Genshin Impact 7 - Snezhnaya Release Date, Odette, Stellar Glimmer Reactions, Banners, and Everything Announced
The wait is finally over. During the official Genshin Impact Version 7.0 Special Program, HoYoverse officially unveiled the first full look at Snezhnaya, the long-awaited Cryo nation. Titled "Everwinter Without Mercy," Version 7.0 introduces an entirely new region to explore, a revolutionary combat system called Stellar Glimmer, new playable characters including Odette and Alyosha, firearm-based gameplay, fresh artifact sets, quality-of-life improvements, and the next chapter of the Archon Quest.
If you missed the livestream, here's everything announced during the Genshin Impact 7.0 Special Program.
Genshin Impact 7.0 Release Date
After years of lore references and Fatui appearances throughout Teyvat, Travelers will finally step into Snezhnaya, the homeland of the Cryo Archon.
Unlike previous regions, exploration has been completely redesigned.
To survive the nation's endless winter, the first Cryo Archon created an extensive railway system connecting the country's major locations. Travelers will receive their own personal train, which functions as a mobile headquarters while exploring the frozen landscape.
The train also includes a Crafting Bench, allowing players to craft items without returning to a city, making exploration significantly more convenient. This combination of industrial technology and harsh winter environments gives Snezhnaya a distinct identity unlike any previous nation in Genshin Impact.
Genshin Impact 7.0 Banners
Phase 1 Banners
Odette (5-Star Cryo Sword)
The headline character of Version 7.0 is Odette, a renowned ballet performer from Snezhnaya who secretly served within the Fatui under La Signora. Rather than acting as a traditional Cryo damage dealer, Odette specializes in enabling the new Stellar Glimmer reaction system.
Her Elemental Skill summons a graceful dancing double that continuously applies Cryo off-field while converting standard Cryo reactions into significantly stronger Stellar variants.
Alyosha (4-Star Electro Polearm)
Joining Odette is Alyosha, a hunter accompanied by his loyal companion, Tugarin.
Alyosha provides:
Continuous Electro application
Team healing
Stellar-Conduct buffs
Excellent support utility
Players can obtain Alyosha completely free simply by progressing through the Version 7.0 Archon Quest.
Arlecchino Returns
Joining Odette during the first banner phase is the returning Pyro Harbinger Arlecchino.
Phase 2 Banners
The second half of Version 7.0 features reruns for:
Flins
Ineffa
Players who previously missed these characters will have another opportunity to recruit them or unlock additional constellations.
What Is Stellar Glimmer in Genshin Impact 7.0?
The biggest gameplay addition in Version 7.0 is undoubtedly Stellar Glimmer, an entirely new combat mechanic introduced with Snezhnaya. Rather than replacing existing elemental reactions, Stellar Glimmer upgrades specific Cryo reactions into much more powerful versions.
Currently confirmed Stellar reactions include:
Stellar-Conduct (Cryo + Electro)
Stellar Swirl (Cryo + Anemo)
Triggering these reactions creates powerful combat fields capable of dealing massive area damage while providing additional combat bonuses for your team.
How to Trigger Stellar Glimmer Reactions:
Players cannot activate Stellar Glimmer reactions through normal elemental combinations alone. Instead, the party must include a character possessing a unique passive ability known as a Stellar Linchpin.
Currently confirmed Stellar enablers include:
Cryo Traveler
Odette
Sandrone
These characters transform standard Cryo reactions into Stellar reactions, unlocking entirely new team compositions centered around explosive elemental damage.
How Stellar Glimmer Damage Scales:
Unlike traditional transformative reactions that prioritize Elemental Mastery, Stellar Glimmer reactions primarily scale with the enabler's Attack stat. Increasing the Stellar Linchpin's ATK directly improves the base damage of Stellar reactions until reaching the maximum bonus.
This makes high-ATK support builds significantly more valuable than conventional Elemental Mastery-focused setups.
Best Odette Build in Genshin Impact 7.0
Although players will continue refining her build after launch, current information points toward several standout options.
Best Weapons for Odette
Whitelake Frostfeather (Signature Weapon)
Exiphanes Blade
Emberwell
Heretic's Molten Blade
Best Artifact Sets for Odette
Scarlet Proof
Increased Crit Rate
Increased Stellar Swirl Damage
Ideal for Cryo-Anemo compositions.
Heart of the Furnace
Increased Attack
Increased Party Stellar Glimmer Damage
The strongest option for Stellar-Conduct support teams.
Best Odette Team Comps:
Best Stellar-Conduct Team
Odette
Alyosha
Electro or Cryo Main DPS
Flexible support (Anemo, healer, or shielder)
This composition maximizes Stellar-Conduct explosions while maintaining excellent healing and off-field elemental application.
Best Stellar Swirl Team
Odette
Kazuha, Venti, or Sucrose
Cryo DPS
Healer or shielder
With the Scarlet Proof artifact set equipped, Odette becomes one of the strongest supports for Cryo-Anemo reaction teams.
New Firearm Combat and Shadow Realm Gameplay
Version 7.0 introduces an entirely new combat mode centered around firearms.
Inside the Shadow Realm, players will participate in dedicated shooter-style gameplay, offering a dramatic departure from traditional elemental combat. Completing this content rewards the Traveler with the exclusive outfit:
Night Hunt in Snow
This represents one of the most ambitious gameplay additions introduced since Genshin Impact launched.
New Archon Quests in Version 7.0
The Snezhnaya storyline begins with two major Archon Quest chapters:
Chapter VII – Act I: Everwinter Without Mercy
Chapter VII – Act II: Wraith's Nocturne
These quests finally begin revealing the Tsaritsa's true motivations behind collecting every Gnosis throughout Teyvat while expanding the lore surrounding the Fatui and their Harbingers.
Players who complete these quests during Version 7.0 receive:
560 Primogems
Odette Ascension Materials
New Weapons in Genshin Impact 7.0
Version 7.0 introduces multiple weapon series, including:
New craftable weapons
New Battle Pass weapons
Players will also receive the exclusive Exiphanes Blade, a unique five-star sword that grows stronger as additional Statues of the Seven are unlocked throughout Snezhnaya.
New Artifact Sets
Two brand-new artifact sets debut alongside Snezhnaya.
Scarlet Proof
Designed for Stellar Swirl teams by increasing Crit Rate and reaction damage.
Heart of the Furnace
Boosts Attack while increasing party-wide Stellar Glimmer damage, making it ideal for support-focused builds.
Genshin Impact 7.0 Quality-of-Life Improvements
HoYoverse also announced several highly requested quality-of-life updates.
Increased Map Pin Limit
Players can now place up to 350 custom map pins, making it easier to track collectibles, puzzles, and farming routes throughout Snezhnaya.
Improved Artifact Domain Sorting
The Adventurer's Handbook now automatically prioritizes newly unlocked artifact domains, reducing menu navigation during farming sessions.
Snezhnaya Lore
Snezhnaya has remained one of Genshin Impact's greatest mysteries since launch.
Known as the nation of perpetual winter, it is also Teyvat's most technologically advanced civilization, featuring railways, firearms, mechanized factories, and military innovations developed under the Fatui.
The nation is ruled by the Tsaritsa, whose campaign to collect every Gnosis has shaped the main storyline across every region. Standing beneath her are the Eleven Fatui Harbingers, each commanding enormous military and political influence throughout Teyvat.
Version 7.0 marks the beginning of the long-awaited confrontation with both the Tsaritsa and the Fatui, promising major revelations about their ultimate plans.
Conclusion
Genshin Impact Version 7.0 is shaping up to be one of the game's biggest expansions to date. Between the arrival of Snezhnaya, the introduction of Stellar Glimmer reactions, Odette, Alyosha, firearm gameplay, personal trains, new artifact sets, and major story developments involving the Tsaritsa and the Fatui, the update fundamentally expands both exploration and combat.
Whether you're planning to build Odette, experiment with the new reaction system, or uncover the secrets hidden beneath Snezhnaya's eternal snow, Version 7.0: Everwinter Without Mercy is set to usher in the next era of Genshin Impact.
Happy Exploration Travelers!