Wuthering Waves 3.1 Update: New Characters, Region & Pull Tips

The Wuthering Waves 3.1 Update lands on February 5, 2026 and brings a major content expansion that fully leans into exploration, lore, and fresh Resonators tied to the icy Roya Frostlands region. This patch, named For You Who Walk in Snow, introduces two new 5-star heroes across two phases, a massive story crescendo, new events, and practical gameplay improvements that make the world feel alive on day one.

Players have been hyped for this moment after Version 3.0’s long run and the tease of frozen frontiers. In addition to new Resonators, the update expands the main narrative through Chapter III Act III: The Star That Voyages Far and Segue: Afterstory All That Sunlight Touches, giving the patch some of the deepest story content seen so far. 

Release Date and What to Expect in Wuthering Waves 3.1 Update

Kuro Games officially confirmed that Wuthering Waves 3.1 Update “For You Who Walk in Snow” releases globally on February 5, 2026. Maintenance will begin early that day with rollout happening around midmorning in most regions. 

The update runs for about six weeks, typically concluding in mid-March, and marks one of the biggest expansions in the game’s history in terms of new playable content and world exploration. 

Beyond the release date, the patch promises smoother performance, controller enhancements on PC and PS5, refined snow and ice visuals, and quicker resource loading that benefits both low end and high end hardware. 

See Also: Crush Bosses with This Cantarella Wuthering Waves Build Guide

Banner Schedule for Wuthering Waves 3.1 Update

Here is the confirmed banner schedule for the Wuthering Waves 3.1 Update: 

Phase 1 (February 5 to February 26, 2026)

• Aemeath (5-star, new)
• Chisa (5-star, rerun)
• Lupa (5-star, rerun)

Phase 2 (February 26 to March 18, 2026)

• Luuk Herssen (5-star, new)
• Galbrena (5-star, rerun)

Weapon banners rotate in parallel, featuring Everbright Polestar for Aemeath in Phase 1 and Daybreaker’s Spine for Luuk in Phase 2, alongside rerun weapons that support broader team play.

New Heroes in Wuthering Waves 3.1 Update

The banner schedule for this patch is carefully split into two phases, each spotlighting a new Resonator alongside rerun favorites. 

Aemeath (Phase 1, Fusion Sword)

Phase 1 of the Wuthering Waves 3.1 Update launches on February 5, 2026 with Aemeath, a 5-star Fusion element Resonator who wields a sword and functions as Main DPS. 

Aemeath’s kit focuses on Resonance Liberation damage and flexible combat flow, often blending humanoid attacks with mech-mode abilities that synergize well with Fusion Burst effects. Her resonance mechanics make her a high skill ceiling character that appeals to players who enjoy optimizing damage windows. 

Alongside Aemeath are Chisa and Lupa as 5-star reruns in Phase 1, giving players strong mid- tier picks and banner options immediately at the start of Version 3.1. 

Luuk Herssen (Phase 2, Spectro Gauntlets)

The second half of the Wuthering Waves 3.1 Update begins February 26, 2026 and stars Luuk Herssen, a new 5-star Spectro Resonator using gauntlets. 

Luuk’s backstory deepens the lore of Startorch Academy, and his combat role looks to balance damage with team support potential. Banding his strengths with late wave team builds and synergistic Pairing could give players exciting new compositions. 

Phase 2 also includes the Galbrena rerun, giving players more flexible options with a Fusion pistol user alongside Luuk’s Spectro gauntlets. 

Roya Frostlands and New Main Story Quests

One of the biggest changes in the Wuthering Waves 3.1 Update is the expansion of the game’s world into the Roya Frostlands, a chilling subregion full of environmental hazards, hidden secrets, and exploration rewards.

The main quest continues through Chapter III Act III: The Star That Voyages Far, in which Aemeath’s arc unfolds prominently. Players will also unlock the segue quest All That Sunlight Touches. Which explores Luuk’s backstory and his connections to the Academy. 

This expanded story gives the patch a narrative hook deep enough to satisfy players who value lore and RPG progression as much as they value strong Resonators.

Events, Rewards, and Quality of Life in Wuthering Waves 3.1 Update

Version 3.1 includes a slew of events running across its duration, with eleven limited-time events confirmed by official reports. These range from exploration challenges to seasonal rewards and login bonuses tied to Astrites and Echo enhancements. 

In addition to event content, Kuro Games has tweaked several quality of life features, including simplified leveling, faster farming, improved expedition tools, and controller optimization across platforms. 

Players will also receive free rewards in mail, including Astrites and upgrade materials that help ease the transition into the new version and offset pull costs from banners. 

Wuthering Waves 3.1 Update Astrite Spending Guide

Astrite management matters a lot in the Wuthering Waves 3.1 Update, especially with two new 5-star Resonators split across phases and a brand new Ice region pulling attention away from banners. The smartest approach is deciding early which phase actually benefits your account, then committing fully instead of spreading pulls too thin.

Phase 1 Pull Priority: Aemeath

If you enjoy aggressive, high execution combat, Aemeath is the strongest early pull option in the Wuthering Waves 3.1 Update. As a Fusion sword Main DPS, she offers immediate impact with strong Resonance Liberation scaling and flexible rotations that reward skillful play. New DPS characters also tend to age better across multiple patches. Especially when they launch alongside new regions and story arcs built around them.

Players lacking a reliable Main DPS or looking to refresh their core team will get the most long term value from pulling in Phase 1. The reruns alongside Aemeath are solid. But she is clearly the banner centerpiece and the main reason to spend Astrites early.

Phase 2 Pull Priority: Luuk Herssen

Phase 2 of the Wuthering Waves 3.1 Update shifts the focus toward Luuk Herssen. A Spectro gauntlet user with a more balanced role that blends damage and team utility. Luuk shines in coordinated team setups and late-wave content. Making him appealing to players who already have stable DPS options and want to improve consistency and survivability.

If your roster already feels strong but lacks Spectro coverage or supportive flexibility, saving Astrites for Phase 2 can be the smarter play. Luuk’s value grows with investment and team synergy rather than raw first-day damage numbers.

Reruns and Weapon Banners

Rerun banners in Version 3.1 are best treated as optional upgrades. Characters like Chisa, Lupa, and Galbrena remain useful. But they are not must pulls unless they complete a specific team you are already running.

Weapon banners should only be considered if you are fully committed to a character and have excess Astrites. Signature weapons offer noticeable performance boosts. But pulling on them without a clear plan can drain resources fast and limit flexibility for future updates.

Free to Play and Low Spend Advice

For free to play and low spend players, the safest strategy in the Wuthering Waves 3.1 Update is simple. Pick one phase, commit to that banner, and stop once you hit your target or lose pity. Event rewards and exploration Astrites from the Ice region help, but they should be treated as bonuses rather than guarantees.

Saving leftover Astrites after Version 3.1 also puts you in a strong position for upcoming patches. Especially as the game continues expanding its regions and Resonator roster.

See Also: Qiuyuan Wuthering Waves Build Guide: Skills, Gear & Teams

The Wuthering Waves 3.1 Update delivers a strong mix of story, exploration, and fresh gameplay hooks. Especially seeing how its anchored in the Frostlands and Startorch Academy. With two new Resonators releasing across phases, solid reruns to backfill your roster, and deep quality of life improvements, this version is shaping up as one of 2026’s most substantial patches. 

If you are gearing up for pulls or ready to dive into icy exploration, start stocking Astrites now. And when you are ready to pull your favorites, don’t forget to top up Wuthering Waves on Joytify.