A new leak hints that Alice might not be a playable character in the upcoming Nod-Krai region of Genshin Impact, sparking fresh debate among fans about her true role in the story and the shape of future updates from HoYoverse.
Alice, Sandrone, Nicole, and the Snow Maiden Release Date Leaks in Genshin Impact
Recent datamining suggests that Alice, Sandrone, Nicole, and the Snow Maiden may arrive closer to the later patches of the Natlan cycle rather than early Nod-Krai updates. Sources point to staggered banners across multiple versions, with Alice potentially remaining an important NPC while Sandrone and Nicole are prioritized for limited-time character events. The Snow Maiden is rumored to be tied to a major winter-themed patch, lining up with a large seasonal event. As always with unofficial information, these dates can shift before Hoyoverse makes any formal announcement.
The new leak comes via HxG on Reddit, and it mentions that Alice is not playable in 6.x of Genshin Impact, which is basically the Luna versions of Nod-Krai. If true, this will be a major upset for many Genshin Impact fans. Alice will finally make an appearance in the game during the Genshin Impact Luna III version, and players couldn’t be more excited for her to become playable.
Previously, Alice was rumored to be released in Genshin Impact Luna VI or 6.x, which was also updated in our Nod-Krai character list. Now, the leak suggests that a character named the Snow Maiden will take her place instead. Other than that, the leak also confirms that Sandrone, the Fatui Harbinger, will be playable in Luna VIII or 6.7, and Nicole will become playable in Luna VII. Overall, the Sandrone news should be a good deterrent for the Alice disappointment, and I am excited for more information about this Snow Maiden.
Personally, I think Alice was delayed because the Nod-Krai character list was already star-studded. Hoyoverse can market Alice much better during the next phase of the game’s story, instead of forcing her into an already heavy star-studded lineup. But I am also disappointed at this leak, as Alice and Varka were my biggest targets for the Luna versions.
When might Alice become playable instead of 6.x
Leaks suggest Alice might become playable after the 6.x Nod-Krai cycle, potentially in version 7.0 or later, as her ID is absent from confirmed 6.0-6.7 slots and possibly 6.8.
Possible 6.8 Slot
Version 6.8 remains the last uncertain patch in 6.x, aligning with Genshin Impact’s summer event where major reveals often occur. Community discussions note that without leaked IDs for 6.8, Alice could still fit there as a surprise banner, though current data leans against it.
Shift to 7.0+
Most leaks position Alice for the next major region (7.x), capitalizing on her Hexenzirkel lore for a high-impact story launch. This delay avoids overcrowding Nod-Krai’s roster with characters like Snow Maiden (6.5), Nicole (6.6), and Sandrone (6.7).
Community Expectations
Players speculate Alice’s importance warrants saving her for post-Nod-Krai marketing, possibly tying into Mondstadt callbacks or broader Archon plotlines. Until Hoyoverse announces officially, 7.0+ appears the strongest alternative timeline.
When is version 6.8 scheduled to release
Genshin Impact version 6.8 lacks an official release date as of January 2026, since Hoyoverse follows a predictable 6-week patch cycle but announces exact dates 1-2 weeks prior via livestreams.[ from prior context]
Typical Schedule
Genshin patches launch every 42 days on Tuesdays, with phase 1 at UTC 11 a.m. Assuming 6.0 started August 27, 2025, version 6.8 would align around late May to early June 2026.[conversation_history]
Context for Leaks
This timing positions 6.8 as Nod-Krai’s potential finale, where unconfirmed Alice playable rumors could surface, though leaks favor her delay to 7.0 instead.
