Genshin Impact Version 7.1 "A Rekviem for the Underworld": Vesna, Vodyanitsa and Anniversary Rewards Explained

Genshin Impact's Version 7.1 update, subtitled "A Rekviem for the Underworld," went live on September 23, 2026, bringing two new playable characters, the next chapter of the Snezhnaya storyline, and a full slate of sixth-anniversary rewards. Here is everything HoYoverse has officially confirmed about the update, from the new Archon Quest to how to claim your free Primogems and 5-star selectors.

The patch lands right as Genshin Impact turns six years old on September 28, so the anniversary celebrations and the new story content are arriving together. Below is a breakdown of the release schedule, the new characters Vesna and Vodyanitsa, the anniversary rewards, and the other events and systems changes included in the update.

1. Genshin Impact Version 7.1 Release Date and Maintenance

Version 7.1 update maintenance began on September 23, 2026 at 06:00 (UTC+8) and was scheduled to run for approximately five hours. HoYoverse confirmed two compensation packages tied to the maintenance window:

• Maintenance Compensation: Primogems ×300 (60 Primogems for every hour the servers were down), available to Travelers at Adventure Rank 5 or above as of the maintenance start time.
• Issue Fix Compensation: An additional Primogems ×300, sent separately by in-game mail.

Both rewards are delivered via in-game mail within five hours of maintenance ending, and the mail expires after 30 days, so log in and claim it before it disappears. As with every major update, players update through the launcher on PC, the App Store on iOS, in-game on Android, or through each console's system update menu on PlayStation and Xbox Series X|S.

2. New Playable Characters: Vesna and Vodyanitsa

Version 7.1 adds two new 5-star units, and both are built around the update's new "Stellar Swirl" reaction, an evolution of the Swirl mechanic introduced in earlier Snezhnaya patches.

Vesna, "Snowy Banquet's Sharp Blade"

Vesna is a 5-star Anemo Sword wielder and the youngest Commander in the history of the Druzhna, the Tsaritsa's military order. According to HoYoverse's official patch notes, she is an Anemo damage dealer who enables her party to trigger Stellar Swirl reactions and can deal Stellar Swirl damage herself under the right conditions. In combat, her Elemental Skill and other abilities let her summon Spirit Blades and build up "Sword Essence," which she can later spend with a follow-up skill to command those blades to strike enemies; when they hit near a Stellar Vortex, the attacks count as Stellar Swirl damage. Her Elemental Burst summons another wave of Spirit Blades for area Anemo damage while restoring Sword Essence. As a Vila, Vesna can also take flight while exploring the open world, and a character story unlocks a unique cosmetic appearance for her sword-spirit companion.

Vodyanitsa, "Lingering Siren-Song"

Vodyanitsa is the Prima Donna of Snezhnograd's Korolevskiy Troupe and a 5-star Hydro Catalyst wielder described by HoYoverse as a Water Imp who has parted from her kin. She's built for both healing and support, and fits equally well into Freeze or Stellar Swirl team compositions. Her Elemental Skill transforms her into a Water Imp form that continuously heals the active character, lowers enemy Hydro and Cryo resistance, and boosts the active character's ATK, while also letting her move quickly through water; her song further empowers nearby Stellar Vortices, cutting enemy Anemo resistance and increasing Stellar Swirl damage. Her Elemental Burst deals area Hydro damage. She can remain in her Water Imp form and move freely even outside of water while exploring, and her own character story unlocks a cosmetic for her microphone.

Vesna and Vodyanitsa headline the first phase of Version 7.1's Event Wishes, with Skirk and Escoffier returning for reruns in the second phase.

3. The Archon Quest: A Rekviem for the Underworld

The update's title comes from its new Archon Quest content, which continues Chapter VII of the Snezhnaya storyline with Act III, "White Night, Like a Dream Upon Waking," and Act IV, "A Rekviem for the Underworld." Both require Adventure Rank 18 or higher and completion of the previous Act, and both support Focused Experience Mode. Per HoYoverse's official summary, the crisis in Snezhnaya deepens as the Traveler finally comes face-to-face with the Tsaritsa and learns the true strategy behind her long effort to collect the Gnoses, while Ronova, the Ruler of Death, uses her authority to obstruct Snezhnaya's progress and the arrival of Rhinedottir, the Ruler of Life, adds further uncertainty. Players fight alongside Snezhnaya in a climactic battle against Ronova, who also becomes available as a new Weekly Boss. Completing the new Archon Quest grants Primogems ×620.

A new system also unlocks alongside the story: after finishing Act III, players can visit the Confidential Secretary Chayka at Zapolyarny Palace each week to take on "Secret Tsarist Assignments," earning Furnishings, Furnishing Blueprints, and other rewards for completing enough of them.

4. Genshin Impact's Sixth Anniversary Rewards

Version 7.1 also marks Genshin Impact's sixth anniversary, and HoYoverse has attached a notably generous rewards package to the milestone. Officially confirmed anniversary rewards include:

• Primogems ×1,600, delivered by in-game mail.
• Intertwined Fate ×10.
• A standard 5-star character selector, letting players choose one standard-banner 5-star for free.
• For the first time, a free event-exclusive 5-star character selector: after completing the new Archon Quest, players can choose one event-exclusive 5-star from a special lineup at any point during Version 7.1.

HoYoverse has not published the exact roster of characters included in that event-exclusive selector at the time of writing, so check the official in-game announcement or the official Genshin Impact site once it goes live in your region before making a pick.

5. The Moonchase Festival Returns to Liyue

Version 7.1 brings the Moonchase Festival back to Liyue for the first time in five years. Yilong Wharf has been redecorated for the celebration, but according to HoYoverse, a mystery from the past lurks beneath the festivities that even Zhongli and Zibai haven't solved. The festival introduces three new mini-games themed around Liyue's thaumaturges, with rewards that include a new 4-star Sword. Elsewhere, Snezhnaya hosts a seasonal snowball event alongside a batch of unusual new enemies, and Natlan runs a tournament-prediction event where players forecast the results of 16 competing teams across several days of matches.

6. Silverwing in Pursuit of the Moon and Other Rewards Events

A separate limited-time event, "Silverwing in Pursuit of the Moon," begins shortly after the version launches and lets players earn the event-exclusive 4-star Sword "Silver Light" along with its refinement materials, plus Primogems and Crowns of Insight for completing its quests. As always, check the in-game Event menu for the exact start and end times in your region before it rotates out.

7. Imaginarium Theater and Spiral Abyss Updates

Two new seasons of Imaginarium Theater are scheduled after the 7.1 update: the first arrives October 1 with Hydro, Cryo, and Anemo as the required elements and Neuvillette, Barbara, Citlali, Kaeya, Wanderer, and Prune as Opening Characters, while the second lands November 1 requiring Hydro, Electro, and Geo with Yelan, Aino, Flins, Fischl, Zhongli, and Kachina as Opening Characters. A new Spiral Abyss season is scheduled for October 16, with reworked Floor 11 and Floor 12 Ley Line Disorders built around Anemo, Cryo, and the new Stellar Glimmer reaction. Genius Invokation TCG also picks up two new character cards, Columbina and Illuga, along with several new action cards available from Prince at The Cat's Tail.

8. Livestream Codes for Version 7.1

During the Version 7.1 Special Program broadcast on September 12, HoYoverse handed out three redemption codes worth 300 Primogems combined, alongside Mora, Hero's Wit, and Mystic Enhancement Ore. Livestream codes like these are typically only valid for a short window after the broadcast, so if you didn't redeem them at the time, they have most likely already expired by launch day. Your best bet for new codes going forward is to watch the official @GenshinImpact account on X or the in-game Mail and Event pages, where HoYoverse posts fresh codes throughout each version.

9. Quick Tips Recap

• Log in before the mail expiration window to claim both maintenance and issue-fix compensation (Primogems ×600 total).
• Complete the new Archon Quest Act IV to unlock your free event-exclusive 5-star selector and earn Primogems ×620.
• Don't forget the standard anniversary package: Primogems ×1,600, Intertwined Fate ×10, and a standard 5-star selector.
• Vesna and Vodyanitsa share Phase 1 banners; Skirk and Escoffier return in Phase 2 later in the version.
• Check the in-game Event page for exact regional start times on the Moonchase Festival, Silverwing in Pursuit of the Moon, and the Natlan tournament-prediction event.

10. Official Resources

• Genshin Impact official website
• HoYoverse Version 7.1 press release
• Genshin Impact on X (@GenshinImpact)
• Genshin Impact official YouTube channel

For more live-service breakdowns like this one, see our look at how Roblox structured its own 20th-anniversary event and our rewards-ladder breakdown for NBA 2K27's Season 1. If turn-based and tactical RPGs are more your speed, our Forest Knight walkthrough and tips guide is a good next stop, and you can always browse the full game walkthrough archive for more.