The Genshin Impact 7.1 update is officially arriving on September 23, bringing massive 6th-anniversary rewards and expanding the Snezhnaya region. Developer HoYoverse has detailed the upcoming patch, which introduces two new 5-star characters and continues the narrative arc surrounding the Tsaritsa and her war against Celestia. Players have less than two weeks to catch up on the story before the new content drops across all platforms.
How to Claim Your Free Primogems
During the special preview event, HoYoverse released three limited-time livestream codes that grant a total of 300 free Primogems. Players must redeem these codes before they expire on September 15 at 12 am ET. You can claim them by logging into the official website or navigating to the Account tab within the in-game Settings menu.
| Livestream Code | Rewards |
|---|---|
| 100x Primogems, 10x Mystic Enhancement Ore |
| 100x Primogems, 5x Hero's Wit |
| 100x Primogems, 50,000x Mora |
Vesna and Vodyanitsa Lead Phase 1 Banners
The Phase 1 banners will debut two new playable units from Snezhnaya. Vesna is a 5-star Anemo sword user designed as an on-field DPS who specializes in Stellar-Swirl, a new reaction triggered by combining Anemo and Cryo. Her Elemental Skill alters her attack modes, making her an ideal teammate for off-field Cryo characters like Odette.
Vodyanitsa joins as a 5-star Hydro catalyst user focused on party support and healing. Her kit revolves around a summon that cures the active character while applying Hydro and Cryo RES shred to enemies. She also enhances Stellar mechanics, including Stellar Vortexes. For Phase 2, the banners will feature reruns for Skirk and Escoffier, alongside pulls for Ineffa and Flins.
The 6th Anniversary Rewards and Ronova Boss Fight
Version 7.1 delivers a major story update featuring Rhinedottir of the Hexenzirkel, Pierro, and Dainsleif. The narrative culminates in a brand-new boss battle against Ronova, where Dainsleif will actively aid the Traveler. Additionally, the Moonchase Festival returns to Liyue, rewarding players with a free 4-star event weapon.
To celebrate the game's 6th anniversary, HoYoverse is distributing unprecedented rewards. Players will receive 10 Intertwined Fates through a login event, 1,600 free Primogems via in-game mail, and a Sanctifying Elixir. Most notably, players can claim a free 5-star character from the standard banner, plus an event-exclusive 5-star character, choosing between Tartaglia, Baizhu, Nilou, Varesa, Chiori, and Clorinde.
The Gacha Market Forces a Generous Shift
The sheer volume of free rewards in Version 7.1 marks a dramatic shift in HoYoverse's retention strategy. Offering a free limited event-exclusive 5-star character - a roster that includes highly sought-after units like Nilou and Clorinde - is a first for the franchise. This level of generosity strongly suggests the developer is feeling the pressure from an increasingly crowded gacha market.
As the game enters its sixth year, retaining veteran players requires more than just new regions. By introducing high-stakes lore developments like the Hexenzirkel and the Ronova boss fight alongside massive freebies, HoYoverse is actively defending its player base against newer competitors. This patch sets a new, much higher standard for future anniversary celebrations.
