Genshin Impact hands out two free 5-stars in version 7.1 anniversary patch

Forget everything you thought you knew about Genshin Impact anniversary rewards. HoYoverse is giving away two five-star characters in the version 7.1 update, and that changes the math for everyone from brand-new players to day-one spenders. The patch, called “A Rekviem for the Underworld,” drops September 23, and the confirmed loot alone makes this the most player-friendly update in the game’s history.

What players get for free

The anniversary package stacks up like this:

• Two five-star characters at no cost. HoYoverse has not said how they will be distributed — whether through a selector, a login event, or some other method.
• 10 Intertwined Fates, enough for a full 10-pull on any limited or standard banner.
• 1,600 Primogems, which is another 10 pulls’ worth of currency.
• A Genesis Crystal first top-up reset. Anyone who already used their double-Crystal bonus on a purchase tier will see it refresh. Players who never bought it will get the bonus for the first time.

That adds up to 20 pulls in raw currency and Fates before counting the two five-star characters. Previous anniversary events gave out a single five-star or a selector from the standard pool, but two limited-tier characters is a serious step up. The catch is that HoYoverse has not named the characters, so players cannot plan their builds or teams yet.

The teaser points toward death and judgment

HoYoverse released a short teaser with a cryptic description: “The realm of Death is forged by laws no mortal may alter. Before her gates stand those with love or hatred in their hearts, feelings not even death can confine.”

The text suggests the story will deal with the afterlife, a death realm, or a judge of souls. Some players have guessed at Cryo, Hydro, or Electro themes based on the language, but that is pure speculation. HoYoverse has not confirmed which region the patch visits, who the new characters are, or whether they relate to existing lore about the Tsaritsa, the Heavenly Principles, or any known domain of death. Treat every character guess as unconfirmed until official materials appear.

How the free rewards shift pulling strategy

Banner details have not been announced, so a full pull recommendation is impossible. But the free rewards change the timing for every type of player.

• Free-to-play players can reach soft pity on a limited banner just from the 10 Fates and 1,600 Primogems, without spending a single Genesis Crystal. Save those pulls for a character you actually want rather than burning them on the first banner that appears.
• Low-spenders should wait for the Genesis Crystal reset before buying any top-up. The double value on first purchase per tier makes the reset the most efficient time to stock up. Buy after the patch goes live, not before.
• Whales get a straightforward bonus. The reset does not change long-term pulling strategy, but it does make the first purchase of each tier after September 23 worth twice as many Crystals as usual.

Once HoYoverse publishes the full banner schedule, the advice will get more specific. Until then, the smartest move is to hold your currency.

What to do before September 23

The update will wipe out any limited-time events currently running. Check the event tab and finish anything that expires with the patch. Spend your Resin on talent books, weapon materials, or boss drops that the new characters might need — even if you do not know who they are yet, stockpiling common materials never hurts. Save your Primogems and Fates instead of pulling on the current banner. And check your Genesis Crystal history: if you still have first-purchase bonuses available on any tier, you can decide whether to use them now or wait for the reset to get the same value again later.

Day-one checklist

Once the servers come back online after maintenance, the order of operations is simple. Claim the anniversary rewards from the in-game mail or event menu first — they will be time-limited, and there is no reason to delay. Check the banner schedule to see which phase your target character lands in. If the Archon Quest tied to the patch is available, start it early to unlock any new domains or weekly bosses. Finally, farm the new local specialties and enemy drops for whatever character you plan to build.

What HoYoverse has not told us

The list of unknowns is longer than the list of confirmations. Server maintenance start and end times have not been published. The two free five-star characters remain unnamed. Banner phases and weapon lineups are unannounced. No specific events beyond the anniversary rewards have been detailed, though past patches suggest flagship events, login bonuses, and web events will appear. The teaser implies a death-themed narrative, but HoYoverse has not said whether this is a new region, an expansion of an existing area, or a limited-time domain.

All of those details carry the same label: unconfirmed and subject to change. The only hard facts are the date — September 23 — and the rewards. That is enough reason to log in, but players who want to plan their resin and primogem budgets will have to wait for the official preview livestream.