Genshin Impact Version 7.2 ‘Hour of Ruin’ launches November 4

Genshin Impact Version 7.2, titled Hour of Ruin, launches on November 4, 2026, across PlayStation 5, Windows PC, Xbox Series X/S, the App Store, Google Play, and the Epic Games Store.

The headline event, The Grand Defense: Defy the Unjust Judgment, invites players to claim one free four‑star character from a pool of eight, offering a targeted selection rather than a random draw. The selectable roster spans Mondstadt, Inazuma, Sumeru, and Natlan, and includes Amber, Xiangling, Thoma, Collei, Lynette, Kachina, Dori, and Ororon, covering Pyro, Dendro, Anemo, Geo, and Electro. The event’s story setup references the Nail of Retribution and Holy Soil, with a crisis spreading across Teyvat. Players can join the main event without completing the Hour of Ruin Archon Quest through a Quick Start confirmation, though the game advises finishing the quest.

Amber, a four‑star Pyro Bow user and Knights of Favonius Outrider introduced in Version 1.0, deploys Explosive Puppet, which summons Baron Bunny to attract enemy attacks, and follows with Fiery Rain, delivering sustained area Pyro damage. Thoma, a four‑star Pyro Polearm user and Kamisato Clan housekeeper introduced in Version 2.2, provides Blazing Blessing, which creates a defensive barrier, and Crimson Ooyoroi, which lets Normal Attacks trigger additional Pyro attacks and barriers.

Collei, a four‑star Dendro Bow user and trainee ranger from Sumeru’s Avidya Forest introduced in Version 3.0, sends Floral Brush, a damaging ring, and Trump‑Card Kitty, which creates an area that repeatedly deals Dendro damage. Dori, a four‑star Electro Claymore user and Sumeru merchant associated with the Palace of Alcazarzaray introduced in Version 3.0, fires an Electro shot followed by tracking rounds with her Skill, and her Burst connects a nearby character to a Jinni for healing and Energy restoration.

Kachina, a four‑star Geo Polearm user from the Nanatzcayan introduced in Version 5.0, can summon and ride Turbo Twirly, and her Burst deals area Geo damage while creating a field that improves attack area and riding speed. Ororon, a four‑star Electro Bow user from the Masters of the Night‑Wind introduced in Version 5.2, throws Night’s Sling, a bouncing Spirit Orb, and Dark Voices Echo, which summons a Supersonic Oculus that taunts enemies and fires Electro waves.

The event’s interface flow begins with a regional selection screen in Teyvat, then moves to party selection and challenge setup, and includes a preparation segment titled ‘Operation Prep: Mastering the Knights’ for assembling parties. Combat footage in the preview shows a fight against a large enemy surrounded by blue‑white light, sparkling particles, and circular effects spreading across the ground, but the full challenge rules remain undisclosed. The overview does not detail individual event opening dates, full eligibility conditions or numerical reward totals, and it is marked under development.

Beyond the main event, Version 7.2 adds Stress Block Smashing Project, a challenge mode with a turquoise challenge menu, selectable stages including ‘Fish Cake Whiz!’, a Stage Rules panel, and a Start button, with rewards including currency, a star‑shaped gem, books, and pink crystals. Frames of Fierce Splendor is set on an outdoor paved plaza where a character moves beneath a long golden light spreading across the area.

HoYoverse will take servers offline for maintenance on November 4, 2026, from 06:00 to 11:00 UTC+8, equivalent to 22:00 UTC on November 3 to 03:00 UTC on November 4, a roughly five‑hour window during which players cannot log in. During downtime, the studio typically mails Primogems to every account, and players are advised to spend Original Resin, claim expiring event and Battle Pass rewards, and download the pre‑install package before the update.

The official Version 7.2 livestream aired on Friday, October 23, 2026, at 08:00 AM UTC‑4 on Twitch and YouTube, with a waiting room opening 15 minutes earlier and special content shown during the wait. The broadcast was also available at 1 pm BST in the UK, 2 pm CEST in Europe, 8 am EDT on the US East Coast, and 5 am PDT on the US West Coast.

The Version 7.2 trailer introduces Valeriy and Mitya as part of the update preview. Eurogamer reported that leaks circulating on social media describe Valeriy as a new four‑star Electro sword user and Mitya as a new five‑star Electro catalyst user, but the outlet noted these details are unofficial ahead of the livestream. The same leaks suggest Valeriy will receive boosted spawn rates during at least one of the Version 7.2 Banner Phases, and Mitya, who may already be familiar from the storyline, is expected to be a five‑star Electro catalyst character.