Check list for quick check:
- Immediately stop wasting Source Stones on current banners
- Complete all Archon missions, including Natlan's final
- Accumulate a minimum of 160 Interweaving fates; 200 +-if you plan to knock out a weapon or two 5-star characters
- Farm artifacts from the set "Lost in blizzard" and start saving thick resin right now
- Buy the Hollow Moon Blessing every month before the update comes out; if you spend a little, consider buying a Battle Pass
- Pre-download patch 7.0; backup your account through HoYoLab
Why is the snow exit more important than any other region before?
Snow is not just another region, it is the culmination of the plot to which the game has been going since Mondstadt itself. The Queen, Crio Archon, was the shadow antagonist behind Fatoui and every Precursor you have fought in six regions. Version 7.0 is the moment when this confrontation finally happens.
From a mechanic's point of view, each major region brought a new element interaction system. Fontaine brought Pneuma/Usiya. Natlan-Flogiston. Snow almost certainly will introduce the mechanics associated with Cryo-the community is leaning towards enhanced Freezing or a new Cryo-Hydro resonance system. Before Fontaine's release, I tested the flexibility of teams and found that players with 8 - 10 pumped characters adapted to the new mechanics in a matter of hours. While those who were fixated on one "perfect" pack stuck for a few days. Develop wider, not just deep.
What awaits unprepared players on day one? If your Archon task chain is not complete, you will not be able to access the main story and most likely the first event of the study. When Fontaine came out, I was in the middle of Sumertime and missed the launch event for four full days. I will not make such a mistake again-and you can easily avoid it.
Why are the Source Stones running out faster than you think before a major patch?
The math is less lenient than most players think. Here's a realistic calculation of earnings from now to August 12:
| Source: | Daily/weekly | ~ 10 weeks in total |
|---|---|---|
| Daily instructions | 60/day | ~ 4 200 |
| The Abyss (full passage) | ~ 600/Update | ~ 1,200 |
| Imaginarium Theater | ~ 420/month | ~840 |
| Events (assessment) | ~ 1,000/patch | ~ 2 000 - 3 000 |
| Blessings of the Hollow Moon (daily) | 90/day | ~ 6,300 |
| Total (with active moon) | — | ~ 14 500 - 15 500 |
That's roughly 85 - 95 cool in 10 weeks-not bad, but not enough to guarantee a 5-star character if you're starting from scratch. Tracking their Source Stones earnings over six major patch cycles, I've noticed that players who started saving in 10 weeks consistently came to release with a margin of 20 - 30% more Destiny than those who started saving in 10 weeks. The effect of accumulating daily tasks and the Moon is real and linear-every day of delay costs you exactly 60 Source Stones.
The hidden "leak" that most guides overlook: The temptation to spend resources on bannersFrom today to August 12, we are waiting for at least two cycles of patches with attractive banners. The opinion of the community is clear: do not spend anything before the release of Snow, if you do not already have 200 + Destiny in stock. Fear of lost profits (FOMO) is real, but the 5-star characters of Snow will almost certainly be stronger and more important to the plot than any of the 6.x patches.
A guaranteed 5-star character (soft piti) starts at 75, hard piti starts at 90. If you have 60 + spins in the counter now, that's actually 30 free attempts to your first 5-star Snow character. Don't drop this counter for a character you don't need.
Why is the completion of the story a strict requirement, not a recommendation?
You will not be able to get to Snow without completing the entire chain of Archons missions from Mondstadt to Natlan. This is not a soft recommendation-it is a mechanical barrier. Traveler's journey through each region is a prerequisite, and the introductory acts of Snow begin immediately after the completion of Natlan's plot.
What you need to complete by August 12:
- Tasks of Archons of Mondstadt (Prologue)
- The Tasks of the Archons of Li Yue (Chapter I)
- The Tasks of Inazuma Archons (Chapter II)
- The Tasks of the Archons of Sumeru (Chapter III)
- The Tasks of the Archons of Fontaine (Chapter IV)
- The Tasks of the Archons of Natlan (Chapter V-Complete Completion)
For returning players who have stopped at Natlan: first throw all your strength on the Archons tasks, the rest-later. Daily events and events can be executed in parallel, but the plot is something that you cannot miss or speed up.
Lore you need to know. (without serious spoilers): The Queen collects the Hearts of the Gods-divine artifacts of each Archon-through Fatui. Her stated goal is to challenge the Heavenly Order, the invisible force that governs Teivat. The harbingers (Tartaglia, Harlekino and nine others) are her tools. By the time you arrive in Snowne you will meet most of them. Why It does, and version 7.0 will give you that answer.
The Harlekino and Tartaglia legends 'assignments add important context to the beginning of Snow's plot. They are not required, but if you have the Legends Keys, spend them here.
How to make a checklist for preparation for snow: countdown for 8 weeks
This is the structure most guides miss: not just What doing, and when.
8-6 weeks until August 12 (now mid-June)
- Stop all the twists immediately. Block the stones of the east.
- Check the progress of Archons tasks. If you are behind in Natlan, count how many tasks remain and set a daily goal for completing them.
- Set goals for banners. Community testing convincingly proves that Creo and Hydro characters will play a key role in Snow mechanics-prioritize characters that allow you to assemble squads through Freezing if you start from scratch.
- Start farming the dungeon with a set "Lost in Blizzard". This set of artefacts gives a bonus to Cryo damage and a chance of Crete against frozen enemies-it is the safest investment before Snow's release, no matter what characters come out.
- Buy the Hollow Moon Blessing if you haven't already done so. With 90 Source Stones per day, this is the most profitable purchase in the game for those who save resources.
5-3 weeks until August 12 (end June-mid-July)
- Accumulate a thick resin. Bring the stock up to 200 (maximum). It will quickly go away when Snow comes out and new dungeons open.
- Effectively alternate the underground artifacts. Don't farm the same thing to fanaticism-alternate "Lost in the Blizzard" with what your current team needs. Use Alchemy (artifact exchange) to recycle unnecessary pieces.
- Farmite Moru and Talent Materials. Level 90 characters need millions of Mora. Farm weekly bosses for talent materials now, until after release there is a shortage of tar.
- Complete all available events. Every event before August 12 is free Source Stones. Don't miss them-the community agrees that events provide the necessary income to prepare.
2-1 week until August 12 (end of July-August 11)
- The final step behind the stones of the east. Check out the Paimon store for a monthly Stardust/Shine update. Buy Intertwining Destinations if available.
- Pre-download Patch 7.0Patches with new regions weigh a lot; don't waste time on release day on slow loading.
- Make a backup copy of the account The advice is not the most exciting, but recovering an account during the influx of players on the day of release is a torment.
- Check the level of adventure. Level 40 + is the community recommended minimum for accessing Snow content. If your level is lower, focus on activities to improve it.
Release Day (12 August)
- Get the entrance bonus immediately.
- Don't rush to spin banners-read the description first, check the piti counter, make sure the character fits your command plan
- The first research event is likely to require progress in the story; don't skip cutscenes if you want to keep content access.
How to manage the budget of Creation Crystals and Source Stones for Snow as efficiently as possible?
Here's an honest comparison for those willing to spend:
| Option | Monthly cost | Monthly stones from the east | Who is best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Blessing of the Hollow Moon | ~$5 | ~ 2,700 | For everyone, the best price/benefit ratio |
| Battle Pass (Pearl Anthem) | ~$10 | ~ 680 + materials | Players with a small budget who also need mornings and materials |
| Buying Creation Crystals | Depends on amount | Depends on the Amount | Players who urgently need a lot of prayer attempts |
The Hollow Moon Blessing wins for those who save steadily. The Battle Pass is worth it for those who spend a little, precisely because of the Sea, weapons experience and talent materials-Source Stones alone do not justify it, but the full set is yes. For players planning to get guaranteed 5-star Snow character and possibly weapons, Direct purchase of Creation Crystals is the quickest way to close the shortage. If you choose this path, Benefits of Genshin Impact Crystals Through the loot hub offers competitive prices, which are worth checking before August 12.
Software piti strategy: If you have 74 spins or more, you are one step away from the soft pit window. Do not hold them-use them immediately on the Snow banner on the day of release. If you have less than 50, you have flexibility; wait until you see the full lineup of the banner before making a decision.
One point I'd bet with: don't get hung up on a gun banner guarantor. A standard character banner is almost always more profitable unless you have a specific weapon on the spot and an already accumulated 50/50 advantage. Weapons are expensive, namely the character determines the strength of your team.
Frequently Asked Questions about Preparing for Snow in Genshin Impact
When is Snow coming out in Genshin Impact? Officially confirmed: Version 7.0 is coming August 12, 2026The stream "In Snow and in the Future" dated April 24, 2026 confirmed this date. Mark in the calendar-this is a hard deadline for all preparation.
How many stones of the source need to accumulate on the banners of snow? Focus on 25,800 Source Stones (160 Interweaving fates) to guarantee one 5-star character over a hard pit. Soft pit starts at 75 twists, so most likely you will get a 5-star character before 160, but to guarantee you need to have a full supply. If you want two 5-star or weapons, aim for 200 + Destiny.
What tasks do Archons need to be completed before Snow? Everything from Prologue to Chapter V (Natlan). Snow is mechanically closed behind the entire Archon task chain. There are no shortcuts. Returning players should prioritize this above everything else.
What are the best characters to play before Snow? Community testing points to Creo and Hydro characters for teams through Freezing. Specifically: Invest in characters that activate or benefit from Freezing status. Lost in Blizzard artefacts support this direction. Unconfirmed reports suggest having multiple Creo 5-star characters in 7.0 banners, so having strong Hydro support is a reasonable insurance.
Should I buy the Hollow Moon Blessing before the Snow patch? Yes, no doubt. For about $5 a month, you get 2,700 Source Stones-this is the best purchase at Genshin for anyone saving for a specific banner. Buy every month from today to August. If you spend a little, add a Battle Pass for the materials.
How do you prepare for a new player or a new player? Returnees: First throw all your strength on Archon tasks, then simultaneously farm daily and events. Do not be distracted by optimizing artifacts until the plot is complete. For beginners: focus on the passage of the story and daily income of the Source Stones-do not try to bring the builds to the ideal until you have completed the mandatory chain. 40 + level of adventure is your first milestone. If you plan to replenish the score to speed up the number of twists, Benefits of Genshin Impact 2026 Compare it to the day of release.
Are you really ready for snow?
Three types of players, three honest ratings:
Daily active players (40 + level, relevant story): You are in a better position. Stop spinning banners now, continue to perform daily activities and events, and by August 12 you will have a solid stock of Destiny. Your main task is discipline: do not waste your savings on banners 6.x.
Returned players (stopped at Natlan or earlier): Completing the story is your urgent task. Everything else is secondary. If you can close the debts on the Archons 'assignments and consistently perform daily tasks for 8 weeks, you will be ready to release-maybe not with the Source Stones Mountain, but with open access and a willingness to play.
New players: Be realistic. Picking up from scratch in 10 weeks is possible, but difficult. Focus on the story chain and daily income. You won't have 160 accumulated fates, but you can prepare for the story and spin reruns or later 7.0 banners once you build a resource base.
"Enough Ready" looks like this: Archons 'tasks are completed, 80 + fates in reserve, one strong Crio or Hydro team 80 + level and a stock of thick resin. It is not perfect, but quite functional. The best preparation is not a panic farm in the last week, but a stable daily game starting today.
Snow is the culmination to which six years of the plot led. Don't let avoidable lack of resources make you miss this moment.
