5 Steps to Write Insanely Good Fantasy Villains

Summary

In this video, the creator shares five essential principles for crafting highly original and memorable villains in fantasy stories. Key advice includes giving villains unique motivations, such as redemption or the pursuit of legacy, and using distinctive approaches like psychological manipulation or undermining morals. The video emphasizes the importance of showing the villain's life outside the main conflict to add depth, reframing the antagonist as someone simply opposing the protagonist's goals, and applying the '99% rule' for creating unexpected choices. These principles help writers develop complex, unpredictable antagonists that feel fresh and thought-provoking.

Takeaways

• 😀 Start with an original motivation: Avoid clichés like power, money, or revenge. Give your villain unique reasons for their actions, such as redemption, the greater good, or a desire for legacy.
• 😀 Make their approach distinctive: It's not just what the villain wants, but how they go about achieving it. Unique tactics can make your antagonist more memorable and challenging.
• 😀 Show what your antagonist is like outside of the conflict: Revealing their personal life or mundane activities adds depth and complexity, making them feel more human.
• 😀 Reframe the term 'villain': Rather than thinking in terms of good vs. evil, think of the antagonist as someone who simply opposes the protagonist’s goals. This allows for more nuanced and morally complex characters.
• 😀 Apply the 99% rule: Show how your antagonist makes choices that 99% of other characters wouldn't, adding unpredictability and making them more unique.
• 😀 Avoid typical villain clichés: Move away from mustache-twirling villains and focus on creating antagonists who are morally ambiguous or even sympathetic.
• 😀 The villain’s motivation should be complex: Villains should have layered reasons for their actions, such as a twisted desire for love, or a belief that their actions are for the greater good.
• 😀 Psychological manipulation is a powerful tool: Villains who can exploit the protagonist’s doubts or moral struggles are more dangerous and compelling.
• 😀 The antagonist should challenge the protagonist’s core beliefs: Unique villains often force heroes to confront moral dilemmas or question their values.
• 😀 Use subtle tactics to make your villain memorable: Villains who rely on charm, manipulation, or psychological warfare can be more unsettling and effective than those relying on brute force.

Q & A

What is the first principle for creating an original villain?

The first principle is to start with an original motivation. Instead of using overused motivations like power, money, or revenge, the villain should have a unique and complex motivation, such as seeking redemption, a greater good, or a twisted desire for love or belonging.

Why should a villain’s motivation be original?

An original motivation makes the villain feel fresh and unique, creating a more memorable and complex character. It helps avoid clichés and provides a deeper connection to the antagonist’s actions.

Can you give an example of a villain motivated by redemption?

An example would be a powerful sorcerer who unleashed a curse on a village and is now seeking redemption by trying to eliminate all magic, believing it is too dangerous for mortals to possess.

How can a villain’s approach to achieving their goal make them distinctive?

A villain’s approach can be distinctive by focusing on how they achieve their goals rather than just what they want. Unique strategies, such as psychological manipulation, undermining morals, or corrupting allies, can create a more complex and challenging antagonist.

What are some unique ways an antagonist can undermine the protagonist?

An antagonist can undermine the protagonist by forcing them to compromise their values, manipulating their perception of reality, or corrupting their allies to weaken their support network.

What does showing an antagonist's life outside the main conflict do for their character?

Showing an antagonist's life outside the main conflict humanizes them and adds complexity. It provides a deeper understanding of their character and motivations, making them more relatable and layered.

Can you give an example of an antagonist with a personal life outside the conflict?

An example is Little Bill Daggett from *Unforgiven*. He is shown working on his house, which adds a layer of humanity to his character, making him more relatable despite his corruption.

How does reframing the term 'villain' help create a more interesting antagonist?

By reframing the term 'villain' as 'antagonist,' writers can focus on the antagonist’s opposition to the protagonist’s goals without needing to make them purely evil. This allows for more morally ambiguous, complex characters who may even be sympathetic.

What is the 99% rule, and how does it apply to creating unique antagonists?

The 99% rule suggests that a villain should make choices or take actions that 99% of other characters wouldn’t make in the same situation. This unique approach makes the antagonist unpredictable and memorable.

How does Hans Landa from *Inglorious Basterds* exemplify the 99% rule?

Hans Landa exemplifies the 99% rule by being patient and polite, engaging in long small talk before revealing his true intentions. Instead of rushing in with brute force, he manipulates and psychologically toys with his targets, which makes him a unique and unsettling antagonist.