Genshin Impact Version 7.1 Trailer Sets Up a Battle Against the Ruler of Death

HoYoverse has revealed the trailer for Genshin Impact Version 7.1, officially titled “A Rekviem for the Underworld.” The update will launch on September 23, 2026, continuing the rapidly escalating conflict in Snezhnaya while bringing the Traveler closer to the Tsaritsa, the truth behind the coll

HoYoverse has revealed the trailer for Genshin Impact Version 7.1, officially titled “A Rekviem for the Underworld.” The update will launch on September 23, 2026, continuing the rapidly escalating conflict in Snezhnaya while bringing the Traveler closer to the Tsaritsa, the truth behind the collected Gnoses and a direct confrontation with Ronova, the Ruler of Death.

The accompanying description establishes the central theme of the update: death may be governed by immutable laws, but love, hatred and unresolved human attachments do not disappear so easily. That conflict between divine authority and mortal emotion appears to sit at the heart of the next Archon Quest.

Alongside this major story chapter, Version 7.1 introduces two new five-star characters, a Weekly Boss, additional Snezhnayan assignments, the return of Liyue’s Moonchase Festival, substantial improvements to Miliastra Wonderland and an unusually generous collection of sixth-anniversary rewards.

Snezhnaya’s Plan Against the Heavenly Principles Takes Shape

The situation in Snezhnaya has deteriorated since the beginning of the nation’s storyline. Version 7.1 will finally bring the Traveler face-to-face with the Tsaritsa, offering a closer examination of the Cryo Archon’s motivations and the strategy behind her long campaign to acquire the seven Gnoses.

Those objects have driven the Fatui’s activities across practically every major chapter of Genshin Impact. What initially appeared to be a sequence of separate diplomatic schemes, bargains and acts of aggression is now positioned as part of a unified plan to oppose the Heavenly Principles.

The update therefore has an opportunity to answer questions that have existed since the earliest stages of the game. HoYoverse has confirmed that players will discover the Tsaritsa’s actual strategy, although the consequences of that revelation—and how much information she is willing to share with the Traveler—remain deliberately concealed.

Ronova presents the immediate obstacle. As one of the Shades connected to the Heavenly Principles and the authority governing death, she has used her power to obstruct Snezhnaya’s preparations. Her intervention transforms an already dangerous political conflict into a confrontation involving some of Teyvat’s highest cosmic powers.

Life and Death Move Toward an Inevitable Collision

Ronova will not be the only major figure entering the Snezhnayan crisis. Rhinedottir, also known as Gold and identified here as the Ruler of Life, will play a part in the unfolding events.

Rhinedottir’s arrival introduces considerable uncertainty. Her experiments and creations have been connected to some of Teyvat’s greatest disasters, including the fall of Khaenri’ah and the destructive creatures that emerged from it. She is also closely associated with Albedo, Durin and the broader Hexenzirkel storyline.

HoYoverse has not fully explained whether Rhinedottir intends to support Snezhnaya, oppose Ronova or pursue an objective of her own. However, placing the authorities of Life and Death within the same chapter suggests that Version 7.1 will move beyond a conventional struggle between the Fatui and Celestia.

The Traveler will eventually join Snezhnaya on the front line for a major battle against Ronova. After her appearance in the story, the Ruler of Death will become a new Weekly Boss. This should make the confrontation a recurring source of talent materials, although HoYoverse has not yet published the complete reward table.

Completing the new Archon Quest will award 620 Primogems. Version 7.1 will also introduce special assignments issued by the Tsaritsa’s Confidential Secretary. These smaller missions will cover matters of varying importance and provide additional insight into how the Cryo Archon governs Snezhnaya outside the central conflict.

Vesna Commands an Army of Spirit Blades

Vesna joins the playable roster as a five-star Anemo Sword character and the youngest Commander in the history of the Druzhna. She is defined by her loyalty to the Tsaritsa and appears designed as an offensive character built around the newer Stellar Swirl reaction system.

Her abilities can convert Cryo Swirl into Stellar Swirl. By using her Elemental Skill and other attacks, Vesna summons Spirit Blades and accumulates a resource called Sword Essence. A special version of her Skill consumes that resource and orders the blades to attack.

When those Spirit Blades strike near a Stellar Vortex, their damage is treated as Stellar Swirl reaction damage. Her Elemental Burst deals area-of-effect Anemo damage, summons another wave of blades and restores Sword Essence, creating a combat loop based on generating the resource before spending it on coordinated attacks.

Vesna also brings a dedicated exploration ability. Her Vila heritage allows her to fly through the open world, potentially giving her considerable value outside combat. A separate anecdote centred on the character will reward players with an alternative appearance for her sword-spirit companion.

The precise limitations of her flight will be important when assessing her exploration value. HoYoverse has confirmed the ability but has not yet established through written information how its duration, stamina requirements or environmental restrictions compare with existing traversal specialists.

Vodyanitsa Combines Healing, Buffs and Resistance Reduction

The second new five-star character is Vodyanitsa, a Hydro Catalyst wielder and the Prima Donna of Snezhnograd’s Korolevskiy Troupe. She is also a Water Imp, an identity reflected in both her combat mechanics and movement abilities.

Vodyanitsa can transform into her Water Imp form and maintain a song through her Elemental Skill. While the song remains active, she continuously heals the current character, increases their Attack and reduces the Hydro and Cryo resistance of nearby enemies.

Her support package extends to Stellar Swirl teams. Vodyanitsa’s song empowers Stellar Vortices, lowers enemy Anemo resistance and increases Stellar Swirl reaction damage. Her Elemental Burst then deals area-of-effect Hydro damage, giving her a direct offensive option alongside her healing and team buffs.

That combination makes her appear highly specialised for teams using Vesna, Cryo attackers or the wider Stellar Swirl system. However, her healing, Attack bonus and resistance reduction may leave room for teams outside the reaction’s intended composition. Her final value will depend on application frequency, numerical scaling and how reliably her song can be maintained during demanding encounters.

Water Imp form can move quickly across water and remain active while travelling on land. Players will also be able to complete a story featuring Vodyanitsa to unlock a special appearance for her microphone.

Vesna and Vodyanitsa will headline the first phase of Version 7.1’s Event Wishes. Skirk and Escoffier will return during the second phase, reinforcing the update’s emphasis on Cryo, Hydro and reaction-focused team building.

Moonchase Returns to Liyue After Five Years

Version 7.1 will also take players back to Liyue for the return of the Moonchase Festival. The event has been absent for five years, making its comeback more substantial than a routine seasonal rerun.

Yilong Wharf will receive a festive transformation, but the celebration conceals a mystery connected to the region’s past. Even Zhongli and Zibai apparently lack a complete understanding of what has resurfaced, providing a narrative thread alongside the lighter festival activities.

Three new mini-games inspired by Liyue’s thaumaturges will be available during Moonchase. Their rewards include a new four-star Sword, giving players a practical reason to complete the event in addition to experiencing its story.

Other activities will take place across Teyvat. Snezhnaya receives a seasonal snowball event in which players join local children against a collection of unusual enemies. Natlan will host a tournament-prediction activity built around forecasting the final placements of 16 competing teams over several days of matches.

Miliastra Wonderland Expands Its Creation Tools

Miliastra Wonderland continues to evolve as Genshin Impact’s player-creation platform. Its lobby will adopt an autumnal design inspired by osmanthus blossoms and the moon, connecting its presentation to the wider anniversary and Moonchase celebrations.

Completing the associated event will unlock a free cosmetic set, while another festival activity offers an exclusive headpiece. More importantly for creators, the editor is receiving controls that support client-side scripting and collaborative editing.

Client-side scripting should give experienced creators greater control over the behaviour of their stages and game modes. Collaborative tools could prove equally important by allowing multiple players to develop the same project instead of forcing every creation through a single account.

The practical depth of these systems will depend on the documentation, scripting limitations and publishing tools available when Version 7.1 arrives. Nevertheless, these are meaningful additions rather than purely cosmetic updates to the mode.

The Sixth Anniversary Offers Two Five-Star Characters

Version 7.1 coincides with the sixth anniversary of Genshin Impact, and HoYoverse is preparing one of the game’s most significant anniversary reward packages so far.

Players who complete the latest Archon Quest during Version 7.1 will be able to select one event-exclusive five-star character from a predetermined lineup. This is the first time the game has offered a direct choice of a limited five-star character as an Archon Quest reward.

A second selector will allow players to invite one standard five-star character. The anniversary campaign also includes 1,600 Primogems, ten Intertwined Fates and additional rewards that will be distributed through events and in-game announcements.

The limited character selector is the headline reward, but it is important to note that players will not be choosing from the complete limited roster. HoYoverse describes it as a selected lineup, so the actual value will depend on which characters are included and what each account already owns.

A Decisive Chapter for the Snezhnaya Story

Version 7.1 appears positioned as a turning point rather than an intermediate chapter. Meeting the Tsaritsa, uncovering her plan for the Gnoses and confronting the authority of Death are developments with potential consequences far beyond Snezhnaya.

The two new characters also expand the Stellar Swirl combat framework instead of simply adding isolated damage dealers. Vesna provides the offensive conversion and Spirit Blade mechanics, while Vodyanitsa supports the same reaction through healing, resistance reduction and direct buffs.

Combined with the Moonchase Festival, Miliastra Wonderland improvements and sixth-anniversary rewards, the update covers considerably more than its darker central storyline. The main unanswered question is how much of the conflict with Ronova will actually be resolved and how much will instead prepare the ground for Snezhnaya’s remaining chapters.

Genshin Impact Version 7.1, “A Rekviem for the Underworld,” launches on September 23, 2026, for PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, PC, iOS and Android.