Genshin Impact 7.2 gives you one free 4-star of your choice from eight names: Amber, Xiangling, Thoma, Collei, Lynette, Kachina, Aino and Alyosha. You get it through "The Grand Defense: Defy the Unjust Judgment". To join you need Adventure Rank 20 plus Archon Quest Chapter VII: Act IV, or AR 20 plus Prologue: Act III through Quick Start.
The short version
Here's everything HoYoverse has put in writing about the free 4-star in Version 7.2. Each point comes from an official HoYoLAB notice or HoYoWiki, and I read all of them again on 2026-11-10.
- Eight characters to pick from: Amber, Xiangling, Thoma, Collei, Lynette, Kachina, Aino and Alyosha. You get one. (HoYoLAB event notice, posted 2026-11-02)
- Normal entry: Adventure Rank 20 or above and Archon Quest Chapter VII: Act IV "A Rekviem for the Underworld" completed. The event then unlocks as you go through Act VI "A Yesterday Sent From Beyond".
- Quick Start entry: Adventure Rank 20 or above and Archon Quest Prologue: Act III "Song of the Dragon and Freedom" completed. You join from the "Quick Start" button on the event page.
- How you earn the invite: clear Emergency Rescue, Securing Air Supremacy and Tactical Sweep operations until the Holy Soil threat "drops to a certain level". Along the way you also get Primogems and a Crown of Insight.
- How long you have: the event runs "throughout the entirety of Version 7.2".
- Banner side note: Mitya's banner and Furina's banner in Phase I share one guarantee count. Valeriy, the new 4-star, moves to the standard "Wanderlust Invocation" wish next version. Mitya and Furina don't.
The rest of this guide covers each requirement, compares the eight characters using HoYoverse's own data, and explains what the shared pity rule means for your next few pulls.
Where this information comes from
A lot of selector guides mix official notices with datamines and guesses. This one sticks to HoYoverse's own channels. Here's the list:
| Source | What it confirms | Posted | Checked |
|---|---|---|---|
| HoYoLAB official notice 47284166: "The Grand Defense: Defy the Unjust Judgment" Event: Participate to Invite a 4-Star Character of Your Choice | Eligibility, Quick Start, operation types, the eight characters, duration | 2026-11-02 | 2026-11-10 |
| HoYoLAB official post 47275053: event overview | The event runs all of Version 7.2; rewards include Primogems and Crown of Insight | 2026-11-01 | 2026-11-10 |
| HoYoLAB official notice 47284168: Version 7.2 Event Wishes Notice – Phase I | Banner line-up, end time, shared guarantee count, Valeriy joining the standard wish | 2026-11-02 | 2026-11-10 |
| HoYoLAB official notice 47306125: "Hour of Ruin" Version 7.2 Update Details | Unlock requirements for Archon Quest Act V and Act VI, the Snezhnaya shortcut, Valeriy's role | 2026-11-04 | 2026-11-10 |
| HoYoLAB official notice 47312224: V7.2 Known Issues & Update | Fixes to The Grand Defense event on 2026/11/04 and 2026/11/05 | 2026-11-04 (updated 2026-11-06) | 2026-11-10 |
| HoYoWiki (wiki.hoyolab.com) character entries | Element, weapon, region, ascension stat and constellation text for all eight choices and Valeriy | Live entries | 2026-11-10 |
The date I list for each HoYoLAB post is when it went up, converted to UTC+8. If a notice gives a time, I quote it the way HoYoverse wrote it.
What "The Grand Defense" actually is
The Grand Defense: Defy the Unjust Judgment is the main event of Version 7.2 "Hour of Ruin". HoYoverse's overview, posted 2026-11-01, sets the scene: "The Nails of Retribution stir, the Holy Soil spreads, and disasters erupt across Teyvat all at once." The Traveler teams up with familiar companions to deal with it.
In practice it's a run of relief operations. The full notice from 2026-11-02 lists three kinds:
| Operation | What you do (official wording, shortened) |
|---|---|
| Emergency Rescue | Use overhead surveillance devices to locate rescue targets, then go to them and help them escape. |
| Securing Air Supremacy | Guide a Favonian Falcon along a set flight path, defeat as many monsters as you can and deliver intelligence. |
| Tactical Sweep | Deploy members to complete various events, then fight a boss and cut its HP as far as you can within the time limit. |
Each operation you finish lowers the "Holy Soil threat". The notice says: "Once it drops to a certain level, you can invite one of the following 4-star characters of your choice and obtain rewards including Primogems, Crown of Insight, and other rewards."
The notice doesn't say how far the threat has to fall. So the plan is simple: clear operations until the invite screen opens. Your event page shows how close you are. Count on that, not on numbers other players post.
Who can join: the two routes
This is where most players get confused, so here's the exact wording. HoYoverse lists two ways in.
Route 1: the story route
From the official notice (2026-11-02):
- Adventure Rank 20 or above
- Complete Archon Quest Chapter VII: Act IV "A Rekviem for the Underworld"
- "This event is closely tied to the Archon Quest and will unlock as you progress through Archon Quest Chapter VII: Act VI 'A Yesterday Sent From Beyond.'"
HoYoverse also says it's best to finish "plenty of Story Quests, Hangout Events, and World Quests" first, and to play the event alongside the Archon Quest instead of racing through it.
Act IV alone won't open the event. On this route it opens as you play Act VI, and Act VI has its own requirements. The 7.2 Update Details (2026-11-04) list them:
| Quest | Unlock requirement (official) | Availability |
|---|---|---|
| Chapter VII: Act V "Hour of Ruin" | Adventure Rank 18+, Chapter VII: Act IV completed | Permanent after the 7.2 update |
| Chapter VII: Act VI "A Yesterday Sent From Beyond" | Adventure Rank 18+, Chapter VII: Act V completed | Permanent after the 7.2 update |
So the story route works out to: Act IV done, then Act V, then into Act VI, and the event opens partway through. You must also be AR 20, because that's the event's own minimum, even though the quests ask for only AR 18.
Route 2: Quick Start
The second route is in the same notice:
"Travelers who have reached Adventure Rank 20 or above and completed Archon Quest Prologue: Act III 'Song of the Dragon and Freedom' can take part in the event via 'Quick Start' on the event page."
This route is for players who haven't caught up on Snezhnaya. Prologue: Act III is the last act of the game's opening Prologue, so most accounts finished it long ago. If you're AR 20, you can enter from the event page.
Quick Start only skips the story requirement. The operations are the same, so you still have to clear them to lower the Holy Soil threat.
Which route is better?
| Your account | Route to use | Why |
|---|---|---|
| AR 20+, Chapter VII: Act IV done | Story route (or Quick Start) | You're already close to Act VI. The story route gives you the full context. |
| AR 20+, still in Natlan or Nod-Krai | Quick Start | You'd need several acts to reach Act VI. Quick Start lets you in now. |
| AR 18–19 | Neither yet | Both routes need AR 20. Get your last AR levels from commissions and exploration first. |
| Below AR 18, new account | Neither yet | Level up first. New accounts also have a separate 5-star selector (see below). |
One more official detail matters for the story route. According to the 7.2 Update Details, players at AR 18+ who have finished Prologue: Act III can use an automatically unlocked Teleport Waypoint to reach Snezhnaya and start Chapter VII: Act I "Everwinter Without Mercy". You don't need to finish earlier Archon Quests such as "Song of the Welkin Moon: Act X" first. This doesn't skip the requirement to finish Chapter VII: Act IV before the event opens on the story route. It only lets you begin Snezhnaya's story early.
Step-by-step: from "can I join?" to picking your character
- Check your Adventure Rank. Open the Paimon Menu. If you're below AR 20, stop here and level up.
- Check your Archon Quest progress. In the Quest menu, see whether Chapter VII: Act IV "A Rekviem for the Underworld" is in your completed list.
- Pick a route. If Act IV is done, play Act V and then Act VI, and the event opens along the way. If it isn't, open the Events page, find The Grand Defense and use Quick Start. That needs Prologue: Act III, which almost every account has.
- Clear the three operation types. Rotate through Emergency Rescue, Securing Air Supremacy and Tactical Sweep until the Holy Soil threat meter reaches the invite level.
- Open the invite screen and compare. Use the table in the next section. Look at constellations you'd unlock, not only who's strong at C0.
- Confirm your pick. You only get one, so take your time. The event lasts all of Version 7.2.
- Claim the other rewards. Primogems and Crown of Insight are part of the event rewards, according to the overview.
If something goes wrong mid-event, check the official Known Issues post first. On 2026/11/04 at 14:40, HoYoverse fixed a bug that "under certain circumstances" stopped teleporting or starting challenges in The Grand Defense. On 2026/11/05 at 16:10 it fixed another: finishing a stage and then opening the Quest menu could leave you unable to exit the stage. For both, the official fix is to choose "Exit to Login Interface" in the Paimon Menu, close the game and log in again.
The eight characters, side by side
All data below comes from each character's HoYoWiki entry, checked 2026-11-10. "Ascension stat" is the bonus stat the character gains as you ascend them.
| Character | Element | Weapon | Region | Ascension stat |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Amber | Pyro | Bow | Mondstadt | ATK |
| Xiangling | Pyro | Polearm | Liyue | Elemental Mastery |
| Thoma | Pyro | Polearm | Inazuma | ATK |
| Collei | Dendro | Bow | Sumeru | ATK |
| Lynette | Anemo | Sword | Fontaine | Anemo DMG Bonus |
| Kachina | Geo | Polearm | Natlan | Geo DMG Bonus |
| Aino | Hydro | Claymore | Nod-Krai | Elemental Mastery |
| Alyosha | Electro | Polearm | Snezhnaya | Energy Recharge |
Three of the eight are Pyro: Amber, Xiangling and Thoma. Every other element appears once, except Cryo, which isn't in the list.
The constellations worth checking
If you already own someone on this list, the pick may simply push them one constellation higher. That's often the best use of a free copy. Here are the constellations people talk about most for each character, in HoYoWiki's wording (shortened):
| Character | Constellation | What it does (HoYoWiki) |
|---|---|---|
| Amber | C6 "Wildfire" | Fiery Rain increases all party members' Movement SPD by 15% and ATK by 15% for 10s. |
| Xiangling | C4 "Slowbake" | Pyronado's duration is increased by 40%. |
| Xiangling | C6 "Condensed Pyronado" | For the duration of Pyronado, all party members receive a 15% Pyro DMG Bonus. |
| Thoma | C6 "Burning Heart" | When a Blazing Barrier is obtained or refreshed, Normal, Charged and Plunging Attack DMG for all party members rises by 15% for 6s. |
| Collei | C4 "Gift of the Woods" | Trump-Card Kitty increases all nearby characters' Elemental Mastery by 60 for 12s (not Collei herself). |
| Lynette | C2 "Endless Mysteries" | The Bogglecat Box fires an extra Vivid Shot each time it fires one. |
| Lynette | C6 "Watchful Eye" | Enigma Thrust gives her an Anemo Infusion and 20% Anemo DMG Bonus for 6s. |
| Kachina | C1 "Shards Are Gems Too" | She absorbs nearby Crystallize shards when mounting or dismounting Turbo Twirly. Each shard a party member picks up gives her 3 Energy (once every 5s). |
| Aino | C1 "The Theory of Ash—Field Equilibrium" | After her Skill or Burst, her Elemental Mastery rises by 80, and nearby active party members get +80 EM for 15s. |
| Alyosha | C2 "Howl From Afar" | Hunter's Advance (Burst) lasts 6s longer, and Tugarin applies Hunter's Mark when he attacks. |
| Alyosha | C6 "Standard Reclaimed" | Hunter's Precision can stack to 2. At 2 stacks, affected characters on the field also gain 100 Elemental Mastery. |
How to choose without regretting it
No pick is right for everyone. It depends on who you own and which teams you actually play. Here's how I'd work it out, using the official data above.
Step 1: check your roster for gaps
Open your Character screen and filter by element. If you're missing one of the eight entirely, that's usually the strongest case for a free copy. Getting a new character for zero Primogems beats a small boost to someone you already have. That's especially true if the character fits a team you're building.
Step 2: look for a "one copy away" constellation
Next, check the constellation level of anyone on the list you already own. A free copy moves them up one step. The table above shows the jumps that change how a character plays:
- Xiangling at C3: one copy gets her to C4, and Pyronado lasts 40% longer.
- Collei at C3: one copy unlocks C4, which gives the party +60 EM for 12s.
- Alyosha at C1: one copy unlocks C2, so his Burst lasts 6s longer and Tugarin applies Hunter's Mark.
- Aino at C0: one copy unlocks C1, which gives +80 EM to her and the active character.
- Lynette at C1: one copy unlocks C2 and the extra Vivid Shot.
Step 3: match the pick to your team plans
Think about which teams you'll actually run over the next few months. A Lunar or reaction-based player and a mono-Geo player need different things from the same free slot. A few points from the official data:
- Aino is Hydro, scales on Elemental Mastery, and her C6 boosts Electro-Charged, Bloom, Lunar-Charged and Lunar-Bloom damage (HoYoWiki). She fits Hydro reaction teams.
- Alyosha is Electro, scales on Energy Recharge, and is from Snezhnaya, the same region as this version's featured characters Mitya and Valeriy. His Hunter's Mark constellations matter for teams built around him.
- Kachina is the only Geo option, and her C1 is about Crystallize shards. She suits Geo or Crystallize teams.
- Thoma is a Pyro shielder. His C6 adds a 15% party-wide boost to Normal, Charged and Plunging Attacks when his barrier is refreshed.
Step 4: don't rush
The event runs all of Version 7.2, so there's no prize for picking on day one. Pull on the Phase I banners first if you plan to. If you get Valeriy, Charlotte or Rosaria, your team needs might change. Pick your free character after that.
Side note: the 7.2 Phase I banners share one pity count
This version brings back a common question: "If I pull on Mitya's banner and switch to Furina's, does my pity reset?" The answer is in the official Phase I wish notice (2026-11-02).
What's on the banners
| Banner | Wish type | Featured 5-star | Featured 4-stars | Ends |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| "Myriad Patterns Unfold" | Character Event Wish | "Rules Set at Naught" Mitya (Electro) | Valeriy (Electro), Charlotte (Cryo), Rosaria (Cryo) | 2026/11/24 17:59 |
| "Chanson of Many Waters" | Character Event Wish-2 | "Endless Solo of Solitude" Furina (Hydro) | Valeriy (Electro), Charlotte (Cryo), Rosaria (Cryo) | 2026/11/24 17:59 |
| "Epitome Invocation" | Weapon banner | Starsealed Edict (Catalyst), Splendor of Tranquil Waters (Sword) | The Dockhand's Assistant, Prospector's Drill, Dawning Frost, Rainslasher, Rust | 2026/11/24 17:59 |
All three banners opened "after the Version 7.2 update". The 7.2 Update Details put that maintenance at 2026/11/04 06:00 (UTC+8), with an estimated five hours of downtime.
The pity rule, word for word
Both character banners in the notice carry this line:
"The wish guarantee count for 'Character Event Wish' and 'Character Event Wish-2' is shared, and is accumulated between both 'Character Event Wish' and 'Character Event Wish-2.' This wish guarantee count is independent of the guarantee counts of other types of wishes."
What that means for you:
- Switching between Mitya and Furina doesn't reset anything. Ten pulls on Mitya and ten on Furina count the same as twenty on one banner.
- The weapon banner is separate. Pulls on Epitome Invocation don't move your character pity, and the reverse is also true.
- The standard banner is separate too. Wanderlust Invocation pulls don't touch your character event count.
HoYoverse sends you to the in-game Details page for the exact rates and guarantee numbers: "go to the Wish screen and select Details in the bottom-left corner." Use that page, not a screenshot someone shared, because it's the one that applies to your account.
Valeriy will join the standard banner. Mitya and Furina won't.
The same notice also says what happens after Phase I:
"After this event wish ends, the 4-star character 'Fort Fulguration' Valeriy (Electro) will be available in the standard wish 'Wanderlust Invocation' in the next Version."
And right below it:
"Of the above characters, the event-exclusive character will not be available in the standard wish 'Wanderlust Invocation.'"
Mitya and Furina are both marked "event-exclusive" in the notice, so neither will appear on the standard banner. Valeriy is the only character from this phase who will.
| Character | Rarity | On Phase I banners? | Joins Wanderlust Invocation? |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mitya | 5-star, event-exclusive | Yes (Character Event Wish) | No |
| Furina | 5-star, event-exclusive | Yes (Character Event Wish-2) | No |
| Valeriy | 4-star, new | Yes, rate-up on both | Yes, from the next version |
| Charlotte, Rosaria | 4-star | Yes, rate-up on both | The notice doesn't single them out |
Why this matters for the free selector
Valeriy isn't one of the eight free choices. But once he joins the standard banner, he'll keep showing up as a possible 4-star drop. If you want him at a higher constellation, the Phase I rate-up is your best chance for now. Later, he'll be one of many 4-stars on the standard banner.
The Update Details (2026-11-04) describe him as a support "who can provide Electro-related buffs and shields". His HoYoWiki entry lists Electro, Sword, Snezhnaya and an ATK ascension stat. His C2 "Ranks That Charge as One" gives all nearby party members 100 Elemental Mastery for 18s after his Elemental Skill.
Video: "Version 7.2 'Hour of Ruin' Events Overview | Genshin Impact", from the official Genshin Impact YouTube channel (uploaded 2026-10-23). It is HoYoverse's own preview of the 7.2 events, including The Grand Defense.
Planning your Primogems around the selector
The free character costs no Primogems, but the event does pay out Primogems as you go. The overview says the rewards include "Primogems, Crown of Insight, and other rewards". HoYoverse's text notice doesn't give a Primogem total, so I won't guess one.
If you're working out how many Phase I pulls you can afford before 2026/11/24 17:59, we track the confirmed Primogem sources in our 7.2 Phase I Primogem count. If you're a few pulls short, you can top up Genesis Crystals for Genshin Impact. Genesis Crystals convert to Primogems 1:1.
The selector itself doesn't need any spending. Every requirement is about progress: AR 20, quest completion and event operations.
New account? There's a separate 5-star selector
If you're thinking of starting a new account, Version 7.2 also has a newcomer event. It's a different event from The Grand Defense. HoYoLAB notice 47284164 (2026-11-02), "Across the Frozen Wilds, Honing One's Edge", says:
- It's for "Travelers who have completed registration and unlocked the Wish feature after the Version 7.2 update."
- Once you've unlocked Wishes, you can invite "a 5-star character of your choice from the Standard Wish 'Wanderlust Invocation'". You also get Ascension Level-Up Materials for that character.
- It's available "within 42 days after registration" and runs "until the end of the Version 7.x". If you register late in 7.x, you may get fewer than 42 days.
- You can invite a character only once, and you can't invite after the event ends.
A brand-new account still has to reach AR 20 and finish Prologue: Act III before it can use Quick Start for The Grand Defense. The two events have separate requirements.
What happens when the event ends
The official notice ends with this line:
"After the event ends, you can still experience the 'Trial of Usurpation' as you progress through Archon Quest Chapter VII: Act VI 'A Yesterday Sent From Beyond.' Your current progress will be retained."
That line is about the story part, the "Trial of Usurpation". It doesn't say the 4-star invite stays open after Version 7.2. Treat the character pick as limited to this version and claim it before 7.2 ends.
Common mistakes to avoid
| Mistake | What the official text actually says |
|---|---|
| "I finished Act IV, so the event should be open." | On the story route, the event "will unlock as you progress through" Act VI. Act IV is the minimum requirement, not the point where it opens. |
| "I'm AR 18, so I can use Quick Start." | Quick Start needs AR 20. AR 18 is the requirement for the Act V and Act VI quests, not for this event. |
| "Quick Start means I skip the operations." | Quick Start only lets you skip the story requirement. You still lower the Holy Soil threat by clearing operations. |
| "Pity resets if I switch from Mitya to Furina." | The guarantee count is shared between Character Event Wish and Character Event Wish-2. |
| "Mitya will be on the standard banner later, like Valeriy." | Only Valeriy is named for Wanderlust Invocation. Event-exclusive characters won't be available there. |
| "I'll pick the free character after the version ends." | The event runs "throughout the entirety of Version 7.2". After that, only the Trial of Usurpation story stays, as part of Act VI. |
FAQ
Which characters can I pick for free in Genshin Impact 7.2?
Amber, Xiangling, Thoma, Collei, Lynette, Kachina, Aino and Alyosha. You get one, from The Grand Defense: Defy the Unjust Judgment (HoYoLAB notice, 2026-11-02).
What Adventure Rank do I need?
Adventure Rank 20 or above, on both the story route and Quick Start.
Do I need to finish the Snezhnaya story?
Not if you use Quick Start. That needs AR 20 and Archon Quest Prologue: Act III "Song of the Dragon and Freedom". The story route needs Chapter VII: Act IV, and the event opens as you go through Act VI.
How long do I have to claim the character?
HoYoverse says the event is "available throughout the entirety of Version 7.2". Check the timer on the event page for your server's exact end.
Do Mitya's and Furina's banners share pity?
Yes. The Phase I notice says the guarantee count for Character Event Wish and Character Event Wish-2 "is shared". It's separate from the weapon and standard banners.
Will Valeriy be on the standard banner?
Yes. After the Phase I event wish ends, he'll be in "Wanderlust Invocation" from the next version. Mitya and Furina are event-exclusive and won't be.
When do the Phase I banners end?
2026/11/24 17:59, according to the official wish notice.
The event won't let me teleport or leave a stage. What should I do?
HoYoverse fixed both problems on 2026/11/04 and 2026/11/05. If you still have trouble, choose "Exit to Login Interface" in the Paimon Menu, close the game and log back in. That's the official fix (V7.2 Known Issues & Update).
Sources
- HoYoLAB, Genshin Impact Official: "The Grand Defense: Defy the Unjust Judgment" Event: Participate to Invite a 4-Star Character of Your Choice. https://www.hoyolab.com/article/47284166 (2026-11-02, checked 2026-11-10)
- HoYoLAB, Genshin Impact Official: "The Grand Defense: Defy the Unjust Judgment" Event Overview. https://www.hoyolab.com/article/47275053 (2026-11-01, checked 2026-11-10)
- HoYoLAB, Genshin Impact Official: Version 7.2 Event Wishes Notice – Phase I. https://www.hoyolab.com/article/47284168 (2026-11-02, checked 2026-11-10)
- HoYoLAB, Genshin Impact Official: "Hour of Ruin" Version 7.2 Update Details. https://www.hoyolab.com/article/47306125 (2026-11-04, checked 2026-11-10)
- HoYoLAB, Genshin Impact Official: V7.2 Known Issues & Update. https://www.hoyolab.com/article/47312224 (2026-11-04, updated through 2026-11-06, checked 2026-11-10)
- HoYoLAB, Genshin Impact Official: "Across the Frozen Wilds, Honing One's Edge" Event. https://www.hoyolab.com/article/47284164 (2026-11-02, checked 2026-11-10)
- HoYoWiki character entries (checked 2026-11-10): Amber https://wiki.hoyolab.com/pc/genshin/entry/14; Xiangling https://wiki.hoyolab.com/pc/genshin/entry/50; Thoma https://wiki.hoyolab.com/pc/genshin/entry/16; Collei https://wiki.hoyolab.com/pc/genshin/entry/2268; Lynette https://wiki.hoyolab.com/pc/genshin/entry/3962; Kachina https://wiki.hoyolab.com/pc/genshin/entry/6318; Aino https://wiki.hoyolab.com/pc/genshin/entry/8397; Alyosha https://wiki.hoyolab.com/pc/genshin/entry/11163; Valeriy https://wiki.hoyolab.com/pc/genshin/entry/11828
- YouTube, Genshin Impact (official): Version 7.2 "Hour of Ruin" Events Overview. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vP5c9J4QQCo (2026-10-23)