Why I don't want Pantalone (+ Dottore, Pierro and Pucinella) to be playable. [May contain spoilers for Natlan,Nod-krai, Inazuma and some backstories if you're not updated]
Okay so it might be a hot take since I see so many people that keep talking about Pantalone and Dottore being playable and wishing they are. But I personally don't agree at ALL.
Every harbinger that were turned playable has a sort of redemption, and make everyone forgive what they did like nothing every happened, Scaramouche litteraly turning a whole new person, Arlecchino/Sandrone (speculated) helping the traveler, Tartaglia also helping them, Columbina being really different than what everyone thoughts and almost everyone fighting alongside the traveler against Dottore. I do not want redmeption for Pantalone, Dottore and Pierro, not at all. And making them playable would force them to make a redemption/make everyone forget what they did bad, like what is happening and happened with Scaramouche/Childe/Arlecchino [I am aware Scara was manipulated don't come at me]. And Dottore is one of maybe even the only villain that came back multiples times and actually feel like a villain, and isn't excused with a sad backstory or whatever (it may happen, but it's just annoying to me when villains are treated like they did no bad just because of a sad story. Pantalone too, we saw his in game model for rhe first ever time and I'm as excited as everyone, but i feel like making him playable would ruin the character.
Same goes with Pierro, he's lead by vengeance from what I understand, and loyal to the Tsaritsa. Having the right hand of the archon we've seen as "the enemy" or at least who controls the biggest CRIMINAL organisation of Teyvat, as playable, would just be a waste in my eyes.
For Pucinella, he is a manipulator, and has Childe's family in a chokehold without Childe even realising it. It is, manipulation. And that is a kind that I like seeing represented because it happen. I feel like giving him any sort of redemption would really be a waste, because he could/is also a great in-shadow villains.
We already have 4, possibly 5 playable Harbingers on 11 (counting Pierro). With one dead and one "resting", there's four non-playable/still alive. And I think it's good lile this, it make it almost balanced. I do not wish for more, and i do not wish for them to be part of the playable cast. Because again Hoyo have to explain why they would "fight alongside the traveler", and it would only lead to redmeption/making everyone forget/forgive what they did. I want them to stay as NPC, some that come often of course, but playable is a no for me.
Maybe I'm bitter because I have no primos ? Probably. But, I mean what I say. Excuse me for repeating myself, and if my words are unclear, alongside for the possible bad English this isn't my first language. Have a good day everyone !
Posted May 10, 2026, 2:01 PM UTC