Genshin Impact 7.1 Launches September 22 With Vesna and Vodyanitsa in Phase 1

Genshin Impact 7.1 is set to arrive on September 22, 2026, at 11:00 PM ET (UTC-4), and HoYoverse is wasting no time in delivering two new playable characters. Vesna, an Anemo sword user, and Vodyanitsa, a Hydro catalyst wielder, will both headline Phase 1 of the update — a rare move that breaks from the traditional two-phase character release schedule. For Travelers, that means only three weeks to snag both before Phase 2 rolls around. Talk about a tight squeeze.

Phase 1 Banners and Featured 4-Stars

Both new characters will receive rate-up banners during Phase 1. Joining them on the banner are three 4-star characters, each offering a different elemental flavor:

Character	Element	Weapon
Diona	Cryo	Bow
Chongyun	Cryo	Catalyst
Faruzan	Anemo	Bow

(Note: The announcement lists Chongyun as a Cryo catalyst user, which is a departure from his usual claymore setup — but that's what HoYoverse has shared. It's a curious detail that has already sparked discussion among theorycrafters.)

Players looking to build teams around Vesna or Vodyanitsa will have plenty of support options. Diona brings shielding and healing, Faruzan excels at Anemo support, and Chongyun — well, if he's truly wielding a catalyst now, that's a curveball worth watching.

Maintenance and Launch Timing

A typical Genshin Impact version update maintenance lasts around five hours. Assuming that holds true for 7.1, here's a rough schedule for the server downtime:

Event	Time (ET)	Time (UTC)
Maintenance begins	6:00 PM, Sept 22	10:00 PM, Sept 22
Maintenance ends / 7.1 goes live	11:00 PM, Sept 22	3:00 AM, Sept 23

As always, HoYoverse is expected to hand out Primogem compensation for the downtime. It's not much, but every little bit helps when two new characters are on the line. Fingers crossed for a generous drop.

Six-Week Cycle and What Comes Next

Like most Genshin Impact updates, version 7.1 will run for six weeks. That places its end date around November 3, 2026, with Phase 2 likely kicking off on or around October 13. The second phase will presumably bring its own set of banners, though HoYoverse has not yet detailed what those will include.

For players who missed the 7.1 livestream on September 12, 2026, redemption codes for Primogems were distributed at that time. If those codes have already expired, well, that's a tough break — but there's always the next update.

Preparing for Vesna and Vodyanitsa

With two new characters arriving at once, resource management becomes critical. Vesna's Anemo sword kit likely leans into crowd control and elemental application, while Vodyanitsa's Hydro catalyst suggests a ranged, reaction-focused playstyle. Players who want both will need to save every Primogem they can get.

Detailed build guides for both characters are already available, covering optimal artifacts, weapons, constellations, and team compositions. Team-building articles have also been published to help players slot the new arrivals into existing rosters. For anyone planning to pull, doing a bit of homework beforehand could make all the difference.

Beyond Genshin: HoYoverse's Other Projects

While Teyvat gears up for 7.1, HoYoverse has been making waves elsewhere. The developer recently unveiled a new co-op game with realistic graphics that draws comparisons to Elden Ring, and it also announced that its upcoming title, Nodusfall, will ditch gacha elements entirely. For players who have grown tired of the gacha grind, that's a refreshing change of pace.

In the meantime, Genshin Impact continues to inspire a steady stream of guides and community content. From quest walkthroughs to local specialty farming routes, there's no shortage of things to do while waiting for the update.

Final Thoughts

Version 7.1 is shaping up to be a packed update. With two new characters sharing the Phase 1 spotlight, a shorter window to pull for both, and a six-week cycle ahead, Travelers will need to manage their Primogems carefully. The banners are practically rubbing their hands together in anticipation.

So mark your calendars for September 22 — Vesna and Vodyanitsa are almost here. 🎮💎