Narcissists thrive on attention, control, and validation. To keep their ego inflated, they surround themselves with people who serve a specific purpose in their world.
Some offer constant praise, while others act as easy targets for manipulation. Whether they realize it or not, these people help maintain the narcissist’s sense of superiority.
Psychology gives us insight into the types of individuals narcissists like to keep close. Understanding these dynamics can help you recognize toxic relationships and protect your own well-being.
1) The constant cheerleader
Narcissists crave admiration, and few things feed their ego more than someone who constantly praises them.
These are the people who shower the narcissist with compliments, validate their opinions, and make them feel special—no matter what.
Whether it’s applauding their achievements or reassuring them when they feel insecure, the constant cheerleader plays a crucial role in keeping the narcissist’s self-image intact.
Of course, genuine support in a relationship is healthy. But with a narcissist, it’s one-sided. They expect endless admiration without ever returning the favor.
And if the praise stops? The narcissist may discard them and move on to someone else who will keep feeding their ego.
2) The fixer
Narcissists love having someone around who is always willing to fix their problems—whether emotional, financial, or otherwise.
These people take on the role of caretaker, constantly trying to help, support, and rescue the narcissist, often at their own expense.
I once had a friend who always seemed to be in some sort of crisis. At first, I felt honored that they confided in me. I wanted to help, to be the person they could rely on.
But over time, I noticed a pattern—no matter how much I gave, it was never enough.
My advice went unheard, my support was expected but never appreciated, and the moment I needed something in return, they were nowhere to be found.
That’s when I realized I wasn’t their friend—I was their fixer.
Narcissists keep people like this around because they thrive on having someone who will prioritize their needs over everything else. And as long as you keep trying to fix them, they have no reason to change.
3) The scapegoat
Narcissists rarely take responsibility for their mistakes. Instead, they look for someone else to blame when things go wrong.
This is where the scapegoat comes in—a person who absorbs the narcissist’s frustrations, guilt, and failures so they don’t have to.
Blame-shifting is a common tactic among narcissists because it protects their fragile ego.
In fact, research has shown that narcissistic individuals are more likely to externalize blame, attributing negative outcomes to others rather than themselves.
By keeping a scapegoat around, they ensure there’s always someone to point the finger at when things don’t go their way.
Over time, this can take a serious toll on the scapegoat’s self-esteem. They may start believing they are actually at fault, even when they’ve done nothing wrong.
4) The yes-person
Narcissists surround themselves with people who won’t challenge them. The yes-person agrees with everything they say, supports every decision they make, and never questions their authority.
This isn’t just about avoiding conflict—it’s about control. A narcissist doesn’t want to be held accountable or have their ideas scrutinized. They prefer people who nod along, reinforcing their belief that they are always right.
While this might seem like an easy role to play, it comes at a cost. The yes-person often suppresses their own thoughts and opinions to keep the narcissist happy, gradually losing their own voice in the process.
5) The empath
Narcissists are drawn to people with big hearts—those who are kind, compassionate, and deeply empathetic.
They know that empaths will go out of their way to understand them, forgive them, and see the good in them, even when it’s not deserved.
What makes this so heartbreaking is that empaths often believe they can help heal the narcissist. They see past the arrogance and manipulation, holding onto the hope that if they love them enough, the narcissist will change.
But narcissists don’t seek healing—they seek control. And they will take everything an empath gives without ever giving back.
No one deserves to be in a relationship where their kindness is used against them. Empathy should be met with appreciation, not exploitation.
6) The competitor
Narcissists don’t just want admirers—they also want rivals. But not in a way that pushes them to grow.
They keep people around who they see as competition, not to challenge themselves, but to constantly one-up and tear down.
Being around a narcissist like this feels like living in a never-ending contest you didn’t sign up for. Every success is met with jealousy, every achievement is minimized, and every moment in the spotlight is resented.
Instead of celebrating wins together, there’s an undercurrent of tension—an unspoken battle for validation that never truly ends.
Healthy competition can be motivating, but with a narcissist, it’s exhausting. No matter what you do, they will always find a way to make themselves feel superior.
7) The loyal follower
Narcissists love having people around who are fiercely loyal to them—often to the point of blind devotion.
These are the ones who defend them no matter what, justify their bad behavior, and stand by them even when others start to see the truth.
Loyalty is a beautiful quality, but in the hands of a narcissist, it becomes a tool for manipulation. They guilt their followers into staying, making them feel like betrayal is the worst thing they could ever do.
Over time, this kind of loyalty isn’t about trust or mutual respect—it’s about control.
True loyalty should never come at the cost of your own well-being. If someone demands your devotion but refuses to respect you in return, that’s not loyalty—it’s manipulation.
8) The emotionally unavailable
Narcissists don’t seek deep, meaningful connections—they seek control. And one of the easiest ways to maintain control is by surrounding themselves with people who are emotionally unavailable.
These are individuals who, for their own reasons, struggle with vulnerability, setting boundaries, or expressing their needs. Because of this, they don’t challenge the narcissist’s lack of emotional depth.
Instead, the relationship remains surface-level, transactional, and centered around the narcissist’s desires.
This dynamic works perfectly for a narcissist because it means they never have to offer real emotional intimacy. They can take what they need without ever being expected to give anything back.
Bottom line: Narcissists need enablers
Narcissists don’t operate in isolation—they rely on the people around them to maintain their inflated self-image.
Whether it’s through admiration, competition, or blind loyalty, they carefully choose individuals who serve a purpose in their world.
Psychologists have long studied the dynamics of narcissistic relationships, and research suggests that narcissists gravitate toward those who either boost their ego or allow their behavior to continue unchecked.
Without these enablers, their sense of superiority becomes harder to sustain.
But real relationships aren’t built on control or one-sided devotion. They require mutual respect, emotional depth, and genuine connection—things a narcissist is often unwilling to give.
Recognizing these patterns is the first step in breaking free from them.
