Why Il Dottore is Genshin’s Ultimate Villain (March 2026)
Genshin Impact has introduced countless antagonists over its five-year journey, but none have captured the community’s attention quite like Il Dottore, The Doctor. As the Second of the Eleven Fatui Harbingers, he stands apart from other villains in the game not just for his power, but for his complete lack of morality and his terrifying ambition to become a god himself. In this comprehensive analysis, I’ll explore why Il Dottore represents the true villain in Genshin Impact’s narrative, examining his evil deeds, psychological profile, and potential to become the game’s final antagonist.
| Key Aspect | Details |
|---|---|
| Rank | 2nd of the Eleven Fatui Harbingers |
| Real Name | Zandik |
| Primary Goal | Elevate humans to god-level status (including himself) |
| Notable Crimes | Human experimentation, murder, manipulation |
| Status | Active threat with multiple “segments” |
What Makes Il Dottore the True Villain?
The Psychology of Pure Evil
Unlike many modern villains who possess sympathetic backstories or morally gray motivations, Il Dottore represents something far more sinister—a character driven purely by selfish ambition without any redeeming qualities. His lack of moral compass makes him uniquely terrifying in the world of Teyvat, where most antagonists have understandable, if misguided, reasons for their actions.
Il Dottore’s personality has been described by those who’ve encountered him as possessing an “aura of arrogance” that exceeds even the most prideful scholars of the Sumeru Akademiya. As Tighnari noted, he’s confident in his abilities “to the point of near insanity,” viewing everyone and everything with contempt and disdain. This extreme narcissism, combined with his brilliant intellect, creates a villain who operates without any ethical constraints.
A Legacy of Unparalleled Cruelty
What truly sets Il Dottore apart from other Genshin Impact villains is the sheer scale and personal nature of his cruelty. While other antagonists might commit evil acts for what they perceive as the greater good or out of misguided loyalty, Il Dottore’s actions are driven solely by his desire for knowledge and power. He has:
- Conducted horrific experiments on Eleazar patients in Dar al-Shifa
- Murdered Sohreh, his colleague from the Akademiya
- Manipulated and betrayed Scaramouche (the Wanderer) at Tatarasuna
- Created multiple “segments” of himself to prolong his life
- Attempted to seize the power of three moons during Nod-Krai events
These aren’t just abstract evil deeds they’re personal, targeted acts of cruelty that have destroyed countless lives across Teyvat.
Il Dottore’s Origin: From Zandik to The Doctor
Early Life and Expulsion from Sumeru
Born after the Cataclysm, Zandik (as he was originally known) showed disturbing tendencies from an early age. His very name carries meaning—in Middle Persian, “Zandik” translates to “heretic,” foreshadowing his future as someone who would break all societal and moral codes.
During his time at the Sumeru Akademiya, Zandik’s research interests quickly crossed ethical boundaries. He studied ancient ruins in Gurabad, where he discovered “Gurabed specimens”—ancient mechanical creations that fascinated him. His obsession with machinery and creating life would later become central to his villainous work.
The Murder of Sohreh
The turning point in Zandik’s descent into villainy came during a jungle expedition with fellow Dastur Sohreh. When Sohreh was attacked by Rishboland Tigers and left in critical condition, Zandik “acted without authorization” in ways that ultimately led to her death. While initially believed to have died from her injuries, investigation revealed that Sohreh had been strangled—with evidence pointing directly to Zandik.
This murder, combined with his unauthorized experiments on Eleazar patients and other infractions, led to his expulsion from the Akademiya. The institution declared him a “monster and a madman,” effectively ending his legitimate academic career.
Recruitment by the Fatui
Cast out from Sumeru society, Zandik was approached by Pierro, the First Fatui Harbinger, who offered him a new identity and purpose. Thus, Il Dottore—”The Doctor”—was born. Under the Fatui’s protection, he could continue his experiments without constraint, working toward his ultimate goal of elevating humans to the level of gods.
The Tatarasuna Tragedy: Manipulation of Scaramouche
One of Il Dottore’s most infamous evil deeds occurred in Inazuma, where he orchestrated a tragedy that would create one of Genshin Impact’s most complex antagonists—Scaramouche.
The Kabukimono Experiment
Disguised as a Fontainian man named Escher, Il Dottore traveled to Tatarasuna with the mission of sabotaging the Mikage Furnace. When an armory officer named Niwa Hisahide attempted to stop him, Dottore stabbed him and used his heart as a “gift” for a puppet that Niwa had befriended—the Kabukimono.
Dottore then fabricated a lie, telling the Kabukimono that Niwa had killed a servant for the heart and used it to cleanse the furnace. This manipulation led the Kabukimono to believe Niwa had betrayed their friendship, causing him immense emotional suffering.
Creating Scaramouche
The emotional trauma Dottore inflicted on the Kabukimono made him vulnerable to recruitment by the Fatui. Under Pierro’s guidance and Dottore’s influence, the Kabukimono became Scaramouche, the Sixth Fatui Harbinger. Dottore saw this as a perfect opportunity to study puppet-making techniques, using Scaramouche as a blueprint for his own experiments in creating life.
This manipulation demonstrates Dottore’s understanding of human (and puppet) psychology—he doesn’t just physically harm his victims; he breaks them emotionally and psychologically, making them more susceptible to his control.
The Segments: Dottore’s Quest for Immortality
Creating Multiple Versions of Himself
Perhaps Il Dottore’s most terrifying achievement is his creation of “segments”—multiple versions of himself from different ages, each operating as an independent individual. This breakthrough came after decades of research into puppet-making techniques, using Scaramouche as his foundational blueprint.
Each segment represents Dottore at a different point in his life, preserving his various perspectives and cognitive approaches. As he explained in the Sumeru Archon Quests: “Even the same individual will have different cognitions at different ages. A long time ago, I made a major decision in hopes of preserving all my perspectives of how I observed the world.”
The Omega Build and Beyond
The segment players encounter in Sumeru is known as the “Omega Build,” but there are potentially many more, each designated by letters of the Greek alphabet (Alpha, Beta, Gamma, etc.). While many segments were destroyed during the Sumeru Archon Quests in exchange for the Electro Gnosis, at least the Omega Build remains active.
This ability to create multiple versions of himself makes Il Dottore uniquely dangerous. Even if one segment is defeated, others may continue his work, making him virtually immortal and nearly impossible to permanently stop.
Evil Experiments Across Teyvat
Dar al-Shifa Atrocities
Il Dottore’s experiments at Dar al-Shifa represent some of his most horrific crimes. Under the guise of researching Eleazar (a mysterious disease affecting Sumeru’s people), he conducted inhumane experiments on patients, including:
- Using remains of deceased patients to “cure” others
- Conducting unauthorized medical procedures
- Causing severe psychological trauma to test subjects
One particularly disturbing case involved a patient named Abbas, whom Dottore “cured” using unethical methods. Abbas later dug his way out of the hospital, leaving behind notes that reveal the mental scarring inflicted by Dottore’s treatments.
Apam Woods and the Aranara
In Apam Woods, Dottore studied Eleazar in children, becoming fascinated when patients began disappearing and suspecting the Aranara’s involvement. His interest in harnessing the Aranara’s power demonstrates his willingness to exploit even the most magical and innocent elements of Teyvat for his research.
The Collei Incident
Dottore’s experimentation extended to Collei, who was subjected to his cruel research methods. While Dottore himself may not have directly conducted all experiments on her, he oversaw the work of subordinates like Barnabas, showing his willingness to delegate evil acts while maintaining control over the research.
Relationships with Other Fatui Harbingers
Hated by His Own Colleagues
Remarkably, Il Dottore is despised even within the Fatui organization—an group known for embracing villainy. Other Harbingers, including Arlecchino and Sandrone, openly hate and distrust him. Arlecchino reportedly stated that she would have killed him were he not a Harbinger, calling his potential disappearance “a gift to the world.”
Sandrone believes her automatons provide more normal human interaction than Dottore, highlighting his complete lack of social skills and empathy. Even Columbina, another Harbinger, has described how Dottore is constantly “ordering people around,” showing his authoritarian and contemptuous nature.
A Lone Wolf Among Villains
This universal hatred from other villains demonstrates just how evil Il Dottore truly is. When even the most morally bankrupt characters in the story find you reprehensible, you’ve crossed a line into truly exceptional villainy.
The Nod-Krai Incident: Grasping for Ultimate Power
Attempting to Seize the Three Moons
During the Nod-Krai Archon Quests, Il Dottore attempted what might be his most ambitious scheme yet—seizing the power of the three moons. This bold move would have granted him power potentially equal to or even exceeding that of the Four Shades or Celestia itself.
The fact that Dottore even attempted this shows the scale of his ambition. While other villains might seek regional power or specific goals, Dottore aims for nothing less than godhood itself.
Temporary Setback, Ongoing Threat
Although Columbina’s intervention prevented Dottore from succeeding in Nod-Krai, many believe this is only a temporary setback. His ability to create segments means he can continue his work indefinitely, always seeking new opportunities to gain power.
Why Il Dottore Could Be the Final Villain
Superior to Other Antagonists
While Genshin Impact’s story currently points toward a final confrontation with the Heavenly Principles or Celestia, Il Dottore represents a more personal and immediate threat. Unlike these abstract, god-like forces, Dottore is a tangible villain whose actions have directly harmed characters players care about.
His combination of intelligence, power, and complete lack of morality makes him uniquely dangerous. While other villains might have limits or redeeming qualities, Dottore recognizes no boundaries—moral, ethical, or otherwise.
The Perfect Final Challenge
From a narrative perspective, Il Dottore represents the perfect final challenge for the Traveler. He’s:
- Personally connected to many storylines and characters
- Intellectually formidable with centuries of research and knowledge
- Powerful as the Second Fatui Harbinger with potential god-level abilities
- Morally unredeemable making him a satisfying final antagonist
- Emotionally resonant due to his direct harm to beloved characters
Community Response and Narrative Potential
The Genshin Impact community’s strong negative reaction to Il Dottore suggests he would make an excellent final villain. Few characters inspire such universal hatred, making a final confrontation with him deeply satisfying for players.
Moreover, Dottore’s story threads connect to many major plotlines:
- The Fatui and their quest for Gnoses
- The creation of artificial life (connecting to Albedo, the Raiden Shogun, etc.)
- Sumeru’s history and the Akademiya’s corruption
- The nature of humanity versus divinity
Il Dottore’s Methods and Techniques
Scientific Genius Without Ethics
Il Dottore’s greatest weapon is his brilliant intellect combined with his complete lack of ethical constraints. He has researched:
- Khaenri’ah’s Automatons and their creation methods
- Forbidden knowledge and how to weaponize it
- Dream manipulation to elevate human cognition
- Puppet creation techniques derived from the Art of Khemia
- Biological experimentation to transcend human limitations
Master Manipulator
Beyond his scientific achievements, Dottore is a master of psychological manipulation. He understands how to break people emotionally and mentally, making them vulnerable to his influence. His manipulation of Scaramouche is just one example of his ability to turn trust into betrayal and hope into despair.
Strategic Thinker
As a high-ranking Fatui Harbinger, Dottore possesses strategic thinking that allows him to plan complex, long-term schemes. His ability to operate across multiple regions of Teyvat while pursuing interconnected goals shows his capacity for big-picture thinking.
The Impact on Genshin Impact’s Story
Raising the Stakes
Il Dottore’s presence in Genshin Impact’s narrative raises the stakes significantly. While other villains might seek power for understandable reasons, Dottore’s complete lack of morality means there’s no limit to what he might do to achieve his goals.
Connecting Multiple Storylines
Dottore’s actions and research connect to many of Genshin Impact’s major storylines:
- The Fatui’s quest for Gnoses
- The history of Khaenri’ah and the Art of Khemia
- Sumeru’s corruption and the Akademiya’s secrets
- The nature of artificial life and consciousness
- The boundary between humanity and divinity
Creating Personal Stakes
Unlike more abstract threats, Dottore has directly harmed characters players care about, including Collei, Scaramouche (now the Wanderer), and countless others. This creates personal stakes that make his eventual defeat more meaningful.
Why Players Hate Il Dottore?
Personal Cruelty
What makes Il Dottore particularly hateable is the personal nature of his cruelty. He doesn’t just commit abstract evil acts—he specifically targets individuals, breaks their trust, and destroys their lives for his research.
Lack of Redeeming Qualities
Unlike many villains who have tragic backstories or sympathetic qualities, Il Dottore appears to have no redeeming features whatsoever. He’s purely selfish, cruel, and ambitious without any apparent capacity for empathy or remorse.
Intellectual Arrogance
Dottore’s extreme arrogance and belief in his own superiority make him particularly infuriating. He views everyone else as mere tools for his research, showing contempt for human life and dignity.
The Future of Il Dottore in Genshin Impact
Potential Story Developments
Given his importance to the narrative and his connection to multiple storylines, Il Dottore is likely to play a significant role in future Genshin Impact content. Potential developments include:
- Natlan storyline where he may pursue new research opportunities
- Confrontation with remaining segments of himself
- Final showdown as the story’s ultimate antagonist
- Revelation of his ultimate goals and the full extent of his experiments
Power Level and Threat Assessment
As the Second Fatui Harbinger, Dottore possesses power comparable to the gods themselves. Combined with his intellect, strategic thinking, and ability to create segments, he represents one of the most formidable threats in Teyvat.
Narrative Satisfaction
Making Il Dottore the final villain would provide narrative satisfaction for players who have followed his evil deeds throughout the story. His defeat would represent the triumph of morality over pure, unadulterated evil.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is Il Dottore considered more evil than other Fatui Harbingers?
Il Dottore stands out because he lacks any redeeming qualities or sympathetic motivations. While other Harbingers may have tragic backstories or understandable goals, Dottore acts purely out of selfish ambition without any moral constraints. His experiments on living beings, manipulation of trust, and complete disregard for human life make him uniquely evil even among villains.
What are Il Dottore’s segments?
Il Dottore’s segments are multiple versions of himself created from different ages of his life. Each segment operates as an independent individual with its own personality, preserving Dottore’s various perspectives and cognitive approaches. While many segments were destroyed during the Sumeru Archon Quests, at least the Omega Build remains active, making him virtually immortal.
How did Il Dottore manipulate Scaramouche?
Dottore manipulated Scaramouche (then known as the Kabukimono) by orchestrating a tragedy at Tatarasuna. He murdered Niwa Hisahide and used his heart as a “gift” for the Kabukimono, then lied that Niwa had killed someone for the heart. This betrayal caused the Kabukimono immense emotional pain, making him vulnerable to recruitment by the Fatui and eventual transformation into Scaramouche.
What experiments has Il Dottore conducted?
Il Dottore has conducted numerous horrific experiments, including: unauthorized medical procedures on Eleazar patients at Dar al-Shifa, studies on children with Eleazar in Apam Woods, research into the Aranara’s powers, puppet creation experiments using Scaramouche as a blueprint, and attempts to elevate humans to god-level status through various means.
Could Il Dottore really be Genshin Impact’s final villain?
Yes, Il Dottore has strong potential to be the final villain due to his combination of intelligence, power, and complete lack of morality. His personal connections to many storylines, ability to create segments making him virtually immortal, and ambition to achieve godhood make him a perfect final challenge for the Traveler, even after confronting Celestia or the Heavenly Principles.
Why do other Fatui Harbingers hate Il Dottore?
Other Fatui Harbingers hate Il Dottore because even they recognize his exceptional evil. Arlecchino has stated she would kill him if she could, calling his disappearance “a gift to the world.” Sandrone finds more normal human interaction with her automatons than with Dottore. This universal hatred from fellow villains demonstrates just how reprehensible Il Dottore truly is.
Conclusion
Il Dottore stands as Genshin Impact’s true villain not just because of his power or intelligence, but because he represents pure, unadulterated evil without any redeeming qualities. His complete lack of morality, combined with his brilliant intellect and terrifying ambition, makes him uniquely dangerous in the world of Teyvat.
From his early days as Zandik in the Sumeru Akademiya to his current status as the Second Fatui Harbinger, Il Dottore has consistently demonstrated a willingness to cross any boundary in pursuit of his goals. His experiments on living beings, manipulation of trust, and creation of multiple segments of himself all point to a villain who recognizes no limits—moral, ethical, or otherwise.
As Genshin Impact’s story continues to unfold, Il Dottore’s potential as the final villain becomes increasingly clear. His personal connections to major storylines, his role in harming beloved characters, and his ambition to achieve godhood all position him as the perfect ultimate challenge for the Traveler.
Whether you love to hate him or simply hate him, there’s no denying that Il Dottore has earned his place as Genshin Impact’s true villain a character so purely evil that he makes other antagonists seem almost sympathetic by comparison.