Villain by Default: Difference between revisions

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{{quote|''...And there's this Nazi, who's a bad guy! Why is it that Nazis are always the bad guys?''|'''[[Bum Reviews|Chester A. Bum]]''', [http://thatguywiththeglasses.com/videolinks/thatguywiththeglasses/bum-reviews/31211-x-men-first-class reviewing] ''[[X-Men|X-Men: First Class]]''}}

Close relatives of [[~~Always Chaotic~~ Evil]], these characters are defined morally and narratively by ''what'' they are, rather than ''who'' they are. Inevitably, the [[Villain by Default]] is a member of an organization or class that society as a whole has agreed is evil. For this reason, they require little to no additional characterization to cement their position in the story or motives, and in fact, most [[Villain by Default]] characters receive none.

Close relatives of [[Exclusively Evil]], these characters are defined morally and narratively by ''what'' they are, rather than ''who'' they are. Inevitably, the [[Villain by Default]] is a member of an organization or class that society as a whole has agreed is evil. For this reason, they require little to no additional characterization to cement their position in the story or motives, and in fact, most [[Villain by Default]] characters receive none.

Essentially, this is a way to supply ready-made antagonists and [[Evil Minions]] without sacrificing screen time. [[Evil Minions]], [[The Dragon|Dragon]], and members of the [[Quirky Miniboss Squad]] are more dependent on this trope than the [[Big Bad]], since the [[Big Bad]] usually has enough screen time to more clearly establish their motives.

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** Unless they're [[Inspirationally Disadvantaged]]

* Anyone or anything in a [[Sci Fi]] show that claims to be a deity, [[No Such Thing as Space Jesus|even (or especially) if they have a good case.]]

* [[Our Goblins Are ~~Different~~|Goblins]], [[Our Orcs Are Different|orcs]], and [[Our Monsters Are Different|various other monsters]]. See [[~~Always Chaotic~~ Evil]].

* [[Our Goblins Are Wickeder|Goblins]], [[Our Orcs Are Different|orcs]], and [[Our Monsters Are Different|various other monsters]]. See [[Exclusively Evil]].

* Especially if the hero is poor, [[Aristocrats Are Evil|aristocrats]] (especially [[The Grand Vizier]]) and [[Corrupt Corporate Executive|the rich]] are often this way (also [[Unfortunate Implications]])

* [[Knight Templar|Religious Fanatics]]

* Debt collectors

* Bandits

* Soldiers, who are often portrayed as either as explicitly this or as a [[Noble Profession]], depending on setting and often on the author's politics. When the former, they will either be [[Axe Crazy]] or faceless mooks. Of course, what side they are on will also be a huge factor. In the majority of post-Vietnam media, soldiers on either side who participate in combat missions are portrayed as an example of [[Grey and Grey Morality]].

* Teachers, bosses, and other authority figures in a school or office setting.

* [[Psycho for Hire|Mercenaries]].

* Type 1 [[Pirate|Pirates]].

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== [[Tabletop Games]] ==

* In ''[[Dungeons and Dragons]]'' and most fantasy media, Necromancers (Or [[Necromantic|Necromantics]]) invariably abuse their powers for fun and profit. Even though it's a player accessible subclass of the Wizard, it's rare to see a "good" necromancer.

** The problem with this particular example of D&D (in 3rd and 3.5 editions) is that a necromancer who can't or won't cast spells with the [evil] subtype loses a good portion of the spells available from it, mostly the ones that [[Evil Is Cool|you'd want to be a necromancer for,]] any way.

** Likewise in the ''Warcraft'' universe, at least until the new ''[[World of Warcraft]]'' expansion pack, which will let players play renegade death knights (necromancer-warriors).