Genshin Impact 7.0 "The Unforgiving Eternal Winter": preparation guide for Snezhnaya — what to farm before August 12

Eight days. That's what separates you from Snezhnaya, Teyvat's seventh nation, promised since the game's launch in 2020 and finally opening on August 12, 2026 with version 7.0 "The Merciless Eternal Winter".

Eight days is also exactly how much time you have to avoid showing up empty-handed. Because 7.0 isn't an ordinary content update: it adds an entire region, a brand-new combat mode, two characters, and a two-act Archon Quest. Plenty of reasons not to head in with an empty Resin reserve and zero Primogems.

This guide doesn't speculate on builds that don't exist yet. It lists what you can do now, with confirmed information, to be ready on day one.

What 7.0 actually brings

Snezhnaya and Snezhnograd

The Tsaritsa's nation is finally opening. It features Snezhnograd, the metropolis, as well as a wild tundra and several villages. HoYoverse has confirmed a train-based travel system for getting around this frozen territory — a first for the series, which speaks volumes about the scale of the area.

A new exploration tool, the Eye of Graie, accompanies the discovery of the region.

The third-person shooting mode

This is the version's biggest surprise: 7.0 introduces a third-person combat system using firearms. This is the most radical gameplay addition since Genshin Impact's launch, and it stands in sharp contrast to the usual action-RPG formula.

At this stage, HoYoverse hasn't detailed how it fits with the classic elemental system. That's precisely why you shouldn't build a wish plan around it: wait until you've tried it out before reorienting your account.

Two Archon Quest acts

The version rolls out two acts: Chapter VII Act I, "The Merciless Eternal Winter", followed by Act II, "Wraith's Nocturne" (its French title has not yet been published). They deal with the region's energy crisis and the Tsaritsa's rebellion against the Heavenly Principles — the throughline the game has been weaving for six years.

Odette and Alyosha: what's confirmed

Odette — 5-star Cryo, one-handed sword

Odette is a ballerina wielding a one-handed sword, of the Cryo element. Her elemental skill, Dancing Duet, summons an assistant onto the field.

Her real value lies in how she interacts with reactions. In her presence, reactions transform into Astral Conduction and Astral Dispersion — the latter arising from the combination of Anemo and Cryo. She can then amplify these effects for the entire team.

Players who've been following the game since 6.7 will recognize Astral Conduction, introduced in July. So Odette isn't inventing a new system: she's pushing it to its full potential. If you've already invested in Cryo and Electro characters, your account is in good shape.

Alyosha — 4-star Electro, polearm, and free to boot

Alyosha is a hunter wielding a polearm, of the Electro element. His burst summons his dog, Tugarin.

The key takeaway: Alyosha is obtained for free by completing the version's Archon Quest. You don't need to pull to get him. He'll join the standard banner later on.

This is information that changes your priorities: there's no point spending pulls on the 4-star banner hoping to get him. Just finish the story.

The banner schedule

• Phase 1 — August 12 to September 1, 2026: Odette and Arlecchino, with Alyosha featured as the 4-star on both banners.
• Phase 2 — September 1 to 22, 2026: reruns of Flins and Ineffa.

Given that Arlecchino shares phase 1 with Odette, accounts that have been saving for Arlecchino for a long time have a decision to make. Our advice: if you can't guarantee both 5-stars, prioritize the character whose support units you already have rather than the one with the better reputation in absolute terms.

Your prep checklist before August 12

1. Don't let your Original Resin overflow

This is the most costly and most common mistake. Your Resin regenerates continuously and caps out: every hour spent at the maximum is Resin permanently lost. With eight days left before launch, that could mean several days' worth of farming gone.

Spend it, even on moderately worthwhile activities. Resin spent on useless talent books is better than Resin evaporated into nothing.

2. Stockpile Fragile Resin, don't consume it

Conversely, Fragile Resin doesn't expire. Keep a stockpile for launch: as soon as Snezhnaya's new domains open up, you'll want to farm the new artifacts intensively during the first few days, when motivation is high and the information is fresh.

3. Level up your Cryo and Anemo characters

This is the safest bet on this list. Snezhnaya is the nation of Cryo, and Odette builds her kit around Aggravate... er, Astroconduction and Astrodispersion — the latter involving Anemo.

In practical terms: if you have a neglected Anemo carrier sitting at level 70 with talents at level 6, now's the time to finish them up. They'll be useful no matter which pull you go for.

4. Save your Primogems — and redeem the codes

Three Primogem codes were released around the version announcement: Everwinter, OntoSnezhnaya, and Odette0812.

Genshin Impact codes have a short validity window, usually just a few days after release. Check them quickly on the official redemption page: if they've expired, you'll have lost nothing; if they're active, that's free pulls.

5. Clear out expired materials from your inventory

A new region means new ascension materials, new local specialties, and new ores. Make some room, and above all finish up any ongoing ascensions: nothing's more frustrating than discovering a new area only to have to spend two hours organizing your inventory first.

6. Finish any overdue Archon Quests

If you've fallen behind on the main story, catch up now. Version 7.0's Archon Quest wraps up arcs started in previous nations, and more importantly: it gives you Alyosha for free. Being blocked by a narrative prerequisite on release day would be the worst-case scenario.

What you shouldn't rush

A word of caution to finish. A lot of content is already circulating about the "best Odette teams" or the "optimal artifacts for Snezhnaya". These analyses are based on partial information from the official presentation, not on actual gameplay.

Characters' numerical values regularly change between the announcement and the release, and the third-person shooting mode is a major unknown that could reshuffle the meta. Prepare your resources, not your conclusions.

See you on August 12th.