Genshin Impact Version 7.0, "Everwinter Without Mercy," is moving into its second phase with another packed schedule of banners, combat challenges, rewards, and limited-time activities. HoYoverse's Phase II preview confirms that the next major wave of content will stretch through September 2026, while several events that started earlier in the update will remain available.
The biggest highlights include the Flins and Ineffa Character Event Wishes, the ongoing Great Expeditionist Challenge with a free Diona, the new Trial of the Bastion, a September season of Imaginarium Theater, and Overflowing Abundance for players looking to stock up on character development materials.
Travelers planning to pull for new characters or weapons may want to prepare their resources before September 1. Players who need additional currency can also Top Up Genshin Impact Genesis Crystals on Z2U while planning their Primogem spending for the upcoming banners.

Here are the major activities Travelers should keep track of during the second half of Version 7.0.
| Event / Content | Schedule | Main Highlight |
|---|---|---|
| Great Expeditionist Challenge | Aug. 28 to Sept. 14 | Free Diona, Primogems, Crown of Insight |
| Flins & Ineffa Event Wishes | Sept. 1 to Sept. 22 | Two featured 5-star Electro characters |
| Epitome Invocation | Sept. 1 to Sept. 22 | Bloodsoaked Ruins and Fractured Halo |
| Imaginarium Theater | New season from Sept. 1 | Hydro, Electro and Dendro characters |
| Trial of the Bastion | Sept. 7 to Sept. 17 | Combat challenges and Primogems |
| Overflowing Abundance | Sept. 14 to Sept. 21 | Double rewards up to three times per day |
HoYoverse has also reminded players that The Godforsaken Frostlands and When We Look Up at the Moon limited-time exploration activities are still ongoing, so players who have not collected those rewards still have more objectives to complete alongside the Phase II schedule.
The Version 7.0 Phase II Event Wishes begin on September 1 at 18:00 server time and end on September 22 at 14:59.
The first Character Event Wish, "The Lone Light Knocks at Night," features the event-exclusive 5-star Electro character Flins, officially titled "Shadowy Lights, Stranger Wights."
Running alongside it is "Astral Actuation," featuring Ineffa, another event-exclusive 5-star Electro character.
Both banners share the same boosted 4-star lineup:
Aino, Hydro
Iansan, Electro
Lan Yan, Anemo
An important detail for players deciding between Flins and Ineffa is that the guarantee count for Character Event Wish and Character Event Wish-2 is shared and accumulated between the two banners. It remains separate from guarantee counts for other Wish types.
The Test Run trial event will also be available during the banner period. Players can use fixed teams featuring selected trial characters, complete their corresponding stages, and collect the available rewards before deciding whether they want to spend Primogems on the banners.
The Phase II Epitome Invocation Weapon Event Wish will run alongside the character banners from September 1 through September 22.
Its two promotional 5-star weapons are both Polearms:
Bloodsoaked Ruins
Fractured Halo
The featured 4-star weapons are:
The Flute, Sword
Favonius Greatsword, Claymore
Favonius Lance, Polearm
Eye of Perception, Catalyst
The Stringless, Bow
Players targeting one of the featured 5-star weapons can use Epitomized Path to chart a course toward Bloodsoaked Ruins or Fractured Halo.
Both promotional 5-star weapons are event-exclusive and will not be added to the standard Wanderlust Invocation during this banner.
One of the most important events surrounding Phase II actually started a few days earlier.
The Great Expeditionist Challenge began on August 28 at 10:00 server time and will remain available until September 14 at 03:59.
Completing the event gives Travelers the opportunity to invite the 4-star Cryo character Diona to their party for free. Other confirmed rewards include Primogems, a Crown of Insight, and additional character and weapon development materials.
The event unlocks in stages:
Phase I: August 28 at 10:00
Phase II: August 30 at 04:00
Phase III: September 1 at 04:00
Rather than focusing on a single combat format, Great Expeditionist Challenge contains four different gameplay modes.
This mode is built around firearm shooting exercises. Travelers must hit as many targets as possible within the time limit to increase their score.
Players operate a simulated train along Snezhnaya's railway system. The goal is to follow the required railway instructions and safely reach the destination before time runs out.
This mode combines combat with Snezhnaya's snowball mechanics. Players fight enemies, earn points, and improve the snowball's performance through their actions during the challenge.
This is a more puzzle-oriented challenge. Players use Snezhnaya's Prime Ice Constructs, plan an appropriate route, and guide Jack Frost to the destination.
The event therefore offers a much broader mix than a conventional Genshin combat event, combining shooting, transportation, combat, and puzzle mechanics.
To participate, Travelers need to reach Adventure Rank 20 and complete the Archon Quest Prologue: Act III, "Song of the Dragon and Freedom," as well as "Gunfire in the Silent Lands" from Chapter VII: Act I, "Everwinter Without Mercy."
HoYoverse also recommends completing Chapter VII: Act II, "Wraith's Nocturne," first for the best event experience.
After the Phase II banners arrive, Trial of the Bastion will become another major event on the schedule.
The event is scheduled to run from September 7 at 10:00 until September 17 at 03:59.
Trial of the Bastion centers on a training simulation designed around defensive combat. Players deploy tactical mechanisms and use firearms to repel incoming waves of monsters.
A new trial unlocks each day during the first five days, with previous trials needing to be completed before subsequent stages become available.
Players can expect rewards including Primogems and other event materials, making it another useful source of resources during the second half of Version 7.0.

The new season of Imaginarium Theater is scheduled to begin on September 1.
This season focuses on three elemental types:
Hydro
Electro
Dendro
The announced Opening Characters are Columbina, Xingqiu, Cyno, Kuki Shinobu, Lauma, and Kaveh, while the Special Guest Stars include Odette, Sandrone, Sucrose, and Nicole.
There is also a cosmetic update to watch. After the new season begins, Flins, Columbina, Kirara, and Illuga will each receive a new Thespian Trick that can be exchanged through Wolfy. New Envisaged Echoes challenges and cosmetics for Tartaglia and Xiao are also part of the Version 7.0 Theater update.
For players more interested in building characters than completing special challenges, Overflowing Abundance may be one of the most practical events of the entire phase.
The event runs from September 14 at 04:00 to September 21 at 03:59.
During the event, Travelers can receive double rewards up to three times per day, providing an efficient opportunity to collect additional development resources.
That timing is particularly useful because Overflowing Abundance begins immediately after the Great Expeditionist Challenge ends, giving players another reason to keep logging in during the final week of Version 7.0 Phase II.
Phase II does not completely replace the content from the first half of Version 7.0.
HoYoverse specifically reminds players that the limited-time region exploration activities "The Godforsaken Frostlands" and "When We Look Up at the Moon" are still ongoing.
The Godforsaken Frostlands includes up to 400 Primogems tied to exploration progress, while other limited-time Version 7.0 rewards also remain relevant as players continue exploring Snezhnaya.
Players entering Phase II should therefore check their remaining exploration progress instead of focusing exclusively on the new September events.
With several events overlapping, the easiest way to manage Version 7.0 Phase II is to focus on content with limited windows and valuable rewards.
A sensible priority order is:
Complete Great Expeditionist Challenge to secure the free Diona and its major rewards before September 14.
Plan Primogem spending before September 1 if you want Flins, Ineffa, Bloodsoaked Ruins, or Fractured Halo.
Start the new Imaginarium Theater season and check whether your Hydro, Electro, and Dendro roster is ready.
Complete Trial of the Bastion between September 7 and September 17.
Use all three daily double-reward opportunities during Overflowing Abundance.
Finish remaining Snezhnaya exploration objectives before their limited-time bonuses disappear.
Genshin Impact 7.0 Phase II offers much more than another banner rotation. Flins and Ineffa arrive on September 1 alongside Bloodsoaked Ruins and Fractured Halo, while the Great Expeditionist Challenge continues to provide one of the phase's biggest incentives with a free Diona and valuable upgrade materials.
September then adds the new Imaginarium Theater season, Trial of the Bastion, and Overflowing Abundance, while ongoing Snezhnaya exploration rewards give Travelers even more reasons to revisit unfinished Version 7.0 content.
For players trying to maximize their rewards, August 28 through September 22 is the key period to watch, with the Great Expeditionist Challenge and its free character reward deserving particularly high priority before it closes on September 14. Travelers who are short on time or want help progressing through demanding in-game content can also Buy Genshin Impact Boosting Service on Z2U and compare available service offers based on their needs.