Genshin Impact version 7.1: Archon Quests and anniversary rewards revealed
HoYoverse has detailed Genshin Impact Version 7.1, «A Rekviem for the Underworld,» setting up a direct confrontation between Snezhnaya and Ronova while finally revealing why the Tsaritsa has spent years collecting the Gnoses.
The anniversary livestream also confirmed two new playable characters, Vesna and Vodyanitsa, returning banners for Skirk and Escoffier and some of the game’s biggest anniversary rewards to date, including both a standard and an event-exclusive 5-star character.
The opening trailer sets a markedly darker tone. Its first sequence uses a chessboard and an unmoving black king seated on a throne, imagery that appears to point towards the Tsaritsa, although the speaker is not identified in the transcript. Pierro then recalls the Curse of Immortality placed on him 500 years ago by Ronova, the Ruler of Death.
The Traveler has now reached Snezhnaya after crossing the other six nations and is seeking an audience with the Cryo Archon. Version 7.1 will bring that meeting closer as the Traveler first encounters Danica, the Tsaritsa’s Head Maid and Vesna, Commander of the Druzhna.
The Tsaritsa’s plan for the Gnoses is finally explained
One of Genshin Impact’s longest-running mysteries will move towards an answer in Version 7.1.
The developers confirmed that the Tsaritsa has been collecting the Gnoses partly to amplify her own power enough to oppose the Heavenly Principles. Because the Gnoses are the remains of the Third Descender, doing so would allow her to draw on power originating from outside Teyvat.
There is another reason for gathering them. Hidden inside Zapolyarny Palace is a final seal left by the Third Descender, known only to the Tsaritsa and a small part of her inner circle. The seal reacts to the Gnoses and apparently requires all seven to be broken. The plan remains incomplete because the Pyro Gnosis is still missing.
At the same time, Project Mistilteinn, Snezhnaya’s programme to challenge the Heavenly Principles, has reached a stalemate because of Ronova’s interference. The livestream said her authority over Death has limited the nation’s technological progress, leaving Snezhnaya unable to continue its research without directly confronting her.
The trailer also points towards another sealed secret connected to events 500 years ago, while Vesna speaks about Seals of Life and a power given to her ancestors through an old contract. It suggests that attempts to overcome or manipulate death will sit at the centre of the new Archon Quest.
"I didn’t know gods like to trashtalk their opponents?" "Whatever I must suffer so be it." "RONOVA!!!" THE KHAENRI’ANS FINALLY GETTING THEIR CHANCE TO CONFRONT RONOVA. GOOSEBUMPS!! I’m so excited for Genshin 7.1!!!! https://t.co/MIFrIsxI8S
— ⟡ Daniele (@reevedthrnd) September 12, 2026
Ronova and Rhinedottir converge on Snezhnaya
The crisis will not be limited to the Ruler of Death.
The trailer shows Ronova threatening the Traveler and questioning whether they are capable of facing her directly, while Dainsleif appears during the confrontation. The programme later showed Ronova manipulating opponents and warned players to avoid her area-of-effect attacks and her authority of Death.
Snezhnaya has also attracted Rhinedottir, the Ruler of Life, who travels to the nation for a face-to-face meeting with the Tsaritsa. That puts the Rulers of Life and Death in the same country as the Cryo Archon prepares the next phase of her campaign against the Heavenly Principles.
The Version 7.1 Archon Quest will reward players with 620 Primogems as well as Character Ascension Materials for Vesna and Vodyanitsa. The Tsaritsa will also give the Traveler an official position that unlocks special court assignments across Snezhnaya, including tasks intended to show how she governs and how her subjects view her.
Genshin Impact version 7.1 character banners
Vesna is an Anemo character and the youngest commander in the history of the Druzhna. She fights using Spirit Blades created by combining elemental power with her consciousness.
Her Stellar Linchpin allows her to turn Cryo Swirl reactions into Stellar Swirl and increase Stellar Swirl damage across the party. Her Elemental Skill generates Sword Essence, which can be consumed to direct the Spirit Blades, while her Burst summons another group of blades and restores Essence.
She can also fly outside combat and players can switch to her while she is already in flight. Her side story involves a mysterious cultivation manual that accidentally brings her sword spirits to life.
Vodyanitsa, meanwhile, is a Hydro support character and the Prima Donna of the Korolevskiy Troupe. As the only remaining Water Imp in Snezhnograd still performing on stage, her singing is built directly into her combat mechanics.
Using her Elemental Skill changes Vodyanitsa into her Water Imp form and continuously heals party members. Her song reduces enemies’ Hydro and Cryo resistance, increases resistance to interruption and raises party Hydro and Cryo damage based on her maximum HP. It can also strengthen Stellar Vortexes by reducing Anemo resistance and increasing Stellar Swirl damage. Her Elemental Burst deals area-of-effect Hydro damage.
Vesna and Vodyanitsa will receive Event Wishes during the first half of Version 7.1, while Skirk and Escoffier return in the second half.
Genshin Impact sixth anniversary gifts
HoYoverse also used the livestream to reveal its sixth-anniversary rewards.
Players will be able to receive 1,600 Primogems, 10 Intertwined Fate, Dust of Enlightenment, Sanctifying Elixir and other items through in-game mail and check-in rewards. The initial top-up bonus will reset and the permanent 5-star character selector will return, allowing players to choose a standard 5-star character.
The larger change is a new event-exclusive 5-star selector called «Tabletop Troupe: A Gathering on Adventure’s Eve.» Players who complete the Version 7.1 Archon Quest will be able to invite one of six eligible event-exclusive 5-star characters and receive that character’s enhancement materials.
HoYoverse said the system will not be limited to the sixth anniversary. An event-exclusive 5-star selector is now planned for every future anniversary, meaning eligible players will be able to receive both one standard 5-star and one limited 5-star character during anniversary celebrations.
Other Version 7.1 content includes the return of the Moonchase Festival, a free 4-star sword, a Snezhnaya snowball event, the prediction-based «Predictive Victory Dynamics» mode, new «Edge of Survival» stages and an «Overflowing Favor» event with double Artifact drops.
Genius Invokation TCG will add character cards for Columbina and Illuga, while Albedo, Sucrose and Razor will gain new Hexerei Talent effects.
Genshin Impact 7.1 livestream promocodes:
Rekviem
Vesna0923
PrimaDonna
The promocodes can be claimed in the game through settings or on this website.
Genshin Impact voice actors’ annoversary sentiments
The livestream also shifted from announcements to more personal reflections from the English voice cast. Several actors spoke about playing Genshin Impact before joining the project, their favourite characters and how being cast had changed their relationship with the game.
Ari Thrash, the voice of Vesna, said Genshin had helped inspire her to pursue voice acting and described joining the cast as surreal, while Columbina’s actor praised the game’s regional exploration, music and the care put into her character’s story. Other cast members discussed the pressure of joining a game with such an established fan base and the emotional connections they had formed with their roles.
The anniversary segment closed on a broader reflection that, after six years, Genshin had become more than a game for many of those involved, tying together the memories of developers, actors and players.
