Image Credit: HoyoVerse

The next chapter of Genshin Impact’s Snezhnaya story is about to get much more dramatic.

During the Version 7.1 Special Program on September 12, HoYoverse revealed “A Rekviem for the Underworld,” the next major update arriving on September 23, 2026. The livestream showcased two new five star characters, the continuation of the Snezhnaya Archon Quest, the return of the Moonchase Festival, new events, and a collection of anniversary rewards celebrating Genshin Impact’s sixth anniversary.

The update is particularly significant for the game’s ongoing story. The Traveler will finally move closer to the Tsaritsa and uncover more information about her plan involving the Gnoses, while a confrontation with Ronova, the Ruler of Death, will introduce a major new weekly boss.

Version 7.1 Releases September 23

Version 7.1, officially titled “A Rekviem for the Underworld,” launches on September 23, 2026.

The update continues the Traveler’s journey through Snezhnaya after the events of Version 7.0. According to HoYoverse’s announcement, the new Archon Quest will bring the Traveler face to face with the Tsaritsa while the situation surrounding Snezhnaya and the Gnoses reaches a critical point.

The update will also introduce a new weekly boss encounter involving Ronova, the Ruler of Death. The story will explore the conflict between the Tsaritsa, Ronova, and other powerful figures connected to Teyvat’s history. Rhinedottir, associated with the power of Life, will also play a role in the unfolding story.

For longtime players, the development surrounding the Gnoses may be one of the most important parts of the entire update.

The livestream revealed that the Tsaritsa’s efforts to collect the Gnoses are connected to her plan to challenge the Heavenly Principles. Because the Gnoses are tied to the remains of the Third Descender, the Tsaritsa believes they can provide access to power originating from outside Teyvat.

That revelation could have major consequences for the story moving forward.

Meet Vesna and Vodyanitsa

Version 7.1 introduces two new five star characters from Snezhnaya: Vesna and Vodyanitsa.

Vesna

Vesna is a five star Anemo Sword user and one of the most important new additions to the update.

She serves as a commander of the Druzhna and fights using spirit blades created by combining elemental power with her consciousness.

Her kit is closely connected to the newer Stellar Swirl mechanics. Vesna can convert certain Cryo Swirl reactions into Stellar Swirl reactions, giving teams another way to take advantage of the reaction system introduced with the Snezhnaya era. Vesna also has an exploration-focused ability that allows her to soar through the overworld with the assistance of a wind spirit.

Her first Event Wish will arrive during Version 7.1’s first phase.

Vodyanitsa

The second new character is Vodyanitsa, a five star Hydro Catalyst user and the Prima Donna of the Korolevskiy Troupe. Vodyanitsa has a particularly unusual connection to her element. She can transform into a Hydro nymph, giving her additional mobility while also allowing her to support her teammates.

Her abilities can heal the active character, reduce enemies’ Hydro and Cryo Resistance, increase the active character’s ATK, and provide additional support for Stellar Swirl teams. Vodyanitsa’s exploration abilities also allow her to travel across both water and land in her Hydro nymph form.

Together, Vesna and Vodyanitsa appear to be designed to further expand the Stellar Swirl-focused team archetypes introduced during the Snezhnaya storyline.

Version 7.1 Banner Schedule

The first half of Version 7.1 will focus on the two new characters.

Phase 1:

• Vesna, five star Anemo Sword
• Vodyanitsa, five star Hydro Catalyst

The second half will shift toward two returning characters.

Phase 2:

• Skirk
• Escoffier

The second phase gives players another opportunity to obtain two powerful limited five star characters from previous updates.

The first phase will also introduce the signature five star weapons associated with Vesna and Vodyanitsa.

The Tsaritsa’s Plan Finally Comes Into Focus

For story-focused players, the Archon Quest could be the biggest reason to download Version 7.1.

The Traveler has spent years following the trail of the Seven and searching for answers about Teyvat. After finally reaching Snezhnaya, the story is now moving toward one of the game’s longest-running mysteries: what exactly does the Tsaritsa intend to do with the Gnoses?

Version 7.1 begins to answer that question.

The Tsaritsa has been gathering the Gnoses as part of an effort to obtain enough power to oppose the Heavenly Principles. The livestream also revealed that their connection to the Third Descender makes them particularly valuable. The Traveler will become increasingly involved in the conflict as Snezhnaya’s political and supernatural situation escalates.

The new quest will also reward players with 620 Primogems, along with Character Ascension Materials for Vesna and Vodyanitsa.

Moonchase Festival Returns to Liyue

One of the biggest surprises of the livestream was the return of the Moonchase Festival.

The beloved Liyue festival is returning after approximately five years, this time with activities centered around Yilong Wharf.

The event will feature a new storyline involving mysteries from the past along with three minigames inspired by Liyue’s Taoist exorcist traditions.

Players will also have the opportunity to obtain a new four star Sword through the event.

The return of Moonchase is particularly notable because it brings the game back to one of its earliest regions while the main storyline is simultaneously moving deeper into Snezhnaya.

More Events Are Coming

Moonchase isn’t the only event arriving with Version 7.1.

Players can also participate in a variety of activities across Teyvat.

Carefree Snowball Fight will bring a winter-themed activity to Snezhnaya, while Predictive Victory Dynamics will have players predicting the outcomes of a tournament featuring 16 teams in Natlan.

Meanwhile, Miliastra Wonderland will receive an anniversary-themed update with an autumn-inspired lobby and additional creative content.

The update gives players several different ways to earn Primogems, upgrade materials, equipment, and other rewards while waiting for the next major chapter of the Snezhnaya story.

Genshin Impact’s Sixth Anniversary Rewards

Perhaps the biggest announcement outside of the story was the celebration of Genshin Impact’s sixth anniversary.

The anniversary will provide players with several substantial rewards.

Among the confirmed rewards are:

• 1,600 Primogems
• 10 Intertwined Fates
• A permanent five star Standard character selector
• An additional event-exclusive five star character selector
• Various materials and anniversary rewards
• A reset of the initial top-up bonus

The 10 Intertwined Fates will be distributed through a seven-day login event, while the Primogems will also be delivered through in-game mail.

The event-exclusive selector is particularly interesting because it allows eligible players to choose from a selection of limited five star characters. The currently reported options include Tartaglia, Baizhu, Nilou, Varesa, Chiori, and Clorinde. For longtime players who have missed one of these characters, the selector could be one of the most valuable anniversary rewards Genshin has offered.

A Major Chapter for Snezhnaya

Version 7.1 looks set to be considerably more story-focused than a typical update.

The Traveler’s arrival in Snezhnaya has already changed the direction of Genshin Impact’s narrative, but Version 7.1 appears ready to push the story toward one of its biggest confrontations yet.

The Tsaritsa’s plan is becoming clearer.

The Gnoses are becoming increasingly important.

Ronova is entering the story as a major threat.

And the Traveler is finally getting closer to the Cryo Archon herself.

At the same time, HoYoverse is balancing that heavier storyline with the return of Moonchase, new minigames, anniversary celebrations, and two new playable characters.

Final Thoughts

Genshin Impact Version 7.1 is shaping up to be one of the most important updates of the Snezhnaya storyline so far.

The two new five star characters, Vesna and Vodyanitsa, give players new options for Stellar Swirl teams, while the return of Skirk and Escoffier gives players another chance to obtain two previously released characters.

But the story is arguably the real star of the update. After years of mystery surrounding the Tsaritsa and the Gnoses, Version 7.1 is finally beginning to explain what the Cryo Archon has been planning and why she has been gathering the Gnoses in the first place. With Ronova entering the picture as a new weekly boss and the Traveler moving closer to a direct confrontation with the Tsaritsa, the Snezhnaya arc is becoming increasingly difficult to ignore.

Then there are the anniversary rewards.

Between the Primogems, Intertwined Fates, Standard five star selector, and event-exclusive five star selector, Genshin’s sixth anniversary gives players plenty of reasons to log back in when Version 7.1 arrives.

Genshin Impact Version 7.1, “A Rekviem for the Underworld,” launches September 23, 2026.

With Snezhnaya’s biggest secrets beginning to surface, this could be a chapter that sets the stage for some of the game’s most important story developments yet.

Stay Tuned to The Gamer’s Cut

What are you most excited about in Version 7.1? Are you saving for Vesna or Vodyanitsa, returning for Skirk and Escoffier, or more interested in finally learning the truth behind the Tsaritsa’s plan? Keep following The Gamers Cut for more Genshin Impact news, character guides, livestream coverage, and community reactions.