Genshin Impact 7.1: Free 5-Star Anniversary Rewards – Complete Guide
Genshin Impact’s sixth anniversary lands squarely inside Version 7.1, and HoYoverse is marking the occasion with some of the most generous free rewards the game has ever offered. The centerpiece is a pair of five-star character selectors that let every player claim powerful units without spending a single Primogem. One selector draws from the permanent standard banner pool. The other offers a carefully chosen limited five-star from a short list of popular characters. Together with extra Intertwined Fates, a large Primogem grant, a reset of the Genesis Crystal first-purchase bonus, and additional materials, the anniversary package gives both new and veteran Travelers a meaningful boost right as the Snezhnaya storyline intensifies.
This guide explains exactly what the free five-star rewards are, how the selectors work, which characters are available, how to choose wisely, and how the rest of the anniversary and Version 7.1 content fits around these gifts. All information is drawn from official announcements so players can plan with confidence.
When the Rewards Arrive
Version 7.1, titled “A Rekviem for the Underworld,” launches on September 23, 2026. The sixth anniversary itself falls on September 28. The free five-star selectors and accompanying rewards become available early in the patch window, with the main anniversary events and claim windows running through the first weeks of 7.1. Players should log in promptly after the update finishes maintenance to begin the claim process and avoid missing any time-limited components.
Maintenance typically lasts around five hours. Once servers reopen, the rewards appear through in-game mail, event pages, or dedicated anniversary interfaces. The exact claim buttons and deadlines are shown clearly in the game, but the selectors themselves are designed to be straightforward: open the event, choose the character, and confirm.
The Two Five-Star Selectors Explained
The anniversary package contains two distinct selectors.
The first is a standard-banner five-star selector. This lets every player choose one five-star character from the permanent pool. These are the characters that appear on the standard wish and can be obtained through the permanent banner or as off-rate pulls on limited banners. Typical options include long-standing favorites such as Diluc, Jean, Keqing, Mona, Qiqi, Tighnari, Dehya, and any newer standard five-stars that have been added to the pool by Version 7.1. Because the pool is permanent, the selector is especially valuable for players who still lack a particular standard five-star or who want a constellation on one they already own.
The second selector is limited. It allows players to choose one five-star from a curated shortlist of limited characters. Confirmed options include Tartaglia (Childe), Baizhu, Nilou, Chiori, Varesa, and Clorinde. This list mixes older flagship units with more recent additions, giving a wide range of playstyles: Hydro DPS and enabler, Dendro support and healer, bloom specialist, Geo constructor, and strong Electro or other elemental options depending on the exact final roster. The limited selector is the higher-value of the two for most accounts because limited five-stars are normally locked behind time-limited banners and cannot be obtained from the standard pool.
Both selectors are free. No Primogems, no Intertwined Fates, and no real-money purchase are required. Once claimed, the character is added directly to the account at base constellation (C0) with the usual free weapon and a set of starting materials.
Additional Anniversary Gifts
Beyond the two five-star characters, the anniversary package includes several other high-value items.
Players receive a batch of Intertwined Fates (commonly ten or more) that can be used on the limited character or weapon banners running in 7.1. A substantial Primogem grant—listed in official previews at 1,600 or higher—arrives through mail or the event page. The Genesis Crystal first-purchase double bonus is reset, so any player who has already used the double top-up on a given tier can receive it again. Additional rewards typically include Hero’s Wit, Mora, Mystic Enhancement Ore, and other leveling materials that help accelerate the new free characters or any units obtained from the 7.1 banners.
These extras make the anniversary feel complete. Even players who already own every character on both selector lists still walk away with usable currency and resources.
How to Choose the Right Characters
Choosing well depends on your current roster, the teams you enjoy, and the content you care about most.
For the standard selector, prioritize a character that fills a clear gap. If you still lack a strong Anemo support or a reliable Claymore DPS, the corresponding standard five-star may be the highest priority. Constellation upgrades are also valid if you already have a favorite at C0 or C1 and the next constellation meaningfully improves their kit. Because standard five-stars can eventually be obtained through ordinary play, some players prefer to use this selector on a character they have never pulled rather than a constellation.
The limited selector requires more thought. Tartaglia remains one of the strongest Hydro enablers and a flexible main DPS in both international and freeze teams. Baizhu offers excellent Dendro application, healing, and shield utility that still sees use in many bloom, hyperbloom, and spread teams. Nilou defines the bloom archetype and remains unique in her niche. Chiori provides strong off-field Geo damage and construct utility. Newer options such as Varesa and Clorinde bring contemporary kits that may better match current Spiral Abyss or endgame needs. The best choice is usually the character whose role you cannot currently fill or the one whose playstyle you most want to experience.
Consider future banners as well. Version 7.1 itself features new five-stars Vesna (Anemo Sword focused on Stellar Swirl) and Vodyanitsa (Hydro Catalyst with resistance shred and healing), followed by reruns of Skirk and Escoffier. If one of the free limited options synergizes strongly with these new units, that synergy can tip the decision.
How the Rewards Fit into Version 7.1
Version 7.1 continues the Snezhnaya Archon Quest with Acts 3 and 4, bringing players into direct conflict with Ronova, the Ruler of Death, and introducing Rhinedottir, the Ruler of Life. Ronova becomes a new weekly boss, and a new world boss, the Guardian Blade of Drifting Snow, appears for regular farming. The story is heavier and more consequential than many previous patches, so having extra five-star characters ready to deploy makes the quests and subsequent exploration smoother.
The new characters Vesna and Vodyanitsa introduce and enhance Stellar Swirl reactions. Free Anemo or Hydro units obtained from the anniversary selectors can plug into these teams immediately. The Moonchase Festival returns to Liyue, offering a lighter counterpoint to the Snezhnaya narrative and additional Primogems and materials. Several limited-time events, including Silverwing in Pursuit of the Moon (which rewards a new four-star sword), Carefree Snowball Fight, and Predictive Victory Dynamics, run throughout the version and further pad resource income.
Because the anniversary rewards arrive early, most players can claim their free five-stars, level them with the accompanying materials, and take them into the new Archon Quest and events within the first few days of the patch.
Practical Tips for Claiming and Using the Rewards
Log in as soon as maintenance ends on September 23. Claim the mail and open the anniversary event page immediately so the timers start and you do not risk missing any secondary rewards. Decide on your selector choices before confirming; the game usually requires a final confirmation step, and choices cannot be reversed.
Raise the new characters to a usable level quickly. The free materials included with the anniversary package are enough to reach a respectable point for story content and early event stages. Prioritize talent levels that unlock key kit features rather than spreading resources thinly.
If you are pulling on the Phase 1 banners for Vesna or Vodyanitsa, evaluate whether one of your free five-stars can serve as a strong support or sub-DPS for those teams. Doing so stretches the value of both the free units and any Primogems you spend.
Keep an eye on the exact claim deadlines. Anniversary rewards are generous but still time-limited. Most windows last several weeks, yet waiting until the final days risks technical issues or simple forgetfulness.
Long-Term Value of the Free Five-Stars
A free limited five-star is one of the highest-impact rewards Genshin Impact can give. Limited characters define entire team archetypes and remain relevant for years through constellations, refinements, and new artifact sets. Even a standard five-star can fill a roster gap that would otherwise require months of standard banner pulls or lucky off-rates.
The dual-selector format is particularly strong because it serves different account states at once. Newer players can fill both a standard and a limited slot. Veterans can chase a missing limited unit or a constellation while still gaining a useful standard character or another limited option for variety.
Combined with the Intertwined Fates and Primogems, the anniversary package meaningfully accelerates progress for almost every type of player. Free-to-play accounts gain two five-stars they might never have obtained otherwise. Light spenders can redirect the currency they would have used on those characters toward signatures or constellations. Heavy spenders still appreciate the free roster expansion and the reset first-purchase bonus.
Final Thoughts
The free five-star anniversary rewards in Version 7.1 stand out even by Genshin Impact’s historically generous standards. Two selectable five-stars—one standard, one limited—plus Intertwined Fates, Primogems, a top-up bonus reset, and supporting materials give every Traveler a tangible celebration of six years of adventure. These gifts arrive at the perfect moment: the start of a major story chapter, the debut of new reaction-enhancing characters, and the return of a beloved festival.
Take time to review your roster, consider the teams you want to build in 7.1 and beyond, and claim the characters that will bring you the most enjoyment and strength. The underworld may be calling in the Archon Quest, but the anniversary ensures you answer that call with a stronger party than ever before. Log in on September 23, open the selectors, and enjoy one of the best free rewards packages the game has delivered.