sixth anniversary rewards and the return of popular festival content give the patch a celebratory feel.
Whether you are most excited for the new characters, the story revelations, the free five-star selectors, or simply returning to Liyue for Moonchase, September 23 delivers a full slate of content. Log in after maintenance, claim the anniversary gifts, experience the new Archon Quest, and decide how the new Stellar Swirl reaction will reshape your teams. The underworld is calling, and Teyvat’s next chapter begins.