View source for Five-Bad Band

{{trope}}
[[File:five bad band4 1379.jpg|link=X-Men|frame|The original Brotherhood of Evil Mutants, clockwise from top-left: [[Big Bad|Magneto]], [[The Dark Chick|Scarlet Witch]], [[The Brute|Quicksilver]], [[The Evil Genius|Mastermind]], and [[The Dragon|Toad]].]]

Heroes aren't the only ones who enjoy bonding in groups of five. Villains do it, too, and this [[Trope]] is the [[Evil Counterpart]] of the [[Five-Man Band]]. This isn't necessarily done to mirror the heroes or provide any sort of advantage; in fact, many Five-Bad Bands are in place even before the [[Five-Man Band]] is. Note also that Five-Bad Bands are more fluid than Five-Person Bands, open to more roster changes, and there may not even be five of them, though there are never fewer than four.

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The roles in a '''Five-Bad Band''' are:

* [[Big Bad|The Big Bad]] - Counterpart to [[The Hero]], or if present sometimes the [[Big Good]]. [[Large and In Charge]], with an inner circle of [[Mooks]] to do their bidding and often also an [[The Evil Army|Evil Army]] as well. Often will be more difficult to identify early on because of the very nature of a [[Big Bad]].
* [[The Dragon]] - Counterpart to [[The Lancer]], or on occasion [[The Hero]] if the [[Big Bad]] v [[Big Good]] thing is going on. Usually more physical than their [[Boss]], and commonly the most trusted member of the bunch. Good for leading [[Mooks]], and sometimes the most '[[Wicked Cultured|classy]]' looking. Much like [[The Lancer]], in the absence of a [[Sixth Ranger Traitor]], [[The Dragon]] is the most likely to betray the team (''especially'' if they're [[The Starscream]]), and may bear their share of resentment towards the [[Big Bad]].<ref>although if there's more than one Dragon, odds are at least one will be fully loyal</ref> More likely to be [[The Hero]]'s [[Evil Counterpart]] or [[Worthy Opponent]] within the context of the story than the [[Big Bad]] is. 
* [[Evil Genius|The Evil Genius]] - Counterpart to [[The Smart Guy]]. Operates the weapons or acts as [[Mission Control]] for the others. Often essential to the evil scheme; their screwing up could mean the entire thing falls apart. Most likely of this group to be [[Bad Boss]]'d for this very reason. Ironically, being less manically evil doesn't make them a better candidate for a [[Heel Face Turn]], as they are often just completely amoral. More prone to insanity or [[Bunny Ears Lawyer|other quirks]] than others. Very likely to be a [[Mad Scientist]] (or an [[Evil Sorcerer]] in fantasy-oriented works).
* [[The Brute]] - Counterpart to [[The Big Guy]]. If [[The Dragon]] doesn't lead the [[Mooks]], they will. While likely not better in a fight than [[The Dragon]], is often the most physically powerful and often the most sadistic. Likes to fight and get his hands dirty, and is usually second best to [[The Dragon]] at doing so. Oh, and they are [[Giant Mook|big]], and sometimes ([[Genius Bruiser|but not always]]) [[Dumb Muscle|pretty dim]].
* [[Dark Chick|The Dark Chick]] - The counterpart to [[The Chick]], they can vary quite significantly, and is chiefly defined by looking or acting wildly different from the other members, adding color to the group. It's this member that stands out for one reason or another, and may be considered the "freak" or loose cannon of the group, particularly by her own members. If in an [[Sliding Scale of Idealism Versus Cynicism|optimistic setting,]] she will be the one most likely to be [[High Heel Face Turn|redeemed and not die horrifically]] (and probably hook up with [[The Hero]] or [[The Lancer]]). If not, then she becomes a one part [[Dating Catwoman|Dominatrix]] and one part [[Yandere]] for [[The Hero]] (if male, with [[Psycho Lesbian|exceptions]]) if she holds any type of [[Dating Catwoman|romantic interest]] towards him at all. It's also possible for her to be in love with [[The Dragon]] or the [[Big Bad]].

Also frequent is for the group to get a [[Sixth Ranger]] of its own—possibly a [[Sixth Ranger Traitor]]. Sometimes there'll even be a more classical [[The Lancer|Lancer]]. Just like with the [[Five-Man Band]], the former can either be a [[Face Heel Turn]] or just simply a third entity that eventually joins them and the latter is a member that undergoes a [[Heel Face Turn]] (although the member doesn't necessarily have to join the heroes opposing the organization). It's extraordinarily rare for a Five-Bad Band to get a [[Team Pet]], though. However, when they do, [[Fluffy the Terrible|it]] will be out on the field of battle trying to ream [[Red Shirt|redshirts]] of the team to death or is seen consuming [[Mooks]] like treats.

In general this team is the ultimate enemy to defeat, being [[Distribution of Ninjutsu|equal and opposite]] their enemies. However, if they are a group sent out by the [[Big Bad]] and have a leadership structure but are nothing more then a [[The Dragon|dangerous group]] to cause trouble then it is a [[Quirky Miniboss Squad]]. A Five Bad Team can double as [[The Psycho Rangers]], the collective [[Evil Twin]] of a [[Five-Man Band]]. 

When adding entries to this list, please follow the order as listed above. Also remember, the individual character [[trope]]s are very specific character types. It is tempting to match one or two possible characters and then shove other characters in a [[Quirky Miniboss Squad]] to fit this [[Trope]]. Like the [[Five-Man Band]], they have a team dynamic, not just vague personality quirks.

Similarly, neither all evil Five-Person Bands nor all groups of [[The Psycho Rangers]] are necessarily Five Bad Bands. Compare and contrast with a [[Standard Evil Empire Hierarchy]].

{{NoRealLife|As it turns out, there were very few five-member bands of criminals in history}}, [[Square Peg, Round Trope|and six- or seven-member examples were being added instead]], [[Well, This Is Not That Trope|and that is not this trope]].

{{examples on subpages}}

{{reflist}}
[[Category:{{PAGENAME}}]]
[[Category:The Index Team]]
[[Category:Ensembles]]
[[Category:Villains]]