Version 7.1, titled "A Rekviem for the Underworld," launches on September 23, 2026 and doubles as the game's sixth anniversary. It brings two new Snezhnaya 5-stars in Phase 1, a strong Cryo rerun pair in Phase 2, extra free pulls, and two 5-star selectors. This guide breaks down banner value so you can decide where to spend Primogems.

Banner Schedule

Phase 1 (September 23 to October 13, 2026)

  • Character banners: When Warm Winds Cavort (Vesna) and Surging Ballad (Vodyanitsa)
  • 4-stars: Diona, Faruzan, Chongyun
  • Weapon banner: Beyond the Chrysalis (Vesna's 5-star sword) and Hymn of the Maelstrom (Vodyanitsa's 5-star catalyst)

Phase 2 (October 13 to November 3, 2026)

  • Character banners: Void Star's Advent (Skirk) and La Chanson Cerise (Escoffier)
  • Weapon banner: Azurelight (Skirk's sword) and Symphonist of Scents (Escoffier's polearm)

Pity is shared between the two character banners in each phase. The anniversary package includes 1,600 Primogems by mail plus 10 Intertwined Fates from a login track (20 pulls total), a standard 5-star selector, and a limited 5-star selector after you finish the Version 7.1 Archon Quest. The limited selector pool is Baizhu, Nilou, Varesa, Tartaglia, Chiori, and Clorinde. The standard selector covers Jean, Diluc, Qiqi, Mona, Tighnari, Keqing, Dehya, and Yumemizuki Mizuki. The first-purchase bonus on Genesis Crystals also resets.

Phase 1: New Characters and Stellar Swirl Value

Vesna is a 5-star Anemo sword on-field DPS and the youngest Druzhna commander. She converts Cryo Swirl into Stellar Swirl, summons Spirit Blades, builds Sword Essence, and spends it on enhanced skills. Hits near a Stellar Vortex count as Stellar Swirl damage. She also has flight for exploration as a Vila. Her damage depends on reliable Cryo application from teammates such as Odette. Faruzan on her banner is a natural Anemo support match. Vertical investment on Vesna is strong if you already have the Stellar Swirl pieces.

Vodyanitsa is a 5-star Hydro catalyst HP-scaling healer and support, the Prima Donna of the Korolevskiy Troupe. Her skill turns her into Water Imp form, summons periodic Hydro attacks that shred Hydro and Cryo RES, heal the active character, and provide interruption resistance plus an ATK buff. Passives convert Stellar Vortices into Wandering Vortices that shred Anemo RES and boost Stellar Swirl teams. She pairs well with Vesna and also slots into Freeze or Hydro-Cryo cores. She is generally the more flexible single pull for most accounts because she functions as a complete support package rather than a team-specific carry.

Phase 1 pull advice

  • Pull Vesna if you already own Odette (or similar Cryo enablers) and want a dedicated Stellar Swirl DPS.
  • Pull Vodyanitsa if you need a Hydro healer with RES shred that works in both new Stellar Swirl teams and existing Freeze teams.
  • The 4-star lineup is mixed. Faruzan is high value for Anemo DPS. Diona and Chongyun are older and more situational.
  • Signatures are large upgrades for their owners but not mandatory. Event or 4-star options exist. Skip the weapon banner unless you have spare wishes and plan to use Epitomized Path carefully.
  • Many accounts can skip Phase 1 entirely if they lack Stellar Swirl supports and prefer the Phase 2 Freeze core.

Phase 2: Skirk and Escoffier Rerun Value

Skirk is a top-tier 5-star Cryo sword DPS who thrives in Hydro-Cryo Freeze teams. Her kit rewards full Hydro/Cryo party compositions, has no Energy Recharge requirement on burst, and scales well with investment. Escoffier is one of the best Cryo supports available: off-field application, healing, and strong RES shred in Hydro-Cryo teams. They are designed to work together. Escoffier is widely considered Skirk's best partner.

This rerun is high value for players who missed either character or want to complete a modern Freeze team. Vodyanitsa from Phase 1 also synergizes with Skirk Freeze teams, so pulling both new units plus the reruns creates overlapping team options.

Phase 2 pull advice

  • High priority if you play Freeze or want a strong Cryo DPS plus dedicated support.
  • Escoffier has broader team value than Skirk for accounts that already have a Cryo carry.
  • Check the exact 4-star rate-up when Phase 2 goes live. Past similar pairings leaned Hydro and Cryo (examples include units like Candace, Charlotte, or Dahlia).
  • Signatures (Azurelight and Symphonist of Scents) are strong for their owners. Prioritize characters first unless you already have both at C0.

Weapon Banners and Overall Spending

Weapon banners in both phases feature the two signatures together. This is convenient if you want both but risky if you only want one. Use Epitomized Path only when you can afford the extra cost of a potential off-path 5-star. Most players should treat weapons as luxury after securing the characters they actually need.

The anniversary 20 free pulls plus two selectors reduce pressure. Use the limited selector for a character you do not own (Varesa is frequently recommended as the strongest C0 pick in that pool for most accounts). Use the standard selector for a missing staple or a unit you enjoy. Do not spend the free pulls blindly on Phase 1 if Phase 2 is your real target.

Who Should Pull Where

  • New or low-spender accounts: Grab the free selectors and 20 pulls. Consider Vodyanitsa if you lack a strong Hydro healer/support. Save the rest for Phase 2 or later banners unless Vesna's playstyle and exploration flight appeal strongly to you.
  • Players with Odette / Stellar Swirl pieces: Phase 1 Vesna (and optionally Vodyanitsa) has real team-building value.
  • Freeze / Hydro-Cryo players: Phase 2 Skirk + Escoffier is the clearer high-value window. Vodyanitsa is a nice extra if you have leftover wishes.
  • Collectors or high spenders: Both phases offer new kits and popular reruns. Decide constellation versus signature priority in advance.
  • Skip both phases if: You already have equivalent teams, you are saving for a specific future character, or you are on a 50/50 at high pity and cannot risk losing into the wrong unit.

Check your current pity and guarantee before the first pull. A lost 50/50 in Phase 1 can leave you empty for the reruns. Version 7.1 is generous with free resources, so you do not need to force every banner. Pick the characters that complete teams you actually play.