Genshin Impact Version 7.2, “Hour of Ruin,” arrives on November 4, and HoYoverse has already confirmed its four events and a free 4-star character pick. One thing can’t wait for the update, though: three livestream codes worth 300 Primogems expire in less than two days. Here’s what to claim now, what’s coming on November 4, and how to plan your Primogems.
Claim the livestream codes before they expire
The Version 7.2 Special Program aired on October 23 and released three codes. Games and Chill reports they’re HourofRuin (100 Primogems and 10 Mystic Enhancement Ore), ExpertMitya (100 Primogems and 5 Hero’s Wit) and PhotoTime (100 Primogems and 50,000 Mora). All three expire on October 26 at 12:00 (UTC+8), which is 9:30 AM IST that day.
Redeem them in the game or on HoYoverse’s redemption page. Games and Chill adds that the rewards arrive by in-game mail and that mail expires after 30 days, so collect them too. Some outlets capitalise the codes differently, such as “HourOfRuin,” so copy the spelling from the official redemption page if one fails.
What’s confirmed for Version 7.2
The update is called Hour of Ruin and launches November 4, 2026, according to Siliconera, Games and Chill and GachaGo. It adds a new Archon Quest in eastern Snezhnaya, two new Electro characters, Mitya (5-star) and Valeriy (4-star), and the Natlan Chronicled Wish.
HoYoverse hasn’t published the update-day maintenance time for 7.2 that I could find. Version 7.1’s maintenance began at 22:00 UTC the night before, and 7.0 started at 06:00 (UTC+8) with about five hours of downtime. If 7.2 follows that pattern, servers go down around 3:30 AM IST on November 4 and return around 8:30 AM IST. Wait for the official notice before relying on it.
The four events and their rewards
| Event | Dates | Rewards |
|---|---|---|
| The Grand Defense: Defy the Unjust Judgment | Nov 4 – Dec 16 | Free 4-star character, Primogems, Crown of Insight, Mora, materials |
| Stress Block Smashing Project | Nov 20 – Nov 30 | Primogems, Mystic Enhancement Ore, talent materials |
| Frames of Fierce Splendor | Nov 27 – Dec 7 | Primogems, enhancement materials, Sanctifying Unction |
| Ley Line Overflow | Dec 7 – Dec 14 | Double Ley Line rewards |
Dates for the three smaller events come from Game8’s calendar and match Sportskeeda’s. The Grand Defense dates also come from Game8, since HoYoverse hasn’t printed them in the sources I found. The flagship is the one that matters most: it’s tied to the new Archon Quest chapter, and clearing it unlocks a free 4-star pick. GamingonPhone puts the full flagship haul at 910 Primogems and the two mini events at 420 each. Those figures come from one outlet, so treat them as likely, not guaranteed.
The free 4-star pick
You choose one of eight characters: Amber, Xiangling, Thoma, Collei, Lynette, Kachina, Aino or Alyosha. Game8 notes that every option except Thoma can be obtained for free in-game through Spiral Abyss or Archon Quests. If that holds, I’d choose Thoma if you don’t own him, and otherwise whichever character you’d actually use and don’t have yet. Check your roster first, because a duplicate gives you far less than a new character.
Quest and exploration Primogems
Beyond events, completing the new Archon Quest within the version pays 560 Primogems and Mitya’s ascension materials, per GachaGo and Epiccarry. Kursiv adds that exploring the new region within its deadline pays another 400 Primogems. The Secret Tsarist Assignments add a Snezhnaya-themed Wind Glider, according to GachaGo.
How many Primogems to expect
Adding the figures above, the confirmed or reported amounts come to about 3,010 Primogems: 300 from codes, 560 from the Archon Quest, 400 from exploration, 910 from the flagship and 420 from each mini event. That excludes daily commissions, Spiral Abyss, maintenance compensation and Welkin Moon. The 910 and the 420s are single-source, so the real number could shift.
What’s on the banners
Phase 1 features Mitya and a Furina rerun, with Valeriy boosted, according to Sportskeeda. Phase 2 brings Zibai and Linnea reruns. The Chronicled Wish offers Varesa, Chasca, Xilonen, Mualani and Kinich, per Games and Chill, along with a new five-star Catalyst, Starsealed Edict. Exact phase dates haven’t been published in the sources I found.
I’d decide who to pull for before spending anything. If Mitya is your target, the Archon Quest and flagship Primogems arrive during Phase 1, so you can fund pulls as you play.
Before update day
Redeem the codes today. Pre-download the update when the option appears, finish your dailies before maintenance, and check the official notice for the exact start time. Pocket Tactics also lists an Overflowing Favor event running October 26 to November 2, if you want to spend your remaining resin before then.
FAQ
When does Genshin Impact 7.2 come out?
November 4, 2026, per the October 23 livestream.
When do the livestream codes expire?
October 26 at 12:00 (UTC+8), which is 9:30 AM IST.
How many Primogems can I earn in 7.2?
About 3,010 from codes, the Archon Quest, exploration and the events, if the reported figures hold.
Is the free 4-star permanent?
It’s a free pick unlocked by the flagship event, so you keep the character.
Redeem the codes now, plan your event and Archon Quest Primogems for after November 4, and wait for the official maintenance notice before you rely on any update-day timing.