Who is the Most Evil Character in Genshin Impact?
Determining the single most evil character in Genshin Impact is a complex task, as the game’s narrative showcases a spectrum of antagonists with varying motivations and degrees of malice. However, considering the scope of their actions, their overarching goals, and their impact on the world of Teyvat, the Tsaritsa, the Cryo Archon, currently stands out as the most evil character. While many characters commit reprehensible acts, the Tsaritsa’s deliberate and large-scale manipulation, her ambition to challenge the divine order, and the suffering she inflicts through the Fatui make her actions the most impactful and, arguably, the most malevolent.
Examining the Contenders for “Most Evil”
Before delving deeper into why the Tsaritsa claims the top spot, let’s examine some of the other characters frequently associated with evil in Genshin Impact:
The Fatui Harbingers
The Fatui Harbingers are a collection of powerful individuals who serve the Tsaritsa and carry out her plans. Several of them, such as Il Dottore and Arlecchino, have committed heinous acts in their pursuit of their goals. Il Dottore is notorious for his unethical experiments and disregard for human life, while Arlecchino is known for her ruthlessness and manipulation of children. Childe (Tartaglia), though having a more complex character, has also participated in conflicts that have caused considerable chaos and destruction. Scaramouche (Wanderer), too, has a long history of cruelty and manipulation, driven by his complex history and inability to feel empathy. These characters are responsible for much of the direct suffering and unrest in the world of Teyvat, but they are ultimately acting under the orders of the Tsaritsa.
The Unknown God (Sustainer of Heavenly Principles)
The Unknown God, who appears at the beginning of the game, is the overarching antagonist responsible for separating the Traveler twins. Her motivations and the reasons for her actions are still mysterious, but her act of stopping the Traveler from leaving Teyvat and her position as a seemingly higher power make her a formidable, potentially tyrannical force. While her actions are impactful, her motives are shrouded, making it difficult to fully assess her malice.
The Abyss Order and the Other Twin
The Abyss Order, with the other twin at its helm, is another major antagonistic faction. The twin’s reasons for turning against the divine and aligning with the Abyss are still being explored, and while they may have their reasons for their actions, their participation in conflicts and the creation of chaos position them as a major antagonistic force.
Other Noteworthy Characters
Some other characters often discussed in the context of villainy include:
- Marcel (Vacher): The primary antagonist of the Fontaine Archon Quest, responsible for orchestrating the murder of multiple people.
- Raiden Shogun (Puppet): While ultimately a flawed and misguided antagonist, the Shogun acted with rigidity and caused suffering by imposing eternity in Inazuma through her harsh rule. She was manipulated to an extent but still bears responsibility for her actions.
Why the Tsaritsa is the Most Evil
While many characters contribute to the game’s conflicts, the Tsaritsa’s actions and objectives set her apart:
- Grand Scale of Manipulation: The Tsaritsa’s actions are not localized. She uses the Fatui Harbingers to manipulate entire nations, destabilize regions, and steal the Gnoses of the other Archons. This overarching plan affects the whole of Teyvat.
- Intentional Suffering: The Tsaritsa’s quest for a new era through war involves immense suffering. She is not merely reacting to events; she is actively orchestrating them, willing to sacrifice individuals and nations to achieve her goals.
- Direct Challenge to the Divine: The Tsaritsa’s rebellion against the Gods demonstrates a disregard for established order and established rules. Her quest for power puts the entire world at risk and has the potential to cause unimaginable destruction.
- Cold-Hearted Nature: The Tsaritsa’s descent into coldness following the events of Khaenri’ah indicates a willingness to compromise her own empathy, and she will use any means to achieve her goals. This lack of remorse distinguishes her from characters who might act out of personal grievances or flawed logic.
Conclusion
While Genshin Impact boasts a cast of morally grey characters and complex villains, the Tsaritsa’s grand scale of manipulation, her ambition to challenge the divine, and the intentional suffering she causes solidifies her position as the most evil character currently present in the game’s storyline. The full extent of her plans and the impact of her actions remain to be seen, but she is a driving force that shapes the conflicts and intrigues of the game. The game may reveal a deeper motivation for her actions, which may slightly change the perspective. However, as of right now, her actions are the most villainous and impactful.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. Who is the main villain of Genshin Impact?
The overarching antagonist of Genshin Impact is the Sustainer of Heavenly Principles, often referred to as the Unknown God. However, the game’s antagonists vary throughout the different story arcs, and many antagonists, like the Tsaritsa, influence the world.
2. Is Raiden Ei evil?
Raiden Ei, the Electro Archon, is not inherently evil. She was misguided by her own beliefs and trauma, leading her to enforce a rigid and isolated Inazuma. She is portrayed as a complex character, and she is not driven by malevolence but rather by her fear and desire for an unchanging eternity.
3. Is Wanderer (Scaramouche) evil?
Wanderer, formerly known as Scaramouche, has a complicated history and is portrayed as a major antagonist. He was originally a failed prototype created by Raiden Ei. He has committed many villainous acts and lacks empathy due to his lack of emotional grounding. However, he has undergone character development and appears to be on a path toward redemption.
4. Is Paimon evil in Genshin Impact?
There is a popular theory that Paimon may have a more complex role in the storyline, potentially being a final boss. However, at present, there is no in-game evidence of Paimon being evil.
5. Is Zhongli a bad guy in Genshin Impact?
Zhongli, the Geo Archon, is regarded as a knowledgeable and well-mannered character. He made a contract with himself to step down from his position as an archon and has been helping the Traveler during their journey.
6. Are the Archons bad guys?
The Archons are rulers of different nations, and their actions and beliefs are varied, representing a spectrum of moralities. Some, like Venti, are more benevolent, while others, like the Tsaritsa, are more antagonistic. They are not uniformly evil but rather flawed and complex.
7. Is Childe (Tartaglia) a bad guy?
Childe is a major antagonist and a member of the Fatui Harbingers. He is portrayed as a ruthless fighter and follows the orders of the Tsaritsa. However, his motivations are not entirely evil, and he has shown signs of humanity.
8. Who is Raiden in love with?
In the Metal Gear Solid universe, Raiden is married to Rosemary. However, this is irrelevant to the Genshin Impact universe.
9. Is the Raiden Shogun evil in Genshin Impact?
The Raiden Shogun puppet served as a major antagonist in the Inazuma storyline. She was manipulated to an extent, but she is responsible for imposing her will and causing suffering. She is no longer a major antagonist and is working to atone for her past actions.
10. Who is the killer in the Fontaine Arc?
Marcel (Vacher), is the main antagonist of the second act of the Fontaine Archon Quests and is the orchestrator of many murders.
11. Is Lumine (or Aether) evil in Genshin?
The Traveler who is NOT selected by the player becomes the “evil” twin and a leader within the Abyss Order, but the motivations are still being explored. The twin’s actions and motives place them in an antagonistic position.
12. Why is Dottore so evil?
Il Dottore is a Fatui Harbinger who conducts unethical experiments to create enhanced humans, showcasing his cruelty and lack of morality. He is often viewed as one of the most disturbing and evil characters in the game.
13. Why is Albedo Evil?
Albedo is not an evil character in Genshin Impact. He is a complex character who explores the idea of creation, and he is not a villain in the main storyline.
14. Why is the Cryo Archon evil?
The Tsaritsa’s change in character after the destruction of Khaenri’ah drove her to rebel against the divine. Her intentions are for the greater good of her people, but her methods cause immense suffering.
15. Are the 7 Archons evil?
The 7 Archons each have different moral compasses. While some of the Archons are more helpful, the Archons in general are still beings with flaws, and some of the actions of the Archons have been seen to cause the world harm. They are a complex group with different degrees of morality and motivations.