How to Unlock Snezhnaya in Genshin Impact: Requirements and Every Archon Quest to Clear Before 7.2

Genshin Impact's Version 7.2, "Hour of Ruin," arrives on November 4, and the next part of the story moves into eastern Snezhnaya. Finishing the new Archon Quest within its reward window is worth 560 Primogems plus ascension materials for Mitya, so if you haven't set foot in the Cryo nation yet, or you stalled partway through Chapter VII, the next few days are the time to catch up.

The good news is that Snezhnaya is much easier to reach than most players expect. You don't need to have finished every earlier nation first. This guide covers the requirements, how to get there, and which Archon Quests to clear so you're ready when 7.2 goes live. It is based on the current Version 7.1.

Requirements at a glance

"Song of the Dragon and Freedom" is the final act of the Mondstadt Prologue, the one where you face Dvalin. If you've been playing for a while, you finished it long ago.

How to get to Snezhnaya, step by step

1. Reach Adventure Rank 18. Chapter VII's first act needs AR 18, and every act released since has the same rank requirement.
2. Finish Prologue: Act III, "Song of the Dragon and Freedom." This is the only story requirement.
3. Open the map and find the new waypoint. Completing that act automatically unlocks a Teleport Waypoint at the southwest edge of Volkodlak Tundra in Snezhnaya. If you'd already finished it before Version 7.0, the waypoint unlocked with the update. On the world map, look just past the northern tip of Nod-Krai, and zoom in if the marker doesn't show at first.
4. Claim the free Primogems. Even though the waypoint unlocks automatically, you still get the usual Primogem reward for it.
5. Teleport in and start Chapter VII. The waypoint is where Act I, "Everwinter Without Mercy," begins. The quest also supports Focused Experience Mode if you want to stay focused on the story.

Already explored Nod-Krai? You can also walk in: head north from the Special Territory Research Institute toward the border, or fast-travel to the False Moon Institute Domain in Ashveil Peak and head northwest.

Chapter VII: the Archon Quest order

Each act unlocks once you finish the previous one, and all of them require AR 18.

Act I is split into four quests: "Into the Wind, Into the Frigid North," "Gunfire in the Silent Lands," "Great Deeds on the Tundra" and "Silence Alone is Disfavored." Snezhnaya opens up gradually as you work through them, so don't expect to roam the whole nation the moment you arrive.

HoYoverse publishes the exact requirements for Act V in the Update Details on launch day. Based on every act so far, the safe assumption is that you'll need to finish Act IV first. If you want the 560-Primogem reward, finish all four existing acts before November 4.

What Act I unlocks along the way

Act I isn't just story. A lot of Snezhnaya's systems are tied to it, so it's worth knowing what you're unlocking:

1. The Eye of Graeae. This ancient device becomes your companion during Act I. It lets you call trains to travel between cities, craft items and claim Daily Commission rewards on board, and build Prime Ice Constructs for exploration.
2. Third-person shooter combat. The Shadow Realm firearm gameplay also becomes available as you progress through Act I.
3. World Quests and the Huntsman's Cabin. Completing "Gunfire in the Silent Lands" unlocks Snezhnaya's World Quests and the Huntsman's Cabin Meeting Point.
4. Daily Commissions and a free 5-star sword. "Great Deeds on the Tundra" unlocks Snezhnaya's Daily Commissions and gives you the Exaiphanes Blade, a 5-star sword for the Traveler. You can enhance it after using Cryo to awaken Snezhnaya's Statues of The Seven.
5. Two more Meeting Points. "Silence Alone is Disfavored" unlocks Tidesong Cavern and the Korolevskiy Theater, where you spend Cryo Sigils to raise Meeting Point levels.

Finishing Act III also unlocks the weekly Secret Tsarist Assignments, handed out by the Confidential Secretary Chayka at Zapolyarny Palace. Version 7.2 adds a Snezhnaya-themed Wind Glider to that reward track, so it's worth getting it going early.

Tips before Version 7.2

• Level your team first. Snezhnaya's enemies hit much harder than anything in the Prologue. If you're jumping in from an early account, raise your main team before you go.
• Expect some spoilers. Skipping ahead means meeting characters and story beats from other nations out of order. Earlier Archon Quests stay available, so you can go back to them later.
• Clear your Statues of The Seven. Awakening them with Cryo is part of Act I, and it's how you upgrade the Exaiphanes Blade.
• Keep your Primogems in mind. The new Archon Quest reward only counts if you finish it within the designated period, so give yourself time after November 4 as well.

Common mistakes

• Waiting for a Nod-Krai unlock. You don't need it. The waypoint appears as soon as you meet the AR and Prologue requirements.
• Looking for the waypoint in the wrong place. It's at the southwest edge of Volkodlak Tundra, close to the Nod-Krai border, not deep inside Snezhnaya.
• Leaving Chapter VII until launch day. Four acts are a lot of story to get through. Start now and you'll be ready for Hour of Ruin.