Genshin Impact: Characters Players Love To Hate

Hey, fellow Travelers! Let's dive deep into the Traveler's beloved (and sometimes not-so-beloved) world of Teyvat. We all have our favorites in Genshin Impact, right? The ones we pull for with all our saved Primogems, level up to the max, and equip with the best artifacts. But, as with any massive cast of characters, there are bound to be a few who just don't hit the mark for a significant portion of the player base. Today, we're talking about those Genshin Impact characters who, for various reasons, have garnered a bit of a negative reputation or simply aren't favored. It's not always about their in-game performance; sometimes it's their personality, their story arcs, or even just how they're presented. So, grab your tea (or your favorite character's signature drink), and let's explore some of the most controversial characters in Genshin Impact and why they sometimes find themselves on the "least wanted" list. We're not here to bash anyone's favorites, but to have a candid chat about the community's perceptions and the nuances that make some characters resonate more than others. It's a super interesting topic, and honestly, it says a lot about what players value in their adventure companions.

Amber: The Early Game Struggle Bus

Ah, Amber. The first character many of us met in Mondstadt, the Outrider of the Knights of Favonius. You'd think being one of the first free characters would make her a universally loved starter, but alas, Amber often finds herself at the bottom of many tier lists and player preferences. Her kit, while having some unique utility like Baron Bunny and her explosive arrows, often feels overshadowed by characters introduced later. Many players found her damage output to be quite low, especially as they progressed further into the game and started encountering tougher enemies. Her aiming mechanic for her elemental skill can also be a bit fiddly, leading to frustrating moments when Baron Bunny doesn't detonate where you intended. However, it's not just about raw power. Some players also find her personality a tad too cheerful and perhaps a little naive, which can grate on players looking for more complex or compelling characters. She's often the poster child for "early game power creep," where newer characters simply outclass the freebies. Despite this, there are dedicated players who have built amazing Ambers, proving that with enough investment and understanding of her kit, she can still be a valuable asset. But for the average player just trying to clear Spiral Abyss, she often gets sidelined. It’s a shame, really, because her lore and her role as a supportive friend to the Traveler are quite sweet. Maybe it's just the harsh reality of gacha games where newer, shinier things often steal the spotlight. We've all been there, looking at a character's kit and thinking, "Yeah, I'll pass on this one for now." Amber's story is a prime example of how initial impressions and early-game viability can heavily influence a character's standing in the community, even if they have redeeming qualities later on. It’s a tough crowd out there in Teyvat, guys, and sometimes being the first on the scene means you’re the first to get left behind when the meta shifts. But hey, props to the Amber mains out there; you're the real MVPs!

Lisa: Underwhelming Abilities, Annoying Voice?

Next up on our list of characters who often get a shrug is Lisa, the flirty librarian of the Knights of Favonius. Similar to Amber, Lisa is another free character obtained early on, and unfortunately, she shares some of the same criticisms. Her Electro abilities, specifically her Elemental Burst, have a decent AoE potential, but her charge time and the way her skill works can feel clunky and less effective in fast-paced combat. Many players find her damage output to be disappointing, especially considering how much better other Electro characters perform. The biggest complaint often revolves around her Elemental Skill, which requires her to charge up for a significant period, leaving her vulnerable and often interrupting the flow of combat. This makes her difficult to use effectively in scenarios where you need quick reactions and damage. Beyond her gameplay, Lisa's personality, while intended to be charming and seductive, can sometimes come across as a bit one-note or even annoying to some players. Her constant flirting and somewhat lazy attitude might not appeal to everyone, especially when compared to characters with deeper or more relatable personalities. It’s like, we get it, you’re a scholar who likes to take shortcuts, but can we see some more? Her voice lines, too, have been a point of contention for some, with certain phrases being repeated frequently or interpreted as overly suggestive. While some players appreciate her unique charm, for others, it’s just not enough to overlook the gameplay shortcomings. It’s a classic case of a character’s design not quite matching the player’s expectations for a viable and engaging addition to their team. We've seen this before, where a character's unique traits end up being their downfall in the eyes of the community. Lisa represents a missed opportunity for a free Electro character to be truly amazing, but instead, she’s often left collecting dust in the character roster, a relic of Genshin's early days when balancing and character design were still being ironed out. It’s a tough break for our favorite Electro witch, but that’s the reality of the meta, folks. Keep those artifacts ready, though, because you never know when a buff might change everything!

Qiqi: The Ultimate Healer No One Wants?

Now, let's talk about a character who is infamous for a completely different reason: Qiqi. This little zombie-girl is known for having one of the best healing kits in the game. Her healing output is insane, capable of topping off your entire team in mere seconds. So, why is she so hated? It all comes down to her Energy Recharge issues and her inability to generate particles effectively. While she heals a ton, her Elemental Burst, which is crucial for her most potent healing and application of her Talisman, is incredibly difficult to charge up. This means that a significant portion of her kit is often unusable because she simply can't get her Burst back in time. Furthermore, she's a 5-star character, meaning you're far more likely to pull her as a standard banner pity pull than a character you actually wanted. This has led to the common player sentiment of "Oh no, not Qiqi again" whenever she appears. She's the symbol of bad luck for many players, a character they desperately wish they could trade for a different 5-star. Her story, while tragic and endearing, doesn't quite make up for the gameplay frustration she brings. The irony is that she's literally a character designed to keep you alive, but in practice, she often feels like a burden due to her energy issues. It's a classic gacha trope, where a character with a powerful niche is crippled by fundamental design flaws that make them impractical in most situations. Players have even joked about wishing for a way to "un-pull" Qiqi or trade her in for something more useful. It’s a harsh reality for the little zombie, but her constant presence on the standard banner and her energy problems have cemented her status as one of the most polarizing characters in Genshin Impact. We've all felt the sting of getting a character we didn't want, but Qiqi takes it to a whole new level for many players. It's a testament to how crucial energy management and consistent damage output are in the current meta, making even the best healer feel like a liability.

Traveler (Anemo): The Jack-of-All-Trades, Master of None

Let's address the elephant in the room: the Traveler. Specifically, the Anemo Traveler, which is the default form you start with. While the Traveler is undeniably important to the story and grows with you throughout your journey, the Anemo version often leaves players wanting more. When you're just starting out, their Elemental Skill, "Palm Attack," and Elemental Burst, "Gust Surge," seem decent enough. They can group enemies and provide a bit of crowd control. However, as you acquire more characters and experience the game's depth, the Anemo Traveler quickly becomes obsolete. Their crowd control is weak compared to characters like Venti or Kazuha, and their damage output is negligible. The ability to Swirl is there, but without strong multipliers or reliable application, it doesn't amount to much. Many players feel that the Anemo Traveler is simply a placeholder until they can pull better characters. The real frustration comes from the fact that you have to use the Traveler for the main story quests, and sometimes these quests require you to utilize their kit. It feels like being forced to use a tool that's just not up to the task. The narrative importance of the Traveler is undeniable, but their early gameplay kit, particularly the Anemo form, is widely considered to be one of the weakest in the game. It's a stark contrast to their immense narrative significance. We've all had that moment where you're in a tough fight, and you're relying on your Traveler's Burst to save you, only for it to fizzle out or not group enemies effectively. It's a painful reminder of how much better options exist. While later elements for the Traveler (like Geo and Electro) have seen some improvements in their kits, the Anemo version remains a symbol of early-game limitations and a character many players are eager to bench as soon as possible. It's a shame because the concept of the Traveler evolving with different elements is cool, but the execution of the Anemo form left a lot to be desired for the player base. Keep your eyes peeled for those other elements, though, because they might just surprise you!

Zhongli: The Geo Archon Who Was Too Strong?

This one might come as a surprise to some, but Zhongli, the Geo Archon himself, also faced significant backlash upon his initial release. Initially, his kit was seen as incredibly underwhelming, especially for a 5-star character and a god. His shield, while strong, didn't offer much utility beyond damage absorption, and his damage output was abysmal. Players who spent a lot of Primogems and real money to pull for him felt incredibly let down. The "Zhongli was weak" meme was everywhere. The community's outcry was so loud that miHoYo (now HoYoverse) actually buffed him significantly, making him the powerhouse he is today, with a formidable shield that provides resistance shred and a decent damage component. However, the initial release of Zhongli is a prime example of a character being so poorly designed or unbalanced that they garnered widespread hatred even before their buffs. It's a lesson in developer response to player feedback. While he's now beloved and considered one of the best characters in the game, the memory of his release state lingers for many veterans. It highlights how crucial it is for developers to get character kits right from the start, especially for highly anticipated 5-star characters. We’ve all seen characters that felt like a letdown, but Zhongli’s case was particularly egregious because he’s the Geo Archon. The expectations were sky-high, and the reality was a crashing disappointment. His story and lore are rich, but even that couldn't save him from the player base's initial fury. It’s a cautionary tale about balancing and the power of community feedback in the world of live-service games. Thankfully, he got the buffs he deserved, but that period of his release is etched in Genshin history as a major misstep. It's a reminder that even gods can fall from grace in the eyes of the players if they aren't up to snuff!

Conclusion: It's All Subjective, Guys!

So there you have it, guys! A look at some of the Genshin Impact characters who, for one reason or another, have found themselves on the less popular side of the community's spectrum. It's super important to remember that all of this is highly subjective. What one player finds frustrating or weak, another might find incredibly useful or endearing. The meta shifts, new characters are released, and player preferences evolve constantly. A character who is considered weak today might become a powerhouse with a future artifact set or a new support character that synergizes perfectly with them. Don't let tier lists or popular opinion dictate your fun. If you enjoy playing a certain character, even if they're considered "bad" by the masses, then keep playing them! The beauty of Genshin Impact lies in its vastness and the sheer variety of characters available. Ultimately, your adventure in Teyvat is your own, and who you choose to explore it with is entirely up to you. So, go forth, experiment, and most importantly, have fun! Maybe your favorite character is on this list, and that's totally cool. We're just having a chat about the general sentiment, not trying to start a flame war! Keep enjoying your journey, Travelers!