Genshin Impact’s Anniversary Clock Is Ticking — What You Lose After September 23
If you have not logged into Genshin Impact in the past few weeks, you are leaving free pulls on the table. The game’s anniversary rewards are still active, and so is the limited-time region exploration event, The Godforsaken Frostlands. Both disappear when Version 7.1 goes live on September 23, 2026 (UTC+8). After that date, the Primogems, the Fates, and the exclusive exploration loot are gone for good.
Version 7.1, titled “A Rekviem for the Underworld,” is one of the most generous patches HoYoverse has shipped in years. The official announcement confirms two free 5-star characters through selectors, 10 Intertwined Fates, and 1,600 Primogems as part of the compensation package. A Genesis Crystal reset also arrives with the update, which changes the math on when to top up. But none of that matters if you miss the deadline on what is currently available.
What is still claimable right now
HoYoverse has not published a hard cutoff for the anniversary reward period, but these bonuses have historically expired when the version cycle turns. Eligible players can collect 600 Primogems through the in-game mail and event menus. That is nearly four Wishes — enough to nudge a pity counter forward or to save toward a guaranteed 5-star in 7.1.
The Godforsaken Frostlands is a limited-time region exploration event. Genshin has run similar events before: players unlock map areas, solve puzzles, and earn Primogems, Mora, and ascension materials. The source material does not detail the exact mechanics or reward tables, but region exploration events rarely return in the same form. If you have not touched it, set aside an hour or two before the patch drops.
What Version 7.1 brings
The patch notes confirm these additions:
- Two free 5-star characters via selector items
- 10 Intertwined Fates
- 1,600 Primogems
- A Genesis Crystal top-up reset
- New Archon Quest chapters
- A new boss encounter
- The return of the Moonchase Festival
That is a lot of free currency for a single patch. For free-to-play players and returning accounts, 7.1 is the update to build around. The Genesis Crystal reset is worth calling out specifically: if you have never purchased a top-up pack, or if you bought one after the last reset, the refresh resets the first-purchase bonus on every pack tier.
What to finish before maintenance starts
With the deadline set, here is what needs attention before September 23:
- Open the in-game mail and claim every anniversary reward. Unclaimed mail expires and the items are lost.
- Complete The Godforsaken Frostlands exploration. Collect all event-exclusive rewards before the region closes.
- Spend your remaining Resin on talent books, weapon materials, or boss drops if you are close to an ascension threshold. New content usually brings new material requirements.
- Check your pity count on the character and weapon banners. Knowing your exact number makes it easier to decide whether to pull on current banners or hold out for 7.1.
Should you pull now or wait
The answer depends on your account state. If you are sitting on guaranteed pity or close to hard pity, the smart move is to wait. The 7.1 lineup includes two new 5-star characters, and the compensation package gives you more pulls at no cost. Spending Wishes on a current banner means burning currency that could go toward a guaranteed new unit.
That said, new players who lack a reliable DPS or a core support might benefit from pulling on a proven banner today. A strong carry now can speed up progression through the early and mid game. Just weigh that against the free 5-star selectors coming in 7.1. There is a real chance you get what you need without spending a single Wish.
Building a flexible roster for what comes next
Full kit details for the 7.1 characters have not been released yet. Based on the patch title and past patterns, at least one new unit is likely to shift the meta. Players who run teams that struggle with shield-breaking or elemental application should watch for the new boss and any artifact sets that ship with the update.
For now, the safe bet is to invest in flexible, evergreen characters. Bennett, Xingqiu, and Fischl fit into almost any team composition. The free 5-star characters from 7.1 will probably slot into multiple lineups as well, so a solid core of supports leaves you ready to slot them in.
The anniversary rewards and The Godforsaken Frostlands expire when 7.1 launches on September 23, 2026. Log in, clear the mail, finish the event, and check your pity before maintenance starts. Version 7.1 is bringing a pile of free resources, and the only way to make full use of them is to show up with everything already claimed.