QUICK OVERVIEW ON HARBINGERS PLAYABLE STATUS, VIA STORY, THEORIES, AND MODEL INFO [no leaks]
THIS POST CONTAINS SPOILERS FOR THE 5.3 ARCHON QUEST AND MAVUIKA'S STORY QUEST.
I'm still a strong believer that all fatui harbingers will be playable, eventually.
I'll be talking about them in a random order, so here's the list: Dottore, Capitano, Signora, Pantalone, then the rest of the harbingers.
1: TEASING OF 'NOD KRAI' AND THE NEW ELEMENTS: both Liben and Mavuika teased Nod-Krai, probably means it's a sort of "sub-region" before Snezhnaya, it'll probably be the next region instead. almost like a filler patch.
1.1: THE NEW ELEMENTS, SKIRK, DAINSLEIF AND DOTTORE: Since we know Dottore is in Nod Krai, that's probably his playable debut time. Additionally, mavuika talks about how they use something that 'predates the 7 elements' and since we know Skirk is also coming soon from the official 5.3 teaser, and the fact Dainsleif got drip-marketed way back in the 1.X Era with an unknown element Icon, it's likely for Skirk to Introduce Genshin's Quantam Equivalent, and Dottore to introduce Genshin's Imaginary Equivalent, especially when you notice Dottore shares the same blue energy look as Irminsul, Celestial Nails, and King Deshret Tech.
1.2: MODEL NAMING IMPORTANCE: Additionally, Every Playable Character has "avatar" in their filename. Scaramouche, despite his redesign, was still labeled avatar, he was planned playable, and became playable. As for the Dottore we met in Sumeru? he was called the "Omega Build" which then put into context about deleting his clones, likely means there are still two Dottores. OG Dottore, and Omega Build Dottore. Dottore has avatar in his file name, as well as a specified weapon [claymore] so I think it's safe to say either OG Dottore or Omega Build dottore becomes playable, while the other probably becomes the weekly boss and stays an NPC.
1.3: CAPITANO'S INEVTIABLE REVIVAL: We Know That the Obsidian collected from each tribe reputation is offered to Capitano's throne, and we have one more tribe to collect from, being the collective of plenty. The Collective of plenty is said to be near a volcano, which also happens to be our path for the 'little buddy quest finale' Capi has Avatar and Sword in his filename, additionally his sword is labeled "skillobj" which is something only playable characters and certain enemies use, but we haven't ever fought capitano so the enemy idea is ruled out. Additionally, the Teaser for Natlan kinda confirms Capitano's resurrection. the ballgame that is shown there? it takes place during Mavuika's SQ. Which Means Capitano is alive and functioning soon. I Think this points to Capitano "reigniting" in the Little Buddy quest Finale.
As for the more Copium side of things, Signora. time to go on a bit of a crack tangent. I believe Signora will revive in the Mare Jivari. Firstly, why the mare jivari? The Mare Jivari was first mentioned in mondstadt, as almost a myth of sorts. We know that Bennett was born there, and it is described to be a "Sea of Ashes where the wind does not blow" and inside contains a "Sea of Fire" and an "Ancient Phoenix Deity" Signora's most recent lore was in the TCG, where her flames are compared to Feathers. Considering these, the ties to mondstadt, the lack of wind [aka lack of venti's presence] the flames, and the phoenix, seems to be a good spot for her.
Now for Pantalone. Pantalone is stated to work with Dottore, as per Scaramouche's voiceline about him. Pantalone also happens to be the wealthiest of the harbingers, running northland bank. I think He'll be the one to retrieve the pyro gnosis, not through battle, but contract. Take a moment to look at Natlan. Mavuika has been walking up that weird white path each chapter, but suddenly turned back to fight Gosoythoth in 5.3, and the pyro gnosis is gone. Mavuika is also extremely concerned for the "future of Natlan's people" even to a fault, as Pointed out by Capitano in 5.1 where he has to help her focus on the present, rather than the future. Considering Mavuika just won a 500 year war against the abyss, Pantalone offering her resources & money to rebuild Natlan to ensure a safer future, in exchange for the Pyro gnosis, sounds like something she would do.
as for the rest of the harbingers? I think Capitano will be the final 17th playable character in Natlan, Dottore & Pantalone in Nod Krai, with signora dropping as well in smthn like 6.2 Sandrone, Pulcinella, and Columbina in actual Snezhnaya, since pulci and sandrone stay in snez, plus bina is probably saved for then. with Pierro in the Khaenri'ah Arc.
Absolute MASSIVE Copium for this last bit, related to samsaras and crucabena, feel free to ignore it if you'd like: Teyvat is repeatedly hinted to be a samsara or timeloop, hinted in the xbox glider, the fontaine "narceszin whatevr tf the name is" quest-line, and the mc's sibling saying "we have always had enough time" in the **potential** scenario a timeloop happens, i could see them using this to debut Crucabena, since it's a new cycle of teyvat and things are bound to change.
