Genshin Impact Version 7.0 is preparing to dramatically expand the game's arsenal when Snezhnaya opens its doors on August 12, 2026. Ahead of the update, HoYoverse has revealed new weapon details for Everwinter Without Mercy, confirming that Travelers will have multiple opportunities to obtain brand new weapons through the Epitome Invocation, Archon Quests, Forging, Battle Pass Bounties and additional progression activities.
Leading the new equipment lineup is Whitelake Frostfeather, a new Sword that will make its debut through the Epitome Invocation Event Wish immediately following the Version 7.0 update on August 12. During the banner period, Whitelake Frostfeather will receive a significantly increased drop rate, making the weapon one of the headline equipment additions accompanying the beginning of the Snezhnaya era.
The timing of Whitelake Frostfeather is particularly important because its arrival coincides with the debut of "Swirling Snow" Odette and her Swan's Shadow in Silken Ice Event Wish. With Odette serving as one of the central characters of the new update, players preparing to recruit her will have another major equipment target waiting on the weapon banner. The simultaneous launch creates a significant decision for Travelers managing their Primogems, Intertwined Fates and weapon investments during Version 7.0 Phase 1.
However, the premium Epitome Invocation is only one part of the weapon expansion. Version 7.0 will introduce additional weapons that can be acquired without depending entirely on limited weapon wishes. HoYoverse has confirmed that Travelers can earn new equipment by progressing through Archon Quests, giving story progression another tangible reward as players begin exploring the mysteries surrounding Snezhnaya and the events of Everwinter Without Mercy.
Forging will also become an important source of new equipment. Players will be able to craft additional Version 7.0 weapons through the game's existing forging system, providing accessible alternatives for Travelers who prefer to conserve their Primogems or cannot pursue limited 5-Star equipment. Craftable weapons traditionally occupy an important position in Genshin Impact team building, particularly for free to play accounts looking for reliable options that can eventually be refined without pulling additional copies from banners.
The update additionally expands equipment choices through Battle Pass Bounties, bringing more weapons into the progression ecosystem outside conventional Event Wishes. This approach means the Version 7.0 weapon lineup is spread across several acquisition methods rather than concentrating every desirable option behind the gacha system. Players will consequently have greater flexibility when selecting equipment according to their characters, available resources and preferred playstyles.
This expanded arsenal arrives alongside major changes to Genshin Impact's combat environment. Snezhnaya introduces new characters and mechanics alongside systems such as Stellar Swirl and the broader Stellar Reaction framework. New equipment entering the game at the same time provides additional opportunities for players to experiment with builds designed around the evolving combat mechanics of the Version 7.0 era.
The weapon additions could also have implications beyond newly released characters. Every major equipment expansion creates potential alternatives for existing members of the roster, particularly when new weapons provide combinations of offensive stats, utility or specialized bonuses that previously had limited availability. As players begin experimenting after August 12, determining which older characters can effectively use the new Version 7.0 weapons will become an important part of early theorycrafting.
For free to play Travelers in particular, the combination of quest rewards and forgeable equipment should make the weapon announcement especially significant. Instead of requiring every player to chase Whitelake Frostfeather, Version 7.0 provides multiple progression paths that can deliver useful equipment while allowing valuable premium currency to remain available for Odette, other characters and future Snezhnaya banners.
With Whitelake Frostfeather, new forgeable weapons, Battle Pass equipment and additional weapons obtainable through Archon Quest progression, HoYoverse is ensuring that the beginning of Snezhnaya brings considerably more than new characters to collect. When Genshin Impact Version 7.0 launches August 12, Travelers will have an entirely new arsenal to discover while beginning the next chapter of their journey through Everwinter Without Mercy.
