As Genshin Impact players navigate their way through dense rainforests, engage in battles with vagrant samurais turned bandits, and clash with both Gods and Adeptis alike, they become acutely aware of an eerie presence that is constant throughout their journey — The Fatui of Snezhnaya. Even Paimon remarks that the Fatui seem to appear at every turn, often at the epicentre of all misfortune.
Behind the scenes, the nefarious operations of the Fatui are carefully orchestrated and monitored by the enigmatic antagonist group known as the Eleven Fatui Harbingers.
In July 2022, HoYoverse released a chilling trailer that introduced players to the eight remaining Fatui Harbingers of Snezhnaya. Since then, anticipation has been mounting regarding their motives, background, ranks, and, of course, their potential playability.
Who Are The Eleven Harbingers of Genshin Impact?
The Eleven Fatui Harbingers serve as the executive heads of the Fatui and act as the Tsaritsa's lieutenants. They embody the pinnacle of power, wealth, and political influence within Snezhnayan society, commanding ‘absolute authority’. The Harbingers’ primary duties centre around furthering the Tsaritsa’s goal of overthrowing the Gods of Celestia and destabilising the nations under their purview.
Though they all have their own abilities, each of the Harbingers has been gifted artificial Visions known as Delusions by the Tsaritsa. These Delusions bestow immense power upon their wielders but come at the cost of draining their vitality. According to the Dendro Archon Nahida, the top-ranked Harbingers, up to No. 3 (Columbina), possess a level of power that can rival the Archons of Teyvat.
Each Harbinger plays a distinct role and assumes specific responsibilities, overseeing separate divisions within the Fatui. They operate independently and have different methodologies and motivations, which leads to frequent internal squabbling and a mutual lack of respect or trust.
Their names and alias are derived from stock characters in commedia dell'arte, a form of traditional Italian pantomime theatre characterised by its masked characters and representation of fixed social types.
Among the 18 new characters planned for Genshin Impact's Fontaine cycle, Arlecchino stands out as the Fourth of the Eleven Fatui Harbingers. Her arrival marks the third Harbinger to join the playable roster, following Childe (Tartaglia) and Scaramouche (Wanderer).
Fourth in rank amongst the formidable Fatui Harbingers, Arlecchino is sure to bring something new to the table, setting the battlefield (and meta) ablaze. Recent leaks suggest just that – a unique kit with the potential to unlock exciting gameplay possibilities.
Eleventh Fatui Harbinger - Tartaglia, codename ‘Childe’
- Tartaglia’s status is active
- He wields both Hydro and Electro
- He is playable
Tartaglia is the most junior member of the Harbingers. He describes himself as “kind of a bad guy”, finding excitement in combat and leaving a trail of chaos in his wake. Although he appears to be relatively cordial on the surface, Tartaglia is a bloodthirsty warrior at heart, a side of him that players have experienced first-hand during their battle in the Liyue Archon Quest. He relentlessly seeks out formidable opponents, driven by a ceaseless desire to refine his skills as a warrior, even at the risk of sacrificing his own life in the process.
Amongst the rest of the Harbingers, Tartaglia is considered an oddball. While his fellow Harbingers favour covert operations and working from the shadows, Tartaglia thrives on being at the forefront of all operations. Childe harbours contempt for his fellow Harbingers and their clandestine schemes and 'intangible' methods.
Due to his 'straightforward' nature, he is easily manipulated. Despite his aversion to the potential harm it could cause to innocents, he proceeds with his plan in Liyue Harbor to fulfil his mission, only to discover that he was intentionally set up for failure as part of a larger scheme he was not privy to, much to his consternation.
Despite his unpredictable personality, Tartaglia dedicates himself wholeheartedly to the ones he holds dear. He displays unwavering loyalty to the Tsaritsa, going as far as to call himself her ‘weapon of war’. His devotion extends to his family as well, as he regularly sends money, gifts, and letters back home. Tartaglia takes immense pride in his three younger siblings and showers them with affection, particularly his youngest brother, Teucer.
Tenth Fatui Harbinger
The identity of the 10th Fatui Harbinger remains a mystery. This seat could be currently vacant, suggesting we might see someone rise to claim it in the future.
Ninth Fatui Harbinger - Pantalone, codename ‘Regrator’
- Pantalone’s status is active
- Element(s): unknown
- Playability: unknown
Pantalone, who was born into poverty, has risen to become the wealthiest member of the Harbingers. He oversees the Northland Bank and is in charge of Snezhnayan economic policies.
Tartaglia describes him as “fueled by raw ambition”, driven by his goal to transform Snezhnaya into the financial hub of Teyvat, thereby establishing a state of dependency on their nation from all others. To Scaramouche, Pantalone is “obsessed with the idea of ‘fair exchange,’ to the point of wanting to overthrow the natural imbalance between gods and humans.”
He made his first appearance in ‘A Winter Night’s Lazzo’ alongside the rest of the Harbingers, but his influence has been permeating throughout Teyvat since the beginning of the Traveler's journey. Upon arriving in Mondstadt, we quickly discover that the Fatui have secured exclusive use of the Goth Grand Hotel. Goth himself reveals that Pantalone personally settled the entire booking in advance, making an "unbelievably generous" payment.
Eighth Fatui Harbinger - La Signora, codename ‘The Fair Lady’
- La Signora’s status is deceased
- She wields both Cryo and Pyro
- Playability: no/unknown
La Signora was the first Harbinger to appear in the game, ambushing and overpowering the Anemo Archon, Venti, to seize his gnosis. This pivotal event set the tone for the remainder of the game, establishing the Fatui's antagonistic and untrustworthy nature.
'The Fair Lady' originated from Mondstadt and later became a scholar at the Akademiya in Sumeru. Due to the death of her lover during the Khaenri’ah cataclysm, she was plunged into a deep abyss of grief and disillusionment. Fueled by her anguish, she harnessed the power of liquid fire and enveloped herself in living flames, earning the fearsome title ‘the Crimson Witch of Flame’. Relentlessly, she pursued the creatures accountable for her lover's demise. At a certain point, Pierro sought her out, aiding her in taming the flames that threatened to consume her entirely. It was through this encounter that Rosalyne was recruited into the Harbingers, assuming the title of La Signora.
In her final mission, she was slain by Raiden Shogun at Tenshukau, sending shockwaves across the Fatui.
Seventh Fatui Harbinger - Sandrone, codename ‘Marionette’
- Pantalone’s status is active
- Element(s): unknown
- Playability: unknown - though recent leaks suggest that she will be a playable unit
Sandrone, characterised by her poised demeanour and the large Automaton that she perches on, is an intelligent researcher for the Fatui. While Dottore and she share a similar role in advancing Snezhnaya's scientific discoveries and development, with the former portrayed as a ruthless scientist who employs unethical methods to create 'enhanced humans,' little is known about Sandrone's motivations. According to the few voicelines we have on her character, ‘Marionette’ is often deeply engrossed in her research of the Automatons (a race of mechanical golems that were built by Khaenri'ah prior to its collapse), going as far as to modify them for her own use.
A ‘marionette’ refers to a puppet that is controlled by a puppeteer using strings and wires. The portrayal of Sandrone being carried by a large Automaton could be depicted as an allusion to the concept of a marionette, where the Harbinger acts as the puppet and the Automaton serves as the puppeteer. This has given rise to fan theories that raise doubts about Sandrone's true nature: is she really the ‘human’ counterpart to the two?
Sixth Fatui Harbinger - None (previously Scaramouche, codename ‘The Balladeer’)
- Wanderer’s status is active
- He wields Anemo
- He is playable
Technically, this rank has remained vacant for several hundred years now, as Scaramouche intentionally erased himself from history, completely severing ties with the Fatui and showing no desire to return.
Ei (The Electro Archon) had wished to use her initial puppet prototype as a vessel for her gnosis, prior to the creation of her current vessel, Raiden Shogun. This first puppet would later become known as Scaramouche, although he remained nameless during that time. When he gained consciousness, the unnamed puppet shed tears, leading Ei to believe that he was too gentle in nature to fulfil such a task.
After being 'cast aside' by his maker and enduring a series of orchestrated traumatic events (unveiled later as the work of Dottore), Scaramouche grew embittered towards both gods and humanity. Assuming the alias "Kunikuzushi," he roamed the lands of Inazuma before eventually joining the ranks of the Fatui Harbingers. He actively engaged in numerous destabilising operations, including the instigation of a civil war in Inazuma.
He becomes a major antagonist in Sumeru during Chapter III of the Sumeru Archon Quest, emerging as the climactic boss battle in the form of Shouki no Kami, an artificial god. However, after his defeat, he falls into a comatose state and is hidden away by Lesser Lord Kusanali, Nahida.
'The Balladeer' now goes by the name Wanderer and has sworn revenge against those who had wronged him.
Fifth Fatui Harbinger - Pulcinella, codename ‘The Rooster’
- Pulcinella’s status is active
- Element(s): unknown
- Playability: unknown
Pulcinella holds an official position as a mayor in Snezhnaya. He goes to great lengths to maintain control over the families of numerous Fatui members, effectively holding them hostage to ensure their unwavering loyalty. Scaramouche further reinforces this by ridiculing Tartaglia for naively believing that Pulcinella takes care of his family out of the "goodness of his heart".
His true nature is revealed through his actions, such as announcing a remarkably short half-day mourning period for La Signora's funeral, showcasing a cold and heartless demeanour. This decision even draws criticism from fellow Harbingers Pantalone and Arlecchino. Apart from these glimpses, little is known about Pulcinella at this point.
Fourth Fatui Harbinger - Arlecchino, codename ‘The Knave’
- Arlecchino’s status is active
- Element(s): Pyro
- Playability: Yes, Arlecchino will receive her debut banner in Version 4.6
After ‘A Winter Night’s Lazzo’ was released, the iconic red exes in Arlecchino’s eyes and her fierce personality have since captured the attention of the Genshin community.
Little is known about Arlecchino’s role among the Harbingers, except that she oversees the House of the Hearth - an orphanage that supplies the Fatui with soldiers. A brief mention of her involvement with the House of the Hearth was made during 'The Very Special Fortune Slip' quest, where players encounter Lyudochka Schneitzevna who states that they grew up in an orphanage set up by ‘The Knave’. Once children raised in the House of the Hearth grow up, those deemed to ‘have potential’ are enlisted in the Fatui and dispatched as sleeper agents to other nations to await orders. Eerily, the fates of children without ‘potential’ remain unaddressed.
Arlecchino’s personality certainly reflects that of ‘Harlequin’ in the commedia dell'arte, reinforced by the only two voice lines we have on her character, coming from Tartaglia and Wanderer. They both hold negative opinions about her character, viewing her as a ”wolf in sheep’s clothing".
We can expect Arlecchino to have an authoritarian personality hidden behind a veneer of gracefulness, who is quick to foil plans for her own gain.
Third Fatui Harbinger - Columbina, codename ‘Damselette’
- Columbina’s status is active
- Element(s): unknown
- Playability: unknown
While appearing innocuous and oblivious to her surroundings, Columbina is implied to be extremely dangerous as both Tartaglia and Scaramouche warn the Traveler to be wary of her. Being the third of the Fatui Harbingers, she possesses a power that rivals the Archons of Teyvat. It is interesting to note that her headpiece mimics that of an angel's wings, specifically a seraph's.
Otherwise, nothing is known about her as of yet.
Second Fatui Harbinger - Il Dottore, codename ‘The Doctor’
- Il Dottore’s status is active
- Element(s): unknown
- Playability: unknown
Il Dottore was originally a scholar at the prestigious Sumeru Akademiya. However, he was void of morals or compassion, always striving to obtain knowledge with no concern for ethicality. Expelled from the Akademiya, he found refuge within the ranks of the Fatui, enticed by Pierro's promise of boundless resources to further his research endeavours. He later created clones of himself from different stages of his life, so that he could experience the world and his experiments from as many perspectives as possible.
Dottore played a pivotal role in the recruitment of Scaramouche into the ranks of the Fatui. Furthermore, he managed to manipulate the Akademiya into initiating a project aimed at elevating Scaramouche to the status of a god. However, his plans were thwarted by the combined efforts of the Traveler and Lesser Lord Kusanali, Nahida. Despite the setback, Dottore managed to strike a deal with Nahida, securing both the Electro and Dendro Gnoses in her possession. To obtain the Electro Gnosis, Dottore had to eliminate all other copies of himself as part of the agreement. In exchange for the Dendro Gnosis, he provided valuable information regarding the ‘fake’ skies of Teyvat.
First Fatui Harbinger - Il Capitano, codename ‘The Captain’
- Il Capitano’s status is active
- Element(s): unknown
- Playability: unknown
Il Capitano is widely respected for his unwavering commitment to justice and formidable strength, earning him immense popularity among the rank of the Fatui. His remarkable qualities have also captured the admiration of Tartaglia, the youngest of the Eleven Harbingers.
While his origins remain shrouded in mystery, a letter from Varka, the grandmaster of the Knights of Favonius, reveals that The Captain displayed courteous behaviour when his Fatui group came across the Knights' ongoing expedition. Reports suggest that he has since departed for Natlan, raising the possibility of an encounter with players in the future.
Director - Pierro, codename ‘The Jester’
- Pierro’s status is active
- Element(s): unknown
- Playability: unknown
Pierro is the leader of the Harbingers and is very likely the first member of the organisation. Not much is known about him at this point, though it’s confirmed that he was originally a royal mage of Khaenri’ah, where he lived with the Traveler’s twin for a while.
Apparently, he failed to gain the favour of Khaenri’ah’s ruler and thus could not stop the chain of events that led to the complete and utter annihilation of the region. He was later cursed with immortality. For this reason, he became embittered with the ‘foundational principles of this world’ and joined the Tsaritsa's cause. Pierro personally recruited many current and former members of the Harbingers into their ranks, including Dottore, Scaramouche, and La Signora. He is the mastermind behind all of the Fatui’s operations.
That’s all we have on the Genshin Impact Eleven Fatui Harbingers for now. We’ll be updating this guide as more official information is released in the future, so stay tuned!
For more about Genshin Impact, discover all that you need to know about the 18 new characters set to be released during the game's Fontaine cycle. On top of that, the banners for Version 4.6 and beyond have been leaked! Get ahead of the curve and start planning your Primogem savings for your future party members with our Fontaine character banner schedule here.