01 / DEPENDENCY MAP
The confirmed order has three mandatory gates
The official Version 7.0 details define two separate things: access to a Snezhnaya waypoint and access to the Chapter VII Archon Quest. Completing Prologue: Act III unlocks the waypoint. Adventure Rank 18 plus that same Prologue act unlocks Chapter VII: Act I, “Everwinter Without Mercy.”
Chapter VII: Act II, “Wraith's Nocturne,” sits directly after Act I. Its listed requirements are Adventure Rank 18 and completion of Chapter VII: Act I; the update notes do not add a separate Story Quest or World Quest gate.
- 1 · Song of the Dragon and Freedom
- Completing Prologue: Act III unlocks the Snezhnaya waypoint
- 2 · Everwinter Without Mercy
- AR 18 plus Prologue: Act III starts Chapter VII: Act I
- 3 · Wraith's Nocturne
- Complete Chapter VII: Act I to start Chapter VII: Act II
02 / NEXT-STEP TABLE
Use your current state instead of replaying a full chronology
This table answers the unlock question, not the best narrative order. A player who wants every earlier story beat should follow the in-game Archon Quest chronology; a player who only wants the official fast-entry path can use the shorter requirements above.
- Below Adventure Rank 18
- Raise Adventure Rank while completing Prologue: Act III
- AR 18, Prologue unfinished
- Finish Song of the Dragon and Freedom
- AR 18, Prologue complete
- Use the unlocked waypoint, enter Snezhnaya and begin Act I
- Act I complete
- Begin Wraith's Nocturne; no extra mandatory quest is listed
03 / DO NOT CONFUSE
Mandatory requirements and story recommendations are different
The official notice says eligible players can begin Chapter VII: Act I even without completing preceding Archon Quests such as Song of the Welkin Moon: Act X. That makes the earlier story a context recommendation, not an unlock dependency for the Version 7.0 fast-entry route.
Quest Routes preserves that distinction in the planner. Recommended story preparation may be useful, but it never appears in the mandatory result unless an official source later changes the requirement.
- Mandatory: Adventure Rank 18, Prologue: Act III, then Chapter VII: Act I before Act II.
- Optional for context: preceding Archon Quest chapters and event stories named as best-experience recommendations.
- Recheck trigger: any official patch note that changes Chapter VII unlock criteria.
FAQ
Common questions
Can I start the Snezhnaya Archon Quest without finishing every earlier nation?
Yes under the Version 7.0 fast-entry rules. The official requirements for Act I are Adventure Rank 18 and Prologue: Act III; earlier regional story is recommended for context rather than listed as mandatory.
Do I need a World Quest between Chapter VII Acts I and II?
No additional World Quest is listed. Act II requires Adventure Rank 18 and completion of Chapter VII: Act I.
EVIDENCE
Sources
- Genshin Impact Official — Version 7.0 Update Details — Primary source for the waypoint and Chapter VII Act I–II requirements; checked 2026-09-15.
- Genshin Impact Official — Everwinter Without Mercy reward notice — Confirms Act I entry requirements and identifies optional best-experience preparation; checked 2026-09-15.