Genshin Impact 7.0 adds Snezhnaya, two characters, shooter mode

HoYoverse will release Genshin Impact Version 7.0, titled Everwinter Without Mercy, on August 12, 2026. The update adds a new playable region, two characters, a new elemental reaction, an integrated third-person shooter gameplay mode, event rewards and multiple quality-of-life and balance changes.

The update introduces Snezhnaya as the main map for the version’s events. Snezhnaya lies northwest of Nod Krai and is reported to be larger than several previous regions. The main event, Great Expeditionist Challenge, is set in Snezhnaya and awards a four-star Diona skin and about 910 Primogems on completion. Two mini events-Mutual Aid in Bloom: Into the Frostlands and Trial of the Bastion-offer exploration and shooting challenges and each provide 420 Primogems plus other in-game rewards.

Two new playable characters arrive in 7.0. Odette is a five-star Cryo support whose kit centers on Stellar reactions and a summoned Solo Dance Double that deals area Cryo damage over time and ends with a finishing Stellar-Conduct or Stellar-Swirl burst. Odette can raise the team’s Stellar-Conduct and Stellar-Swirl damage by a percentage tied to her attack and has a passive that marks Snezhnaya’s local specialties on the mini-map. Alyosha is a four-star Electro polearm support who increases nearby party members’ Stellar-Conduct damage, restores HP to allies based on his attack, and raises his own damage based on Energy Recharge.

Version 7.0 adds a new elemental reaction called Stellar-Swirl triggered when Anemo interacts with Cryo. The reaction first applies an instance of Anemo damage and spawns a Polestar Wind Cluster: Cryo that later explodes in a large area Cryo burst; both damage instances can critically hit. Repeated triggers near a cluster make it grow and increase the later explosion’s area and damage, and further triggers can cause an early detonation. Triggering Stellar-Swirl also grants nearby party members a Radiance: Stellar-Swirl effect that amplifies certain talents and skills. After a cluster explodes, nearby characters briefly gain the ability to perform a high jump. Some character talents can directly produce Stellar-Swirl damage.

A new integrated third-person shooter mode combines firearms combat with elemental reactions. The mode includes aim assist for players new to shooters, cover mechanics, sliding and multiple stage types. It features three weapon classes and stages designed to mix shooting with Genshin’s elemental system.

Banner scheduling places Odette’s debut in the first phase of 7.0 alongside a rerun of Arlecchino, followed by a second phase rerunning Flins and Ineffa. The update also includes time-limited livestream redeem codes: Everwinter (100 Primogems and 10 Mystic Enhancement Ore), OntoSnezhnaya (100 Primogems and 5 Hero’s Wit) and Odette0812 (100 Primogems and 50,000 Mora).

Version 7.0 expands quality-of-life options by adding several characters to the Temper Thyself roster, including Lyney, Wriothesley, Navia, Xinyun, Chiori, Sigwine, Clorinde, Emilie and Mizuki. The patch adds new Archon quests, weapons and artifact sets, plus expanded endgame content and talent interactions tied to Stellar-Swirl. Developers have applied balance adjustments intended to integrate the shooter mechanics with existing combat systems.

Players can expect the update to launch with the timed events and redeem codes available at or shortly after the August 12 release. Further technical notes and patch details will be published by the developer in the version 7.0 patch documentation.