HoYoverse has announced that Genshin Impact Version 7.0, “Everwinter Without Mercy,” will launch on August 12. This marks the first time players can experience Snezhnaya, Teyvat’s seventh nation, for themselves.
Amid the bitter cold, players can now board a train to explore this vast and mysterious frozen world, while the new Archon Quest will also further unveil the intricate relationships and tensions between different factions. In addition, two new characters, Odette and Alyosha, will join the playable roster.
Explore Snezhnaya
Situated on the northern edge of Teyvat, Snezhnaya is a harsh land defined by relentless blizzards and sub-zero temperatures. The nation relies on a unique energy source known as Kresnik energy to survive the extreme climate, while an expansive railway network connects its scattered settlements.
Players will travel aboard roaring trains to Snezhnograd, the nation’s capital and the headquarters of the Fatui. Beyond the capital lies an expansive wilderness filled with frozen plains, secluded villages guarded by Jack Frosts, ancient beasts, and isolated snow-covered settlements waiting to be explored.
New Archon Quest
Version 7.0’s Archon Quest explores the political tensions within Snezhnaya while uncovering the mystery behind a catastrophic blizzard and the nation’s growing energy crisis.
Completing the new Archon Quest rewards players with up to 560 Primogems. Players will also receive the Snezhnaya Adventure Journal, which tracks story progression, destinations, and available rewards throughout the region.
New Gameplay Updates
Eye of Graeae
Shortly after arriving in Snezhnaya, players will obtain the Eye of Graeae, a versatile exploration tool designed specifically for the region. The Eye of Graeae provides protection against the freezing climate while enabling several new traversal and interaction mechanics, including:
- Calling trains from designated stations
- Creating Prime Ice Constructs for environmental puzzles
- Interacting with other players in new ways
- Accessing special Goggles with additional functionality
New Third-Person Shooter Gameplay
One of Version 7.0’s biggest gameplay additions is an optional third-person shooter (TPS) mode unlocked through the Eye of Graeae’s Goggles. The new combat mode features tactical gunplay across multiple environments, with players able to discover and equip three new firearms alongside a variety of weapon attachments found throughout Snezhnaya.
New Elemental Reaction
Version 7.0 introduces Stellar Swirl, the second Stellar Glimmer reaction following Stellar-Conduct. Triggered by combining Anemo and Cryo, Stellar Swirl creates a Stellar Vortex that deals both Anemo and Cryo damage. Repeatedly triggering the reaction increases the vortex’s level before unleashing a stronger final explosion.
Outside combat, the new reactions also enhance exploration:
- Resonating with Snezhnaya’s Statues of the Seven grants the Traveler the Cryo element, allowing access to all Stellar Glimmer reactions while in a party.
- Stellar Swirl significantly increases jump height.
- Stellar-Conduct unlocks additional environmental interactions.
New Characters
Odette is a new 5-Star Cryo Sword whose abilities revolve around enhancing Stellar Glimmer reactions, being able to convert Cryo Swirl into Stellar Swirl, and Superconduct into Stellar-Conduct.
Odette’s Elemental Skill creates a dancing double that continuously deals Cryo AoE damage while boosting Stellar Glimmer reaction damage for the party. Activating the skill again initiates a powerful duet attack, while her Elemental Burst delivers multiple waves of Cryo damage and further strengthens her reaction-based damage output.
Version 7.0 also introduces Alyosha, a 4-Star Electro Polearm wielder who fights alongside his canine companion, Tugarin. Alyosha specializes in supporting teammates by increasing Stellar-Conduct damage while providing healing to nearby party members during combat, and can be obtained for free just by progressing through the new Archon Quest.
In the first phase of Event Wishes, Odette and Alyosha will debut alongside a returning Arlecchino, while the second phase will bring back Flins and Ineffa.
New Limited-Time Events and Rewards
Version 7.0 introduces several seasonal events across Snezhnaya, including train racing across frozen landscapes, target shooting challenges, domain combat events, and escorting Jack Frost to its destination. Completing event challenges rewards players with various in-game rewards, including the opportunity to recruit Diona for free.
A separate seasonal event set in Miliastra Wonderland also debuts, featuring spooky summer-themed adventures and offering a variety of rewards, including a new head accessory.
For more information, please visit Genshin Impact’s official website (genshin.hoyoverse.com) or follow @GenshinImpact on X, Instagram, and Facebook.
