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Sliding Scale of Anti-Villains: Difference between revisions
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Type I, Type II, and Type III usually can be evil, although they average out at a darker shade of grey. Type IV characters are a [[A Lighter Shade of Grey|light grey]] at their worst, and [[Good Versus Good|good characters aimed at greater goods]] at their best.
:Although he chooses to be evil and may in fact [[Card-Carrying Villain|embrace his villainous reputation]], when the time comes for him to walk the walk, he turns away. This type of anti villain has a set of standards, certain lines that he will never cross. As such, he is the first one to say [[Even Evil Has Standards]] when faced with someone who offends said code of conduct. Unlikely to [[Kick the Dog]] but will [[Pet the Dog]]. Often accompanied by a [[Morality Pet]]. Alternatively, villainy is just a job to put food on the table, thus it's never personal. Placed higher on the evilness scale than type 2 because villainy is a choice for them rather than something that they are driven to. The type 1 is the common definition of the [[Anti-Villain]]. Those in this category may become true villains if they try to overcome their restraints. Ironically, despite being the most villainous level of [[Anti-Villain]], type 1 tends to be the most stable, with very little change.
:The defining Trope for this type of Anti-Villain would be the '''[[Noble Demon]]'''.
:Related Tropes: [[Hitman with a Heart]], [[Minion with an F In Evil]], [[Would Not Shoot a Civilian]], [[Never Hurt an Innocent]], [[Even Evil Has Standards]], [[Wouldn't Hurt a Child]], [[Ineffectual Sympathetic Villain]], a darker [[Noble Top Enforcer]].
:It's obvious that these types of villains don't
:The defining trope for this type of Anti-Villain would be a '''[[Woobie, Destroyer of Worlds]]'''.
:Related Tropes: [[Sympathetic Murderer]], [[Jerkass Woobie]], [[Tragic Villain]], [[My Master, Right or Wrong]], and a typical [[Dark Magical Girl]].
:The [[Well-Intentioned Extremist]]. They may believe in a good goal, but use whatever means there are to achieve it. The sympathy the audience can garner for this character comes from the fact that they basically share the same goal as the hero, but are pragmatically, expediently, or pessimistically, ruthless about it. They can very much be conscious about their morally questionable actions, but feel that there is no other way. Common antagonist in [[White and Grey Morality]] scenarios and relatively likely to be redeemed if shown the error of their ways depending on ''how'' "extremist" they are. These [[Anti-Villain|Anti Villains]] may become more malicious true villains, but they are more likely to either stay in this category or possibly morph into a Type II [[Anti-Villain]]. The Type III can also be a revolutionary of some sort, fighting against the main character only due to their affiliation to some government or organization, and usually fighting for a noble cause. Alternatively, [[Obliviously Evil|they may not even realize what they're doing is wrong or making things worse in the first place]].▼
:The defining Trope for this type of Anti-Villain would be the '''[[Well-Intentioned Extremist]]''', of course. Might overlap with [[Sliding Scale of Anti-Heroes|Type III Anti-Hero]].▼
▲The [[Well-Intentioned Extremist]]. They may believe in a good goal, but use whatever means there are to achieve it. The sympathy the audience can garner for this character comes from the fact that they basically share the same goal as the hero, but are pragmatically, expediently, or pessimistically, ruthless about it. They can very much be conscious about their morally questionable actions, but feel that there is no other way. Common antagonist in [[White and Grey Morality]] scenarios and relatively likely to be redeemed if shown the error of their ways depending on ''how'' "extremist" they are. These [[Anti-Villain|Anti Villains]] may become more malicious true villains, but they are more likely to either stay in this category or possibly morph into a Type II [[Anti-Villain]]. The Type III can also be a revolutionary of some sort, fighting against the main character only due to their affiliation to some government or organization, and usually fighting for a noble cause. Alternatively, [[Obliviously Evil|they may not even realize what they're doing is wrong or making things worse in the first place]].
:Related Tropes: [[Necessarily Evil]], [[Obliviously Evil]].▼
▲The defining Trope for this type of Anti-Villain would be the '''[[Well-Intentioned Extremist]]''', of course. Might overlap with [[Sliding Scale of Anti-Heroes|Type III Anti-Hero]].
▲Related Tropes: [[Necessarily Evil]], [[Obliviously Evil]].
:These characters either lack any villainous traits whatsoever or have so much concern over others that any signs of villainy are nearly completely drowned out. Frequently, these characters are called villains only because they fight against the hero. Basically, these guys are
:A defining trope for this type of Anti-Villain is the '''[[Designated Villain]]'''.▼
▲=== Type IV: [[Anti-Villain|"Villain"]] In Name Only ===
▲These characters either lack any villainous traits whatsoever or have so much concern over others that any signs of villainy are nearly completely drowned out. Frequently, these characters are called villains only because they fight against the hero. Basically, these guys are NEVER actively malevolent. They usually have some other reason for opposing the hero besides evil schemes. Ironically, these characters can be extremely dangerous to the hero as their high skill at arms/competence more than makes up for their lack of vileness. Fighting them also poses a moral dilemma which can also sap the hero's morale. It is at this point where an [[Anti-Villain]] starts to blur with the [[Hero Antagonist]]. Having to kill a particularly well liked type 4 in a boss fight can be a [[Player Punch]]. Their deaths are extremely likely to be a [[Tear Jerker]]. These [[Anti-Villain]]s have virtually no chance of becoming a true villain - in fact, if they did, it would probably mess up the flow of the story.
▲A defining trope for this type of Anti-Villain is the '''[[Designated Villain]]'''.
Related Tropes: more benign [[My Country, Right or Wrong]] or [[My Master, Right or Wrong]], [[Non-Malicious Monster]], [[Punch Clock Villain]], [[Noble Top Enforcer]] (when not a Type I), mild examples of [[Necessarily Evil]], those who are [[Forced Into Evil]], and occasionally a [[Token Good Teammate]] (when amongst a bunch of scumbags).▼
▲:Related Tropes: more benign [[My Country, Right or Wrong]] or [[My Master, Right or Wrong]], [[Non-Malicious Monster]], [[Punch Clock Villain]], [[Noble Top Enforcer]] (when not a Type I), mild examples of [[Necessarily Evil]], those who are [[Forced Into Evil]], and occasionally a [[Token Good Teammate]] (when
{{examples}}
== Type I Examples ==
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** When said duel is interrupted by Cytomander, who takes Yoko hostage and orders Viral to perform a [[No-Holds-Barred Beatdown]] on Gurren Lagann, Viral refuses and sheathes his axe, knowing that his honor cannot be regained that way.
===
* Captain Cold of ''[[The Flash]]'' and most of the Rogues' Gallery are an example of this.
* [[The Darkness]]
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