Video games are filled with non-playable characters who add depth and life to virtual worlds, but let's be honest—some are so insufferably irritating that players dream of wiping them out on sight without a shred of guilt. Thankfully, in 2025, gaming has evolved to include options where dispatching these nuisances doesn't derail your quests, spoil endings, or mess with your karma. As a seasoned gamer myself, I've relished the cathartic joy of silencing their grating voices or halting their endless pestering, turning frustration into satisfying retribution. These characters aren't just minor annoyances; they're the digital equivalents of that one neighbor who won't stop talking about their lottery win. So, grab your virtual weapons, folks, because here's a rundown of the top NPCs who deserve an immediate trip to the respawn void, complete with personal rants about why they're the worst.

1. Adoring Fan: The Eternal Stalker

Beat it, kid—I'm not your grand champion! This pesky wood elf from Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion has been haunting players for over two decades with his incessant "By Azura" chants and creepy shadowing. Even in 2025, his reappearance in Starfield hasn't made him any less exasperating. Personally, I find his whiny voice like nails on a chalkboard, and while vanilla games prevent permanent demise, mods like Killable Adoring Fan offer sweet relief. Why tolerate this sycophant when you can send him packing with a well-aimed fireball?

2. Patches: The Deceptive Trickster

A mastermind in manipulation, this recurring FromSoftware villain ambushes you in Elden Ring at Murkwater Cave, accusing you of theft with all the charm of a backstabbing snake. As a Souls veteran, I've learned never to trust his groveling pleas for mercy—it's all part of his cowardly act. Killing him on sight prevents future fights and spares you his antagonizing schemes, which, in my playthroughs, always end with me yelling, "Enough already!" at the screen. No quest disruptions here, just pure, unadulterated vengeance. 😈

3. Sticky: The Whiny Escort

Are we there yet? Are we lost? Sticky from Fallout 3 embodies every annoying kid on a road trip, with his tuneless whistling and impatient questions. Escorting him feels like torture, and in my experience, his repetitive storytelling makes me want to mute the game. Thankfully, you can off him immediately in Little Lamplight—no karma hit, no quest loss. Honestly, why bother when he contributes nothing but headaches? 🚫

4. White Mask Varre: The Creepy Insulter

Who's maidenless now? Varre, the first NPC in Elden Ring, mocks you with his eerie demeanor and condescending taunts. I adore hating this guy; his constant jabs feel personal, like a digital bully. Killing him right away in Lands Between doesn't block main quests or Mohgwyn Palace access—it just silences his grating voice. For me, it's an instant stress-reliever that leaves no regrets.

5. Oliver Swanick: The Lottery Braggart

"Who won the lottery? I did!" Oliver's gloating in Fallout: New Vegas is so infuriating that, in every playthrough, I've caved and blasted him with unique weapons. His arrogance and grating personality make Nipton's sole survivor the epitome of frustration. Personally, I see it as poetic justice—life's the only lottery that matters when NPCs like him overstay their welcome. 💥

6. Angry Mar'hyah: The Abusive Kennel Master

Woof! Calm your nerves, Mar'hyah. This foul-mouthed character in Baldur's Gate 3 mistreats dogs, including your beloved Scratch, making her the easiest evil decision ever. Animal cruelty is my line in the sand, and killing her during Act 3 in Rivington feels like a heroic act. With save scumming strategies, I've enjoyed watching her get her comeuppance—no guilt, just relief. 🐕

7. Nazeem: The Condescending Boaster

Can't get to the Cloud District if you're dead. Nazeem from Skyrim tops annoyance charts with his hypocritical boasts like "Do you get to the Cloud District often?" I've always found his arrogance unbearable, and killing him in Whiterun—despite the murder tag—feels justified. Creative torture methods add to the fun; delaying his demise for extra suffering is my go-to catharsis. 😠

8. Norris Forsythe: The Racist Pamphleteer

No, I don't want a pamphlet! Norris in Red Dead Redemption 2 spreads eugenics in Saint Denis, making him the guilt-free top target. Hogtying and dragging him across the map is my favorite satisfying outcome—no honor loss or wanted level. For me, it's a swift end to bigotry, and I've never looked back. 🤠

FAQ

Q: Why kill these NPCs immediately?

A: Because they're unbearably irritating! As a player, I find it therapeutic to end their pestering without remorse—it's like digital therapy. 😌

Q: Does killing them affect gameplay or quests?

A: Nope! In 2025 games, these eliminations are designed not to disrupt storylines, progression, or endings—so go wild.

Q: Are there any rewards for sparing them?

A: Occasionally, like Patches becoming a merchant, but in my view, the mental peace of silencing them outweighs any virtual trinkets.

Q: Can I use mods for permanent kills?

A: Yes, mods like for Adoring Fan exist, but vanilla options already allow instant, consequence-free dispatch. Happy hunting!