What's your favourite type of antagonist?

Out of characters you've made, or someone else's character.

My favorite type of antagonist is simply that –a force in opposition to the protagonist's goals. In the book I'm writing, I have a four-corner conflict set up with my two main characters and two other characters. The two main characters are in conflict sometimes, even though their mother and son, and their moral vision clashes with the two other characters. I guess I'll put it like this: Evera, a government official, is in direct conflict with Enzo, the leader of the rebellion. They represent the simple theme of safety vs freedom. Then I have my two main characters. Tasper, the son, is in conflict with Evera because he leans more heavily towards Enzo's moral vision. Nyir, the mother, is in conflict with Enzo because she leans more heavily towards Evera's moral vision. However, Nyir more often than not butts heads with Evera because they too view the world differently. As do Tasper and Nyir, and Tasper and Enzo. So in a way, they all conflict, but there are no real villains here. Just people with similar motivations and goals whose morals conflict.

Personally, i think i prefer the human villain. Like, no matter what he does, he is still human, he's just someone who took a wrong turn in life and he can be redeemed. I'm not really into the all evil villain. Evil isn't born, it's bred.
Another type i like is the villain you can't decide whether you love him or deeply hate him (like Ferid Bathory in Owari no Seraph). It's this contradiction that keeps you from getting bored of him

Sarcastic Antagonists are my favorite! They mirror everything the protagonist stands for, and then they smash it to hell while smoking cigarettes and making sassy comments. FAVORITE!

My favorites are sarcastic, or they can be rooted for. Or even when they end up teaming up with the protagonist when a worse villain comes around. The characters that can be bad but also charming. Think of Captain Jack Sparrow. We all know he should be the villain; stealing, blackmailing, always getting in trouble; but he is just too appealing and cool for us to root against.

Ones that wear bulletproof suits, have nice hair and drink Pinot Noir out of skulls. This is literally my villain.

Villains that are relatable, not just "evil". Like you feel sorry for them after they just killed 1,000 people. I also find the ugly villain thing annoying. I like the charming and sarcastic villain

Yes, villains that are human. I really dont believe is good/evil villain/hero black/white. I love the idea of people who just make mistake and can redeem themselves. The ones that even though they have killed and hurt those around them are still fiercely loyal and have some morals. I think the best one I can think of right now is Deacon from " 12 Monkeys" the show. Since I just finished the series. His hurt those around him but also helped them. Hes also super funny and sarcastic and im sorry. You could be stabbing me to death but if your sassy when doing it. I will be laughing while I bleed to death.

tbh, Thanos is my favorite villain. like, he has depth, A LOT of it. while his morals may be a little askew, he has very profound emotions and feelings (especially to Gamora).
Neegan is very interesting too!
i just really like villains that act human, they feel sadness, love, happiness, and they show them often enough to really make you feel bad for them

An antagonist who has a past with the protagonist, likes the protagonist, or is shippable with protagonist. Or and antagonist who seems bad but is actually good and was just misunderstood.

I like the kind that are completely insane, yet their thoughts and their actions make complete sense to them.

I like the ones that are arrogant but not blinded by their arrogance. The ones that draw out their sentences. They’re are kinda crazy and are fascinated with torture. No, what are you talking about, I’m sane Idk… *shrug The loose cannon villains are the best because you don’t know what they’re going to do.

I like the ones that are arrogant but not blinded by their arrogance. The ones that draw out their sentences. They’re are kinda crazy and are fascinated with torture. No, what are you talking about, I’m sane Idk… *shrug The loose cannon villains are the best because you don’t know what they’re going to do.

Who's even sane here? Yeah I agree with the arrogant type and the ones that draws out their sentences, it's a special type of charming. And an unpredictable villain is definitely good

i really like antagonists that arent complete assholes to the people theyre working with! i mean a completely sadistic and cruel antagonist can definitely work but i really have a soft spot for antagonists that are close to the people theyre working with rather than treating their subordinates like garbage.

i also like antagonists with hobbies that arent exactly what youd call 'villain-y'. like give me an antagonist that likes scrapbooking. give me one thats writing a biography. give me villains that like romance movies and fashion you cowards!

the antagonists that think they're in the right, and are worthy of sympathy, and over time become eligable for the Redemption Arc (TM) ((actually I just really like Zuko from ATLA lol))

the antagonists that think they're in the right, and are worthy of sympathy, and over time become eligable for the Redemption Arc (TM) ((actually I just really like Zuko from ATLA lol))

Or like N from Pokemon

the antagonists that think they're in the right, and are worthy of sympathy, and over time become eligable for the Redemption Arc (TM) ((actually I just really like Zuko from ATLA lol))

Or like N from Pokemon

I actually haven't watched, like, any Pokemon I'm sorry I can't make the connection ;-;

my favorites are the ones that just kinda seem like they dont care their like "yeah il take over the world another day" and then when they do their like a freaking warlord

Antagonists whose main goal isn't taking over the world, usurping the throne, or becoming immortal (these seem like the most used options)

one of my others are when it seems like this big scary guy is running the thing when its in fact a little girl

My favorite would probably be antagonists who don't have stereotypical dreams or advances. They should be people too and not just be presented as 'this evil person who does evil things because they're evil.' I'm not saying they need a sob story but I don't think they should have some sort of development or some personality.

Eh.

Yeah sometimes the sob story just gets annoying

whispers:
And maybe the antagonist doesn't have to be evil or selfish or manipulative. Maybe the protagonist doesn't have to be good and honest and right all the time. Maybe the fight isn't good vs. evil. Maybe the protagonist and the antagonist represent two sides of a completely grey area.
Maybe the world isn't always as black and white as fantasy writers make it out to be.

Good point.

whispers:
And maybe the antagonist doesn't have to be evil or selfish or manipulative. Maybe the protagonist doesn't have to be good and honest and right all the time. Maybe the fight isn't good vs. evil. Maybe the protagonist and the antagonist represent two sides of a completely grey area.
Maybe the world isn't always as black and white as fantasy writers make it out to be.

This is exactly what I'm trying to do! I made passive-aggressiveness and manipulation a family trait for the protagonist

yo yo yo @Wry_Wyvern i gotchu bro.

What personality traits do you want in an antagonist? I'm working on a small scale project and need an antagonist

What kind of project? What's the setting/plot?

Small comic. I have a character: Captain Gillian, who's an anthropomorphic jackal (but not like classic internet-style furry. He's actually meant to look kinda creepy). The story involves him being trapped on a boat with his friend (character description not yet available), and he's trying to get home, but he's pissed off an ocean spirit. And well, you see where it goes from there. I'm planning on looking into the story of the Odyssey for further inspiration, but for the moment that's the story so far.

*anthropomorphic
:)

ahhh thanks.