Genshin Impact 7.2 Hour of Ruin: Release Time, Banners, Mitya, Valeriy, Free 4-Star and Everything New

Genshin Impact Version 7.2, "Hour of Ruin," lands on Wednesday, November 4, 2026, and it is the patch where the whole Snezhnaya story finally stops simmering. The Nails of Retribution are going off across Teyvat, the Tsaritsa calls every nation to the table, and we get a brand new slice of eastern Snezhnaya that lives mostly underground inside walls of glowing Kristall. On top of that there are two new Electro characters built around Stellar-Conduct, a Furina rerun that a lot of people have been saving for, and a free 4-star pick.

This guide pulls everything together in one place: when the servers go down in Central Time, what is on each banner, what is free, where the new map goes and which small quality of life changes will actually save you time. Facts come from HoYoverse first, mainly Paimon's Version Update Notes, the official 7.2 press release and its Japanese PR Times version, plus the official news posts for each character. Where we lean on stream recaps from HoYoLAB or on Screen Rant's 7.2 roundup, we say so.

Genshin Impact 7.2 Release Date and Maintenance Time in Central Time

HoYoverse has locked the release date at November 4, 2026. Paimon's notes open with "Version 7.2 arrives on November 4," and the press release says the same.

The exact maintenance window is the one thing that was still missing at the time of writing. HoYoverse normally posts an "Update Maintenance Preview" two days ahead of a patch, and as of Sunday afternoon, November 1, the 7.2 preview had not gone up on the official news feed yet. Going by the last one, the Version 7.1 maintenance preview, the pattern looks like this:

• Maintenance began at 06:00 (UTC+8) on release day and was estimated to take 5 hours.
• For 7.2 that would mean Tuesday, November 3 at 4:00 PM CT, with servers expected back around 9:00 PM CT the same night.
• Daylight saving time ended on November 1, so Central Time is now UTC-6. If you are converting from an older calendar, the start is 4 PM, not 5 PM.
• Version 7.1 paid 300 Primogems of maintenance compensation (60 per hour of downtime) to players at Adventure Rank 5 or above, sent by in-game mail within 5 hours after maintenance. Expect something similar, but wait for the 7.2 notice for the actual amount.
• The 7.1 preview also opened pre-installation, with about 10 GB on PC and 4 GB on mobile. The 7.2 size has not been posted.

Treat the 4:00 PM CT start as the expected time, not a promise. We will only call it confirmed once the 7.2 maintenance notice is live. Screen Rant also notes that maintenance starts on November 3 and that some regions get to play on the night of the 3rd, which matches the usual schedule for players in the Americas.

Genshin Impact 7.2 Banners: Phase 1 and Phase 2

The banner lineup is official. The press release says Mitya and Valeriy debut in the first phase alongside a Furina rerun, while the second phase brings back Zibai and Linnea "accompanied by a new Chronicled Wish featuring certain Natlan characters."

A few notes on those windows. HoYoverse posts the exact Event Wish times on update day, so the hours above are our read of the pattern, not a published schedule. In Version 7.1 the second phase opened at 18:00 server time and closed at 14:59 server time (7.1 Event Wishes Notice). On the America server, which runs on UTC-5, that works out to 5:00 PM CT and 1:59 PM CT. Europe and Asia server players should use their own server clock instead.

Official banner names so far:

• "Myriad Patterns Unfold" for Mitya, per the Mitya skill showcase post.
• "Chanson of Many Waters" for Furina, per the Furina news post.
• Valeriy gets a "huge drop-rate boost" after the November 4 update, per his character introduction.

The 4-stars sharing Phase 1 with Valeriy and the rest of the Phase 2 4-star lineup have not been announced. Community stream recaps list Starsealed Edict as the new 5-star catalyst, which fits Mitya, but HoYoverse has not posted the weapon banner yet, so we are not listing any weapon pairings.

Community recaps of the stream on HoYoLAB name the Natlan Chronicled Wish 5-stars as Varesa, Mualani, Kinich, Xilonen and Chasca, with their signature weapons. That roster is not in HoYoverse's written material yet, so check the in-game details page before you commit Fates to a specific pick.

Who Is Mitya? The New 5-Star Electro Catalyst

Mitya is an energy scientist and an advisor to the Energy Commission, and HoYoverse's own press material jokes that he is a master at finding ways to slip away from work. His title is "Rules Set at Naught." On the stat sheet he is a 5-star Electro Catalyst user.

Here is what HoYoverse has said about his kit in the press release:

• Passive engine: while he is in the party, he converts the team's Superconduct reactions into Stellar-Conduct reactions. That boosts the whole party's Stellar-Conduct DMG and builds up a special energy.
• Tap Elemental Skill: releases the stored energy to deal periodic Stellar-Conduct DMG to nearby enemies, scaling with how much energy was stored. This is his off-field mode.
• Hold Elemental Skill: spends that energy on a rapid flurry of enhanced Charged Attacks. This is his on-field mode, so he can play either role.
• Elemental Burst: AoE Electro DMG plus extra special energy, which keeps the rotation running in long fights.
• Exploration perk: in certain parts of Snezhnaya his detection device reveals hidden paths and unlocks a reward that changes his appearance.

Stream recaps on HoYoLAB add some names that the press release skips. They call the energy Gradient Beacons, say his Burst grants one, and say triggering Stellar-Conduct raises the Elemental Mastery of the whole party. Screen Rant also describes his damage as scaling with Elemental Mastery. Those details fit the official description, but exact numbers will only be clear once the kit is live, so do not plan artifact builds around percentages you see on social media yet.

In practice, Mitya is the 5-star the Stellar-Conduct setup has been waiting for. If your account already has Snezhnaya characters who play into that reaction, he is the obvious pull this patch. If you are not invested in Stellar-Conduct at all, the Furina rerun is the safer use of Primogems for most accounts, since she slots into a huge number of teams.

Valeriy: New 4-Star Electro Sword (Not a Claymore)

Valeriy is "Fort Fulguration," a Major of the Armory Palace who leads the Special Assignments Battalion. Some early recaps listed him as a Claymore user. The official English press release says he is a "4-star Electro Sword wielder," and the Japanese PR Times release lists his weapon as 片手剣, which is one-handed Sword. Go with Sword.

His job, per HoYoverse: he provides shields and boosts Electro DMG, particularly for Stellar-Conduct teams. Stream recaps fill in the details:

• His Elemental Skill shields the active character, deals AoE Electro DMG and grants him Impact Momentum.
• Impact Momentum gives him a special Charged Attack that buffs teammates' Electro DMG, with a bigger buff in Stellar-Conduct teams.
• His Burst fires artillery shells that deal AoE Electro DMG at intervals.
• His utility passive reportedly increases rewards from Snezhnaya expeditions that run for 20 hours.

Valeriy gets the 4-star rate-up in Phase 1, so anyone pulling on Mitya or Furina should pick up copies along the way. Screen Rant also expects him to join the regular pool later, as new 4-stars usually do. A shielder who also buffs Electro is handy outside Stellar-Conduct too, so he should be a nice pickup even for players who skip Mitya.

Furina, Zibai and Linnea Reruns

Furina is the headline rerun of Phase 1. Her "Chanson of Many Waters" banner runs alongside Mitya, so you can choose between the new Electro unit and one of the most flexible supports in the game. HoYoverse's rerun teaser says that with "strange occurrences arising across the realm, a quiet unease has settled over Furina."

Zibai and Linnea return in Phase 2 starting November 24. Neither has a banner name or exact time posted yet, and HoYoverse has not shared new details about their kits for this rerun.

Archon Quest: "Hour of Ruin" and the 560 Primogems

The 7.2 Archon Quest is the big story beat. As the Nails of Retribution flare, pillars of light appear across Teyvat and mark the start of the Holy Soil phenomenon. The Tsaritsa summons representatives from all seven nations to Snezhnaya, and you fight alongside the Archons, Neuvillette and allies from across Teyvat.

The reward is official and worth noting:

• Finish the Archon Quest within the designated period to get 560 Primogems and Character Ascension Materials for Mitya.
• The new Secret Tsarist Assignments give extra rewards, including a Snezhnaya-themed Wind Glider.

HoYoverse has not published the deadline for the 560 Primogems yet, so do not assume you have the whole patch. Clearing it in the first week is the safe play. Stream recaps list two acts this patch, Chapter VII Act V: "Hour of Ruin" and Act VI: "A Yesterday Sent From Beyond." The same recaps mention an extra 400 Primogems for exploring the new area within a time limit, which has not shown up in HoYoverse's written notes yet.

New Meeting Point quests follow Danica on a secret cleanup job for the Tsaritsa in Novokitezhgrad, and Mitya as he studies the soil near Teplo Oasis. HoYoverse says their paths "cross unexpectedly."

New Area: Novokitezhgrad, Wingspan Peak and Old Kitezhgrad

The new map is in eastern Snezhnaya, and it looks very different from the snowfields we have been running around since 7.0. Official names, from the press release and the official area post:

• Novokitezhgrad: reached by railway, this is Snezhnaya's main producer of Kresnik Kristall. The city is built entirely underground and encased in Kristall, which is why every preview shows glowing crystal walls instead of snow. HoYoverse also calls it "the city ruled by the fae," and says you will pass through mines that still bear traces of calamity.
• Wingspan Peak: east through the wind and snow, a ridge that "unfurls like a gigantic wing."
• Old Kitezhgrad: Snezhnaya's first city, founded by the Belyi Tsar, located at Wingspan Peak.

Some early previews called these places "Novokitezh," "Old Kitezh" or "Wing Peaks." The official English names are Novokitezhgrad, Old Kitezhgrad and Wingspan Peak.

The area's main mechanics:

• Holy Soil cleanup. Ronova's Holy Soil phenomenon has contaminated Kresnik Kristall deposits, and you will neutralize them as you explore.
• New Prime Ice Constructs for solving those hazards.
• Two elemental shotguns. HoYoverse confirms two of them. Stream recaps say one is Pyro and one is Geo.
• Shadow Realm at Wingspan Peak. Paimon's notes say parts of Wingspan Peak are covered by the Shadow Realm. Clearing the "An Ancient Song of Flowing Crystal and Stone Chests" quest chain makes the Shadow Realm in the eastern part recede, after which you can explore it with any characters in your party.
• A colossal creature from the ocean depths waits in Novokitezhgrad. Stream recaps call it the Wavebinder and say it drops Mitya's ascension materials, so it is likely to be a daily stop for anyone building him.

Free 4-Star Character Pick and Version 7.2 Events

The flagship event is "The Grand Defense: Defy the Unjust Judgment." Per the official event overview, it stays open for all of Version 7.2. You unlock it by progressing through the 7.2 Archon Quest or by using Quick Start, then run relief operations against the Holy Soil: rescuing wounded soldiers, relaying intel and carrying out urgent assignments. Rewards include Primogems, Crown of Insight and an invite for one 4-star character of your choice. The area stays explorable after the event ends.

Stream recaps list these eight 4-stars for the free pick: Amber, Xiangling, Thoma, Collei, Lynette, Kachina, Aino and Alyosha. HoYoverse has not published the list in writing yet. If the list is accurate, Alyosha is the pick to look at for Stellar-Conduct accounts, while newer players get the most out of Xiangling or a constellation for whoever they already use.

The official 7.2 events overview on HoYoLAB mostly points to the trailer and confirms the November 4 date, so event dates beyond the Grand Defense will show up in-game as each event opens.

Quality of Life Changes in Paimon's Update Notes

Paimon's Version Update Notes are mostly images, so here is the readable version of what they show, cross-checked against coverage that transcribed them:

• Specialty Tracking: if someone in your party can show nearby Local Specialties, tracking a specific specialty makes the minimap prioritize that one. The official example is a Glaze Lily search that used to point at a nearby Silk Flower.
• Prime Ice Construct permissions: a new Only Friends option joins Everyone and Don't Allow, so you can share and receive constructs with your friends list only.
• Fewer constructs in the way: Prime Ice Constructs will no longer be sent near Statues of The Seven, Adventurers' Guilds, blacksmiths or Meeting Points.
• Bigger cleanup: the batch deletion limit in Manage Prime Ice Constructs goes from 100 to 200.
• Ley Line enemy preview: select a Ley Line Outcrop on the map and you can see the enemy lineup before you go in.

Stream recaps also mention new stages for Edge of Survival, Yae Miko and Xilonen as new Envisaged Echoes in Imaginarium Theater, a Repertoire of Myriad Melodies update, new Genius Invokation TCG cards, and a region filter for characters.

Miliastra Wonderland Update

Per the press release, Miliastra Wonderland adds a masquerade-themed lobby, a free 4-star cosmetic set, and more components, assets and features for stage editing. Stream recaps also mention a "Moments to Treasure" web event starting November 27, which HoYoverse has not confirmed in writing.

Genshin Impact 7.2 Livestream Codes: Are They Still Active?

The 7.2 Special Program aired on October 23, 2026 at 7:00 AM CT, according to HoYoverse's program preview. It gave out three codes worth 100 Primogems each:

• HourofRuin: 100 Primogems and 10 Mystic Enhancement Ore
• ExpertMitya: 100 Primogems and 5 Hero's Wit
• PhotoTime: 100 Primogems and 50,000 Mora

Screen Rant reported that the codes expire on October 26 at 12:00 AM ET, which is 11:00 PM CT on October 25. That means they have almost certainly expired by now. Trying them costs nothing, but do not expect them to work. If HoYoverse releases more codes during 7.2, they will show up on the official channels, so keep an eye there after November 4.

What to Do Before 7.2 Drops

A short checklist for the next couple of days:

• Finish your 7.1 to-do list. The current Phase 2 banners close on November 3 at 2:59 PM server time (1:59 PM CT on the America server), per the 7.1 wish notice.
• Decide between Mitya and Furina before maintenance so you are not deciding at 9 PM on a whim.
• Save Resin for Mitya's materials and the Wavebinder once it is up, and save talent books for Valeriy.
• Pre-install as soon as the 7.2 maintenance notice opens it.
• Clear the Archon Quest early so you do not miss the 560 Primogems and the free Mitya ascension materials.

Frequently Asked Questions

What time does Genshin Impact 7.2 release in Central Time?

Version 7.2 releases on November 4, 2026. Going by the 7.1 schedule, maintenance should start around 4:00 PM CT on Tuesday, November 3 and last about five hours, so the update should be playable around 9:00 PM CT that night. HoYoverse had not posted the official 7.2 maintenance notice when we wrote this, so check the official news page for the final time.

Is Valeriy a sword or claymore user in Genshin Impact?

Valeriy uses a sword. Some early recaps listed a claymore, but HoYoverse's English press release calls him a 4-star Electro Sword wielder, and the Japanese press release lists a one-handed sword. He is a shielder who boosts Electro damage, especially in Stellar-Conduct teams.

Who is on the Genshin Impact 7.2 banners?

Phase 1, from November 4 to November 24, has the new 5-star Mitya, a Furina rerun and the new 4-star Valeriy. Phase 2, from November 24 to December 15, brings back Zibai and Linnea and adds a Natlan Chronicled Wish. The other 4-stars on each banner had not been announced at the time of writing.

Should I pull for Mitya or Furina in 7.2?

Mitya is the better pull if you already play Stellar-Conduct teams or want to build them, since he turns Superconduct into Stellar-Conduct and boosts that reaction for the whole party. Furina fits a much wider range of teams and is the safer choice for accounts that are not invested in Snezhnaya's reaction system. Both banners run at the same time in Phase 1.

How do I get the free 4-star character in Genshin 7.2?

Progress through the 7.2 Archon Quest or use Quick Start to unlock "The Grand Defense: Defy the Unjust Judgment," then complete its objectives. The event runs for all of Version 7.2 and lets you invite one 4-star character of your choice. Stream recaps list Amber, Xiangling, Thoma, Collei, Lynette, Kachina, Aino and Alyosha as the options.

Are the Genshin 7.2 livestream codes still working?

Probably not. The codes HourofRuin, ExpertMitya and PhotoTime were time limited, and Screen Rant reported an expiry of October 26 at 12:00 AM ET. You can still try them on the official redemption page or in-game, but they have most likely expired.

What is the new area in Genshin Impact 7.2?

Version 7.2 opens eastern Snezhnaya. The main hub is Novokitezhgrad, an underground city encased in Kresnik Kristall that you reach by railway. Further east is Wingspan Peak, where you will find Old Kitezhgrad, the first city of Snezhnaya. The area uses new Prime Ice Constructs, two elemental shotguns and a Shadow Realm that partly clears after a quest chain.