CHARACTER TYPE AND TROPE THESAURUS

SUPERVILLAIN



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HELPFUL TIP:

Using a trope or archetype helps readers quickly understand a character, but stopping there creates a weak and predictable figure. Instead, add depth with a unique backstory, emotional wounds, and related fears and flaws. You can also break expectations with an unusual job, relationship, secret, or positive trait.
DESCRIPTION:
This superhero nemesis is augmented with extraordinary or supernatural powers. There is typically a history between the two characters to explain and complicate their dynamic.

FICTIONAL EXAMPLES:
Lex Luthor (the Superman franchise), Voldemort (Harry Potter series), Magneto (X-Men series), the Joker (the Batman franchise), Loki (Thor)

COMMON STRENGTHS:
ADAPTABLE, ADVENTUROUS, AMBITIOUS, BOLD, CONFIDENT, DECISIVE, DISCIPLINED, FOCUSED, INDUSTRIOUS, OBSERVANT, ORGANIZED, PERSISTENT, PERSUASIVE, PHILOSOPHICAL, PRIVATE, QUIRKY, RESOURCEFUL

COMMON WEAKNESSES:
ABRASIVE, ANTISOCIAL, CALLOUS, COCKY, CONFRONTATIONAL, CONTROLLING, CRUEL, DISRESPECTFUL, EVASIVE, EXTRAVAGANT, FANATICAL, HAUGHTY, HOSTILE, MANIPULATIVE, MELODRAMATIC, MISCHIEVOUS, PUSHY, REBELLIOUS, RECKLESS, SELF-DESTRUCTIVE, SELF-INDULGENT, STUBBORN, UNCOOPERATIVE, VINDICTIVE, VIOLENT, VOLATILE

ASSOCIATED ACTIONS, BEHAVIORS, AND TENDENCIES:
Intelligence
Determination
Resourcefulness
Being the hero in their own story
Having charismatic powers of persuasion
Having a memorable catchphrase
Thinking strategically
Sparing no expense to get the right people for their “team”
Having extraordinary abilities
Devising elaborate and diabolical plans
Surrounding themselves with henchmen or minions
Expecting unquestioning obedience
Being motivated by revenge, power, or a grand-but-misguided vision for the world
Boasting about their schemes
Being arrogant
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FEARS THAT MIGHT LIMIT THE CHARACTER:
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SITUATIONS THAT WILL CHALLENGE THEM:
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INNER STRUGGLES TO GIVE THEM DEPTH:
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CLICHÉS TO BE AWARE OF:
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TWIST THIS TROPE WITH A CHARACTER WHO...:
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UNEXPECTED OCCUPATIONS FOR THIS CHARACTER:
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CREATE SOMETHING NEW:
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