Genshin Impact Version 7.1, "A Rekviem for the Underworld," went live on September 23, 2026. The update moves the main story deeper into Snezhnaya, adds two new 5-star characters on their own banners, and comes with launch rewards that players collect without spending money. This page covers what the version contains, how the banner phases split up, and which free rewards HoYoverse listed at launch.
What Version 7.1 adds
The Archon Quest follows the crisis in Snezhnaya, where the Tsaritsa's long effort to gather the Gnoses reaches a turning point. The new chapter is split into acts. The final act of this update asks for Adventure Rank 18 and completion of the act before it, so players who keep up with the main quest will reach it without much delay, while anyone further behind should catch up first.
Vesna is a 5-star Anemo Sword character, and Vodyanitsa is a 5-star Hydro Catalyst. Each one has a signature weapon on the weapon banner, Beyond the Chrysalis for Vesna and Hymn of the Maelstrom for Vodyanitsa. The version also brings new 4-star weapons, which matter if you are building a team around the new characters without a full set of 5-star gear.
For the wider game, Genshin Impact rewards is the place to check which other systems the patch touches. This article stays on the story, the banners and the free rewards.
Banner phases
The Genshin Impact Version 7.1 update details from HoYoverse set out the banner schedule. Phase 1 is the window for Vesna and Vodyanitsa. Phase 2 brings back Skirk and Escoffier, both 5-star characters. The exact switch time depends on your server, so the in-game banner screen is the reliable source for the countdown. Third-party calendars sometimes differ by a day, and it is worth checking the official banner page before you commit anything.
If you are deciding where to spend, look at the two phases as separate choices. The first phase is the one that carries the new characters, so a player who wants Vesna or Vodyanitsa needs to plan around that window. The second phase gives a second chance at a different pair, which can make saving some currency a reasonable option for players who are unsure. Limited banners do not guarantee the featured character on any single pull, so a clear plan helps. Write down which character you want, how many pulls you can afford across both phases, and what you will do if the result is different. Only spend what you are comfortable spending, and pull on the banner you want rather than the one that feels urgent.
Free rewards from the launch post
HoYoverse's launch post on X, dated September 12, 2026, says that players can invite two 5-star characters to join their party. The same post lists Intertwined Fate x10, Primogems x1,600, and a reset of the Genesis Crystal first top-up bonus. The post is cut off after the first few items, so the full list lives in the official update details linked in the sources.
Primogems and Intertwined Fate are the two currencies used on character banners, so claiming them early gives you more room to choose later. Check the claim window on the in-game mail and event page before you plan around these rewards.
Free rewards like these change from version to version. Redeem codes are a separate matter: this page does not list them, and codes shared by fan accounts or aggregator sites should be treated with caution. Official codes come from HoYoverse's own channels, and you can read more about checking them in how to redeem game codes safely.
The trailer and the launch post
The Version 7.1 trailer is posted on the official Japanese Genshin Impact channel. It shows the new characters and the Snezhnaya setting, and its title is in Japanese, which is why the embed below uses the original wording. The launch post is embedded after the video, and it is the best place to compare the reward list against the update details page.
Frequently asked questions
When did Genshin Impact Version 7.1 launch?
Version 7.1, A Rekviem for the Underworld, launched on September 23, 2026.
Which characters are in Genshin Impact 7.1 phase 1?
Phase 1 features Vesna, a 5-star Anemo Sword character, and Vodyanitsa, a 5-star Hydro Catalyst.
Which characters return in Genshin Impact 7.1 phase 2?
Phase 2 brings back Skirk and Escoffier. Check the in-game banner screen for the exact switch time on your server.
What free rewards come with Genshin Impact 7.1?
HoYoverse's launch post lists Intertwined Fate x10, Primogems x1,600, a reset of the Genesis Crystal first top-up bonus, and invitations for two 5-star characters.
