Genshin Impact turned six on September 28, and the anniversary landed in the middle of its biggest story arc in years. Snezhnaya, the Cryo nation players have waited for since 2020, opened with Version 7.0 in August. Version 7.1 has now moved into its second banner phase, with two popular reruns on offer until early November.

For players deciding where to spend their wishes, and whether to spend money at all, it is a good moment to look at how the banners line up and how topping up actually works.

How a Genshin Impact top up works

Genshin Impact is free to play, and all spending goes through one premium currency: Genesis Crystals. A Genshin Impact top up adds Genesis Crystals to an account, which can then be converted into Primogems, the currency used for wishes.

The key points for anyone new to the system:

• Genesis Crystals convert one to one into Primogems. One wish on a character banner costs 160 Primogems, or one Intertwined Fate.
• Top-ups are tied to an account through its UID. The UID is the public player ID shown in the game. A top-up never needs a password or login details.
• The Blessing of the Welkin Moon is a separate purchase. It gives a set amount of Genesis Crystals up front and a daily Primogem reward for 30 days, which is why many low spenders choose it over direct top-ups.
• Pity carries over between banners of the same type. A guaranteed 5-star arrives by the 90th wish on a character banner, and that count carries into the next character banner.

Anyone who has managed crystals in Galaxy of Heroes or power cores in Marvel Strike Force will recognise the logic. The value of a top-up depends almost entirely on timing it against the banners you actually want.

Top-ups are sold through HoYoverse’s own store and through third-party retailers that credit the account by UID. Players using a third-party service should stick to ones that only ask for the UID and server, and never share their account login.

Version 7.1 banners: what is live now

Version 7.1, A Rekviem for the Underworld, launched on September 23. As Notebookcheck reported from HoYoverse’s livestream, the patch broke with tradition by putting both new 5-star characters on banners in the first phase.

Phase	Dates	Featured 5-stars
Phase 1	September 23 to October 13	Vesna (Anemo, sword) and Vodyanitsa (Hydro, catalyst)
Phase 2	October 13 to November 3	Skirk and Escoffier (reruns)

That means anyone who skipped the new characters has missed their debut window, and the current choice is between two returning units. Both are Cryo characters, which fits a year built around the Cryo nation, and Phase 2 gives players who missed them the first time another chance to add either one to their roster.

The patch also continues the Snezhnaya Archon Quest, adds Ronova as a new weekly boss and introduces the Guardian Blade of Drifting Snow as a world boss.

Anniversary rewards worth claiming first

Before spending anything, players should make sure they have collected the free anniversary rewards. Version 7.1 includes two separate free 5-star character selectors, one unlocked by logging in and one after finishing the Archon Quest, both available until November 3.

These free picks change the calculation for a top-up. A player who uses a selector to fill a gap in their team may not need to chase a banner at all this version.

Where Snezhnaya goes next

Version 7.0, Everwinter Without Mercy, opened Snezhnaya on August 12. As PlayNews covered at launch, it arrived on PS5, Xbox Series, PC, iOS and Android, and introduced Odette and Alyosha as the first new Snezhnayan characters.

Genshin’s six-week patch cycle points to Version 7.2 in early November, shortly after Phase 2 ends. HoYoverse usually reveals the next version’s characters in a livestream about ten days before launch, so players saving Primogems will know what is coming before they have to decide.

Genshin is also one of the clearest examples of a game where progress follows you between devices. Our look at cross-platform progression covers why that has become standard. For the bigger debate around paid randomised rewards, see our piece on loot box streaks during streams.

FAQ

What is a Genshin Impact top up? A purchase of Genesis Crystals, the premium currency, which can be converted into Primogems for wishes.

Do I need to share my password for a top up? No. Top-ups only need your UID and server. Never share your account login.

Which banners are live in Genshin Impact right now? Version 7.1 Phase 2, with Skirk and Escoffier reruns from October 13 to November 3.

How many wishes is pity in Genshin Impact? A 5-star is guaranteed by the 90th wish on a character banner, and the count carries over to the next character banner.

What is the Welkin Moon? A 30-day pass that gives Genesis Crystals up front and daily Primogems while it is active.

When is Genshin Impact 7.2? HoYoverse has not confirmed a date, but the six-week cycle points to early November.