Updated for Version 7.0 — 12 August 2026

Genshin Impact Version 7.0 introduces Snezhnaya, the highly anticipated Nation of Cryo. The update also brings along three new characters, five additional Battle Pass weapons, six freely obtainable weapons, two new artifact sets, and a new Elemental Reaction.

This Genshin Impact guide evaluates the new 7.0 weapons and artifact sets and describes the best characters who use them. Expect the KQM Quick Guides for Odette, Cryo Traveler, and Alyosha to come out soon!

Note that the information given may change if new discoveries are made. More extensive testing is in progress.

Join our Discord to participate in the theorycrafting process.

New Content

Stellar Glimmer Reactions

Stellar Glimmer Reactions are the enhanced versions of conventional reactions, brought up by characters from Snezhnaya (Sandrone, Odette and Cryo Traveler as of 7.0). These Stellar-Glimmer Reactions can be triggered by any teammates as long as there is a Snezhnaya unit that enables the reactions in the team. Each Stellar Glimmer Reaction behaves differently from the others and from their conventional counterpart. Snezhnaya characters and some characters from other regions also have methods to deal Stellar-Glimmer Reaction damage directly from their kits.

Stellar Conduct

Stellar-Conduct (SSC) is the special Electro–Cryo reaction that replaces Superconduct (SC) when certain Snezhnaya characters or Cryo Traveler are in the team. SSC was already introduced in Version 5.8 via the release of Sandrone. As of Version 7.0, there are three characters that can enable SSC, namely Sandrone, Odette and Cryo Traveler.

Further information about SSC mechanics can be found in this Stellar Glimmer Reaction Guide.

Stellar Swirl

Stellar Swirl (SSW) is the special Anemo–Cryo reaction that replaces the normal Cryo Swirl reaction when certain Snezhnaya characters (Sandrone, Odette, and Cryo Traveler as of 7.0) are in the team. When SSW is triggered, a Stellar Vortex will be generated on the field. After a fixed time, this Vortex will explode to deal Cryo SSW damage.

Further information about SSW mechanics can be found in this Stellar Glimmer Reaction Guide.

New Artifact Sets Overview

The new artifact sets are found in the Domain of Blessing “Inverted Glacier”, located on the Everfrozen Earth, west north to the railway between Ranoka Zorya and the Central Station .

Snezhnaya’s two new artifact sets revolve around Stellar Glimmer Reactions.

DISCLAIMER: The following suggestions are based on early analysis. Please wait for further calculations and testing before investing a significant amount of Resin into farming these artifacts.

Scarlet Proof

2-Piece Set Bonus	ATK +18%.
4-Piece Set Bonus	Increases the equipping character’s CRIT Rate by 16%, and their Stellar Swirl reaction dealt by 40%, for 10s after they trigger a Stellar Swirl reaction.

The 2pc effect of Scarlet Proof (SP) provides a straightforward 18% ATK buff, while the 4pc further gives 16% CRIT Rate and 40% SSW DMG Bonus to the equipping character after they trigger Stellar-Swirl. These buffs apply to both the reaction damage (from triggering the reaction) and Direct SSW damage (from characters’ Talents). This makes the set a good option for SSW damage dealers. However, there are two caveats to this set:

The effect can only be triggered if the wearer is an Anemo character, as triggering SSW only counts as applying Anemo on existing Cryo aura. Cryo characters dealing direct SSW damage from their Talents cannot trigger the set.
The effect can only be triggered while on-field. However, the buffs last for 10s on the wearer even if they leave the field afterwards.

Which Characters Can Use Scarlet Proof?

4pc SP can be used on any Anemo units who trigger a fair amount of SSW or deal Direct SSW damage. However, there are competing options to run on Anemo units, such as 4pc Viridescent Venerer, or 4pc Instructor. As such, as of the time of writing, 4pc SP is not the best set for any character.

Viable 4pc Set Users

Not Recommended

Heart of the Furnace

2-Piece Set Bonus	ATK +18%.
4-Piece Set Bonus	Increases the equipping character’s ATK by 12% for 12s when they trigger a Stellar Glimmer reaction or deal Stellar Glimmer reaction DMG. Also increases Stellar Glimmer reaction DMG dealt by all nearby party members by 50%. The above effects can trigger even when the equipping character is not on the field, and the DMG bonus from multiple Artifact Sets with the same name do not stack.

The 2pc effect of Heart of the Furnace (HotF) provides a straightforward 18% ATK buff, while the 4pc gives the equipping character 12% ATK and the whole team 50% Stellar Glimmer DMG whenever the holder triggers or deals any Stellar Glimmer damage. In general, 4pc HotF should be used by support characters in SSC or SSW teams.

Which Characters Can Use Heart of the Furnace?

Any SSC or SSW team should have someone hold the set for its teamwide Stellar Glimmer DMG% buffs. However, it is often reserved for support characters to let teammates with higher damage contribution use a higher offensive set.

Best 4pc Set Users

Viable 4pc Set Users

New Craftable Weapons Overview

Most Snezhnaya’s craftable weapons provide secondary stats and passives that benefit ATK-scaling Stellar Glimmer DPS units. Weapon descriptions are stated on a range of R1–R5.

DISCLAIMER: The following suggestions are based on early analysis. Please wait for further calculations and testing before investing in billets and ores to craft or refine these weapons.

Emberwell (Sword)

Emberwell is a good free-to-play option for ATK-scaling Stellar Glimmer damage dealers. However, the current Sword users who can utilize all of the weapon’s stats (Odette and Cryo Traveler in SSC teams), can struggle to trigger and maintain its passive, especially in Solo Electro teams. Note that dealing direct Stellar Glimmer damage does not trigger the Sword’s passive.

Best Users

Niche Users

Blade of Atonement (Claymore)

Blade of Atonement is best suited on Stellar Glimmer DPS units, such as Sandrone. However, Sandrone can struggle to trigger the Claymore’s passive in teams with slow Electro application. Note that dealing direct Stellar Glimmer damage does not trigger the Claymore’s passive.

Best Users

Song of the Vigil (Polearm)

Song of the Vigil is mostly notable on characters who deal reaction damage (especially Stellar Glimmer reactions) and have high ER requirements. Currently, Cyno is the only character who can fully utilize this Polearm’s stats. However, he requires fast Cryo application so that he can trigger and maintain the weapon’s passive. Note that dealing direct Stellar Glimmer damage does not trigger the Polearm’s passive.

Best Users

Echoes of the Heart (Catalyst)

Similar to the aforementioned craftables, Echoes of the Heart is mainly usable on Stellar Glimmer DPS units who scales with ATK. Its two most notable users are Yae and Wriothesley; however, the latter unit can struggle to trigger the weapon’s passive in some of his teams. Note that dealing direct Stellar Glimmer damage does not trigger the Catalyst’s passive.

Best Users

Covenant of Frost and Snow (Bow)

Covenant of Frost and Snow is the first 4-star Bow that provides DEF stat. Together with its EM passive, this weapon is notable on Linnea in her Lunar-Crystallize teams.

Best Users

New Battle-Pass Weapon Overview

The new set of Battle Pass weapons are CRIT Rate stat sticks (except the Polearm), each of which having a somewhat unique buffing mechanic. Of the new selection, the Bow and Catalyst stand out as potent 4-star options, but are by no means required on characters they work well on.

DISCLAIMER: The following suggestions are based on early analysis. Please wait for further calculations and testing before purchasing and selecting a Battle Pass weapon.

Heretic’s Molten Blade (Sword)

Heretic’s Molten Blade tracks the movement of its holder and gives a corresponding ATK% buff value based on how much they have traveled in a 1-second period. This buff refreshes every second and is removed when the wearer switches off-field. By default, the holder gains 18% ATK (at R1) from just standing still, and the more they travel around, the bigger the buff becomes. Typically, a 1-second continuous dash can cover enough distance to give the full ATK% buff, with running and jumping resulting in less distance. Overall, this is a fairly good 4-star weapon for on-field characters who move around frequently or characters whose abilities can snapshot the higher ATK% value. However, R1 Heretic’s Molten Blade performs only similarly to F2P 4-star options such as Finale of the Deep or Calamity of Eshu for most characters it can work on. This makes it not recommended to be selected from the Battle’s Pass in general as of now.

Viable Users

Forged by the Golden Melody (Claymore)

Forged by the Golden Melody’s passive can be broken down into two parts. First, its holder will gain a buff (“Harmonic Movement”) that lasts 10s. This buff starts as ATK% when the fight begins. After 10s it will change into EM, and Stellar Glimmer DMG% after another 10s, before cycling back to ATK%. This happens even if the wearer stays off-field.

Triggering a Stellar Glimmer reaction activates the second buff, “Harmonic Movement: Contrapuntal.” It stacks with the base “Harmonic Movement” buff and provides identical stat values, but runs on its own independent duration. Consequently, the base “Harmonic Movement” can transition to its next phase while “Contrapuntal” remains active.

In general, this weapon is valued by Stellar Glimmer DPS units such as Sandrone. However, she can struggle to trigger the “Contrapuntal” effect in many of her best teams where Electro aura uptime is low. Apart from Sandrone, this weapon remains a decent stat stick that performs worse than Serpent Spine for most Claymore users as they cannot utilize the Stellar Glimmer DMG Bonus and trigger the second half of the passive.

Best Users

Frostbreath (Polearm)

Frostbreath is an ER weapon that gives Flat Energy to all teammates (except the holder) when a Cryo or Hydro reaction is triggered. This weapon can be compared with Favonius Lance and with its own pros and cons. When to consider Frostbreath over Favonius Lance:

The wielder can trigger a Cryo or Hydro reaction while on-field.
High refinements on Frostbreath.
Building CRIT Rate for Favonius wastes the stat opportunity that should go toward buffing.
Fighting against shielded enemies that prevent Favonius from being triggered.
Favonius passive can only be triggered once every rotation.
Teammates have less than 167% ER initially with R1 Frostbreath, or less than 333% with R5 Frostbreath (one Favonius proc regenerates more Energy for off-field characters with higher ER than this threshold).
The wielder does not need the extra Energy from self Favonius proc.

However, unless players do not need other BP weapons, it is not strongly recommended to get this weapon to replace Favonius Lance.

Notable Users

Clash of Kings (Catalyst)

This Catalyst provides simple but effective ATK% and EM buff after using an Elemental Skill, and extending the buff duration by 6s after using a Charged Attack. It best suits on-field ATK-scaling reaction damage dealers, or off-field ones who can swap back in to refresh the weapon’s passive.

Best Users

Viable Users

Not Recommended

Jade Vista (Bow)

Unlike the previous BP Bow, Jade Vista is a more versatile weapon. Its passive gives the wielder EM and ATK% buffs depending on the numbers of teammates with similar and different Elements to the wearer. Due to its passive mechanics, this Bow should be avoided on characters dealing raw damage in a team full of same Element teammates.

Jade Vista ranks among the best 4-star options for the characters below, often serving as their top 4-star choice at R1 and rivaling 5-star bows at higher refinements. This is thanks to the sheer amount of stats it provides that are easy to utilize.

However, the Bow is only a slight increase or a sidegrade to existing other 4-star options, and for most wearers who are not the primary damage dealers in the team, its refinements only result in a slight total DPS increase.

Best Users

Not Recommended

New Story Reward 5-Star Weapon Overview

Exaiphanes Blade (Sword)

Statues of the Seven Unlocked	0	1	2	3	4	5	6
Refinement Rank	1	1	2	2	3	3	4
Base ATK	46	122	235	382	532	608	608
CRIT Rate	7.2	12.7	18.5	24.4	30.2	33.1	33.1
ATK% Buff	16%	16%	20%	20%	24%	24%	32%
Elemental Energy	3	3	3	3	5	5	5

Exaiphanes Blade can be obtained from the Archon Quest “Everwinter Without Mercy.” As of version 7.0, players can refine it up to Rank 3 from just unlocking the Statues of the Seven across Snezhnaya. It is a CRIT Rate Sword with a unique passive that is only active when equipped by the Traveler. It is the Traveler’s BiS for personal damage by far, providing an enormous amount of stats, including CRIT Rate, CRIT DMG, ATK% and Flat Energy. Resonate with all 7 Elements to maximize the amount of CRIT DMG (42%) this weapon gives.

Best Users

Viable Users

New Event Wish-Exclusive Weapon Overview

Whitelake Frostfeater (Catalyst)

Odette’s signature and BiS weapon. However, Whitelake Frostfeather’ restrictive trigger conditions make it a niche Sword for other characters. Without the passive, Whitelake Frostfeather is just another 5-star CRIT stat stick.

Best Users

Viable Users

Credits

Writers: acerbus114

Contributors: antiguaa, luwunae, Hades1500

New Region Snezhnaya	Snezhnaya is accessible after completing the Archon Quest, Prologue: Act III, “Song of the Dragon and Freedom” (available at Adventure Rank 18). Upon completion, a Waypoint northeast of the Special Territory Research Institute in Nod-Krai automatically unlocks. You do not have to complete any quests from other regions to go to Snezhnaya.
New Elemental Reaction Stellar Swirl	Stellar Swirl is a special reaction enhanced by Sandrone, Odette and Cryo Traveler from the normal Cryo Swirl reaction. It deals Anemo damage upon triggering, and summons a Vortex that explodes and deals Cryo damage after a set duration.
New Artifact Sets	• Scarlet Proof • Heart of the Furnace Two new artifact sets obtained in Snezhnaya from the Domain “Inverted Glacier.” They are also obtainable from Spiral Abyss Tier I and II Reliquaries.
New Snezhnaya Craftable Weapons	• Emberwell (Sword) • Blade of Atonement (Claymore) • Song of the Vigil (Polearm) • Echoes of the Heart (Catalyst) • Covenant of Frost and Snow (Bow) Five new 4-star weapons that can be forged via recipes obtained in Snezhnaya.
New Battle Pass Weapons	• Heretic’s Molten Blade (Sword) • Forged by the Golden Melody (Claymore) • Frostbreath (Polearm) • Clash of Kings (Catalyst) • Jade Vista (Bow) A free 4-star Catalyst obtained from the “Clink Clank Clash” event. It provides a large amount of ER and EM stats.
New Story-Reward 5-Star Weapon	Exaiphanes Blade (Sword) A free 5-star Sword obtained from the Archon Quest “Everwinter Without Mercy.” It gives ATK% and Flat Energy when the Traveler uses it. Players can refine it to R3 via resonating with the Snezhnaya Statues of The Seven as of version 7.0.
New Limited-Banner 5-Star Weapon	Whitelake Frostfeather (Sword) Odette’s signature weapon. The weapon’s full passive can only be utilized by Odette and Cryo Traveler. However, it can still be a decent 5-star stat stick..
Odette	An event Wish–limited 5-star Cryo Sword character. Odette deals Stellar-Conduct/Stellar Swirl damage and gives Reaction DMG Bonus to said reactions via her Skill.
Cryo Traveler	A new Element for the Traveler, unlocked by interacting with a Statue of The Seven in Snezhnaya. Their Elemental Burst and special Charged Attack can deal Stellar-Conduct/Stellar Swirl damage.
Alyosha	A 4-star Electro Polearm character who is available to all players by progressing through the Archon Quest Chapter VII: Act I, “Everwinter Without Mercy.” Alyosha applies AoE Electro via his Burst and provides the on-fielder with healing, ATK% and Stellar-Conduct DMG%.

Odette	Odette intermittently deals direct Stellar Glimmer damage from off-field, which makes her the perfect holder of the set in almost all Stellar Glimmer teams.
Cryo Traveler	In SSW teams, Cryo Traveler can trigger this set thanks to their direct SSW damage from Burst and special Charged Attack. They are often the holder of 4pc HotF when Odette is not in the team, as the Anemo support character would rather use 4pc VV or 4pc Instructor instead. In SSC teams where Cryo Traveler is a Burst support, if other supports cannot trigger 4pc HotF, they will be the holder. Otherwise, Cryo Traveler should use 4pc Noblesse Oblige instead.
Qiqi	In SSC teams, Qiqi can activate the set’s effect by either triggering a SSC reaction, or dealing direct SSC damage via her Burst. With the later method, she should use her Burst as close to the on-fielder’s field time as possible to maximize the set’s uptime.
Other Cryo, Electro Supports	These characters enable the set by triggering SSC. They typically equip it when no other teammate can trigger the effect, or when better set options exist for the rest of the team. Some examples of 4pc HotF holders: • In a team of Sandrone — Qiqi — Alyosha — Sucrose, Alyosha should hold the set since he is more reliable at triggering its effect and can maintain better uptime compared to Qiqi. • In a team of Cryo Traveler — Yae Miko — Alyosha — Escoffier. Either Alyosha or Escoffier can hold the set, with the other one using 4pc Noblesse or 4pc Tenacity, respectively.

Yae Miko (SSC)	This is Yae’s best 4-star option in SSC teams. She can reliably maintain the passive as most teams have a good Cryo aura uptime for her to trigger the reaction off. The exception is Cyno teams; with a third Electro teammate such as Beidou; Yae should use other Catalysts in such scenarios.
Wriothesley	Echoes of the Heart’s performance is slightly better than Widsith. However, its passive is difficult to trigger as it requires Electro aura during Wriothesley’s field time, which is mostly not feasible when using Yae as the only Electro teammate. As a result, if Wriothesley cannot reliably trigger this weapon’s passive, he should use Widsith instead.

Clorinde	Clorinde can maintain the maxed buff of the weapon’s passive with her mobile gameplay. This allows the Sword to perform decently on her—it is slightly better than Black Sword at equal refinement. However, in teams with scarce ATK buff, Molten Blade can lose to Finale of the Deep, and it is completely overshadowed by Calamity of Eshu in teams with a shielder.
Ayaka	Ayaka’s Burst can snapshot the weapon’s passive at highest ATK% buff after doing a dash. However, its high CRIT Rate stats can make it difficult to build around with Cryo Resonance and Ayaka’s CRIT Rate sets. As such, it is only recommended on her at high refinements.

Alyosha	As Alyosha does not struggle to meet his own Energy, using this weapon on him instead of Favonius Lance helps his SSC teammates with their existing but not high ER requirements.
Illuga	Building enough CRIT Rate on EM main stats is a challenging task. As such, Illuga prefers this Polearm over Favonius Lance in his Lunar-Crystallize teams with Zibai. However, Favonius Lance still allows Illuga to get his Burst up faster in the first rotation in Stygian Onslaught, or to help with Noelle’s sizable ER requirements. Consequently, Frostbreath is only recommended at high refinements for Illuga in practice.
Zhongli	If Zhongli can trigger Hydro or Cryo Crystallize, this weapon allows him to build more HP for his shield instead of CRIT Rate for Favonius.
Shenhe	With this Polarm, Shenhe does not need to build CRIT Rate to trigger Favonius. She can instead reallocate her artifact substats to more ATK% and ER rolls. However, Favonius Lance is still recommended in quickswap teams where Shenhe can get 2 Favonius procs each rotation.