Genshin Impact

Genshin Impact Version 7.0, Everwinter Without Mercy, launches on August 12, 2026, opening the long-awaited nation of Snezhnaya and beginning Chapter VII of the Archon Quest. The major update introduces five new areas, railway travel, the Cryo Traveler, new elemental mechanics, third-person shooting, playable characters and multiple limited-time reward campaigns. Newcomers who want to explore Snezhnaya without starting every progression system from the beginning can Buy Genshin Impact Account and choose an option featuring the characters, Adventure Rank and resources they need. Existing players can enter Snezhnaya after maintenance, begin the new Archon Quests and work toward several free rewards, including Alyosha and Diona.

Genshin Impact 7.0 Update Overview

Snezhnaya Opens With Five New Areas

Version 7.0 begins the main exploration of Snezhnaya, the frozen nation located in northern Teyvat. The region experiences severe cold and frequent blizzards, while its settlements are spread across a large snow-covered landscape.

The five new areas listed in the official update information are:

1. Volkodlak Tundra

2. Everfrozen Earth

3. Fellfrost Peak

4. Fiery Plumage Valley

5. Snow-Entombed Crownlands

Players can also travel toward Snezhnograd, a major urban center containing busy streets, advanced technology and Fatui facilities. Outside the city, Travelers will encounter frozen wilderness, ancient beasts, isolated villages and settlements affected by Snezhnaya’s worsening climate.The nation’s railway system connects locations that would otherwise be separated by long distances. Trains serve as a major form of transportation and also appear in exploration challenges and limited-time activities.HoYoverse has confirmed five areas for Version 7.0, but it has not announced that the entire nation will be immediately explorable. Claims that every part of Snezhnaya is included in this update should therefore be treated as unconfirmed.

Chapter VII Begins With Two New Archon Quest Acts

Version 7.0 permanently adds the first two acts of Archon Quest Chapter VII:

1. Act I: Everwinter Without Mercy

2. Act II: Wraith’s Nocturne

Players must reach Adventure Rank 18 and complete Prologue Act III, “Song of the Dragon and Freedom,” before beginning the new storyline.The new chapter focuses on a catastrophic blizzard and an energy crisis threatening Snezhnaya. The nation relies on a special energy source to provide heat, but the system is facing serious problems. The Traveler will investigate the crisis while learning more about the relationships and tensions between the Fatui and other groups operating in the country.

According to the official version overview, players can receive up to 560 Primogems by completing the new Archon Quest content and its related objectives. Limited-time completion rewards also include character development materials and Snezhnaya local specialties.The Archon Quests are permanent. However, the additional completion rewards are available only until September 22, 2026, at 14:59.

New Snezhnaya Exploration Rewards

Version 7.0 introduces limited-time exploration objectives connected to the newly opened areas of Snezhnaya.

1. Objective: Complete the designated exploration tasks in Snezhnaya

2. Total reward: Up to 400 Primogems

3. Availability: From the Version 7.0 update until November 3, 2026, at 14:59

4. Permanent content: The new Snezhnaya areas will remain accessible after the reward period ends

5. Limited content: The additional 400-Primogem exploration reward will no longer be available after the deadline

6. Recommended priority: Complete these limited objectives before focusing on permanent side quests and unrestricted exploration

Eye of Graeae Introduces New Exploration Tools

After arriving in Snezhnaya, players obtain the Eye of Graeae, a multipurpose device designed for the frozen environment. It helps the Traveler survive the region’s climate and interact with Snezhnaya’s technology.

Its confirmed functions include:

1. Protecting the Traveler from severe cold

2. Calling trains during exploration

3. Creating Prime Ice Constructs for puzzles

4. Supporting special environmental interactions

5. Unlocking third-person shooting gameplay

The addition of cold protection means players will have tools specifically designed for Snezhnaya’s climate. The device is also closely connected to puzzles, transportation and combat encounters, making it one of the most important exploration systems in Version 7.0.

Third-Person Shooting Comes to Genshin Impact

Version 7.0 introduces a third-person shooting mode connected to the Eye of Graeae, a multifunctional exploration device obtained after arriving in Snezhnaya.

1. How it is activated: Players can access the shooting mode through the Goggles function of the Eye of Graeae.

2. Gameplay perspective: Combat is presented from a third-person viewpoint, allowing players to aim and fire at targets across different environments.

3. Available firearms: HoYoverse has confirmed three new firearm types.

4. Weapon attachments: Additional attachments can be found while exploring Snezhnaya, providing more options for different situations.

5. Tactical gameplay: Players must adjust their weapons and approach according to the surrounding environment and the challenges they encounter.

6. Exploration connection: The shooting system is integrated into specific Snezhnaya exploration activities rather than being limited to a separate menu.

7. Event connection: Version 7.0 also includes confirmed target-shooting challenges that use the new mechanics.

8. Relationship to regular combat: Official materials describe shooting as a mode unlocked through the Eye of Graeae. HoYoverse has not announced that it will replace the existing character-based elemental combat system.

Cryo Traveler and the Stellar Swirl Reaction

Interacting with Snezhnaya’s Statues of the Seven allows the Traveler to obtain Cryo elemental power. The Cryo Traveler can participate in the new Stellar Glimmer reaction system and provides players with a free option for testing the new mechanics.Version 7.0 introduces Stellar Swirl, an elemental reaction triggered by combining Anemo and Cryo. It creates a Stellar Vortex that deals both Anemo and Cryo damage.

Repeatedly triggering the reaction can:

1. Increase the Stellar Vortex’s level

2. Strengthen its eventual detonation

3. Deal Anemo and Cryo damage

4. Increase jump height during open-world exploration

Stellar Swirl therefore has both combat and exploration value. Players can use it to increase damage during encounters or reach elevated locations more easily while exploring Snezhnaya.

Odette and Alyosha Join the Playable Roster

Odette

Odette is a new five-star character introduced in Genshin Impact Version 7.0. Her abilities focus on Cryo damage and the Stellar Glimmer reaction system.

1. Rarity: Five-star

2. Element: Cryo

3. Weapon: Sword

4. Identity: A celebrated Snezhnayan ballerina and a highly trained Fatui operative working under La Signora

5. Combat role: Enhances Stellar Glimmer reaction damage for the party

6. Reaction conversion: Converts Superconduct into Stellar-Conduct and Cryo Swirl into Stellar Swirl

7. Elemental Skill: Creates a dancing double that continuously deals area-of-effect Cryo damage and grants party members a Stellar Glimmer reaction damage bonus

8. Second Skill activation: Causes Odette and her double to perform a brief duet, dealing additional area-of-effect Cryo damage counted as Stellar Glimmer reaction damage

9. Elemental Burst: Deals multiple waves of area-of-effect Cryo damage and increases the Stellar Glimmer reaction damage dealt by Odette

Alyosha

Alyosha is a new four-star Electro Polearm character who fights alongside his canine companion, Tugarin.

His combat functions include:

1. Dealing continuous Electro damage

2. Supporting Stellar-Conduct teams

3. Increasing reaction-related damage

4. Restoring HP to nearby party members

Players can obtain Alyosha for free by progressing through the new Archon Quest. He is also included in the first phase of the Version 7.0 character banners and is scheduled to join the standard Wish pool in the following version.

Genshin Impact 7.0 Character Banners

The first banner phase begins after maintenance and ends on September 1, 2026, at 17:59 server

Odette appears in the “Swan’s Shadow in Silken Ice” Event Wish, while Arlecchino returns through “The Hearth’s Ashen Shadow.”The new five-star Sword White Lake Winterplume is also available through the Epitome Invocation weapon banner. The Phase I character lineup is listed in the official Event Wishes announcement.

Great Expeditionist Challenge Offers a Free Diona

The main Version 7.0 event is the Great Expeditionist Challenge, which combines several new Snezhnaya gameplay systems.

Confirmed activities include:

1. Racing trains across snowy environments

2. Participating in target-shooting challenges

3. Completing combat Domains

4. Helping Jack Frost reach its destination

5. Earning Primogems and character development materials

Players who reach the required event progress can invite Diona for free. Together with the permanently obtainable Alyosha, Version 7.0 gives players two opportunities to unlock four-star characters without spending Primogems.Miliastra Wonderland will also receive a summer-themed spooky adventure. Completing its objectives provides various rewards, including a new head accessory. Additional Version 7.0 content includes Snezhnaya exploration challenges and new Genius Invokation TCG stages.

Version 7.0 Reward Priorities

Players who want to avoid missing limited-time rewards should prioritize the following activities:

1. Claim the 300-Primogem maintenance compensation.

2. Unlock Snezhnaya’s Statues of the Seven.

3. Obtain the Cryo Traveler.

4. Begin Chapter VII and progress toward the free Alyosha.

5. Complete the new Archon Quest bonus objectives before September 22.

6. Participate in the Great Expeditionist Challenge to obtain Diona.

7. Complete the regional exploration objectives before November 3.

8. Return to permanent quests and ordinary exploration after finishing limited content.

Final Thoughts

Genshin Impact 7.0 marks the beginning of the Snezhnaya chapter, adding five new areas, Chapter VII Archon Quests, the Cryo Traveler, new characters and third-person shooting mechanics. Free characters and limited-time Primogem rewards also give players clear reasons to explore the update from launch.Players should complete the time-limited quests, events and exploration objectives before their deadlines. Those who need assistance with progression can also buy Cheap Genshin Impact Boosting Service from a reliable marketplace