History Main / EvilVirtues

For example: A {{Pride}}ful villain might also be very hardworking in order to get the power he needs. A slothful villain might compensate with amazing creativity, coming up with [[GadgeteerGenius amazing inventions]], {{Evil Plan}}s, and [[OffscreenVillainDarkMatter limitless funds]]. A wrathful villain may [[YouHaveFailedMe nonetheless]] be very loyal to his minions, [[IControlMyMinionsThrough inspiring great devotion]]. A {{greed}}y villain might back it up with [[{{Determinator}} tenacity]], relentless and unyielding in their pursuit of more, more, more. A lustful villain may also be extremely courageous, willing to risk death or worse in pursuit of their carnal desires.

* '''[[WickedCultured Civilization.]]''' A sharp-dressed, eloquent, ManOfWealthAndTaste is likely to win over followers through sheer charisma and confidence, especially if he's able to make the heroes look like {{Loser Protagonist}}s in comparison. Plus, EvilIsSexy.

* '''Intellect''' is what makes the MagnificentBastard and DangerouslyGenreSavvy villain such a formidable adversary. Studying the failures of those who came before him and knowing the hero's weaknesses all but guarantees victory. Expect him to quote Creator/SunTzu or other martial philosophers if he's a WickedCultured sort, and especially to hit several points on the EvilOverlordList. All the better if [[BrainsEvilBrawnGood paired against a]] DumbMuscle opponent.

* '''[[EqualOpportunityEvil Equality]].''' Usually the remit of villains that see the bigger picture, if just because they are less concerned about any individual that suffers that their hands, but villains will often reward strength and punish weakness without caring who that person ''is''. TheSocialDarwinist may think only the strong should profit, but on the other hand ''any'' strong individual can profit.

See also NegativesAsAPositive, when the bad personality traits themselves are given a good spin. (The slothful character is practicing wise energy conservation; the greedy miser is thrifty and has good wealth management...)

Villains are bad, it goes without saying. However, they can't be ''all'' bad for the simple reason that a character loaded down with '''all''' of the SevenDeadlySins (along with whatever other character flaws writers can think of) will be too lazy, gluttonous, envious, prideful, angry, lustful and miserly to ''do'' much of anything. A villain laden down with too many vices quickly becomes a loser.

For example: A {{Pride}}ful villain might also be very hard working in order to get the power he needs. A slothful villain might compensate with amazing creativity, coming up with [[GadgeteerGenius amazing inventions]], {{Evil Plan}}s, and [[OffscreenVillainDarkMatter limitless funds]]. A wrathful villain may [[YouHaveFailedMe nonetheless]] be very loyal to his minions, [[IControlMyMinionsThrough inspiring great devotion]]. A {{greed}}y villain might back it up with [[{{Determinator}} tenacity]], relentless and unyielding in their pursuit of more, more, more. A lustful villain may also be extremely courageous, willing to risk death or worse in pursuit of their carnal desires.

* '''Temperance.''' While many villains tend to indulge on being needlessly cruel ForTheEvulz, even when it doesn't benefit their goal, there are some villains who know restraint. [[EvenEvilHasStandards They may consider such actions too heinous for even them]], or because [[PragmaticVillainy they don't want to waste time, energy or resources doing something detrimental to their goal]]. This allows them to avoid carrying the VillainBall or performing StupidEvil actions.

This trope is very, ''[[OmnipresentTropes very]]'' common. In fact, it also qualifies as {{universal|tropes}}. Listing examples here would just be an exercise in futility.

* '''Diligence.''' Despite EvilIsEasy and TheDarkSide making access to power easier, many villains will undergo much more extreme ordeals and protracted effort than heroes, who usually benefit from HardWorkHardlyWorks.

Oh, and it lets them get all holier-than-thou and "NotSoDifferent" during a BreakingSpeech -- especially if the hero really ''is'' deficient in a virtue (or apparent virtue) the villain cherishes, in which case the villain may even claim that ''they'' hold the moral high ground.

* '''Wisdom.''' Believe it or not, villains can be wise if they actually learn from their failures or from the enemy. Being TaughtByExperience can help them improve their strategies and let them figure out how to accomplish their goals more efficiently. They will also KnowWhenToFoldEm if the heroes have truly gotten the better of them, either [[GracefulLoser because they are good sports who are willing to accept a loss]] or know they can just try again another day. If they're being threatened by someone or something they clearly cannot fend off themselves, they'll swallow their pride and ally even with their sworn enemies in order to deal with this threat. If they aim to corrupt or [[EvilMentor mentor]] a good person, they won't expect a quick, drastic turn to the dark side, patiently letting their proteges to reach their evil potential at the right pace instead. If in a position of authority, they can be a ReasonableAuthorityFigure by listening to their advisors, being willing to accept failure from their minions so long as there is a good reason (and even then they will only give reasonable and fair punishments instead of acting like a BadBoss with a YouHaveFailedMe mentality), and also avoid doing acts of needless cruelty (even if it's only for [[PragmaticVillainy pragmatic reasons]]). They can also possess insight into other people that will make them better manipulators, able to deliver [[VillainHasAPoint accurate]] and effective {{Breaking Speech}}es and {{The Reason You Suck Speech}}es (like with '''Humility''' and '''Honesty'''), and even capable of averting -- to an extent at minimum -- EvilCannotComprehendGood.

* '''[[VillainousFriendship Camaderie]].''' There are villains that genuinely value each other as comrades, getting along with each other, being willing to listen to the other if they make suggestions, show tremendous trust in each other, and even help each other in times of need. Villains may also end up being good friends with the heroes, though whether or not it causes them to change sides depends on the situation, making it painful to fight them as a result.

* '''[[VillainousFriendship Camaderie]].''' There are villains that genuinely value each other as comrades, getting along with each other, being willing to listen to the other if they make suggestions, show tremendous trust in each other, and even help each other in times of need. Villains may also end up being good friends with the heroes, though whether or not it causes them to change sides depends on the situation, making it harder painful to fight them as a result.

* '''Wisdom.''' Believe it or not, villains can be wise if they actually learn from their failures or from the enemy. Being TaughtByExperience can help them improve their strategies and let them figure out how to accomplish their goals more efficiently. They will also KnowWhenToFoldEm if the heroes have truly gotten the better of them, either [[GracefulLoser because good sports who are willing to accept a loss]] or know they can just try again another day. If they're being threatened by someone or something they clearly cannot fend off themselves, they'll swallow their pride and ally even with their sworn enemies in order to deal with this threat. If they aim to corrupt or [[EvilMentor mentor]] a good person, they won't expect a quick, drastic turn to the dark side, patiently letting their proteges to reach their evil potential at the right pace instead. If in a position of authority, they can be a ReasonableAuthorityFigure by listening to their advisors, being willing to accept failure from their minions so long as there is a good reason (and even then they will only give reasonable and fair punishments instead of acting like a BadBoss with a YouHaveFailedMe mentality), and also avoid doing acts of needless cruelty (even if it's only for [[PragmaticVillainy pragmatic reasons]]). They can also possess insight into other people that will make them better manipulators, able to deliver [[VillainHasAPoint accurate]] and effective {{Breaking Speech}}es and {{The Reason You Suck Speech}}es (like with '''Humility''' and '''Honesty'''), and even capable of averting -- to an extent at minimum -- EvilCannotComprehendGood.

* '''Wisdom.''' Believe it or not, villains can be wise if they actually learn from their failures or from the enemy. Being TaughtByExperience can help them improve their strategies and let them figure out how to accomplish their goals more efficiently. They will also KnowWhenToFoldEm if the heroes have truly gotten the better of them, either [[GracefulLoser because they're willing to accept their loss]] or know they can just try again another day. If they're being threatened by someone or something they clearly cannot fend off themselves, they'll swallow their pride and ally even with their sworn enemies in order to deal with this threat. If they aim to corrupt or [[EvilMentor mentor]] a good person, they won't expect a quick, drastic turn to the dark side, patiently letting their proteges to reach their evil potential at the right pace instead. If in a position of authority, they can be a ReasonableAuthorityFigure by listening to their advisors, being willing to accept failure from their minions so long as there is a good reason, and also avoid doing acts of needless cruelty (even if it's only for [[PragmaticVillainy pragmatic reasons]]). They can also possess insight into other people that will make them better manipulators, able to deliver [[VillainHasAPoint accurate]] and effective {{Breaking Speech}}es and {{The Reason You Suck Speech}}es (like with '''Humility''' and '''Honesty'''), and even capable of averting -- to an extent at minimum -- EvilCannotComprehendGood.

* '''Generosity.''' Whereas some villains would prefer to hoard all the power or material wealth for themselves, there are some who are willing to share with their allies. This might be done just to ensure their loyalty, but it may also be done out of genuine gratitude for such loyalty in the first place.

* '''Flexibility.''' While some villains believe their plan is infallible and are left at a loss when that plan ends up failing, some villains can actually [[XanatosSpeedChess adapt their plans on the fly if things don't work out as they intended]]. Their willingness to improvise can make them very effective in catching the enemy off-guard and ensure they don't go down so easily.

* '''Wisdom.''' Believe it or not, villains can be wise if they actually learn from their failures or from the enemy. Being TaughtByExperience can help them improve their strategies and let them figure out how to accomplish their goals more efficiently. They will also KnowWhenToFoldEm if the heroes have truly gotten the better of them, either [[GracefulLoser because they're willing to accept their loss]] or know they can just try again another day. If they're being threatened by someone or something they clearly cannot fend off themselves, they'll swallow their pride and ally even with their sworn enemies in order to deal with this threat. If they aim to corrupt or [[EvilMentor mentor]] a good person, they won't expect a quick, drastic turn to the dark side, patiently letting their proteges to reach their evil potential at the right pace instead. If in a position of authority, they can be a ReasonableAuthorityFigure by listening to their advisors, being willing to accept failure from their minions so long as there is a good reason, and also avoid doing acts of needless cruelty (even if it's only for [[PragmaticVillainy pragmatic reasons]]). They can also possess insight into other people that, like with '''Humility''' and '''Honesty''', will make them able to deliver [[VillainHasAPoint accurate]] and effective {{Breaking Speech}}es and {{The Reason You Suck Speech}}es.

* '''Wisdom.''' Believe it or not, villains can be wise if they actually learn from their failures or from the enemy. Being TaughtByExperience can help them improve their strategies and let them figure out how to accomplish their goals more efficiently. They will also KnowWhenToFoldEm if the heroes have truly gotten the better of them, either [[GracefulLoser because they're willing to accept their loss]] or know they can just try again another day. If they're being threatened by someone or something they clearly cannot fend off themselves, they'll swallow their pride and ally even with their sworn enemies in order to deal with this threat. If they aim to corrupt or [[EvilMentor mentor]] a good person, they won't expect a quick, drastic turn to the dark side, patiently letting their proteges to reach their evil potential at the right pace instead. If in a position of authority, they can be a ReasonableAuthorityFigure by listening to their advisors, being willing to accept failure from their minions so long as there is a good reason, and also avoid doing acts of needless cruelty (even if it's only for [[PragmaticVillainy pragmatic reasons]]). This, as well as '''Humility''' and '''Honesty''', can make their {{Breaking Speech}}es and {{The Reason You Suck Speech}}es all the more [[VillainHasAPoint accurate]] and effective.

* '''Cooperation''': Villains with good teamwork skills can make them very effective in accomplishing their goals. If they share a common enemy with the heroes, they may also be willing to work alongside them to put down that enemy.

* '''[[WillNotTellALie Honesty]].''' Though rare, some villains ''[[VillainsNeverLie don't]]'' [[ILied lie]], and insist that [[IGaveMyWord keeping a promise is a matter of honor]]. This does have the practical effect of people being more likely to trust them and [[AtLeastIAdmitIt less able to verbally undermine them]], even if they are known to be a villain. In organized crime settings, a villain will not get far without a reputation for honesty. This along with '''Humility''' below also makes their {{Breaking Speech}}es and {{The Reason You Suck Speech}}es more [[VillainHasAPoint accurate]] and [[BreakThemByTalking effective]].

* '''Humility.''' Not all villains are smug and arrogant. Some are down to earth, [[AffablyEvil personable]], and modest. Common in a NoNonsenseNemesis, and a large part of what makes them terrifying foes. They acknowledge their own fallibility and rarely shoot [[ShootTheMessenger advisors for doing their job ]] or [[YouHaveFailedMe minions for failure]] of ThePlan. They will not be [[DidYouJustFlipOffCthulhu enraged by insults]]. They are not concerned with [[EvilIsHammy making a spectacle]] or EvilGloating. This is a villain who ''will'' [[WhyDontYouJustShootHim just shoot the hero]] or calmly inform them [[YouAreTooLate that the plan has already succeeded]]. If they give a TheReasonYouSuckSpeech it will likely be both [[VillainHasAPoint accurate]] and [[BreakThemByTalking effective]].

* '''[[EvenEvilHasLovedOnes Love]].''' Despite LoveRedeems, a surprising number [[UnholyMatrimony love either their spouses]], [[EvenBadMenLoveTheirMamas parents]], [[DaddysLittleVillain children]], or even [[TrueCompanions friends]]/[[AFatherToHisMen underlings]] while remaining evil. Of course, it's worth mentioning that LoveMakesYouEvil and [[LoveMakesYouCrazy Crazy]]. With Love as a villain's virtue, the result is often UnholyMatrimony.

* '''Wisdom.''' Believe it or not, villains can be wise if they actually learn from their failures or from the enemy. Being TaughtByExperience can help them improve their strategies and let them figure out how to accomplish their goals more efficiently. They will also KnowWhenToFoldEm if the heroes have truly gotten the better of them, either [[GracefulLoser because they're willing to accept their loss]] or know they can just try again another day. If in a position of authority, they can be a ReasonableAuthorityFigure by listening to their advisors, being willing to accept failure from their minions so long as their is a good reason, and also avoid doing acts of needless cruelty (even if it's only for [[PragmaticVillainy pragmatic reasons]]). This, as well as '''Humility''' and '''Honesty''', can make their {{Breaking Speech}}es and {{The Reason You Suck Speech}}es all the more [[VillainHasAPoint accurate]] and [[BreakThemByTalking effective]].

* '''Creativity.''' When a villain is an EvilGenius or TheStrategist, they may be able to come up with good plans with whatever resources they have at their disposal, [[NotTheIntendedUse using those resources for things other than their intended purpose]], or even [[OutsideTheBoxTatic think outside the box]] if their normal tactics against the enemy don't work.

* '''Wisdom.''' Believe it or not, villains can be wise if they actually learn from their failures or from the enemy. Being TaughtByExperience can help them improve their strategies and let them figure out how to accomplish their goals more efficiently. If in a position of authority, they can also be a ReasonableAuthorityFigure by listening to their advisors, being willing to accept failure from their minions so long as their is a good reason, and also avoid doing acts of needless cruelty (even if it's only for pragmatic reasons). This, as well as humility and honesty, can make their {{Breaking Speech}}es and {{The Reason You Suck Speech}}es all the more [[VillainHasAPoint accurate]] and [[BreakThemByTalking effective]].