Getting Started in Genshin Impact

## Before You Start
Pre-load the update before maintenance begins if you haven't already -- servers go offline at 06:00 (UTC+8) on August 12, 2026 for roughly five hours, going live around 11:00 (UTC+8), which lands the evening before (around 11:00 PM EDT) for players in the Americas.
Since this update marks the endgame of the Archon Quest's current arc, catching up on the story so far will make Snezhnaya's revelations land with real weight.
## Getting to Snezhnaya
Since travel to Snezhnaya is confirmed to begin from Dottore's research lab, and resonating with a Statue of the Seven unlocks the Cryo Traveler, plan your first session around reaching that entry point rather than expecting immediate open access.
## Prioritizing Odette and Alyosha's Quests
Since Odette's story quest is confirmed to let you set her schedule in a way that directly changes her fate, consider your choices there carefully rather than rushing through -- and since Alyosha's quest grants a Special Access Card unlocking a hidden location, following through on it is confirmed to have genuine payoff.
## Common Mistakes
* Forgetting to redeem the confirmed HoYoLab codes for 300 Primogems tied to the update.
* Skipping the new World Quests in Flamefeather Valley and White Birch Snowgrave -- they're confirmed to reward an additional 400 Primogems for exploration.