How to get free 5-star character in Genshin Impact version 7.1: All anniversary rewards

Want a Genshin free 5-star character without spending a single Primogem on wishes? This patch makes it possible not once, but twice — as part of a massive Genshin 7.1 anniversary rewards celebration.

Players can claim both a Genshin free limited 5-star pick and a free standard 5-star, on top of thousands of Primogems and a stack of login bonuses.

Here’s a full breakdown of all the Genshin 7.1 anniversary rewards.

Genshin 7.1 anniversary rewards: Claim a Genshin free 5-star character in Standard Wish “Wanderlust Invocation”

Travelers can claim a Genshin free 5-star this patch through the standard “Wanderlust Invocation” banner.

This event, titled “Across the Frozen Wilds, Honing One’s Edge,” lets players select one 5-star character of their choice from the standard pool. The available characters are:

Players also receive character enhancement materials for whichever character they select, helping them level up immediately rather than farming from scratch.

Genshin 7.1 anniversary rewards: Claim a Genshin free limited 5-star character event

Players can also claim another 5-star character for free through the Limited-Time Invitation event. The event runs from the version 7.1 update through Tuesday, November 3, 2026 (server time), and unlocking it requires completing the Genshin version 7.1 Archon Quest.

Once unlocked, players can choose one of the following six characters:

Alongside the character itself, players also receive the ascension materials needed to raise their chosen pick all the way to level 60, saving a significant amount of farming time.

Genshin 7.1 anniversary rewards: Primogems, Fates, and login bonuses

Beyond the two chances at a free 5-star, the anniversary celebration includes a large batch of free currency and materials, split across two reward tracks.

Cumulative check-in event

Simply logging in during the event window nets players:

• 10x Intertwined Fate
• 80,000 Mora
• 1x Dust of Enlightenment
• 8x Hero’s Wit

A separate batch of rewards is sent directly via in-game mail:

• 1,600 Primogems
• 1x Sanctifying Elixir
• 2x Fragile Resin
• 1x “Conductor of the ‘Ya-ho'” (anniversary-themed item)
• 1x “A Mini Trolley Problem” (anniversary-themed item)

On top of these, the initial top-up bonus will reset after the version 7.1 update, giving players who’ve already claimed it before a second chance to grab a heavily discounted Primogem bundle.

How to claim all 7.1 anniversary rewards in Genshin Impact

1. Update the game to version 7.1 once it releases.
2. Complete the version 7.1 Archon Quest to unlock the free limited 5-star selection.
3. Log in daily throughout the event period to accumulate check-in rewards.
4. Check your in-game mail and claim items before they expire.
5. Make your standard wish selection from the Wanderlust Invocation event to claim your free standard 5-star.
6. (Optional) Consider the reset Top-Up Bonus if you’re planning to spend on Primogems this patch.

Which Genshin free limited 5-star is the best value?

With only one pick allowed, choosing the ideal Genshin free limited 5-star matters.

Varesa stands out as the best value choice thanks to her strong meta relevance as an Electro DPS. She slots into a wide range of team compositions, doesn’t require a niche elemental core the way Nilou or Baizhu do, and offers strong damage output without demanding a highly specific team around her.

For players who want the most broadly useful free 5-star, Varesa is the standout pick from this lineup.

That said, your existing roster matters. If you already run a Bloom team, Nilou or Baizhu may fill a bigger gap. If you’re newer to the game and want a proven, flexible carry, Tartaglia remains a safe pick. But for pure meta value and long-term account building, Varesa is the strongest overall choice.

What are Genshin 7.1 anniversary rewards?

For players newer to the game, it’s worth explaining what all the hype is about. Genshin Impact officially launched on Monday, September 28, 2020, and that date has become the game’s official anniversary.

To mark the occasion, developer HoYoverse traditionally rolls out a special set of “anniversary rewards” — a limited-time bundle of free items, currency, and character opportunities that goes well beyond the game’s usual patch content.

These rewards typically include things like bonus Primogems, Intertwined Fates, Mora, and leveling materials, all handed out through login events and in-game mail.

But the biggest draw is almost always the chance to claim a Genshin free 5-star character — something that normally requires significant luck or spending through the gacha wish system. Getting one for free, alongside the materials to level it up immediately, is a rare enough opportunity that it’s become the centerpiece of the celebration each year.

This has turned the anniversary into one of the most anticipated periods on the entire Genshin calendar. Every year around late September and into the following patch, players budget their Primogems, plan which banners to save for, and speculate about which characters will appear in the free-pick lineup.

Version 7.1’s anniversary rewards continue that tradition, and this year’s celebration looks especially generous.