Genshin Impact 7.1 packs both new 5-stars into a single three-week banner window

For the first time in recent Genshin Impact update history, HoYoverse is cramming both new 5-star characters into a single three-week banner window. Version 7.1 arrives September 22, 2026, and players who want both Vesna and Vodyanitsa will need to have their Primogems locked and loaded before the update goes live — there will not be a second phase to catch up.

This scheduling change rewrites the usual F2P calculus. Normally, a new patch stretches two new 5-stars across two separate phases, giving players roughly six weeks to earn, save, and decide. Version 7.1 collapses that timeline in half. If you are short on wishes when the update drops, the second banner won’t bail you out.

What changed and why it matters

HoYoverse typically spaces new characters out to maximize revenue windows and give players breathing room. Version 7.1 abandons that pattern outright. Both Vesna and Vodyanitsa will run simultaneously from launch day until Phase 1 ends three weeks later. That means the usual strategy of pulling for the first character and banking on Phase 2 primogem income for the second does not apply here.

The decision hits different player groups in different ways. New players with shallow rosters might see two shiny options but lack the resources to build either one right away. Midgame players can check whether Vesna or Vodyanitsa plugs a hole in their Spiral Abyss teams. Low-spend players on Welkin Moon and Battle Pass face a tight three-week window — they will almost certainly need to pick one and skip the other. Collectors who want every character will have to spend, plain and simple.

Banner details at a glance

• Version: 7.1
• Goes live: September 22, 2026 at 11:00 PM ET (UTC-4)
• Phase 1 length: Three weeks, ending when Phase 2 starts
• New 5-star characters: Vesna and Vodyanitsa — both in Phase 1
• New weapons: Beyond the Chrysalis and Hymn of the Maelstrom, the signature weapons for each character, both featured on the weapon banner
• Special Program livestream: September 12, 2026 at 8:00 AM ET (UTC-4), with three redemption codes worth 300 Primogems total

The weapon banner problem

The weapon banner will run Beyond the Chrysalis and Hymn of the Maelstrom together. The Epitomized Path system still works the same way, but players who want both signature weapons face the same time crunch as those who want both characters. You may need to decide which weapon matters more to your account and commit to that path first.

How to decide whether to pull

Good reasons to pull

• You have been saving for Vesna or Vodyanitsa and can guarantee at least one copy.
• You are a collector willing to spend for both.
• Your main team composition directly benefits from one of their kits — though full kit details have not been officially confirmed yet.

Good reasons to skip

• You are low on Primogems and already own strong 5-star units that cover the same roles.
• You are holding out for a specific rerun that has not been announced.
• You want to test both characters in the trial run before making a decision.

Preparation checklist for September 22

The livestream on September 12 is the single most important date before the patch drops. Watch it live or catch the replay for the three codes. Redeem those 300 Primogems immediately — they expire within 24 hours most of the time.

Before the update arrives, run the numbers on how many Primogems you can earn between now and September 22. Daily commissions, limited-time events, Spiral Abyss resets, and the Paimon shop refresh all contribute. Do not convert your Primogems into Intertwined Fates until you are actually ready to pull — keeping them as raw gems gives you more flexibility.

If you know which character you want, start farming ascension materials and talent books now. The official kit previews will drop during the Special Program, so you can confirm stat priorities after that. Same goes for artifacts: begin farming potential sets early, but wait for the livestream before locking in main stats and substats.

What the official channels have said — and what they have not

So far, HoYoverse has only confirmed the release date and the dual Phase 1 lineup. Character kits, the story quest content, event details, and any rerun banners are still unannounced. The livestream on September 12 should fill in most of those blanks. Until then, any claims about what Vesna or Vodyanitsa actually do are speculation.

Version 7.1 rewards players who plan ahead and penalizes those who wait. The compressed banner schedule removes the safety net of Phase 2 earnings. Set your Primogem budget before September 22, pick your priority, and do not assume you will have time to change your mind later.