The world of Teyvat in Genshin Impact has captivated millions of players since its release, but one aspect that deserves more recognition is how the game incorporates characters with disabilities. As of 2025, HoYoverse has made significant strides in representation, creating nuanced characters whose disabilities are integrated into their stories without defining their entire identities.

Collei: Living with Chronic Conditions

Perhaps the most well-documented character with disabilities in Genshin Impact is Collei, the Dendro bow user from Sumeru. Her backstory reveals her struggles with chronic fatigue and peripheral paresthesia, conditions that affect her daily life but don't prevent her from becoming a Forest Ranger trainee.

Collei's conditions stem from experiments performed on her by the Fatui doctor Dottore when she was younger. Despite these challenges, she maintains a determined personality and strives to protect the forests of Sumeru. Her character demonstrates how Genshin Impact incorporates disabilities as part of a character's journey rather than their defining trait.

Baizhu: The Healer with His Own Health Struggles

The owner of Bubu Pharmacy in Liyue, Baizhu, presents another interesting case of a character with health limitations. Though not explicitly labeled as disabled, his frail constitution is well-established in the game's lore. Ironically, this master herbalist who heals others struggles with his own persistent illness.

Baizhu's condition influences his motivations and research into eternal life, adding depth to his character. His relationship with his assistant Qiqi (who has her own unique condition) creates an interesting dynamic that resonates with many players who appreciate the nuanced portrayal.

Trauma and Mental Health Representation

Genshin Impact doesn't shy away from depicting characters with psychological conditions as well. Collei lives with an unspecified trauma disorder resulting from her past experiences. Similarly, characters like Xiao carry the mental burden of centuries of karma and suffering.

"The game's approach to mental health disabilities is particularly noteworthy in Genshin Impact characters with disabilities," notes community member Reiko Kawana. "These aren't just backstory elements but are integrated into gameplay and character interactions."

Gameplay Accessibility Challenges

While character representation is important, some players with disabilities themselves have noted challenges with game accessibility. In May 2025, several players reported difficulties with certain quests that require quick reflexes or precise timing.

One player shared their struggle with the Palace Vision of the Serpent quest: "My characters are at level 40 and I can't ascend them till rank 25. If I increase my world level, the enemies become even harder to defeat. I've tried over 30 times without success."

Fortunately, HoYoverse has implemented features like world level adjustment to help players customize their experience. Community members often suggest using characters with faster elemental attacks or seeking co-op assistance when available.

Community Reception and Impact

The Genshin Impact community has generally responded positively to the inclusion of characters with disabilities. Fan discussions, artwork, and even scholarly analyses have emerged examining how these representations affect players' perceptions.

"Seeing characters like Collei who manage their conditions while still being powerful and important to the story means a lot," commented one player on a popular Genshin forum. "It's not perfect representation, but it's a step in the right direction."

Looking Forward: Room for Growth

While Genshin Impact has made progress in representing characters with disabilities, there's still room for improvement. Many players hope to see more explicitly acknowledged disabilities, adaptive equipment, and diverse conditions represented in future character releases.

As the game continues to expand with new regions and characters, the potential for more inclusive representation grows. The care taken with existing characters suggests HoYoverse is mindful of creating meaningful representation rather than tokenistic inclusion.

In a gaming landscape that often overlooks disability representation entirely, Genshin Impact's approach stands out for attempting to create characters whose disabilities are part of their stories without becoming their sole defining characteristic.