Genshin Impact Version 7.2 "Hour of Ruin": Release Date, Mitya, Valeriy and Everything New Explained
HoYoverse has confirmed Genshin Impact Version 7.2, "Hour of Ruin," arrives November 4 with a nation-uniting Archon Quest, a new eastern Snezhnaya region, and two new playable characters: Mitya and Valeriy. Here's everything officially announced so far, including the Version 7.2 banner order and livestream redemption codes.
HoYoverse has officially confirmed Genshin Impact Version 7.2, "Hour of Ruin," will launch on November 4. The update was announced through a global press release and a Special Program livestream on October 23, and it centers on a historic, nation-wide response to Teyvat's spreading "Holy Soil" crisis, a new slice of eastern Snezhnaya to explore, and two new playable characters, Mitya and Valeriy.
Below is everything HoYoverse has confirmed so far about the story, the new region, both new characters, the banner order, and the redemption codes handed out during the livestream — all sourced directly from the official announcement and trailer.
1. What Is Genshin Impact Version 7.2 "Hour of Ruin"?
According to HoYoverse's October 23 press release, Version 7.2 picks up as the Nails of Retribution awaken across Teyvat and threaten civilization itself. Mysterious pillars of light begin appearing across the world, triggering what HoYoverse calls the "Holy Soil" phenomenon and plunging every nation into crisis. In response, the Tsaritsa calls a historic gathering in Snezhnaya, summoning representatives from all seven nations to coordinate containment efforts.
The update follows Version 7.1's "A Rekviem for the Underworld" storyline, and continues Snezhnaya's role as the game's seventh and current nation, which opened for exploration starting in Version 7.0.
2. The Archon Quest: Teyvat's Nations Unite
The Version 7.2 Archon Quest has players joining forces with the Archons, Neuvillette, and allies from across Teyvat to confront the Holy Soil crisis alongside the Tsaritsa's gathered delegation. It's described by HoYoverse as a collective effort between all seven nations to avert a looming catastrophe, rather than a single-region story beat — a shift in scale from the more contained nations and Archons of Teyvat have usually dealt with individually.
Completing the Archon Quest within its designated window rewards 560 Primogems and Character Ascension Materials for Mitya. HoYoverse also confirmed a set of side missions called Secret Tsarist Assignments that hand out additional rewards, including a Snezhnaya-themed Wind Glider.
3. Eastern Snezhnaya: Novokitezhgrad, Wingspan Peak and Old Kitezhgrad
Version 7.2 opens a new region in eastern Snezhnaya. Players will be able to board a railway to Novokitezhgrad, described by HoYoverse as Snezhnaya's main producer of Kresnik Kristall. The city is built entirely underground and encased in the mineral, standing in contrast to the snow-covered surface world above it.
Traveling further east through biting wind and snow leads to Wingspan Peak, a landmark HoYoverse says "unfurls like a gigantic wing." At its base sits Old Kitezhgrad, described as Snezhnaya's first city, founded by the Belyi Tsar.
Beyond exploration, the region ties directly into the version's crisis: players help Snezhnaya confront the Holy Soil phenomenon, which the press release attributes to a figure called Ronova, using new "Prime Ice Constructs" and a pair of elemental shotguns to neutralize contaminated Kresnik Kristall deposits. New Meeting Point quests follow two characters on separate threads that eventually intersect — Danica, on a clandestine cleanup assignment for the Tsaritsa in Novokitezhgrad, and Mitya, investigating contaminated soil near Teplo Oasis. HoYoverse also confirmed a colossal creature from the ocean depths will challenge players in Novokitezhgrad.
4. Meet Mitya: A New 5-Star Electro Catalyst
Mitya, introduced by HoYoverse as "an optimistic scientist with the courage to defy the Heavenly Principles," joins the playable roster as a 5-star Electro Catalyst user. His kit revolves around converting his team's Superconduct reactions into a new variant called Stellar-Conduct, boosting the whole party's Stellar-Conduct damage while he accumulates energy from the conversions.
Pressing his Elemental Skill releases that stored energy as periodic Stellar-Conduct damage to nearby enemies, while holding the skill instead spends it to unleash a flurry of enhanced Charged Attacks, letting him move between off-field support and on-field damage roles. His Elemental Burst deals area-of-effect Electro damage and generates more special energy, which HoYoverse says helps sustain his rotation through longer fights. Outside combat, a detection device he carries can reveal hidden paths in parts of Snezhnaya, unlocking a reward that changes his in-game appearance.
Stellar-Conduct reactions build on Superconduct, one of the existing elemental reactions in Genshin Impact, so players already running Cryo/Electro teams may want to brush up before Mitya arrives.
5. Meet Valeriy: The 4-Star Electro Shield Support
Also joining the roster is Valeriy, a 4-star Electro Sword user and, per HoYoverse's description, "a disciplined Major of the Armory Palace." His kit is built around providing shields for the party and boosting Electro damage output, with particular synergy for teams built around Stellar-Conduct reactions — making him a natural pairing with Mitya.
6. Version 7.2 Banners: When Mitya and Valeriy Arrive
HoYoverse confirmed a two-phase banner rollout for the version. In the first phase, Mitya and Valeriy make their debut alongside a rerun of Furina. The second phase brings back Zibai and Linnea, and introduces a new Chronicled Wish featuring select Natlan characters.
As always, exact phase dates weren't included in the press release, but HoYoverse's usual cadence puts a mid-version banner switch roughly three weeks after launch. Players stocking Primogems ahead of time may want to revisit the mechanics behind the wish system and pity counter before deciding which phase to pull on.
7. New Events and Livestream Redemption Codes
A new limited-time event unlocks either by progressing through the Version 7.2 Archon Quest or by using the Quick Start feature. HoYoverse describes it as uniting players with allies from Mondstadt to Snezhnaya in a coordinated stand against the Holy Soil phenomenon, with objectives built around rescuing wounded soldiers, relaying intel, and completing urgent assignments. Clearing event objectives grants Primogems, enhancement materials, and the chance to invite a 4-star character of the player's choice to their party; the area remains explorable after the event concludes.
The press release also confirms a filming event set in Snezhnaya and a mining challenge in Natlan, plus updates to Miliastra Wonderland: a new masquerade-themed lobby, a free 4-star cosmetic set, and expanded components and features for stage editing.
During the October 23 Special Program, the official Genshin Impact account posted a recap with redemption codes for the stream, confirmed directly below:
Genshin Impact Version 7.2 Special Program Recap#GenshinImpact #GenshinSnezhnaya
— Genshin Impact (@GenshinImpact) October 23, 2026
Traveler, here are the redemption codes for this Special Program!
Primogems ×100 + Mystic Enhancement Ore ×10 "HourofRuin"
Primogems ×100 + Hero's Wit ×5 "ExpertMitya"
Primogems ×100 + Mora… pic.twitter.com/JYm3HSqLXd
Redemption codes like these are typically only valid for a limited window after the livestream, so travelers who haven't redeemed "HourofRuin" and "ExpertMitya" yet should do so through the in-game Settings menu or the official redemption page as soon as possible.
8. Platforms, Ratings and Getting Ready for Hour of Ruin
Genshin Impact Version 7.2 keeps the game's existing cross-progression and Co-Op support across PlayStation, Xbox, PC, Android, and iOS. The ESRB has rated the game T for Teen on PS5, Xbox, PC, and Google Play, and 12+ on the iOS App Store.
With just over a week between the announcement and launch, the most useful prep is practical: finish any in-progress Archon Quest chapters so the new storyline isn't spoiled out of order, save up Primogems and Fates for the Mitya/Valeriy/Furina banner phase, and keep an eye on official channels for the exact Phase 1 and Phase 2 start times once HoYoverse publishes the full patch notes.
Quick recap
- Version 7.2 "Hour of Ruin" launches November 4.
- The Archon Quest unites all seven nations against the spreading Holy Soil phenomenon.
- A new eastern Snezhnaya region adds Novokitezhgrad, Wingspan Peak, and Old Kitezhgrad.
- Mitya (5-star Electro Catalyst) and Valeriy (4-star Electro Sword) join the roster, built around a new Stellar-Conduct reaction.
- Phase 1 wishes pair Mitya and Valeriy with a Furina rerun; Phase 2 brings back Zibai and Linnea plus a Natlan Chronicled Wish.
- Livestream codes "HourofRuin" and "ExpertMitya" are redeemable now for free Primogems and materials.