Genshin Impact 7.1 event: choosing the best free five-star character

Genshin Impact is marking its sixth anniversary with a gift unlike any it has offered before: for the first time, players can claim one free limited-time event character at no cost. The roster includes Varesa, Clorinde, Baizhu, Chiori, Nilou, and Tartaglia, and with any one of them joining your team for free, picking wisely matters. There is one catch, though — you will need to clear the latest Archon Quests before the character becomes yours.

What's on Offer

This is a genuine first for HoYoverse's long-running action RPG. Event-exclusive characters normally require Primogems, Intertwined Fates, and often a healthy dose of luck on the gacha banner. Now, Travelers can choose from a lineup that spans several elements and roles:

• Varesa – an electro catalyst user with a high-flying, aggressive playstyle
• Clorinde – an electro sword fighter built around sustained damage
• Baizhu – a Dendro catalyst healer and shielder
• Chiori – a Geo sword user who works well off-field
• Nilou – a Hydro sword dancer who supercharges Bloom team comps
• Tartaglia – a Hydro bow wielder who switches to melee ranged hybrid combat

The Requirement to Unlock

The free pick is not entirely effortless. Players must finish the most recent Archon Quests before they can claim their chosen character. Anyone who has fallen behind on the main story will want to work through that content first — which is fair, since the anniversary celebration doubles as a hook to pull lapsed players back into the narrative.

Which One Should You Pick?

The right answer depends on what your roster is missing. Baizhu remains one of the most reliable Dendro healers and slots comfortably into a wide range of teams. Nilou is a strong pick if you enjoy Bloom-focused squads, while Tartaglia still delivers solid Hydro damage for newer accounts. Clorinde, Chiori, and Varesa round out the options with newer kits, and Varesa in particular is the most recent addition, making her the rarest pull for many players.

If you already own several of them, choose the one whose element and role fill a gap in your lineup — or simply the character you have always wanted but never managed to pull.

What Happens Next

The anniversary rewards are live now, so players should check the event menu, finish any outstanding Archon Quests, and lock in their choice before the celebration window closes.

Source: the original publisher