Genshin Impact has revealed another look at Snezhnaya in the latest Special Program Announcement, as well as an official gameplay preview of Nicole, Lohen, and Prune, the three new characters of Version 6.6. As the Song of the Welkin Moon slowly approaches its last few updates, Genshin Impact has begun its marketing campaign for Snezhnaya, the next region that the Traveler will get to explore in Teyvat. However, before the Cryo Nation welcomes players on August 12, 2026, one final story thread remains unaddressed.
Version 6.6 will deal with wrapping up the loose ends of both Nod-Krai and Sumeru, as the Archon Quest will take players on a journey back to the Dendro Nation to confront the last vestiges of Dottore before he burns down Irminsul. Separately from its Archon Quest, it will also introduce the next batch of Hexerei characters to Genshin Impact with Nicole, Lohen, and Prune. Nicole is being billed as a 5-Star Pyro support, Lohen as a 5-Star Cryo hypercarry, and Prune as a dedicated 4-Star Anemo support for Varka.
Genshin Impact 6.6 Livestream Codes (Luna VII) & Time
Get a glimpse of your return to Sumeru in the Genshin Impact 6.6 (Luna VII) livestream.
Genshin Impact: Version 6.6 Special Program Announcement Livestream
The Special Program Announcement was held on May 8, 2026, with Version 6.6 set to launch on May 20, 2026. It will be the penultimate update in Nod-Krai’s content cycle, and will feature a set of Event Banners with Nicole and Durin in the first half, accompanied by the Hexerei newcomer, Prune. The second half will be headlined by Lohen and Mavuika in Genshin Impact, with a rather interesting implication that Lohen won’t join the Standard Banner after all.
GameRant Quiz
Easy (15s)Medium (10s)Hard (5s)
While most leaks and rumors pointed toward Lohen being a Standard Banner character in Genshin Impact, his beta was nothing short of a resounding success. Lohen came out with a fun playstyle, a powerful baseline kit, but weak Constellations. The latter was what made the Genshin Impact community convinced that he would join the likes of Jean and Tighnari, but his growing popularity and beta feedback likely made HoYoverse pivot.
In addition to highlighting the upcoming characters, the Special Program Announcement also took time to further tease Snezhnaya in Genshin Impact with new in-game footage. Key reveals included the Cryo Traveler, a new 4-Star Electro Polearm character, and the new Traveler outfit that was teased in the previous Special Program Announcement. However, it should be noted that Version 6.6 also teased Pantalone, a Fatui Harbinger that is expected to play a central role in Snezhnaya’s Archon Quest. The Snezhnaya segment also revealed that the Tsaritsa, presumed to bear the name Anastasya, will have the pointy ears of a Snowland Fae.
Who’s That Character?
Identify the silhouettes before time runs out.
Identify the silhouettes before time runs out.
Easy (7.5s)Medium (5.0s)Hard (2.5s)Permadeath (2.5s)
The upcoming patch will effectively close out the Song of the Welkin Moon, but Version 6.7 is still expected to come with a playable Sandrone, a new Nod-Krai map expansion, and the final chunk of exploration awards for the current region. That being said, much like Version 5.8 was for Natlan, Version 6.7 will likely spend considerable time setting up the Snezhnaya chapter of the Traveler’s story. Genshin Impact players can expect to fight Dottore in a new Trounce Domain, engage in a weeks-long storyline for Nicole, and reunite with the beloved cast of Sumeru, including certain NPCs such as Apep and Jeht. Version 6.6 is scheduled to last until July 1, 2026.
- Released
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September 28, 2020
- ESRB
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Teen / Alcohol Reference, Fantasy Violence, In-Game Purchases (Includes Random Items), Users Interact
