Genshin Impact Next Update: 7.0 Banners, Dates & Leaks

Verified breakdown of the Genshin Impact Version 7.0 release, featuring exact dates, Snezhnaya details, banner rosters, and free Primogem totals.

Version 7.0: Everwinter Without Mercy arrives on August 12, 2026. This update introduces Snezhnaya, the final nation of Teyvat, alongside new Archon Quests and a regional mechanic shifting the meta. Save your Intertwined Fates for the Cryo Archon's homeland, but check the maintenance schedule if you are targeting Odette or Arlecchino.

The Exact Release Date and Maintenance Window

Servers shut down for Version 7.0 maintenance on August 11, 2026. Most servers begin downtime at 06:00 (UTC+8); NA servers start at 03:00 PM PST. Expect a five-hour window, allowing login on August 12.

Pre-install the update to save time. Download sizes are approximately 8 GB on PC and 3 GB on mobile. Pre-loading fetches files in the background, preventing delays when servers return. Note that file sizes vary based on active voice-over packages.

Logging in after the patch grants 300 Primogems. This is standard compensation. If maintenance exceeds five hours, HoYoverse adds 60 Primogems per extra hour. Claim these rewards within 30 days; Adventure Rank 5 is required.

What Is New in Snezhnaya

Snezhnaya, ruled by the Cryo Archon Tsaritsa, is the last of Teyvat's seven nations. Expect relentless cold, blizzards, and reliance on Kresnik energy. The region features an extensive train system, Snezhnograd, and Morespok. As the Fatui's home, the narrative addresses long-standing Abyss mysteries.

New Archon Quests include Chapter VII: Act I 'Everwinter Without Mercy' and Act II 'Wraith's Nocturne'. These unlock the core gameplay loop. The train system's interaction with exploration remains a key curiosity; if executed well, it offers fluid travel comparable to Natlan's leap mechanic.

Version 7.0 Banner Schedule and Rosters

The schedule follows the six-week cycle, split into two three-week phases. Phase 1 begins August 12. Phase 2 runs from September 1 to September 22, 2026.

Odette, a new 5-Star Cryo sword user, headlines the 'Swan's Shadow in Silken Ice' banner. Arlecchino returns on 'On Thunderelect's Wings' (Pyro polearm). Both Phase 1 banners boost the new 4-Star Electro character, Alyosha.

Phase 2 focuses on reruns of Flins and Ineffa, both Electro polearms. This configuration supports players who missed those units originally. For Stellar Glimmer teams, Flins and Ineffa act as essential supports.

The New Stellar Glimmer Reaction

Odette enables 'Stellar Glimmer' reactions, positioning her as a key meta unit for Snezhnaya. This mechanic is distinct from Cryo variants like Vaporize, appearing as a new damage type specific to this update.

Alyosha triggers and increases Stellar Glimmer damage. He serves as Odette's primary teammate, suggesting they are designed to be pulled together to maximize the regional mechanic. Do not ignore Alyosha; four-stars defining a reaction are valuable for pity management.

Signature Weapons and Epitome Invocation

Phase 1 signature weapons are Whitelake Frostfeather (Odette) and Crimson Moon's Semblance (Arlecchino). Both 5-Star weapons appear on the Epitome Invocation banner.

Prioritize the character over the weapon. If Primogems are tight, top up your account with a Genshin Impact Genesis Crystals pack to secure the unit first. Characters carry the team; weapons are secondary.

Boosted 4-Star weapons include Favonius Sword, The Bell, Dragon's Bane, Sacrificial Fragments, and Rust. These are standard items, rarely worth specific pulls unless budget is extremely limited.

Free Primogems and Livestream Codes

Free currency sources include maintenance compensation (300 Primogems) and the livestream code 'Snezhnaya20260812' (200 Primogems). The code was distributed during the April 24 livestream announcing the August 12 release. Events and exploration provide the remainder.

For additional currency, check a trusted store for a Genshin Impact Genesis Crystals top-up.

New Events and Rewards

The Great Expeditionist Challenge rewards a free copy of Diona. This is critical for players who missed her original distribution. If you lack Diona, this event is mandatory.

Other events: 'Mutual Aid in Bloom: Into the Frostlands' (photography/minigames), 'Trial of the Bastion' (tower defense), and 'Overflowing Abundance' (double domain rewards). Use double domain rewards to farm Odette's talent materials, avoiding Original Resin waste on unrelated domains.

Pre-Update Checklist: What to Do Now

Burn Resin to prevent capping at 160 and finish daily commissions. Wasted regeneration is lost progress. Farm Odette's known talent materials or grind weapons.

Collect Battle Pass trophies, inspect Serenitea Pot rewards, and clear inventory space. The new region adds hundreds of items. A full inventory forces Primogem spending on capacity or blocks loot pickup.

What About the 7.1 Leak?

Version 7.1 rumors feature Vesna (Anemo sword) and Vodyanitsa (Hydro catalyst). This stems from social media drip marketing and is unconfirmed by HoYoverse.

Do not plan pulls around 7.1. HoYoverse frequently changes banner ordering. Plan only for the confirmed 7.0 release. Saving for rumored characters often leads to delays.

How This Affects Your Gacha Planning

The pity system guarantees a 5-Star within 90 pulls, with soft pity around pull 74. The 50/50 system applies: losing the coin flip guarantees the featured character on the next 5-Star.

Phase 1 features Odette and Arlecchino. Pulling for both requires accounting for two lost 50/50s: 180 pulls (28,800 Primogems) for one of each. For two copies of Odette, budget for constellations. Pull for the character first, save for weapons later. If short on currency, a Genshin Impact top-up bridges the gap quickly.

Chronicled Wish banners use separate pity and Fate Points. Losing the 50/50 grants a Fate Point, guaranteeing the selected character on the next 5-Star. Fate Points reset if you change selection or the banner ends.

The Verdict on 7.0

Version 7.0 closes the main story loop and introduces a new regional mechanic. Odette and Alyosha are key for Snezhnaya. Free-to-play players should prioritize maintenance and code Primogems, then farm events. Avoid standard pulls; save every Fate for Odette. Spenders should ensure enough currency to guarantee her before the banner ends. I will top up my Genshin Impact account to secure Odette and Arlecchino in Phase 1.

FAQ

When is the Genshin Impact 7.0 update releasing?

Genshin Impact Version 7.0 releases on August 12, 2026. Maintenance begins the day before on August 11 and typically lasts five hours.

What are the next banners in Genshin Impact 7.0?

Phase 1 features the new Cryo character Odette and a rerun of Arlecchino. Phase 2, starting September 1, 2026, features reruns of Flins and Ineffa.

How much compensation do I get for 7.0 maintenance?

Players receive 300 Primogems for the standard five-hour maintenance. If maintenance exceeds five hours, you receive an additional 60 Primogems for every extra hour.

Is there a code for Genshin Impact 7.0?

Yes, the code 'Snezhnaya20260812' rewards 200 Primogems. It was distributed during the Snezhnaya reveal livestream.

What new region is added in 7.0?

Version 7.0 introduces Snezhnaya, the Cryo nation ruled by the Tsaritsa. It features new Archon Quests, a train system, and the Fatui headquarters.

What is the pity system in Genshin Impact?

A 5-Star character is guaranteed within 90 pulls, with soft pity starting around pull 74. If you lose the 50/50 on your first 5-Star, the next one is guaranteed to be the featured character.