Identity V 8th Anniversary 2026 Guide: Stillewald's Banquet, Rewards & Event Schedule
Complete guide to Identity V's 8th Anniversary Stillewald's Banquet (July 2–29, 2026). Covers all 6 event activities, S-tier Gardener "Wilis" costume, Disciple Verdure Afloat, free A-tier unlock cards, Paper Bride Part 2 crossover, anniversary Echo packs, and full daily checklist.
1. Event Overview: What Is Stillewald's Banquet?
Stillewald's Banquet is the official 8th Anniversary event for Identity V (Global servers), launched with the July 2, 2026 maintenance update. The event is set in the Truth & Inference parallel universe and revolves around the Season 43 Essence 1 storyline — a mysterious wedding in the town of Stillewald, famed for the legend of the Hydriads.
According to the official Identity V 8th Anniversary announcement, the event runs from July 2 to July 29, 2026 (most activities), with select anniversary items and packs extending into early August. The update also marks the transition from Season 42 to Season 43, bringing new Rank Treasures, a new Logic Path, major balance changes to 27 characters, and the return of the Paper Bride crossover.
Key Dates: Most anniversary activities: July 2 – July 29. Anniversary Echo Packs: until July 31. Paper Bride crossover: until August 2. Event furniture: until August 5. Free 40% costume discount card valid until December 31, 2026.
2. All Free Rewards & Login Bonuses
The 8th Anniversary is exceptionally generous with free rewards. Here is everything you can claim without spending a single Echo, based on the official patch notes:
Day-One Login Rewards (July 2)
Event-Grind Free Rewards
Total Free Value: 1 anniversary portrait + 10 free Essence pulls + 1 A-tier unlock card (permanent) + 2 B-tier unlock cards + 2 B-tier event costumes + 1 B-tier accessory + 1 emote unlock card + 1 A-tier furniture + rank protection + S-tier trial card + 40% discount card + all characters free for 4 weeks. This is one of the most generous anniversary events in Identity V history.
3. Season 43 Essence 1: Gardener "Wilis" & Pull Strategy
The centerpiece of the 8th Anniversary is Season 43 Essence 1, featuring a new S-tier costume and two A-tier costumes in the Truth & Inference universe:
Pity System: At 80 and 130 pulls, you can choose one A-tier Portrait (Faro Lady or Photographer). At 180 pulls, you receive the Gardener "Wilis" Portrait — guaranteeing the S-tier costume.
Pull Strategy: Use your 10 free Anniversary Essences first. If you're targeting the S-tier Gardener skin, budget for 180 pulls (~17,280 Inspiration). The S43 Essence 1 discount pack (576 Echoes for 10 Essences, limit 3) is the most cost-efficient way to buy pulls — stack this with the free 10 and anniversary Echo packs for the best value.
4. Disciple "Verdure Afloat" — The Anniversary S-Tier Package
Alongside the Essence, the "Disciple" Banquet Toast costume package is available as a direct purchase — no gacha required. This S-tier costume for the Disciple (Ann) comes bundled with an A-tier accessory at a significant launch discount:
The package is available from July 2 to July 29, 2026. The 32% discount (2,688 Echoes vs. 3,956 Echoes separately) makes this the most cost-effective direct-purchase S-tier in the anniversary lineup. If you main Disciple, this is the single best Echo investment of the event.
5. All 6 Event Activities Explained
The anniversary is structured around six interconnected activities, each offering unique rewards and gameplay:
Event #1: Stillewald's Banquet (Main Story Event)
Type: Story progression + daily check-in + event tasks
Rewards: B-tier event costume, event portrait, furniture, emote unlock card, B-tier costume unlock card
Story: What secrets lie hidden in Stillewald, famed for the Hydriad legend? Beneath the wedding vows, a dark truth awaits. Progress through the narrative by completing daily tasks.
Event #2: Floral Whisper (Daily Sign-In)
Type: Daily attendance check-in
Rewards: Event portrait, Spy Glasses, Fragments
Mechanic: Missed days can be made up for 10 Inspiration each (July 10–29). Don't miss days — the free rewards are front-loaded.
Event #3: Take Your Seat (Investigation Story)
Type: Investigation-driven story progression
Rewards: B-tier event costume, B-tier accessory
Story: A blank invitation leads "Lady Truth" to Stillewald — a town preparing for a grand wedding. But by the time she arrives, the wedding is over and a new case awaits.
Event #4: Woodland Waltz (Mini-Game)
Type: Mini-game — play as Hydriads, travel from the ballroom through the forest, escort townspeople back to the banquet
Rewards: A-tier furniture "Oath Stele", B-tier costume unlock card, tag
Mechanic: Each traveler has unique traits that give different scores. Highest total score wins. Replayable for leaderboard competition.
Event #5: Banquet Favors (Weekly Tasks)
Type: Weekly missions unlocking over 2 weeks
Grand Prize: A-tier Costume Unlock Card (Permanent)
Other Rewards: Animated graffiti, Rank Protection Cards
Priority: This is the single most valuable free reward in the event. Complete every weekly task.
Event #6: Anniversary Tales (Lore Archive)
Type: Unlock and revisit major events from the past year
Rewards: Clues, Fragments, Spy Glasses, Golden Apples
Mechanic: Up to 2 events per day can be checked in. Catch up on missed lore from the past 12 months of Identity V history.
Daily Checklist for Maximum Rewards: (1) Log in for Floral Whisper sign-in, (2) Complete Stillewald's Banquet daily tasks, (3) Progress Take Your Seat investigation, (4) Play Woodland Waltz mini-game, (5) Work on Banquet Favors weekly missions, (6) Check in 2 Anniversary Tales. ~20–30 minutes per day covers everything.
6. Identity V × Paper Bride Part 2 Crossover
Running concurrently with the anniversary is the second Identity V × Paper Bride (纸嫁衣) collaboration, featuring new S-tier and A-tier crossover costumes and the return of Part 1 items:
The Part 1 crossover also returns: S-tier Perfumer "Nie Moli" (2,888 Echoes), S-tier accessory "Paper Shrine" (1,888 Echoes), bundle (3,268 Echoes), A-tier Antiquarian "Tao Mengyan" (1,388), and A-tier Novelist "Xiao Chi" (1,388). All crossover items are available July 2 – August 2, 2026.
7. Anniversary Echo Packs & Value Comparison
Four limited anniversary Echo packs are available from July 2 to July 31. Here's how they compare for value:
Additionally, the S43 Essence 1 discount pack (576 Echoes for 10 Essences) can be purchased 3 times (total 1,728 Echoes for 30 pulls) and is available until September 10. This is the single most efficient Echo-to-pull conversion in the game — prioritize this over direct Essence purchases.
Optimal Spending Path: Buy all 3 Essence discount packs (1,728 Echoes → 30 pulls) + use 10 free Anniversary Essences = 40 pulls for 1,728 Echoes. If targeting the S-tier Gardener skin, stack Anniversary Discount Pack #3 (6,918 Echoes) with the discount pulls. For the Disciple Verdure Afloat package, Anniversary Discount #2 (3,448 Echoes) covers the 2,688 bundle with Echoes to spare.
8. Top Up Echoes for the Anniversary — Topuplist Identity V
Timing is critical during the anniversary. The Anniversary Echo packs expire July 31, the 40% discount card expires December 31, and the Disciple Verdure Afloat bundle discount (32% off) ends July 29. Purchasing Echoes through Topuplist ensures you have the funds ready when these limited offers are active — rather than scrambling at the last minute at higher in-game rates.
Smart spenders stack the 3× Essence discount packs (1,728 Echoes for 30 pulls) with the anniversary Echo bundles for maximum value. Top up at Topuplist to fund this strategy, and use your saved Fragments for the non-limited items available year-round — never waste paid currency on what you can grind for free.
9. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q: When does the Identity V 8th Anniversary event end?
Most anniversary activities end July 29, 2026 at 23:59. The Anniversary Echo packs end July 31, the Paper Bride crossover ends August 2, event furniture ends August 5, and the Essence discount packs are available until September 10. Mark July 29 as your hard deadline for all free rewards.
Q: Is Gardener "Wilis" guaranteed, and how many pulls do I need?
Technically, no S-tier costume is "guaranteed" in Identity V. However, at 180 pulls you receive the Gardener "Wilis" Portrait, which typically indicates you've acquired the S-tier costume through the pity system. Budget approximately 17,280 Inspiration or equivalent Echoes for 180 pulls. Use the 3× Essence discount packs (576 Echoes for 10 pulls each) to reduce costs.
Q: What are the best free rewards I should prioritize?
In order of priority: (1) A-tier Costume Unlock Card from Banquet Favors weekly tasks — this is a permanent A-tier costume of your choice, the single most valuable free item. (2) 10 free Anniversary Essences from login. (3) B-tier Unlock Cards from Woodland Waltz + Stillewald's Banquet. (4) 40% Discount Card — valid until December 31, use it on a high-cost costume you've been saving for.
Q: Should I buy the Disciple Verdure Afloat bundle?
If you main Disciple (Ann), absolutely — the 32% bundle discount (2,688 Echoes for S-tier costume + A-tier accessory) is the best value in the anniversary shop. If you don't play Disciple, skip it and allocate your Echoes toward the S43 Essence 1 discount packs or the Paper Bride crossover instead.
Q: Can I get the Paper Bride Patient "Li Fengze" skin for free?
Yes. The A-tier Patient "Li Fengze" costume is a free reward from the Paper Bride Part 2 crossover — earn it through event sign-in and divination jump challenges. No Echoes required. The crossover runs July 2 – August 2, so you have a full month to claim it.
Q: Are all characters really free during the anniversary?
Yes — all characters except Mime are free to use from July 2 to July 29. This is the perfect opportunity to try characters you don't own before committing Clues or Echoes to purchase them. Test out the Disciple, Gardener, Antiquarian, and Faro Lady before buying their anniversary costumes.
Q: What's the most cost-efficient way to pull for S43 Essence 1?
Order of operations: (1) Use 10 free Anniversary Essences. (2) Buy all 3 S43 Essence 1 discount packs (576 Echoes each = 1,728 total for 30 pulls). (3) Buy Anniversary Echo packs that include bonus Essences. (4) If still short of 180, spend remaining Inspiration. The discount packs are the single best Echo-to-pull ratio in the game.
Q: Where can I buy Echoes for the anniversary event?
Echoes can be purchased through the in-game shop, but for competitive pricing and instant delivery, Topuplist is the recommended platform. Their Identity V top-up page offers all Echo packages with secure checkout and fast delivery — ideal for snagging the Anniversary Echo packs before the July 31 deadline.
Q: What happens to my unused Anniversary Essences after the event?
S43 Essence 1 remains available until Season 43 ends. Unused Essences carry over within the season. The discount packs (576 Echoes for 10) are available until September 10. However, the 10 free Anniversary Essences must be claimed during the event period. Use them before July 29 to avoid losing them.
