In other . 4 Make a Good Character Backstory. 2 level 1 Set up a playlist of songs that remind you of your villain or invoke a sense of their attitude or personality. Answer (1 of 14): When they made the 2008 film Valkyrie, about the plot within Germany to kill Hitler and initiate a coup against the Nazi regime, they had pretty much the perfect modern villain. I'm giving you the five most important things to consider when writing baddies. Creating interesting, complex villains is an important part of building a good story, but making a bad guy who is both relatable and intimidating can be surprisingly difficult. There are also many ways to make a character that auto-rezzes when killed or can otherwise cheat death. Thankfully there are a few tips Dungeons & Dragons DMs can consider to help create interesting villains who pose a challenge to players both tactically and emotionally . Modus operandi is how a villain tries to achieve their goals, be it through outright physical violence or emotional manipulation. 5. This is pretty ironic considering he's pretty much the prototype "Tuffle Revenge" plan for what Baby would become in Dragon Ball GT - not to mention that his best interpretation is arguably when TeamFourStar made him into the "Eve-olution" of Evil Santa in their DBZA . For a hatred-fueled android whose power equals/surpasses that of DBZ Broly, he's not exactly the most interesting villain. He runs a massive drug trade for a substance obtained from the underdark, regularly selling live human beings in exchange for more of the substance with the rest of the surface world. Then, he will try to destroy it as a revenge, killing the main villain in the end. 5 Answers. Enjoy! However, when they showed the film to an actual audience, before making finishing touches, the test g. Wealthy villains have the means to spend scores of assassins and bounty hunters after the party, which can make for some interesting combat scenarios. And that road map becomes my adventure outline for villain type adventures. While the antagonist stands in opposition to the protagonist, you want to create similarities. Maybe your villain is skilled at wordplay and uses words to confuse or trick other characters. (Though I will use male pronouns throughout, this applies equally if your main character is a heroine or your . Tips For Humanizing Villains. I have three conveniently alliterative criteria for a good villain, arranged in ascending order of importance: Presence Power Purpose These warrant some explanation, so I will provide. Excessive pride and arrogance means that your villain should only derive satisfaction from their own accomplishments. A character or characters that's stories are bound together until the very end. Nobody is evil just to be evil, and if they are, they're probably a demon. Plus, I like the idea of an all . A good villain will make it almost impossible for your hero to win. The greatest of villains also have a narrative to share. Lychee based Hatchiyack design on his race army force. Listen to it while you write. So what are the first couple of steps for making an awesome […] No, we don't need to hear about his pathetically traumatic family history or the byzantine machinations of his evil organization.. Because having a strong villain makes the entire story stronger and more interesting. The protagonist and the antagonist. The opposing forces - the conflicting desires and goals - of your protagonist and antagonist are a crucial engine for your story. Put your villain in a scene: make sure you include dialogue so you can work out how the character speaks. Tips and tricks for creating charismatic, devious and deadly antagonists that players of a tabletop RPG or D&D campaign will love to hate. In the same way that your protagonist's wants and desires should be clear, your villain should have well-defined motivations to help the reader better understand the root cause of their villainy. 2.3 Consider Character Voice. Villains. The panel started by setting a few distinctions. 3) Admirable Qualities. She was hurt, scared, and felt betrayed. Making a good villain a good character can be tough, but there are a few things that you should be trying to include in their character to make them complex enough to be interesting. Ok One thing I disagree with is that Mr. Mxysptlk is not an Interesting villain. Try something revolutionary. One of the signs that your villain doesn't suck is that he's interesting enough to handle a scene on his own. This would make the hero run behind the main villain and enable him to find out about the villains' club. As she steps forward, the dark mage identifies the undeniable strut of the femme fatale. The more believable and terrifying your character is, the easier it is for the reader to imagine the villain. Allow the protagonist to teeter in confusion and loss. 7 Motives for Villains 1. A good villain is much more than this, however. 1) Joker. For there to be a protagonist for us to cheer or root for, there needs to be an antagonist, someone to stand in their path one way or another, to make it so their journey to success is not as easy - or, indeed, so they never make it at all. When villains are too one-note they won't feel lifelike and they're ultimately just not that interesting. By introducing your villain with a bang and making it abundantly clear that "this guy is pretty freaking evil," you can create a moment that stirs a ton of emotion in your players to hate this villain on a deeply personal level. Romance: I want to marry the princess. Inarguably, villains are defined by their cruel and malicious actions. Yet when your villain is as complex or interesting as your protagonist, your fictional world feels real. It's overdone, lazy and misses the point of the . Hearing the villain speak demystifies them. So take these ideas and run with them! Thanks! For this second essay, we're looking at villains. I'm working on motivating my villain (ess) and have found 39 possible motivations. This is one of my favorite videos on the subject: Frodo's shadow and villain is the ring. How to Make Your Villain Interesting Villains are an integral part of fiction. In the same way that your protagonist's wants and desires should be clear, your villain should have well-defined motivations to help the reader better understand the root cause of their villainy. They can be intimidating, magnetic, or just plain fun to watch. In this series of essays, we're going to be looking at how to make interesting heroes and villains. Revenge - ruin a hero: I want to ruin the King. Your supervillain should take away something of value from the hero or protagonist. Even if they don't exist in the real world. 2. Yes No How Games Make It Fun To Be The Villain Video games have long allowed you to take on villainous roles, but there's a difference between playing a monster and becoming one. They have a soft spot for puppies or they write cheesy love poems. In this series of essays, we're going to be looking at how to make interesting heroes and villains. About Rebecca However, romance writers walk a delicate tightrope when creating villains. If you just can't understand truly villainous people, try this: Put yourself in their place. 7 Allow Them to Evolve. I'd take a new movie about Pamela any day over a new . Alive, Corpse-like undead, Skeletal undead, spirit. A villain can be your character's classroom bully, that really nasty dog of their neighbor's, or their sister. It's okay to be just a tad bit sadistic - or really sadistic. Sometimes regarded as a boon, it quickly becomes a dangerous character flaw. This is one of the most fun things you can do when writing a new book. Heroes and villains. The good guy and the bad guy. You should try to make the M.O. The character has been played by many actors including Jack Nicholson, Heath Ledger, and Jared Leto. However, if drama is the goal, there are always normal individuals willing to do unsavory things in desperate situations. The most authentic villains are those with 'hero' traits: aspects of their character that make them more relatable, more human. Create social encounter statblocks to anticipate your players' challenges and your villains' responses. 2.4 Give Characters Opinions and Beliefs. This is your standard cartoon villain. Villains aren't as important to the romance novel as the hero and heroine, but in many stories, they are crucial. Her wings were taken from her by a man she fell in love with. Invulnerable, invincible villains are the stuff of monster and action blockbuster movies. I like to craft a roadmap for how the villain can win their goal. Viewing them from the outside will make them seem more hostile and dangerous. A villain with Presence owns whatever room they're in. Good characters on the other hand tend to have fairly generic stories because the positive moral basis of good actions is something that we are taught is an innate property of being human. Keep your players on their back foot by designing powerful dramatic questions that use preemptive strikes to maximize your villain's agency. Write down 5 moments in your villain's life that have brought them to the point . Villains weren't always villains "This is a sure sign of a cheesy villain," says the editor, "no sense of backstory." "I have a backstory," says the woman holding the syringe. This article isn't about teaching you the "right way" to write a character. There should be history behind your villain's wrongdoing. What's Happening People? Monsters are in a separate category, and they exist to be fun and wreak havoc, like King Kong. Hatchiyack the survived Tuffle hybrid. Have villains make believable mistakes. David wouldn't have gotten nearly the press he did if Goliath had been 5'9" and asthmatic. The Ring from The Lord of the Rings. 1 Unforgettable villains think they're the hero. So how do you make a villain memorable and three-dimensional? To give your villain purpose and meaning in your story, you should map out their master plan. interesting and well defined to make them stand apart. When Maleficent came out, people finally understood why she was so "evil". Personally, I've always felt that the first Friday the 13th was the strongest in the series, simply because it had an interesting villain. As well as possessing a history and inner life that makes them feel three-dimensional and interesting, your villain also needs to have: A relationship with the protagonist. A superhero like Batman would be nothing without a supervillain like the Joker. Mxy is arguably the most powerful being in the DCU, he is definitely in the top 5. Romance. The best villains are inextricably connected to the hero and aid in the hero's character development through their inherent opposition to them. Yes, Sauron is the big villain in Lord of the Rings, but it's interesting to look at each villain individually as a Shadow form of one of the main characters. Yet, in most cases, villains are also human. Sometimes an emotionally distant villain is preferable, sometimes a lack of resonance can make an anti-hero even more interesting, and sometimes relatability just doesn't mesh well with your character concept. There's no one I'd rather be than me. Mix and match! Keep a notebook of quotes from your villain. Readers just need some sign that your villain has the competence, style and/or ambition that mark a good villain. For example, one of the secret doors into the Batcave is opened by setting a clock to the minute when Bruce Wayne's parents were murdered. In your villain, you create a pedestal on which to display your hero's positive qualities. Your villain has to have enough power, of whatever nature, at his disposal to make him a credible threat to your hero. "Wait!" you say. Create a villain that is believable. For instance, there was an adventure . That's too easy. You can take an existing monster and pair it with another monster to make it interesting. Step 4: Make Your Villain So Powerful, They Almost Can't Lose. By introducing your villain with a bang and making it abundantly clear that "this guy is pretty freaking evil," you can create a moment that stirs a ton of emotion in your players to hate this villain on a deeply personal level. A human villain may fail to successful repress the past, reliving and acting out elements of the situation that nudged them down a path of cruelty and causing others harm. Sometimes, their story might even be more interesting that of the hero. Develop a dark sense of humor like the Joker, especially if you're playing a villain with a more comedic role. "Go on," says the editor. One of the most popular (and tiresome) tropes in comic adaptations is to make Superman a villain. Villainous Tip #2 - Your Villain Should Be Proud Of all the seven deadly sins, pride might be the most interesting. 3 Do Your Research. Make your list of 5 important character traits, your list of how those traits are exemplified in your plot, how they are going to change or what their story arc is, and most importantly - what their backstory and motivations are for doing what they are doing. A superhero like Batman would be nothing without a supervillain like the Joker. 5. A villain who can stand independent of any superhero is pretty difficult to find. Set up a villain playlist. They're the protagonists of their own stories, with hopes, joys and fears. Plus, you know what they say—a story is only as good as it's villain. How to Create Interesting Tabletop RPG Antagonists. They are presented here with a statement from the villain (ess)'s point of view. Follows: The Villain. 5 Establish the Character's Motivations and Goals. To Build a Great Villain, Start With One of These 13 Motivations. Kevin Dooley / Creative Commons. Here are seven traits you'll find in some of fiction's greatest villains. So don't shortchange your villain. They should represent a competing worldview Then, let the villains order the main villain to destroy a thing the hero loves the most. The history of small-screen programming is crammed with villains that people loved because they could go in interesting directions through long-term storytelling. Like all elements of storytelling, creating interesting villains requires a combination of art and craft, an understanding of character-writing fundamentals fused with a knack for distinctive . If your villain doesn't use conversation as their means of enacting violence, don't let them speak more than they need to. In This Video, I'm Going To Show You How To Make Interesting Chord Progressions Every Time!LINKS : Check Out "Submerged" MIDI P. (That would be an awkward family reunion ^^') Villains have backstories, personalities, motivations, and lives just like any other character. Villains tend to be "better" characters because exploring the source of their hatred or evil actions can add complexity and intrigue. Infused with the evil energy that Dr. Lychee had, Knowing that Dr. Lychee would possibly die he infused his Tuffle blood, mind and the most important thing that kept Lychee alive is his Hate. I call this Villain Win-State. If a player loses an eye, arm, or some other body part at the hands of the main antagonist, they'll be a. When developing your movie villain — Include a weakness within your villain that causes him or her to act immorally. One of my personal favorite ways to do this is by having the villain capture a beloved NPC. Overall, villains can be a lot of fun. Before you proceed, you need to identify what specific emotion you are hoping to elicit with this character. Villains enrich your story by providing obstacles for your hero to overcome. The Joker has been popular in almost any version. Bane is able to tick both of these boxes while also being a great character. When crafting villains, writers often make a similar mistake. So in the spirit of Halloween and scary characters, here are three writing tips to help you create villains who are just as interesting as your heroes. Then, we will make some general observations based on our examples: 1. Here we have compiled 10 villains that are more interesting than the heroes they fight. But while they might be rare, villains who are truly interesting in their own right do exist, and we've rounded up . Humor will help make your villain more relatable and likable to an audience. You can make your villain more interesting by avoiding clichés. Unless you want a sympathetic villain like Carrie, don't narrate any scenes from their viewpoint. How to make a villain interesting Nothing makes your hero more heroic than a worthy opponent. A strong connection with the protagonist. This is very rarely as simple as good . One of my personal favorite ways to do this is by having the villain capture a beloved NPC. From Darth Vader to Count Dracula, some of the best fiction writing contains unforgettable villains. The Sympathetic Villain. Many villains will speak with menace and use words to manipulate weaker characters. 2.5 Create Interesting Character Quirks. 6 Choose a Name for Your Character. Brainstorm and see where the ideas take you. The guild would have a patron who doesn't actually run anything but basically payrolls the whole project and so has a lot of influence in their activities. I will never be good and that's not bad. The most interesting villains are not completely evil. Villains need to be powerful. Go to the Feywild to rescue someone who was kidnapped by fairies, go to the Shadowfell to root out the source of undead corruption, go to the Plane of Air to bring back an artifact, etc. Notice how many of the fantasy / science fiction movie examples above still are able to make their villains feel human. 1. I'm talking about my kind of people: villains! Contrary personality traits add depth and realism to all characters. Been working on my campaigns and thinking a lot about villain plans. Please make the base distinct to your superheroes or supervillains.For example, you can put in unusual touches that help develop the character(s) or team. Seeing a part of New York flooded could make for an interesting arena, too. One of the most popular villains of the modern age. The degree of similarity can vary, but make sure it's identifiable. Atlas Shrugged: Interesting Villains October 10, 2014 Adam Lee Patheos Explore the world's faith through different perspectives on religion and spirituality! Twirly mustaches, prominent cheekbones, long . The villain's actions can drive the hero and heroine to succeed against all odds, force them to make difficult decisions, even drive them apart for a while. I'm sure there are more, but these should jump start your imagination. Evil is often creepier when it's found in unexpected places. Spend every bit as much time crafting him as you do your lead character, if you want your story to work. For someone who is more of a recurring enemy than a big bad, having them come back in advancing states of undeath could work. By Andrew King on March . Personally, I believe that the more the villain outclasses the hero, the better. Featuring a convenient guide of villain motives to help you Build-Your-Own Bad Guy. Why I've had enough of Evil Superman stories. Instead, think about how you can make an antagonist all the more powerful and compelling because there are facets of their personality the reader can't help but admire. Think of great examples from literature. They are people with pasts and personalities and pain, and so they deserve their own rich and compelling human stories. Patheos has the views of the prevalent . "I'm a Russian spy, sent to…" Yes, villains can fall in love just like the rest of us. Describe your villain's positive traits. Learning to write evil, awesome villains is a process, but worth your time because it will give your story greater depth, clearer meaning, and make it all the more powerful. Villains help define your story's hero, drive the conflict, and capture the reader's attention. First things first, I'm explai. Whether they seek revenge, power or security, their perspectives are justified. Villain number 1: A ruthless, wealthy, and politically powerful wererat crime lord who takes inspiration from Jabba the Hutt. "I'd rather see myself as the hero, doing the right thing because it's the right thing, rising to the challenge, saving the day." In tabletop roleplaying games such as Dungeon & Dragons or Apocalypse World, most epic story campaigns will feature a villain or antagonist who casts a . Have a devious sense of humor. The bad guy—or gal—the monster in the dark, the epitome of all things evil. Villains enrich your story by providing obstacles for your hero to overcome. Antiheroes serve to make the hero change (think Loki), while villains might not make the hero arc at all. He learned to use his gift to survive and even feel a false love from others. RELATED: 10 Marvel Villains Who Love Being Evil. For that reason, villains are just as important as the good guys in your story. He wasn't a villain, but a man who didn't know right from wrong. Morbius in Marvel's Spider-Man 2 Given the upcoming movie adaptation, it simply makes sense to use Morbius in Marvel . You can take an existing monster and just tweak it a little to make it interesting. Firstly, let the villain join the rest of the villains. It's not about developing a mathematical formula that allows . 2: Give your villain's wrongdoing history. If this is the kind of villain you want to write, then I really recommend that you grab a copy of Flashman: A Novel . Change your thinking. Making one that can beat him both physically and mentally while also making that villain interesting is a feat in and of itself. In this video I analyse the Joker in the Dark Knight and answer the question why is he the best villain of all time.Support me on Patreon: https://www.patreo. Find something funny that may be horrifying to others. 2) Power. Although this is important for all characters, villains in particular need definition so that they can be properly depicted. 1) Villains should be just as three-dimensional as their heroic counterparts. I'm bad, and that's good. And may your villains be the very best they can be . In Rowling's Harry Potter novels, the main villain is of course Voldemort, with his skeletal appearance, his red eyes, his cold evil laugh and an affinity for snakes. He does evil things because he's evil. Keep this in mind as you start crafting your characters. 7/23/2021. 3 Create a master plan for the villain. 6. Second, make good use of pre-session preparation. 2 .but they take things way too far. Programmed illusions, sending spells, and the like. In fact, at the beginning of the story, it should be obvious that your hero doesn't have a hope's chance in hell. 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