In a game that emphasizes teamwork and synergy like Genshin Impact, selfish characters stand out—and not always in a good way. While most characters are designed to work in harmony, some demand all the field time, all the energy, and all the buffs for themselves, often leaving little room for other units to shine. Let’s dive into six characters who, love ‘em or hate ‘em, are all about that spotlight.
1. Yoimiya – The Single-Target Superstar (With a Catch)
Yoimiya is that character who shows up at the party and demands everyone’s attention. Her Pyro-infused arrows and single-target damage can be mesmerizing, especially against tough bosses. However, Yoimiya needs to stay on the field to keep that damage flowing. Switch her out, and boom—her Pyro infusion vanishes. It’s a bit like inviting someone over to watch a movie and them demanding that they alone control the remote for the whole movie!
Her Pyro infusion needs full commitment, which is a bit limiting. You’ll want a Hydro buddy like Xingqiu or Yelan to get that Vaporize reaction going. Otherwise, Yoimiya’s high-maintenance single-target focus can feel, well, selfish. Sure, she can carry a fight, but sometimes you’ll wonder if she’s worth all that micromanaging.
2. Klee – Explosive… But Not Exactly Team-Friendly
Ah, Klee—the pint-sized Pyro lover with an endless appetite for explosions. While Klee can unleash some serious burst damage with her Elemental Burst, there’s a catch: if you switch her out mid-Burst, it’s gone. Yep, that means she’s demanding your full attention, leaving you to arrange everything around her. Setting her up requires some careful planning because once Klee’s out, she needs the stage all to herself.
She can’t easily jump in and out of a fight, which is tricky in teams that rely on quick, successive elemental reactions. So, Klee fans will know—playing her is a love-hate relationship. When she’s working her magic, it’s a blast (literally). But when you need flexibility, she’s as stubborn as they come.
3. Arataki Itto – Geo’s Reluctant Team Player
Now, Itto’s selfishness isn’t just about hogging field time—he’s also picky about his team. As a heavy-hitting Geo DPS, he doesn’t just want any support. He needs Gorou, his Geo-only cheerleader, to make him shine. Without Gorou, Itto’s damage falls short of his potential, so any team with Itto basically becomes the “Geo Only Club.”
Then there’s his Elemental Burst. If you switch him out during his Burst, his Geo-infused attacks vanish. So, he has to stick around on the field until his Burst runs its course, meaning he doesn’t play well with others who also need extended field time. So while Itto is a tank in damage and personality, he’s not one to compromise—his team revolves around him, no ifs, ands, or buts.
4. Razor – The Lone Wolf of Teyvat
Razor, the original selfish DPS. Remember when he was one of the top damage dealers at launch? With his Elemental Burst, Razor can summon a spectral wolf and go berserk, making his basic attacks hit like a truck. But there’s a catch: if you switch him out, he loses his buffs and basically becomes useless until his cooldowns are up.
Plus, Razor needs an Electro battery to keep his Burst running smoothly. And if you’re aiming to build reaction chains, Razor is probably the last character you’d pick—he just doesn’t play well with the elemental reactions game. So if you’re a fan of simple, straightforward damage without much swapping, Razor’s your guy. But team-focused players? You’ll likely get frustrated watching him ignore everyone else.
5. Xiao – The High-Maintenance Yaksha
Xiao is incredible at clearing waves of enemies with his plunging attacks, which deal huge AoE Anemo damage. Once he activates his Burst and wears his Yaksha mask, it’s pure chaos—plunging attack after plunging attack. The trade-off? Xiao’s health dips with every plunge, so he needs a healer glued to his side. Without one, he’s essentially digging his own grave mid-battle.
As an Anemo user, Xiao also lacks powerful elemental reactions to amplify his damage, which limits his flexibility. While he’s great in his niche role, Xiao needs a dedicated team that revolves around him, much like a rockstar with an entourage. If you’re ready to give him that, he’s fantastic. If not, expect a lot of downtime and possibly some grumbling about “team effort.”
6. Cyno – The Most Selfish Character in the Game
Cyno might just take the cake for selfishness. With an Elemental Burst that goes on seemingly forever, he becomes the center of attention whenever he’s in play. Like Razor, Cyno is all about that Electro damage, but he requires a lot of energy to keep his Burst going, meaning you’ll need an Electro battery—no way around it.
Worse, Cyno has some serious commitment issues. He demands to stay on the field, and if you swap him out mid-Burst, his Electro infusion disappears. His kit also hinges on reactions like Aggravate and Hyperbloom, but his long Burst duration makes it nearly impossible to consistently trigger those reactions without clunky rotations. Cyno’s damage can be amazing, but if you aren’t ready to give him center stage, he can feel a bit like that friend who insists on picking all the activities for a night out—fun, but exhausting.
Conclusion: Are They Worth It?
So, is it worth putting up with all these characters’ quirks? Well, that depends on you. Genshin Impact is all about playstyle, and these “selfish” characters bring unique, if demanding, strengths. If you like managing rotations and building teams around one main unit, these characters can absolutely shine. But if you prefer flexibility, quick swaps, or reaction-heavy gameplay, then you may find yourself grumbling as they hog the spotlight.
Ultimately, playing selfish characters is about finding the right balance. Sure, Yoimiya, Klee, Itto, Razor, Xiao, and Cyno demand a lot, but they also offer some of the most thrilling experiences in the game when used right. So, what’s your take—do these characters deserve their diva status, or are they just misunderstood? Try them out, and let the spotlight-stealers speak for themselves!