Everyone is looking for it. Since Chapter 2 dropped in 2021 and introduced us to the harrowing, manipulative "Snowgrave" or Weird Route, the Deltarune community has been obsessed with one question: can we do it again? Specifically, can we trigger a Deltarune Chapter 3 Snowgrave route?
The short answer? We don't know yet because Chapter 3 hasn't been released to the public. But the long answer is way more interesting. It involves looking at Toby Fox’s development logs, the psychological patterns of the "Weird Route," and the specific TV-themed setting of the upcoming Dark World.
Honestly, the sheer impact of the Berdly situation in Chapter 2 changed how we look at the entire game. Before that, we thought "your choices don't matter." Then, suddenly, we were forcing Noelle to freeze her childhood friend into a block of ice. It was a tonal shift that felt like a punch to the gut. Now, as we look toward the living room Dark World of Chapter 3, the expectation for a repeat performance is sky-high.
The Theory of the "Weird Route" Recurring
If you’ve spent any time on the Undertale or Deltarune subreddits, you've seen the theories. Some people think every chapter will have a "Snowgrave" equivalent. Others think it’s a one-time thing.
Toby Fox is known for subverting expectations. If Chapter 2 gave us a roadmap for how to corrupt a teammate, Chapter 3 might make that impossible. Or, it might make it much worse. In the official October 2024 development update, Toby mentioned that Chapter 3 is essentially content-complete and is currently undergoing translation and porting. While he didn't mention a Deltarune Chapter 3 Snowgrave route by name—he's not that loose-lipped—he did emphasize that the chapter is "unusual" compared to the previous two.
What makes a Weird Route? It isn't just killing enemies. It’s about isolation. It’s about finding a specific NPC—like Spamton in the back alley—who gives you the "key" to the corruption. In Chapter 2, it was the FreezeRing. In Chapter 3, which takes place in Kris’s house and centers on a television-inspired world, the "victim" or "accomplice" could be anyone from Toriel to the rumored "Tenna" or Mike characters.
Why a Chapter 3 Version is So Hard to Predict
Think about the setting. Chapter 3 is in the house. Toriel is there. Undyne might be there. If we try to initiate a Deltarune Chapter 3 Snowgrave style path, we aren't just hurting strangers or classmates; we're potentially forcing Kris to traumatize their own mother.
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That’s dark. Even for Toby Fox.
But there is a mechanical precedent. In Undertale, the Genocide route was always an option. If Deltarune follows that "alternate path" logic, then Chapter 3 must have a branching narrative. However, remember that Chapter 3 and 4 are being released together. This suggests the story beats might be more tightly linked than Chapters 1 and 2 were.
The "Tenna" Factor
Many fans point to the "blue-check" website teasers (the Spamton Sweepstakes event) as evidence for how a dark route might play out. We saw references to a character named Tenna, who seems to be the main antagonist of the TV world. In a standard route, we likely fight Tenna. In a Deltarune Chapter 3 Snowgrave variant, we might find ourselves siding with a different, even more sinister force—or simply using Toriel’s fire magic in a way it was never intended to be used.
The mechanics of the first Snowgrave required very specific steps:
- Backtracking to specific areas.
- Forcing Noelle to use a spell she didn't want to use.
- Choosing the most aggressive dialogue options repeatedly.
- Defeating a specific number of enemies with that spell.
If Chapter 3 mimics this, we'll be looking for a specific "trigger" item early in the kitchen or living room areas.
Addressing the "Your Choices Don't Matter" Conflict
This is the big one. The game's tagline is "Only one ending."
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If there is only one ending, does a Deltarune Chapter 3 Snowgrave route even matter?
The community is split. One camp believes that while the ending is the same, the context changes. You might reach the same final screen, but the characters left standing will be different. The other camp believes Toby is lying. They think the "one ending" is a meta-narrative trick, and the Snowgrave route is our way of breaking the game’s script.
When you play Chapter 2's Weird Route, the music changes. The atmosphere becomes oppressive. The NPCs vanish. This "systematic emptying" of the world is a hallmark of Toby Fox’s horror-adjacent writing. We expect Chapter 3 to play with the TV medium—static, channel surfing, maybe "canceling" a show as a metaphor for the Snowgrave path.
What to Watch For When the Release Drops
When Chapters 3 and 4 finally land, the search for the Deltarune Chapter 3 Snowgrave route will begin within minutes. Data miners will be all over the code before most people even finish the first cutscene.
If you want to find it yourself, you've gotta be observant. Look for the "wrong" things. Toby hides these routes in the cracks of the game’s logic.
- Test the boundaries. If the game tells you to go right, go left.
- Interact with everything. Especially the things that seem broken or out of place in the TV world.
- Dialogue loops. In Chapter 2, you had to keep saying "Proceed." Watch for a similar command in Chapter 3.
- The Side-Boss. Just as Jevil and Spamton Neo provided the equipment needed for certain power spikes, the Chapter 3 secret boss will likely be a lynchpin for any "Weird" progression.
The Reality of Development
We have to be realistic. Toby Fox has mentioned that Chapter 3 is "experimental." It's heavy on "silly" vibes and light on traditional "save the world" tropes initially. This might mean the Deltarune Chapter 3 Snowgrave route is harder to find, or perhaps it’s hidden behind a mask of comedy.
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There's also the possibility that Noelle was the only character capable of such a feat. Her "Trance" state and her inherent power made the Snowgrave route possible. Does Toriel have that same vulnerability? Does Susie? Without Noelle in the party for Chapter 3, the "Snowgrave" method might not work at all. We might need a completely different "element" of destruction.
How to Prepare for the Launch
The most important thing you can do is keep your Chapter 2 save files ready. Toby has confirmed that your choices—specifically who you recruited and whether you finished the Snowgrave route—will carry over. If you want to see the fallout of your actions in a Deltarune Chapter 3 Snowgrave context, you need a "tainted" save file where Berdly is gone and Noelle is traumatized.
There's no shortcut here.
Actionable Steps for the Next Release:
- Maintain multiple save slots. Keep one "Pacifist" run where you recruit everyone and one "Weird" run where you've done the Chapter 2 Snowgrave.
- Pay attention to the 'Shadow Crystals.' These items dropped by secret bosses seem to be the key to the game's ultimate mystery. You’ll need the one from Chapter 3's secret boss to piece together the meta-narrative.
- Join the community discussions on Discord or Reddit. The "Snowgrave" route was discovered collectively within 24 hours of Chapter 2’s release. Solo-finding a Deltarune Chapter 3 Snowgrave path is nearly impossible given how specific the triggers usually are.
- Watch the 'Status' screen. In Chapter 2, Noelle's status changed to reflect her "Trance." Keep an eye on your party members' stats and descriptions in Chapter 3 for any subtle shifts.
The mystery of the "Weird Route" is the most compelling part of Deltarune's meta-story. Whether Chapter 3 gives us a new way to break the world or forces us to face the consequences of our past actions, it's going to be a massive moment for gaming. Keep your eyes on the static.
Practical Research Tip: If you're looking for real-time updates on the release date, check the official deltarune.com site or Toby Fox's verified Twitter/X account. Avoid "leak" videos on YouTube that claim to show Chapter 3 gameplay; as of early 2026, any footage not released by Toby Fox or the Fangamer team is likely fabricated or from a fan-mod like Deltarune: Missing Souls.