Free Limited 5-Star? Genshin Impact 7.1 Anniversary Selector Guide

HoYoverse isn't just giving away one free 5-star character this year — it's giving away two, and one of them comes from a pool of limited event-exclusive characters that have never before been handed out for free.

Version 7.1, titled "A Rekviem for the Underworld," launches on September 23, 2026, and carries the game's sixth anniversary celebrations. The anniversary date itself falls on September 28. More importantly, HoYoverse has confirmed that this dual-selector structure will be the new standard for every anniversary going forward. That means the character you pick this year sets a precedent — and the difference between the best and worst option on that selection screen is substantial.

 

How the Two Selectors Work

The two selectors operate independently, which means claiming one does not affect the other.

The Standard 5-Star Selector

This is the familiar anniversary reward with an expanded roster. Log in anytime between September 23 and November 3, 2026, and you can pick one character from the standard banner pool: Jean, Diluc, Qiqi, Mona, Tighnari, Keqing, Dehya, or Yumemizuki Mizuki. Each character comes with Ascension Materials up to Level 60.

The headline addition here is Yumemizuki Mizuki. She's the newest standard 5-star and the only one whose kit directly benefits from the Stellar Swirl reaction system that Version 7.1 is built around. If you're running teams with the Cryo Traveler, Odette, or the new characters Vesna and Vodyanitsa, Mizuki becomes a genuinely competitive choice rather than a consolation prize.

For veteran players, the decision often comes down to constellations. Mizuki's early constellations deliver meaningful damage increases. Qiqi's C1 is more useful than her reputation suggests if you actually use her Burst, and her C6 turns that Burst into a damage amplifier for Stellar teams. Mona's C4 is a strong upgrade for Mualani or Hexerei compositions. Jean's C4 shreds 40% Anemo resistance, though her field-dependence makes it clunky by 2026 standards.

The Limited 5-Star Selector

This is the one that made the community sit up. After completing the Version 7.1 Archon Quest, "A Rekviem for the Underworld," you unlock a selection screen with six limited 5-stars: Tartaglia (Childe), Nilou, Baizhu, Chiori, Clorinde, and Varesa. Each comes with Ascension Materials up to Level 60.

The catch: the Archon Quest requirement means you need to actually play through the new story content before you can claim the reward. The selector stays locked until that quest is complete, regardless of how many other anniversary rewards you've already collected. You have until November 3, 2026, to finish it.

Who Should You Actually Pick?

The honest answer depends on what your account already has. But the math points in a clear direction for most players.

Varesa: The Default Recommendation

Varesa is the newest character in the limited pool, and that matters enormously when comparing six units separated by years of power creep. She's an Electro on-field DPS built around plunging attacks, and she's the only character in this selector who can carry difficult combat content without constellations or premium supports.

Her C0 performance is already strong enough to clear Abyss Floor 12 and high-difficulty combat events. If you have C6 Chevreuse or Iansan on your account, her ceiling rises further. She's also excellent for overworld exploration — a quality-of-life factor that often gets undersold in meta discussions.

That said, Varesa's usual banner partners aren't in this selector pool. If your account is missing the supports she typically leans on, her practical performance will fall short of what damage calculators suggest. For newer players or anyone without a reliable Electro DPS, though, she's the safest and most immediately useful pick.

The Constellation Cases: Clorinde and Nilou

Clorinde	Nilou

Two characters in this pool have a specific condition that changes the calculus entirely.

Clorinde at C0 is a solid Electro DPS, but the real payoff sits at C2. Her second constellation improves her personal damage by roughly 40% and team damage by 15–20%. If you already own C1 Clorinde — perhaps from a previous "To Temper Thyself" cycle — pushing her to C2 is a better vertical investment than picking up a fresh C0 Varesa.

Nilou follows a similar pattern. At C0, she's a serviceable Hydro applicator for Bloom teams, but her C2 transforms her into a top-tier support for Lunar-Bloom compositions with Nefer or Columbina. If you're one copy away from C2 Nilou, that upgrade likely outperforms a new character.

The general rule: if you're one constellation away from a major breakpoint on a character you already use, take the constellation. If you're building from scratch, take Varesa.

The Situational Picks

Chiori is a flexible off-field Geo damage dealer who slots into Navia or Zibai teams without much fuss. She's not setting damage records, but she does her job consistently. Pick her if you actively play Geo teams and need a reliable sub-DPS.

Baizhu provides semi-shielding, healing, and a modest Dendro damage boost. In 2026, the HP inflation that once made him valuable has largely outpaced his numbers. He's replaceable by free options for most teams, and his Lunar-Bloom contribution is marginal. Pick him only if you specifically need a Dendro healer and don't have better options.

Tartaglia is the hardest sell. He was once the backbone of International teams, but years of stat inflation have left his damage numbers behind. His only remaining draw is collection value — if you're assembling all the Harbingers, he's the one you're missing. From a pure gameplay perspective, he's the weakest option on this screen.

 

What Else Comes With the Anniversary

The login track provides 10 Intertwined Fates, and in-game mail delivers 1,600 Primogems alongside a Sanctifying Elixir, two Fragile Resin, and a handful of cosmetic gadgets including a pet that rides a miniature train. Combined, that's 20 free wishes before you touch any of the version's other content.

The top-up bonus reset also returns, meaning the first purchase of each Genesis Crystal bundle is doubled again after the update.

Version 7.1 also brings back the Moonchase Festival to Liyue for the first time since 2021, with Yilong Wharf decorated for the occasion and a new 4-star sword as the flagship reward. Several side events round out the patch, including a Snezhnayan snowball co-op activity and a Natlan tournament prediction event.

The two new characters, Vesna and Vodyanitsa, headline the Phase 1 banners. Vesna is a 5-star Anemo Sword user who converts Cryo Swirl into Stellar Swirl and can fly during exploration. Vodyanitsa is a 5-star Hydro Catalyst user who heals, reduces enemy Hydro and Cryo resistance, and provides Stellar Swirl support. Skirk and Escoffier return in Phase 2.

 

The Bottom Line

This anniversary marks a genuine shift in how HoYoverse values its player base. A free limited 5-star every year isn't just generous — it's a signal that the game's reward structure is evolving to match its growing roster of characters and increasingly complex team-building options.

For most players, Varesa is the pick. She's the strongest C0 unit in the pool, she's immediately useful, and she doesn't require a specific team built around her to function. The exceptions are narrow but real: C2 Clorinde and C2 Nilou are both transformative upgrades for accounts already one copy away.

The standard selector is simpler. Mizuki is the meta choice for anyone running Stellar Swirl teams. Everyone else is a constellation decision or a personal preference.