HoYoverse has confirmed that Genshin Impact Version 7.1, titled “A Rekviem for the Underworld,” will launch on September 23. The update continues the game’s Snezhnaya storyline with a new Archon Quest centered on an escalating confrontation involving the Ruler of Death, while also introducing two new playable characters, Vesna and Vodyanitsa. HoYoverse detailed the update during the Version 7.1 Special Program on September 12.
The main story continues directly from Version 7.0’s introduction of Snezhnaya, with several major figures converging as the conflict surrounding the region develops. Promotional material for the update features characters including Dainsleif, Pierro, Rhinedottir and the Tsaritsa alongside the Traveler, while HoYoverse describes the upcoming chapter as a showdown with the Ruler of Death. Version 7.1 therefore appears set to push Snezhnaya’s Archon Quest deeper into the wider mythology surrounding Teyvat rather than focusing only on regional conflicts.
Vesna is one of the update’s two new playable five-star characters. She is an Anemo sword user and commander of the Druzhna, with her combat style built around Snezhnaya’s newer elemental systems and an aggressive on-field role. Her Character Event Wish begins with the first phase of Version 7.1 on September 23, making her the first of the update’s two new characters to become available.
Vodyanitsa will follow during the second phase of the update. The Hydro catalyst user is the prima donna of the Korolevskiy Troupe and incorporates singing into her combat presentation, while her abilities are designed around supporting and sustaining the rest of the party. Her banner is scheduled to begin on October 14, giving Version 7.1 two new Snezhnayan five-star additions across its six-week cycle.
Version 7.1 will also introduce new events and additional activities outside the Archon Quest. HoYoverse’s event overview includes returning and new limited-time content, alongside additional opportunities to earn Primogems, materials and weapons throughout the update. The patch continues the game’s broader Snezhnaya rollout that began with Version 7.0 in August rather than moving players to another major region.
The September update is particularly notable because it coincides with Genshin Impact’s sixth anniversary. HoYoverse has announced that players will be able to invite two five-star characters to join their account as part of the celebration, alongside 10 Intertwined Fates and 1,600 Primogems. The Genesis Crystal first top-up bonus will also reset, with further anniversary rewards expected to be distributed through in-game events and notices.
Those rewards make Version 7.1 one of the more substantial anniversary updates in the game’s recent history, particularly for players looking to expand their character roster. HoYoverse has continued increasing the scale of anniversary giveaways as Genshin Impact has matured, while maintaining its regular six-week content schedule. The company is simultaneously supporting its other live-service titles, including Zenless Zone Zero Version 3.2, which launched earlier in September with its own new characters and story content.
Version 7.1 follows “Everwinter Without Mercy,” which launched on August 12 and formally opened Snezhnaya as Genshin Impact’s newest major region. That update introduced new explorable areas across the frozen nation, new Archon Quest chapters and characters including Odette, while establishing the political and supernatural conflicts now continuing into 7.1. The September update appears designed to move that storyline rapidly forward rather than functioning as a smaller transitional patch.
Genshin Impact Version 7.1 launches September 23 across PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, PC, iOS and Android. HoYoverse has not indicated any change to the game’s usual simultaneous global update schedule. With a new Archon Quest, two five-star characters and a substantial anniversary reward package arriving together, “A Rekviem for the Underworld” is positioned as the next major chapter in the Snezhnaya storyline.
