HoYoverse Company held a live broadcast to showcase version 7.1 of the open-world action-adventure action role-playing game Genshin Impact. Titled “Requiem for the Underworld,” the update will launch on September 23, 2026, and will continue the story of Snezhnaya, in which players will face the Death Lord Ronova.
In the Archons’ new mission, travelers will finally meet the Queen and learn more about her decades-long plan to collect the Heart of God. The situation in Snezhnaya will become more complicated as Ronova’s forces increasingly interfere with the region’s plans. Reindottir, the Lord of Life, will also be involved in the story. Players will fight Ronova through story chapters and then face her as a weekly boss.
Update 7.1 will introduce two new five-star characters:
- Wesner is a one-handed weapon-wielding Animo character and the youngest squad commander in history. She can convert cold diffusion into star diffusion, summon sword spirits, and accumulate warrior courage to enhance her attack power. In the open world, Vesna will be able to fly because she is a pitchfork.
- Vodyanitsa is a Hydro character who possesses the Catalyst, the prima donna of the Royal Syracuse Theater Company, and a mermaid. It heals the active hero, reduces the opponent’s water and freeze resistance, strengthens the Star Wind God Cyclone and causes water damage to the area. Disguised as a mermaid, Vodianica will be able to move both underwater and on land.
It’s worth noting that both new characters will be available in the first part of the update. Part Two will mark the return of Schick and Escoffier.
One of the main festival events will be the return of the Hunter Moon to Li Yue. For the first time in five years, players will be able to revisit the festively decorated Allosaurus Harbor and take part in three mini-games related to the region’s exorcists. There are various rewards for participating, including a new 4★ one-handed weapon. Snezhnaya will host a seasonal snowball competition, and Natlana players will be able to predict the outcome of battles between 16 teams.
Version 7.1 will also add new features to Astral Reach. The main hall will be decorated with osmanthus flowers and the moon in autumn, and you can get a set of clothes and exclusive headwear by participating in festival activities. This editor will provide menu items that support game client scripting and collaborative editing tools.
To commemorate the sixth anniversary of Genshin Impact, the developers have prepared additional gifts. Players who complete the last Archon mission before the next update will be able to choose an exclusive 5★ character for free. In addition, everyone will also receive a standard level 5 character, 1,600 source stones, 10 fates and other rewards.