After four years, Genshin Impact finally opens the gates to Snezhnaya in version 7.0

It took Hoyoverse four years and six nations to get here, but Snezhnaya is finally happening. Genshin Impact version 7.0, subtitled ‘Everwinter without Mercy,’ arrives on August 12, 2026, and it is not just another map expansion. This update introduces the Cryo nation in two distinct areas, shuffles the banner rotation with a fresh 5-star carry, adds a new elemental reaction that connects Cryo and Electro, and drops a third-person shooter mode that nobody saw coming from a game that has never let you aim down sights before.

Below is everything confirmed from official materials, including the livestream codes you need to redeem before they expire.

What version 7.0 ships with, at a glance

Release date: August 12, 2026
New region: Snezhnaya, split between Morepesok and the Frostlands
New characters: Odette (5-star Cryo sword, DPS) and Alyosha (4-star Electro polearm, support)
New elemental reaction: Stellar Glimmer, which includes Stellar-Conduct (Cryo + Electro) and Stellar Swirl (Anemo + Cryo)
New gameplay: A third-person shooter mode with three gun types and elemental reaction support
Livestream codes: Everwinter, OntoSnezhnaya, Odette0812

The banner schedule and who is worth pulling

The 7.0 patch splits into two banner phases. Phase 1 runs from August 12 to September 1 and features the debut of Odette (Cryo sword, main DPS) alongside a rerun of Arlecchino (Pyro polearm, main DPS). The 4-star rate-up is Alyosha (Electro polearm, support). That means anyone pulling for Odette will likely pick up a few Alyosha copies along the way.

Phase 2 runs from September 2 to September 22. Hoyoverse has confirmed two 5-star Electro polearm users: Ineffa, a sub-DPS, and Flins, a main DPS. The 4-star lineup for phase 2 has not been stated in official materials. These dates follow the standard six-week patch cadence and could shift.

Odette is the first Cryo main DPS native to Snezhnaya, and the odds are good that her kit was designed around the new Stellar Glimmer reaction. If you lack a Cryo carry, she is worth the primogems. Arlecchino remains a top-tier Pyro option, but players who already own her can skip without regret. Phase 2 is a strong pick for anyone thin on Electro coverage, though F2P accounts should weigh that against whatever comes in 7.1.

Snezhnaya is here, and it brings real cold

The Cryo nation splits into two explorable zones at launch: Morepesok and the Frostlands. Expect the usual spread of puzzles, chests, regional specialties, and a new world boss — though Hoyoverse has not published its mechanics or drop table yet. A new Snezhnaya Adventure Journal will help track exploration progress, which is a welcome quality-of-life addition for completionists.

The Archon Quest picks up the main storyline with Snezhnayan politics and the Fatui. More importantly, the Traveler will unlock Cryo powers here, a milestone that has been teased since the game launched.

Odette and Alyosha: the first Snezhnayan banner duo

Odette is a 5-star Cryo sword wielder built as a main DPS. Alyosha is a 4-star Electro polearm user who fills a support role. Together they can trigger Stellar-Conduct, one of the two branches of the new Stellar Glimmer reaction system. Beyond that, Hoyoverse has not released detailed talent or scaling numbers yet — expect those in the pre-patch special program or the in-game attribute screen on launch day.

Stellar Glimmer opens up new team building

Version 7.0 adds two reaction types under the Stellar Glimmer umbrella:

Stellar-Conduct: triggered by Cryo and Electro
Stellar Swirl: triggered by Anemo and Cryo

The exact damage formula and utility effects have not been disclosed, but the implication is clear: Cryo and Electro units finally have a dedicated reaction that does not rely on Superconduct’s physical-shred niche. Odette and Alyosha can self-trigger Stellar-Conduct within the same team. Anemo units such as Kazuha, Sucrose, or the upcoming Snezhnayan cast can enable Stellar Swirl with a Cryo applicator.

This makes team compositions more flexible. A hypothetical lineup of Odette, Alyosha, an Anemo crowd-controller, and a Hydro unit for backup Freeze would cover three different reaction types at once. The old Freeze and Melt templates still work, but Stellar Glimmer gives Cryo and Electro a lane of their own.

A shooter mode in Genshin Impact, seriously

The strangest addition in 7.0 is a third-person shooter mode. Players can equip one of three different guns, and the mode supports elemental reactions. Hoyoverse has not clarified whether this is a limited-time event or a permanent piece of content. Either way, it is a sharp detour from the sword-and-skill combat the game is known for. Do not expect it to replace the core system, but as a side activity it could be a fun change of pace.

Events, skins, and minor additions

Night Hunt in Snow is a new outfit, almost certainly for an existing character. Hoyoverse has not named the wearer yet.

The patch ships several events:

Great Expeditionis Challenge — a racing and shooting event where players rack up points for rewards that likely include primogems and materials.
Mutual Aid in Bloom: Into the Frostlands — a region-based event in Morepesok that probably involves helping locals and exploring the new area.
Trial of the Bastion — a combat gauntlet with trial characters and standard prize pools.
Envisaged Echoes — new cosmetics for the existing system.
Genius Invokation TCG update — new cards and balance changes.

Stygian Onslaught returns with harder challenges, and a new weapon appearance (likely a skin for an existing weapon) arrives alongside it. Two activities under the Miliastra Wonderland umbrella — Whimsical Spectacle and Spooky Summer Adventures — are also scheduled, presumably lighter events with cosmetic rewards.

A quest or event called To Temper Thyself and Journey Far appears in the official materials, but no details have been released.

New gear, but the details are still under wraps

Version 7.0 adds forgeable weapons, Battle Pass weapons, and new artifact sets. Specific stats and set bonuses have not been published yet. Expect them to synergize with Odette, Alyosha, and the Stellar Glimmer reaction. Until Hoyoverse drops the numbers, pre-farming is guesswork.

Daily-life improvements for the inventory crowd

Two quality-of-life changes are confirmed: the Snezhnaya Adventure Journal (mentioned above) and an artifact sorting upgrade in the Adventurer Handbook. Managing the artifact tab has been a pain point for years, so any improvement there is welcome.

What to do before the patch lands

Redeem the livestream codes: Everwinter, OntoSnezhnaya, and Odette0812. They expire soon after the stream ends.
Save primogems if Odette fills a gap in your roster.
Clear outstanding quests in Fontaine and older regions for the extra currency.
Stockpile weapon and talent materials — even if the new gear stats are unknown, having reserves never hurts.

What to do on day one

Unlock Snezhnaya and start the Archon Quest immediately to begin earning Cryo Traveler talents.
Pull for Odette if you have the wishes and need a Cryo carry.
Test the shooter mode — it might be limited-time, so do not sit on it.
Explore Morepesok and the Frostlands for primogems and regional loot.
Check the new artifact sets and forgeable weapons before spending resin.

Version 7.0 launches on August 12, 2026. The three livestream codes expire quickly, so redeem them now.