The Tsaritsa's Delusion mechanic represents Genshin Impact's most anticipated combat innovation—dual-element gameplay through Fatui god-remains technology. This guide covers Delusion systems, energy management, team rotations, and prep strategies for Snezhnaya's release. No official dual-element Tsaritsa mechanic exists in current leaks, but understanding Delusion lore and Fatui Harbinger mechanics provides critical context for the Cryo Archon's arrival in Version 7.0 (expected September 23, 2026).
What is The Tsaritsa's Delusion Mechanic?
Delusion Definition and Lore Context
Delusions are artificial elemental devices created by Fatui using deceased god remains. Unlike Celestia-granted Visions, Delusions manipulate elements through divine remnants. The Tsaritsa, Cryo Archon of Snezhnaya, commands 11 Fatui Harbingers and has distributed these artifacts for 500 years—notably granting a Cryo Delusion to La Signora during the Cataclysm.
Production involves Crystal Marrow and the Delusion Factory. Confirmed users:
Harbingers: Tartaglia (11th), La Signora (8th)
Others: Teppei, Diluc's father, Diluc
Fatui Units: Cicin mages, Skirmishers, Gunners, Agents
This widespread distribution shows the Tsaritsa's strategy for empowering forces beyond Vision-based combat.
Preparing for Snezhnaya content? Genshin Crystal Recharge through BitTopup ensures you have Genesis Crystals for upcoming banners with competitive pricing and secure transactions.
Dual-Element vs Standard Vision Combat
Current Delusion mechanics differ from Vision abilities:
Tartaglia's Foul Legacy: Extended combat mode with stamina/health costs
Signora's Delusion: Suppressed natural Pyro with Cryo for centuries
These examples show dual-element systems involve resource trade-offs beyond standard elemental energy.
The Tsaritsa's playable kit will likely incorporate Harbinger mechanics with archon-tier refinements. Her possession of 6 Archon Gnoses (pursuing the seventh) suggests unprecedented power scaling. Expect mechanics balancing Cryo mastery with potential secondary element access, though no confirmed leaks detail specific dual-element switching.
Primary Element vs Delusion Element
The Tsaritsa's primary element is Cryo, confirmed by Shivada Jade Gemstone, Chunk, and Fragment ascension materials following standard archon patterns. The Delusion component remains speculative—Version 6.0-6.2 Phase 2 banner leaks through January 13, 2026 skip the Tsaritsa entirely.
Harbinger Roster Context:
Pierro (The Jester, Director, 550 years old, Khaenri'ah ties)
Il Dottore
Damselette/Columbina
Arlecchino (pardoned by Tsaritsa)
Pulcinella
Former: Scaramouche
Sandrone
La Signora
Pantalone
Tartaglia
This structure suggests the Tsaritsa's mechanics may include support/buff capabilities for team compositions.
Energy Management and Resource Costs
Delusion Energy vs Elemental Energy
Delusions operate on separate energy systems from Visions. Tartaglia's Foul Legacy drains health over time, while standard elemental bursts consume energy particles. The Tsaritsa's kit will likely feature:

Primary Cryo abilities: Standard energy recharge mechanics
Delusion mode: Alternative resource cost (HP drain, stamina, or unique gauge)
Pro tip: Build energy recharge substats early. Archons typically need 200-250% ER for consistent burst uptime.
Stamina and Health Trade-offs
Existing Delusion users show significant costs:
Tartaglia: Melee stance cooldown scales with duration used
Teppei: Rapid aging and death from prolonged use
Diluc's father: Fatal consequences from activation
The Tsaritsa, as Delusion creator, won't suffer these drawbacks but may feature balanced trade-offs like:
Increased damage at HP thresholds below 50%
Stamina consumption for enhanced attacks
Cooldown extensions for powerful dual-element reactions
Optimal Rotation Timing
Without confirmed kit details, prepare for rotation patterns similar to other archons:
Predicted Tsaritsa Rotation:
Support buffs/debuffs (Skill)
Swap to sub-DPS for reactions
Tsaritsa Burst (Cryo application)
Delusion mode activation (secondary element)
Main DPS window (10-15s)
Cooldown management
In practice: Keep rotations under 20s total to maximize team DPS uptime.
Team Composition Strategies
Cryo-Focused Teams
Freeze Comp:
Tsaritsa (Cryo DPS/Support)
Hydro enabler (Furina, Neuvillette, Kokomi)
Anemo VV shred (Kazuha, Venti)
Flex (Shenhe, Layla, Rosaria)
Melt Comp:
Tsaritsa (Cryo applicator)
Pyro DPS (Arlecchino, Hu Tao, Lyney)
Anemo support
Shielder (Zhongli, Thoma)
Dual-Element Reaction Teams
If the Tsaritsa gains secondary element access through Delusion:
Superconduct Physical:
Tsaritsa (Cryo + Electro Delusion)
Physical DPS (Eula, Razor)
Electro battery (Fischl, Raiden)
Healer (Bennett, Jean)
Multi-Reaction Quickbloom:
Tsaritsa (Cryo + potential Dendro/Electro)
Nahida (Dendro)
Electro trigger (Yae Miko, Cyno)
Hydro (Xingqiu, Yelan)
Harbinger Synergy Compositions
Confirmed playable Harbingers for synergy:
Tartaglia: Hydro enabler for Freeze
Arlecchino: Pyro DPS for Melt (pardoned status suggests continued availability)
Scaramouche/Wanderer: Anemo VV support
What works: Pair the Tsaritsa with at least one Harbinger for lore-accurate team building and potential hidden passive bonuses.
Preparation Checklist for Version 7.0
Materials and Ascension Requirements
Confirmed Cryo Archon Materials:
Shivada Jade Gemstone ×6
Shivada Jade Chunk ×9
Shivada Jade Fragment ×9
Shivada Jade Sliver ×1

Predicted Additional Materials:
Snezhnaya regional specialty (unknown, farm 168 total)
Fatui enemy drops (likely Harbinger-tier materials)
Weekly boss material from Snezhnaya domain
Talent books (new Snezhnaya series, 9 per talent)
Start farming Cryo gems now from Cryo Hypostasis, Cryo Regisvine, and Perpetual Mechanical Array.
Artifact Sets and Stat Priorities
Best-in-Slot Predictions:
4pc Blizzard Strayer: 40% Crit Rate against Frozen enemies (Freeze teams)

4pc Noblesse Oblige: 20% ATK team buff (Support build)
New Snezhnaya Set: Likely dual-element damage bonuses (wait for release)
Main Stats:
Sands: ATK% or Energy Recharge%
Goblet: Cryo DMG Bonus%
Circlet: Crit Rate% or Crit DMG%
Substats Priority: Crit Rate% > Crit DMG% > ATK% > Energy Recharge% > Elemental Mastery
Pro tip: Pre-farm 2 artifact sets—one for DPS, one for support. You won't know her optimal role until kit release.
Weapon Recommendations
5-Star Options:
Signature weapon (unreleased): Wait for banner
Mistsplitter Reforged: Elemental DMG bonus (if sword)
Engulfing Lightning: Energy Recharge (if polearm)
Lost Prayer to the Sacred Winds: Elemental DMG (if catalyst)
4-Star Alternatives:
The Catch: Free R5, Energy Recharge (polearm)
Favonius weapons: Energy generation for team
Widsith: Elemental DMG (catalyst)
Save 180 pulls (28,800 Primogems) for guaranteed Tsaritsa + weapon banner pity.
Primogem and Currency Planning
Version 7.0 Savings Goal:
Character banner guarantee: 180 pulls (28,800 Primos)
Weapon banner guarantee: 240 pulls (38,400 Primos)
Total: 67,200 Primogems
Earning Timeline (September 23, 2026 target):
Daily commissions: 60 Primos/day × 600 days = 36,000
Events: ~5,000 Primos/patch × 12 patches = 60,000
Abyss: 600 Primos/cycle × 24 cycles = 14,400
Total available: ~110,400 Primogems
You'll have enough for both character and weapon with buffer for constellations.
Secure your pulls now: Genshin Crystal Recharge via BitTopup offers instant delivery and competitive rates.
Advanced Mechanics and Interactions
Elemental Reaction Priorities
Cryo-Based Reactions:
Freeze (Cryo + Hydro): 100% uptime crowd control, no damage
Melt (Cryo on Pyro): 1.5× damage multiplier
Superconduct (Cryo + Electro): -40% Physical RES, 12s duration
Dual-Element Potential: If Delusion grants secondary element, prioritize reactions with highest team DPS:
Melt for burst damage
Freeze for sustained DPS safety
Superconduct for physical carries
Constellation Value Analysis
No confirmed constellation details exist, but archon patterns suggest:
C0: Fully functional, recommended for F2P C1: Quality-of-life improvement (energy, cooldown reduction) C2: Significant damage increase (30-40% boost typical for archons) C3-C5: Talent level increases C6: Gameplay transformation (new mechanics, massive buffs)
What works: C0 archons remain top-tier. Only whale for C2+ if you main the character.
Hidden Passive Predictions
Based on archon precedent:
Exploration passive: Snezhnaya-specific (stamina reduction, sprint bonus)
Crafting passive: Talent material refund chance
Combat passive: Cryo DMG bonus or team-wide buff
Expect at least one passive tied to Fatui/Harbinger synergy.
FAQ
Q: When will the Tsaritsa be released?
A: Expected Version 7.0, approximately September 23, 2026. No official confirmation exists; current leaks only cover through Version 6.2 Phase 2 (January 13, 2026).
Q: Will the Tsaritsa have dual elements?
A: Unconfirmed. Lore suggests Delusion mechanics could enable secondary element access, but no kit leaks exist. Her primary element is definitively Cryo.
Q: How many Primogems do I need?
A: 28,800 for guaranteed character (180 pulls), 38,400 for guaranteed signature weapon (240 pulls). Total 67,200 for both.
Q: What's the best team for the Tsaritsa?
A: Unknown until kit release. Prepare Freeze (Hydro + Anemo) and Melt (Pyro + Anemo) team options for flexibility.
Q: Should I save for constellations?
A: C0 archons are complete. Only pull constellations if you're a whale or she's your favorite character. C2 typically offers best value.
Q: Where can I recharge Genesis Crystals safely?
A: BitTopup Genshin Impact recharge offers secure transactions, competitive pricing, and instant delivery for all your crystal needs.
Last updated: Based on Version 6.0-6.2 Phase 2 leaks through January 13, 2026. Tsaritsa kit details remain unconfirmed.